Smart Information on safety in Baja Sur
At Baja Smart, we care about our clients and feel we have an obligation to provide smart, reliable information.
Security has been a hot topic in Mexico for the last few months, and on question we keep hearing is, “How safe is Baja Sur?”
Security is one everyone’s mind. With the US Department of State issuing a travel warning for citizen traveling in Mexico, coupled with the media’s portrayal of Mexico, it’s natural that anxiety is high.
However, the reality of the situation is quite different. Violence is prevalent along the US-Mexico border and in a number of status in mainland Mexico.
But Mexico is an enourmous country. The Baja peninsula alone is nearly the size of Italy! The comparison is simple: World a hurricane in Florida affect tourism in California? Would crime in Quebec compromise security in Vancouver?
Baja Sur is one of the safest states in North America, and drug trafficking-related crime is practically nonexistent in the entire Baja peninsula, save for the area around Tijuana.
The travel warning issued by the US government in September makes no mention of Baja Sur, and maintains the safety in most tourist destinations in Mexico. Similarly, the Canadian government’s travel warning makes no mention of Baja California Sur and concedes that major tourist destinations have not been affected by this recent wave of violence.
Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year. This includes tens of thousands who cross the border every day for study, tourism or business and at least one million U.S. citizens who live in Mexico. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major drug trafficking routes.
-US Department of State
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_4755.html
A recent article in the Los Angeles times also sheds light on this most recent security warning:
Except for the city of Tijuana (mentioned as a site of frequent violence), the states of Baja California and Baja California Sur go unmentioned in the new warning — a reassuring omission for anybody wondering about major Baja destinations such as Los Cabos, La Paz and Loreto.
-Los Angeles Times
http://travel.latimes.com/daily-deal-blog/index.php/mexicos-violence-a-1-7347/
Those who live in Baja Sur and enjoy the year-round sunshine will tell you this: Baja Sur is undoubtedly safer than most major US cities. Take a look at this map for some perspective:
Map by cabo social magazine
As you can see, over 1,000 miles separate Los Cabos and La Paz from the most violent areas of the country, and these popular destinations are similarly distant from Tijuana (a “precautionary” zone).
The Los Cabos Visitors Bureau recently published the following information:
The recently released results of a two year-long study conducted by the
Institute of Higher Studies of Monterrey, which evaluated tourism offerings
throughout Mexico’s 31 states and Federal District ranked Baja California Sur third in the categories of public safety, tourism services, and transportation infrastructure. Baja California Sur also ranked first in natural resources and environmental protection, and garnered an overall guest satisfaction index of 97.
Smart traveling makes for a richer experience abroad. At Baja Smart, we want to provide you with all of the information you need for a safe and fulfilling stay here in Baja Sur.
If you have any other questions about traveling in Baja Sur, or if you would like to hear testimonials from recent visitors to the state, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
We hope to see you soon in beautiful Baja Sur: come on in, the water’s fine!
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