Mexico Travel Warning Makes Hawaii Shine
Yesterday the U.S. Department of State issued a travel warning for Mexico. Travelers are advised to understand the risks in Mexico, “in light of increasing violence in that country, primarily associated with drug cartels.” A number of Americans have been killed, including three just on Sunday.
Here in Hawaii the overall crime rate has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded.
There is a decline in property crime, which represent the majority of the state’s offenses. In the last year reported, 2008, overall crime was down 13 percent from the previous year, and down 23 percent over the past decade.
This made me think how Hawaii not only offers reasonable prices and tropical beaches but also provides a safe destination. To me that adds up to extraordinary value.
Tips for Staying Safe in Hawaii
Here’s my personal experience: I had my trunk broken into years ago in Honolulu. My mistake was unloading items from the back seat and placing them in the trunk at my hotel garage. I did this in plain view and then never moved the car. Someone was watching and stole the contents. They damaged the lock and got away with Catholic college recruiting material (can you imagine his/her surprise?). My mistake of course was not moving the car after I placed contents into the trunk.
1. Like anywhere else, you need to be aware of your surroundings to stay safe.
2. Don’t forget to lock your car and hotel/condo windows and other points of entry too.
3. Practice diligent water safety and swim where there is a lifeguard.
4. Drive defensively and don’t make U-turns on the highways. This happens frequently on Kauai. Our two lane road may look like a country back-road, but it’s our major thoroughfare with all the dangers of a freeway.
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This is actually good news. Every time I visited Hawaii, we were always told to protect your valuables since thieves will smash the windows of your car to get to your belongings. Whether it’s the rental company telling you this or park guides at the Nuuanu Pali state park, the warning is always the same. You read it in the guide books and online chat groups that the “smash and grab” crime is prevalent and it’s your own fault if you become a victim. On one particular visit, I was talking to a local and he told me that when he drives around in his Jeep Wrangler, he *NEVER* keeps valuables in his Jeep. He learned his lesson when his top was slashed not once, but twice. Once at the Nuuanu Pali State Park!
I just hope that this news doesn’t lend it’s self to complacency of the public! That’s all the criminals need. A complacent public that thinks they can relax their vigilance against crime!
Ed
I agree with the premise that many US travelers would feel safer traveling to Hawaii compared to Mexico. There are other advantages for US citizens such as no language barrier, no passport required and familiarity with road signs and driving laws.
However, it is my understanding that the new travel warning issued by the US State Department regarding Mexico applies mainly to the border areas between the US and Mexico where the activity of the drug cartels is the greatest. The areas tourists frequent such as Cancun, Cozumel, Acapulco, Cabo, and Mazatlan are much further south, along the coasts, far removed from the troubled areas. You neglect to make this clarification in your article and lead the reader to believe that they will be risking life and limb no matter where they travel in Mexico, which is not the case.
Furthermore the violence and drug problems in border towns such as Laredo have been a problem in Mexico for years, but during that time tourists have enjoyed safe travels to popular tourist destinations.
Yes, travel to Hawaii may be safer than travel to Mexico. But vacationers should keep their guard up and maintain safety measures regardless of where they travel. And people should not write the entire country of Mexico off when travel to the popular tourists destinations remains a safe alternative.
I enjoy travel and frequently visit Hawaii and Mexico. Both destinations have much to offer. There’s no need to stir up unreasonable fear about Mexico to try to entice people to visit Hawaii. The islands are a paradise which easily sell themselves without resorting to fearmongering.
Thanks Ed and Kristin,
The new travel warning is primarily regarding the border areas, but the issue of violent crime in Mexico is definitely not limited thereto. Read further down in the advisory to “Crime and Violence Throughout Mexico.” I was personally robbed at gunpoint on the beach at Playa Azul, and unfortunately that isn’t the only incident I’ve had in my many Mexico travels. I love tropical beaches, but prefer Hawaii, Australia, and French Polynesia at this point.
Aloha,
Jeff
Too much nonsense is being written about traveling safely in Mexico. Unless you’re a drug dealer/smuggler hanging around the border towns, you are perfectly safe vacationing where tourists actually travel to…vacation destinations. This can be said for any city in America too.
I’m not falling for the scare tactics. The Mexican people at large are a very peaceful & gracious population. They work hard and are very proud of their heritage and country. And mostly, they know where their good fortunes come from…the tourists.
I frequent Los Cabos, MX and have never seen nor heard of any gang violence or hate crimes there. The locals see to it, they refuse to let it in. Can that be said for your city? And I’m sure this is true for any of the many fine Mexican tourist destinations…. See More
Don’t fall for the hype, do your homework, plan for fun trip and enjoy all the beauty & splendor Mexico has to offer. You’ll be glad you did.
I would say that Hawaii’s high airfares don’t make it “shine” THAT much.
$700+ r/t to go to Maui (from California) in July? Don’t think so.
Going to Cabo instead. Only $400 r/t. Not to mention a shorter trip.
And the Mexican people can’t do enough for you there. Seriously.
Those working in the hospitality industry in Hawaii could learn a lot…and learn that “Aloha” is not just a marketing slogan that nowadays seems to mean Eff You.
Hasta La Vista, Baby.
Having been to both Maui (2008) and Cabo (2009), I would pick Maui every time. We had no issues with poor hospitality in either place.
however…
I grew up near the slums on the East coast. While an area may have a great deal of normal everyday people living in it, like in Mexico, don’t be confused by thinking they can control what happens in their own backyard.
I’ve seen the neighbourhoods go from decent to “don’t drive down that street” in short periods of time, and these influences come in despite the good intentions of those living there.
I’m talking about this happening in the states, but what makes you think a place like Cabo, or Cancun, or other areas of Mexico are able to rise above that?
The latest news in Canada regarding Mexico was on the southern border as well. I’d consider it widespread enough to give that country time to work out it’s current problems and travel elsewhere for my own enjoyment for the time being.
As for affordability, it costs almost as much and is equally distant to travel from the West coast to the East coast of the US.
And no amount of affordability is going to make me wish to travel to a place I consider unsafe.
At least in Mexico the locals don’t hate white people! There’ll be no “go home, H****” or equivalent attitudes hurled at you!