Why we’re not afraid to travel to Mexico: our candid opinion on safety

Two days after we arrived back in Baja this year, breaking news about cartel violence in Mexico spread across the US. We received countless texts from friends and family concerned for our safety. Had this been our first or second time in Baja, we no doubt would have been afraid; the unknown is a breeding ground for fear. But thanks to the experience we’ve acquired over the last four years, the news of last Sunday’s events did not make us feel as though our safety was in jeopardy. Instead, the news we received secondhand from friends and family in the US only made us feel remorse and compassion for the Mexican people, whose landscape, food, and culture we’ve come to love deeply.

I’m not usually one to dive deep into political or cultural opinions on a public platform, but I feel the US media’s portrayal of Mexico is unfair. If I have the ability to provide another perspective, I feel Mexico deserves that. This article is based solely on Mark’s and my personal experience. I cannot speak for every tourist, nor can I speak in any way, shape, or form on what it’s like to be a native of Mexico.

For Context: A Brief Summary of Our History in Mexico

Over the last four years, we’ve spent a cumulative total of nearly a year traveling around Mexico in our truck camper. The bulk of our travel has been on the Baja California peninsula, but we have also explored and camped in fourteen states on Mexico’s mainland. In that time, we have met countless Americans, Canadians, and Europeans traveling in the same fashion, and we’ve had the opportunity to meet a few American expats who now happily call Mexico home. Our opinion about life in Mexico is rooted in our firsthand experience plus the knowledge gained from countless conversations with fellow travelers and expats.

What Happened on February 22

On February 22, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel was killed by the Mexican military during an operation to capture him. An outbreak of cartel violence erupted, primarily in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, two cities in the state of Jalisco. Violent retaliation came in the form of setting vehicles on fire, burning down convenience stores, and creating roadblocks. Some of these acts took place in neighboring states as well as in border cities in Baja California.

Thanks to the nature of today’s mainstream and social media, a combination of real and fake news quickly flooded the internet. AI-generated images fueled the impression that Mexico was now a war zone. Unfortunately, reality can appear very different online than it does in real life. To make matters worse, the Jalisco cartel is responsible for generating some of these fake images to make their retaliation appear worse than it was. No civilians were targeted. No Americans were taken hostage. There were no gunmen running through the Guadalajara airport. The Costco in Puerto Vallarta was not burned down.

Sunday was a terrifying day for many across Mexico. Uncertainty about what was actually happening versus what was being shared online abounded. I am not here to make light of what happened or to discredit the violence. What I want to point out to Americans is that cartel organizations are not hunting down tourists. As I understand it, the violence that erupts around the death of a cartel leader is due to the disrupted hierarchy of power. Cartel organizations fight each other for dominance when the balance is compromised.

In an article published on Mexico News Daily, it was reported that the capture of “El Mencho” was an act of good faith by the Mexican government to the US government. It has been said that the US was looking for tangible evidence that Mexico is working to put an end to drug trafficking. The problem is, as long as there is a demand for drugs in the US, drug trafficking will exist. This causes me to consider: would the drug epidemic in the US cease if Mexico’s cartels were eradicated? The basic principle of supply and demand tells me that if the demand continues, the supply would simply come from somewhere else. Just like our healthcare system often does, we’re addressing the symptom rather than the root of the issue. Americans are overworked and underpaid, housing and healthcare are out of reach for too many, racial inequality is getting worse before it gets better—I could go on and on, but I digress. All that to say, the US has a deeply rooted drug problem—caused by a wide variety of issues—and is not innocent in this “Mexico is dangerous” narrative.

Why This All Strikes a Nerve

Some of Mark’s and my greatest life memories now reside in Mexico. We have been welcomed time and time again by the Mexican people and treated with nothing but kindness. But when cartel violence makes the news, it is presumed that we are in grave danger simply for being on Mexican soil, and that if we returned to the US, we would be safe. Crossing borders and getting to know another country beyond its surface has revealed to us the way fear lives in the unknown and complacency comes from repeat exposure. One of the most dangerous acts we all partake in is driving, yet we do it day in and day out, becoming numb to the fact that something as simple as a distracted driver could be the end of us.

For perspective, I always find it worth sharing the viewpoint we receive from many Canadians we meet in Mexico. Many have told us that they drive through the US as fast as possible because they see our country as too dangerous to linger in. “You guys have a gun problem,” they say. How could anyone deny that? We are a country known for mass shootings, and yet we’ve become so used to it that most Americans go about their daily lives after a school, church, concert, or other public space is brutally attacked by a crazed gunman. If recurring mass shootings were the headlines coming from another country, would you go there?

I’m hardly trying to absolve Mexico of all danger. Yes, Americans have been murdered in Mexico. But these occurrences are so few and far between that I would be willing to bet that, statistically, you’re no more likely to be murdered in Mexico than in the US. What I’m hoping to do here is offer some perspective. The US is dangerous too—in some places. Also, life is dangerous. The scariest thing to ever happen to Mark and me in Mexico was getting caught in a rip current in the Pacific Ocean, but no one warned us of that possibility.

What happened last week did not cause me to fear being in Mexico. Instead, it saddened me and ignited my compassion for Mexicans whose livelihoods depend on tourism. Puerto Vallarta’s economy will suffer, likely for years to come. And I’m sure many other destinations will feel the effects too. Mexicans are humble, resourceful, and resilient; they are no strangers to their reputation, and they’ll get through it. But they don’t deserve to be villainized. If travel has taught me anything, it’s that there are far more good people in the world than bad. Unfortunately, violence and tragedy make for the most clickable headlines, and clickable headlines make money.

If you are compelled to visit Mexico, I hope the news won’t stop you. If you have no interest or are overcome by fear, that’s fine, too, but please think twice before perpetuating the overblown opinions circulating online. It is becoming harder and harder these days for the truth to be known. Let’s do what we can to uplift and empower each other rather than be scared of and angry at one another. We live in wild times, but the world is a beautiful place filled with incredible people, and it has endless rewards waiting for those drawn to explore all it has to offer.

Precautions We Take for Staying Safe in Mexico

I’m not claiming that Mexico is free of danger. Independent criminals outside of cartel organizations exist there, just as they do in the States. We always take precautions to ensure safe and enjoyable travels while camping around Mexico. While they largely feel like common sense to us at this point, I’ll take this opportunity to share them here. We want all our fellow overland travelers to have the chance to experience the enchantment of Mexico without living in fear.

• Don’t camp near the border. Border towns are hotspots for illegal activity.
• Don’t drive at night.
• Don’t do anything illegal. If you don’t want to end up in jail, don’t bring firearms or drugs to Mexico.
• Don’t get drunk and stagger around town after dark.
• Be courteous and respectful to locals. Don’t give people a reason to want to scam or rob you.
• Don’t flaunt expensive gear and jewelry.
• Read recent reviews on the iOverlander app. This provides firsthand experiences of specific spots.
• Talk to locals and fellow travelers. This is by far the best source for accurate, real-time information.
• Keep a tidy camp. Petty theft is less likely if you don’t advertise all your gear.
• Secure your documents. Keep passports, driver’s licenses, and registration safe in your vehicle, and carry them on you when you’re away from your camper.
• Share your itinerary. Check in regularly with friends or family. If you’re a spontaneous traveler like us, share your live location via Google Maps, Apple Find My, or a satellite messaging device such as a Garmin InReach.
• Trust your gut. If a place feels off or unwelcoming, leave.
• Don’t put up a fight. In the unlikely event of a carjacking, remember that your vehicle isn’t worth your life.
• Don’t be a threat to yourself. Carry enough food, water, and fuel before venturing into remote corners of the country.

Use your common sense and listen to your instincts, but don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone—some amazing experiences await you on the other side. Mexicans are incredibly welcoming and kind, and they have made our travels all the richer and more memorable.

Safe travels and happy camping,
Michele

P.S. On our Camping in Mexico page, you’ll find:

• Firsthand Stories: Browse our Mexico archives for a day-by-day look at what life is really like on the road—including the challenges, the kindness of strangers, and the reality of living and traveling in a truck camper.
• The Ultimate Baja Camping Guide: A 52-page deep dive into everything we wish we knew before our first trip south of the border. Available in print and digital form.
• Mainland Mexico for Beginners: Practical advice from our journey traveling through 14 mainland states.