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A post by "RiverGirl " | http://www.hiddencancun.com/rivergirl A Gringa web designer from Colorado writes about life in Cancun, Mexico. To see more posts by this author, click here. |
The following comment exchange appeared recently on my blog. It illustrates the fear many travelers to Mexico have before they arrive and shows how unfounded those fears turn out to be. I thought it would be relevant to share this exchange here.
Comment #164 from Stella – April 1, 2009
Hey Rivergirl,
Glad I found this website. We are leaving 4/8 for Cancun, Le Meridian, by husband, myself and 2 kids. I am scared to death that we will be in harms way. My daughter can’t wait to go to Sr. Frog’s and I haven’t told her yet, that we probably won’t go downtown. I need your honest opinion as to whether or not we will be safe. I have arranged for the hotel concierge to pick us up at the airport, thought that was the safest way to go and figured we just won’t leave the resort until its time to head home, but that doesn’t give us many dining options. Please give me your honest opinion on all this. Also, if you know anything about the Le Meridian that you care to share, I would appreciate it.
Thanks so much for your time and info.
Reply from RiverGirl – April 1, 2009
Stella – First off Señor Frog’s is not in downtown Cancun it’s in the Hotel Zone. Second, even if it WAS downtown it would be perfectly safe to go there.
I understand your fears Stella but they are completely unfounded! I’m serious!
I wander around in Cancun all the time, alone as a white American woman. I’ve never been at all nervous for my safety and only once or twice (in large crowds) was I nervous that some purse snatcher would try to grab my purse (though no one ever did).
Le Meridien is a lovely hotel, it’s one of the nicest here. I don’t think the beach near it is very good right now, so you will want to walk north or south to a better beach.
But do leave your hotel and go out. Cancun is perfectly safe for tourists. When you get here and see everyone wandering the Hotel Zone night and day you will relax, I’m sure.
Comment #19 from Stella – April 15, 2009
Hey RiverGirl,
Just wanted to let you know you were RIGHT!! Cancun was more perfect than we remembered. We had a blast and were completely as ease once we checked-in and got in vacation mode. There were no signs of violence at all and actually the people, employees and everyone in general were much more pleasant and accommodating than you will find in Pennsylvania.
Thanks again for this website.
Reply from RiverGirl – April 15, 2009
Stella – I’m really glad you had a great time!
After this exchange of comments I wrote to Stella asking her for permission to re-post our exchange. I also asked her some questions about her fears and her trip to Cancun, a post with her answers will appear here soon.
Thank you to Stella for permitting me to re-post her comments here.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
I just got back from a trip to the Riviera Maya I took with a group of travel specialists at our company and similar to Cancun, it’s harmless. In fact, I’d say I felt safer there than in my hometown in the U.S. The staff and locals were absolutely amazing and had smiles on their faces everyday. It’s a shame that Mexico tourism has so much working against it right now, because that’s the last thing the entire area needs. I can’t wait to go back and tour more resorts!
May 12th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
Good content, I will be back to read more
August 19th, 2009 at 8:24 am
Our travelers are finding Cancun and Riviera Maya are as safe as can be and many we’ve talked to can’t believe the negative publicity they’ve been hearing once they return. It’s so unfortunate for many of the resorts and employees whose livelihood depend on the tourism down there.
December 5th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Of course, what a great site and informative posts, I will bookmark.
March 23rd, 2010 at 4:35 pm
My wife & I have been traveling to Cancun since 1996 ,about 10 times now . I have found the most dangerous things there, are the things you do to yourself and the taxi rides can be exciting (just close your eyes) One time when we were going back to the hotel on the bus, we stoped at a light and the driver opened the door to talk to the bus driver next to us .The light turned green and we were in a drag race with the other bus. We won!! so when we got to our stop we all tipped the driver for the win and a exciting ride. Just so you know this was the one and only time anything like has happened to us. Cancun’s bus system is great if, you wait more than 5 minutes you’ve waited a long time. Try to avoid the bus at shift change, they realy pack em in.
April 16th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
We just returned from a 3 week Photographing tour for our website, http://www.yucatan-life.com and had a great, safe experience.