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Post by don on Mar 10, 2023 21:45:35 GMT
I have no desire to leave the US. I don't want to go by plane or train, I'd rather drive, it's all about the trip more than a destination. The places and things to see and the people to meet. I would like take a trip to NYC, Savanna, Weeki Wachee, New Orleans, Austin, Taos, Santa Fe, Provo, and back home. I kinda ballpark guess it would cost about $10,000, for food, gas, and lodging. Maybe a little more because I am the ultimate "Roadside Attraction" junkie. I bet there are a lot of them in the 7500 miles I planned to travel. Wishing and doing are separated by health and funds. I can't leave The Queen, and I have to go thru the cancer treatment again. But I can travel on Google Earth.
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,458
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Mar 10, 2023 23:30:12 GMT
My friend was born in raised in Mexico. Her friends and family question her on sending her kids to school here and how unsafe it it due to all the school shootings.
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Post by 950nancy on Mar 11, 2023 3:21:06 GMT
I guess I am the odd one out. We were n the Yucatán a few months ago, rented a car and drove to several ruins and cenotes. Stayed in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Merida and between Akumal and Tulsa, all for a few nights. Never felt unsafe. But, we’re a family traveling together. I guess I would perhaps feel different if for example my college age nieces were going there alone. I don’t know. It’s a shame, it is such a nice destination. Akumal was an awesome spot. Did you snorkel out there with the turtles and stingrays?
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Post by cawoman on Mar 11, 2023 6:31:54 GMT
No. I wouldn't go at this time. Ive gone several times over the years and love it down there. My Mexican husband won't go at this time. I realise the odds are that you and your group will be fine and have a great trip!
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Post by gryroagain on Mar 11, 2023 17:02:55 GMT
I live in Yucatan, QR is a bit more dangerous due to all the tourist activity. But not what I would call “dangerous”. In general if you aren’t messing with cartels even dangerous areas of Mexico are fine, a lot more of a chance of getting killed at a Walmart in a mass shooting.While I love the snorkeling on that side of the peninsula (been all up and down QR, driving, alone sometimes) the tourism and traffic amd people shilling things and prices in US dollars and cruise ship people make me not like it. I could certainly never live there and just spending 5 days in PDC was enough to drive me batty.
If you go straight to a resort on private transport, stay there the whole time, and back to the airport…will you even know you are in Mexico? I mean you could be anywhere. The Xcaret resorts are very posh and you will be absolutely fine, but seems goofy to go to another country and never step foot out of the resort. Cenotes, Mayan ruins, beautiful old churches and quaint little towns…you won’t see any of that.
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Post by koontz on Mar 11, 2023 17:56:30 GMT
I guess I am the odd one out. We were n the Yucatán a few months ago, rented a car and drove to several ruins and cenotes. Stayed in Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Merida and between Akumal and Tulsa, all for a few nights. Never felt unsafe. But, we’re a family traveling together. I guess I would perhaps feel different if for example my college age nieces were going there alone. I don’t know. It’s a shame, it is such a nice destination. Akumal was an awesome spot. Did you snorkel out there with the turtles and stingrays? Yes, it’s amazing! We were lucky, it was relatively quiet and I loved it.
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CeeScraps
Pearl Clutcher
~~occupied entertaining my brain~~
Posts: 3,827
Jun 26, 2014 12:56:40 GMT
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Post by CeeScraps on Mar 11, 2023 23:50:16 GMT
It just came across the news that people from the US should stay out of Mexico due to the violence and people "going missing."
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Post by LiLi on Mar 12, 2023 0:16:52 GMT
Statistics show Mexico is safer in general for Americans than most of the US. I think if you travel smart, (like any other travel) there is no reason to worry.
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Post by zuke on Mar 13, 2023 19:53:13 GMT
I’ve been to Cancun every year for the last 15 or so years. When you hear on the news about Cancun being dangerous, that’s not the hotel zone area where you would be. It’s the inner part of Cancun. I don’t know anyone that has ever gone there. That area has a lot of drugs. We’re not shoppers or clubbers. We stay at the resort at night. Some days we may go to the mall or Walmart. But now that we’re senior age, we pretty much stay at the resort. It’s an all inclusive resort that we always go to. There’s really no reason to leave. There’s so much going on at the resort, which also has 7 restaurants, there’s no need to leave.
Mexico does have terrible areas but that doesn’t mean it’s all like that. My friend goes for 4 months every year, for the last 20+ years! They’ve never had an issue.
I would definitely go and not think twice!
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,375
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Mar 13, 2023 20:46:53 GMT
Absolutely. You just need go straight to the resort, stay there, then go straight back to the airport when it's time to leave. No leaving the resort whatsoever. I know many people who have been to Cancun recently.
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cycworker
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,375
Jun 26, 2014 0:42:38 GMT
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Post by cycworker on Mar 13, 2023 20:55:06 GMT
All these comments that the resorts have upped their security so travelers feel safe, that in itself would make me not want to go. I agree with what others have said about there being lots of other vacation destinations that offer the same amenities that I would go to first. It's always been a good idea for North Americans to leave their resorts in Mexico, though. They've always needed security - I imagine ramping up is just to give people a stronger feeling of safety. Editted to add: I have a friend whose parents live in Mexico half the year. Never had any concerns.
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Post by KikiPea on Mar 13, 2023 23:33:42 GMT
Nope. No going back to Mexico for us. Too many other places to go.
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gottapeanow
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,752
Jun 25, 2014 20:56:09 GMT
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Post by gottapeanow on Mar 14, 2023 2:34:54 GMT
My son's girlfriend lives in Mexico. We went the first time in June 2022. I went with to meet her and her fam. The fam said it wasn't nearly as safe as it used to be. But we were with them almost the whole time, and I was never worried.
He went by himself in Dec. 2022. Again, I wasn't worried. He traveled alone but was with her fam.
He and I will go again together in June 2023. Again, not worried. But I will be sticking close to them.
The girlfriend lives with her grandparents, and they are rather protective. When the danger level rises, they don't let her go out, and she complained to my son about it. But the danger passes within a few days, and she can again go out at night.
Lisa
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Post by Zee on Mar 14, 2023 3:52:49 GMT
I felt as safe in Mexico City as I would in any other large city in the US. You do have to pay attention to your surroundings. Had a great time. Stayed in a hotel, went sightseeing, ate at various restaurants, ubered or walked everywhere. Now I wouldn't do those things in unsafe areas, just like here at home. I very much enjoyed myself. I wouldn't like staying at a resort that you can't leave, that's boring to me.
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Post by glory77 on Mar 14, 2023 5:30:45 GMT
I would not go. Not worth the risk.
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Post by NanaKate on Mar 14, 2023 9:27:06 GMT
Absolutely not
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Post by scrappintoee on Mar 30, 2023 17:35:20 GMT
OP---did you go on your trip?
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Post by essiejean on Mar 31, 2023 18:05:21 GMT
OP---did you go on your trip? UPDATED in original post! Yes scrappintoee the trip was fabulous - thanks for checking in on me!
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Post by annie on Apr 1, 2023 2:31:45 GMT
So glad you had a great time! My college daughter just spent spring break in Cancun. They rented a car and ate at lots of fun restaurants and did a lot of clubbing, of course. Went smoothly!
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Post by Sharon on Apr 1, 2023 12:56:20 GMT
Where do you get the info for e-customs? I have global entry for the US and that is a breeze.
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Post by 950nancy on Apr 1, 2023 14:54:37 GMT
Glad everything went well.
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sharlag
Drama Llama
I like my artsy with a little bit of fartsy.
Posts: 6,574
Location: Kansas
Jun 26, 2014 12:57:48 GMT
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Post by sharlag on Apr 1, 2023 16:15:04 GMT
I checked it out and received the following message via email when I started the e-customs process after filling out my email info: Welcome to Cancun Airport, Sharla! GOOD NEWS! If you are flying in and out of Cancun International Airport, you NO LONGER need to fill out the Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM) also know as Tourist Card. Thanks to these new procedures, now it is very easy and quick to clear immigration and customs upon your arrival to Cancun Airport.
ETA: Maybe this is very recent? It also appears that the option to fill out the form if you're flying in is no longer available. Only the 'by land' travel option allows you to complete the e-form.
ETA: Ok, I think the important phrase in the message is "IN AND OUT". Meaning if you're flying from one of those airports into another of those airports. Sorry!!
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Post by essiejean on Apr 3, 2023 14:38:05 GMT
Where do you get the info for e-customs? I have global entry for the US and that is a breeze. Sharon We traveled with United and they sent us an email prior to our departure date and we just followed the link and filled in the needed info. You can also find the link if you download the airlines app on your phone - that is how I did it as you have to scan/upload a photo of our passport etc.
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Post by disneypal on Apr 3, 2023 14:49:29 GMT
As planned - we never left the resort so felt 100% safe the whole time. I came home to a 10 inches of snow overnight - BOO! take me back to the beach please! I am so glad you stuck with your plans and went - sounds like you had a wonderful time...I bet you are ready to go back after facing all that snow when you got home.
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Post by essiejean on Apr 3, 2023 14:53:49 GMT
As planned - we never left the resort so felt 100% safe the whole time. I came home to a 10 inches of snow overnight - BOO! take me back to the beach please! I am so glad you stuck with your plans and went - sounds like you had a wonderful time...I bet you are ready to go back after facing all that snow when you got home. disneypal for sure! We are expecting another 20"-24" within the next 24 hours as well UGH - hopefully we get a snow day called and I can stay home and recover from vacation
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Post by disneypal on Apr 3, 2023 16:26:47 GMT
We are expecting another 20"-24" within the next 24 hours as well
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caangel
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,458
Location: So Cal
Jun 26, 2014 16:42:12 GMT
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Post by caangel on Apr 8, 2023 0:15:17 GMT
Just wanted to share, we spent 6 days in Mexico. Drove from So Cal to Mexicali (border town on Mexican side). It's my friend's hometown and she held her daughter's quinceanera there. We stayed in a local hotel for a couple of nights and then a group of us (8 families with kids from 6-18 mostly teens) drove 2hrs south to San Felipe. We stayed 4 days at the beach, and were the majority of the people at the "resort". We walked across the street for ATV rides, drove to downtown for dinner and to the grocery store. We had a blast and felt safe.
What was really sad was, my friend's daughter had two of her friends have to step down from the court because their parents decided late in the game that they didn't feel comfortable traveling to Mexico (they were not going to San Felipe, just Mexicali, 5 miles from the boarder). One family had been in Cancun in January.
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