Mexico is a highly popular destination for American tourists seeking a warm and pleasant vacation experience. Its appeal lies in its picturesque Caribbean beaches, welcoming local population, and favorable pricing, which all entice a significant number of U.S. people to visit each year. Although it is well acknowledged as a prominent tourist destination, limited attention has been given to its safety and welcoming atmosphere.
Numerous online news pieces appear to disseminate a negative portrayal of Mexico as a perilous location, characterized by rampant drug lord activities, necessitating continual vigilance on the part of tourists to avoid becoming entangled in violent conflicts.
This essay aims to present three compelling reasons why Mexico serves as an ideal destination for a sunny break, while also highlighting its status as a highly accommodating country for tourists within the Latin American region.
It Is Safer
To begin with, it is imperative to acknowledge the prominent concern surrounding safety in Mexico.
While it is accurate to acknowledge that the country does not possess the same level of urban development as Iceland or Finland, it should be noted that it still surpasses the majority of its Latin American rivals in terms of urban issues.
The crime rates in Mexico exhibit a notable increase in border regions, where gang activity is prevalent. However, in popular tourist destinations such as Cancun and Los Cabos, the crime rates are relatively moderate to low. These cities have been classified as ‘Level 2’ destinations by the U.S. State Department.
This implies that American tourists should exercise greater caution while visiting areas other than Level 1 countries such as Iceland. However, it is important to note that there is currently no significant safety danger known to directly impact them.
How Mexico Differs From Other Latin American Countries
Colombia, a prominent Latin American nation, does not exhibit the same trend. However, it has experienced a surge in criminal activities, including homicides, in recent months, with Medellin being particularly affected.
The advisory sent to American citizens recommends a reassessment of travel plans to Colombia, but a significant number of Mexican states do not receive the same level of cautionary advice. The security situation in Peru has experienced a decline, with significant statewide demonstrations resulting in the cancellation of flights and the closure of the renowned Machu Picchu site for an extended period.
Latin America is characterized by a significant prevalence of civil unrest and political instability. However, in comparison to other countries in the region, Mexico has exhibited a considerably higher degree of stability in recent years.
Furthermore, the implementation of stringent measures to combat criminal activities has been observed, exemplified by the deployment of the National Guard to beaches in Cancun, hence ensuring a perpetual sense of security among tourists. Additionally, the introduction of cutting-edge technological advancements has been undertaken to enhance monitoring capabilities in strategically significant regions.
Latin American states do not recognize the significance of tourism to the extent that Mexico does, nor do they fully appreciate the economic advantages it brings. Consequently, their objective is to maximize the influx of tourist revenue.
In essence, they will continue to maintain a high level of security.
English Is More Widely Spoken Than In Other Latin American Countries
To avoid appearing as an intrusive tourist, one may argue that the convenience of traveling and discovering a foreign country is enhanced when English serves as a widely spoken second language. This eliminates the need to rely on nonverbal communication or the potentially awkward phrasing of Google Translate when engaging in conversations with local residents.
As individuals who have traversed non-tourist-friendly regions of Brazil can attest, navigating a Latin American locale where international tourism has not yet made significant economic contributions and locals encounter difficulties in communicating with foreigners, thereby hindering their ability to offer services, can present considerable challenges, to say the least.
Fortunately, Mexico has established strong connections with its North American equivalents in the United States and Canada. As a result, in almost every tourist destination in Mexico, local service providers possess a working knowledge of English and are capable of providing assistance with few communication obstacles.
According to estimates, the English proficiency level among the Mexican population surpasses that of Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, with percentages of 12%, 6%, 5.1%, and 3% respectively.
Finally, The Infrastructure Is Better
Due to its significant appeal to worldwide tourists, Mexico has experienced substantial transformations over the past decade to enhance its modernization and hospitality infrastructure. Consequently, it is challenging to identify another Latin American country that is as adequately prepared to manage the increasing influx of global travelers as Mexico.
There is a frequent occurrence of new hotel establishments being announced, with the recent confirmation of three significant openings by the Hyatt Group in various prominent destinations across the country. Additionally, Mexican airports have consistently demonstrated a commitment to providing exceptional service, as evidenced by the implementation of eGates and the elimination of excessively bureaucratic entry forms.
This circumstance renders Mexico as the singular nation in Latin America where individuals from the United States can effortlessly cross the border without undergoing border interrogations or completing any requisite forms.
The primary tourist attractions exhibit a high degree of visitor-friendliness, as seen by the presence of informative signage in English and the provision of English-speaking guides, particularly within the Tulum and Chichen Itza ancient complexes.
In contrast to certain Mayan sites in Central America, the tourism sector in other locations has not reached the same level of development. Consequently, travelers frequently encounter challenges while attempting to locate a particular archaeological site or access relevant information regarding local attractions.