US vacationers urged to be cautious in Mexico amid new journey security dangers

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Having trouble? Click here. As People start to finalize their summer time trip plans, a travel advisor is providing security suggestions for these heading to Mexico's pristine shores which might be usually frequented by Hollywood stars.

Fox Information Digital spoke with Sandra Awodele, the creator behind COI Traveler, a rising journey weblog and platform, about what People needs to be cautious of forward of their summer time travels to Mexico.

"Folks love Mexico as a result of it is a good time, it is inexpensive, and it is driveable," she stated. "However they need to be cautious of theft, scams and cartel violence."

The journey knowledgeable's suggestions come because the U.S. State Division, together with the U.S. Embassy in Mexico, has issued an pressing journey warning for Baja California Sur, La Paz, Los Cabos, Cabo San Lucas as a consequence of escalating safety issues in these fashionable vacationer locations.

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Vacationers swim at Medano Seashore in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur state, Mexico, on Saturday, June 24, 2023. (Mariceu Erthal/Bloomberg by way of Getty Pictures)

The journey alert reported that cartels have made threats in opposition to officers. It added that People in Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and La Paz ought to "anticipate to see elevated safety presence [and] public transportation restrictions."

The U.S. Department of State points journey advisories for every of Mexico’s 32 states primarily based on various security circumstances. The advisory for Baja California Sur has been raised to "train elevated warning."

Different fashionable vacationer locations in Mexico, similar to Mexico Metropolis, Quintana Roo and Nayarit, are additionally beneath related advisories.

Surfers and vacationers benefit from the waves at Acapulquito seashore, positioned in San Jose del Cabo on June 3, 2023, in Los Cabos, Mexico. (Alfredo Martinez/Getty Pictures)

Earlier than you go For vacationers planning to go to Mexico within the close to future, particularly these heading to Baja California Sur , it's essential to heed the recommendation offered by the embassy and native officers, Awodele stated.

If driving, Awodele advised vacationers plan their route by utilizing designated security corridors in Mexico. The nation has freeway techniques which might be monitored extra intently and has frequent safety checkpoints which will present vacationers an additional set of eyes throughout their journey.

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An aerial view of a storm approaching Bahia Concepcion in Mexico's Baja California state in July 2021. This area of Mexico is a well-liked vacation spot for vacationers. (Picture by Guillermo Arias / AFP) (Picture by Guillermo Arias/AFP by way of Getty Pictures)

When packing, carry not less than one bank card and two debit playing cards to stop being stranded if one is misplaced or stolen, she stated.

For Awodele, the problem is private after she was robbed and scammed out of $250 whereas touring in Tulum, Mexico.

She defined that she arrived on the port effectively forward of her flight to take a water taxi to the airport, however missed one which had simply left. A person approached her and claimed that, as a consequence of COVID-related adjustments, the subsequent water taxi wouldn’t arrive on time, and he or she would miss her flight.

The person, she stated, insisted that she wanted to take a small personal plane—and that it required $250 in money.

Regardless of her suspicions, Awodele complied, as a result of she was panicked about lacking her flight. She withdrew the cash from an ATM and was rushed onto a small plane. Notably, she was the one passenger, which added to her discomfort.

Upon arriving on the airport, with loads of time left, she realized that the urgency might have been fabricated.

After trying into it, Awodele came upon any such rip-off, the place concern and urgency are used to trick vacationers into overpaying for transportation, will not be unusual. For the reason that cost was in money, she had no recourse to get the cash again.

<img src="https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2018/09/1200/675/mexico-istock.jpg?ve=1&tl=1" alt="North-west view of the El Castillo (Temple of Kukulkan). El Castillo, also known as the Temple of Kukulcan, is a Mesoamerican step-pyramid that dominates the center of the Chichen Itza archaeological site in the Mexican state of YucatÃ¡n. Chichen Itza was a large pre-Columbian city built by the Maya people of the Terminal Classic period. The archaeological site is located in TinÃºm Municipality, YucatÃ¡n State, Mexico." width="1200" height="675"/> Mexico is a well-liked trip vacation spot for People, however one journey advisor warns that vacationers ought to take precautions. (Chichen Itza- iStock)

She means that, together with a number of bank cards and debit playing cards, vacationers carry some U.S. {dollars} and put money into an anti-theft bag to safe valuables.

"Do not journey with one card. If you happen to're going someplace, you want a bank card and not less than two debit playing cards. The bank card will get locked, or the debit card will get stolen," she stated. "You want a 3rd card to just be sure you're good."

She additionally advised bringing an influence financial institution and downloading offline maps that embody your lodge, the nearest police station and different key areas in case of emergency or poor cell indicators.

On the bottom Whereas in Mexico, keep conscious of your environment and keep away from trying misplaced, as this will mark you as a goal. Ladies vacationers ought to think about using drink covers like scrunchie lids, carrying a whistle or private alarm and storing valuables in other places.

If one thing goes flawed If one thing goes flawed—like being scammed or robbed—contact the U.S. embassy instantly, cancel compromised playing cards, and get to a secure, populated space, Awodele stated.

Celebrities have lengthy flocked to Mexico for its luxurious resorts, gorgeous seashores, and personal retreats.

Tulum, positioned on the Caribbean coast, has been frequented by stars like Jennifer Aniston and Paris Hilton. Celebrities like the Kardashians , Girl Gaga and Beyoncé have been recognized to frequent Punta Mita, a personal peninsula on the Pacific coast.