[Closed] How safe is Mexico?

Mexico is quite a big country. I'd say there are places that are very safe and places that are very unsafe, like every other very big country.

A few of us went to Monterrey last year for work. First time in Mexico for me. I thought it was great. Stunning scenery, friendly people, lots going on, good food, and limes with everything, cheap to live. Much more european than I was expecting compared to the States.

You hear stories: 1 guy we were with chatted up a local girl in a bar. Next day he meets her 'for a date'. Comes running back to his hotel and locks himself in his room. Takes next flight out. Something about her showing up with mates and wanting his passport. But then again, the guy was a prize moron.

I heard that the border is a bit dodgy too, hijackings and the like, but no first hand evidence. Anyway, wouldn't stop me going there, just be sensible and try not to look too loaded/alone/foreign. I've heard much worse about other countries.

Mexico City is a fantastic place but has many dangers associated with any large city.

Don't take unsolicited taxis and don't act like a tourist i.e no shorts, cameras and study the guidebooks before leaving the hotel.

An American businessman I met there carries two wallets; one with all his current stuff in and one with a few notes in it and obsolete credit cards in the event of being "asked" for his wallet.

We had no problems whatsoever and even went to a footy match at the Aztec Stadium for the local derby between Pumas and Club America - it was an atmosphere like no other.

I [i]think[/i] it remains true that Mexico has a higher rate of violent deaths than Iraq does and that state control over substantial chunks of territory just doesn't happen.

But presumably unless you're actively trying to run a massive narcotics trade, or to stop someone else running one, that doesn't necessarily translate into particularly high levels of personal risk.