Mexico and Canadians…. | Debbie's Caribbean Resort Reviews Forums

It would seem Canadians(like myself) are on a #### list of sorts in Mexico??I can understand a few isolated incidents, but over the last year a dozen Canadians have been either killed or had the crap beaten out of them, latest is a lady staying in a 5 start resort was found in a coma in a pool of blood in the elevator at her resort…Whats going on here?Geeze, and i am to go to Mayan Rivera on Sat for a week…I mean i am a big guy, 6′ 3" 230lbs, but that’s no match for a shotgun of sorts….Our government issues a traveling warning a couple days ago…I guess nothing much i can do other than drink myself silly and not leave the resort…

We were at the Bahia Principe Tulum 2 years ago and always felt very safe. The incidents are mostly in the drug areas of Mexico and the Mayan area is much safer. We were on the collectivo (public van/bus) numerous times and wandered around quite a bit.The only time I felt I had to be more careful was on my way through a few very narrow streets in PDC when we were returning to the collectivo pick-up area after dark. It’s no different than the same feeling I would get on a narrow street in downtown Toronto – always be on alert and be smart.

Many of the incidents have involved excess drinking off the resort although that’s not the case on some. Wherever you go, there are always problems that you have to be aware of. I know the Cdn. gov’t warning was issued for Mexico many months ago but I don’t know if it was upgraded recently.

	Yes i tend to agree with you….This is my 3rd time to Mexico, 2nd time to Mayan, last time, 2007 was great, went ATVing and all was good….I guess they media just hypes up the news on Canadians, but i am sure other countries have issues to with visiting Mexico, meaning other travelers other than US or Canadian have seen some issues too…Anyways i am sure all will be ok..RobMontreal, Canada

	Every time something happens to a Canadian this topic starts all over again. My answer is have you read your local paper lately. How many dead and not reported.

Every time something happens to a Canadian this topic starts all over again. My answer is have you read your local paper lately. How many dead and not reported. hum? That would be zero!

I think what is scaring people, and rightly so, is that some of these incidents are happening within resorts where tourists tend to feel safe. I was just watching the coverage on CBC news and they were interviewing a couple who went through a similar experience as the woman at the same resort. Although the whole situation was nasty, I was really bothered by the fact that the police did nothing and neither did the Canadian consulate office. WTH are we wasting tax dollars on having these consulates if they ignore the dire situations in which Canadians can find themselves "We can’t do anything for you" doesn’t cut it when someone is nearly killed!

wossa Guest

I don’t think it is just Canadians, I hear of other Nationalities having problems such as this on and off resorts all over the world, not just in Mexico.In some cases you have to look at the bigger picture and look closer too home as to some of the root cause. People leave themselves very susceptible to such attacks by getting absolutely smashed on endless amounts of alcohol at the free bar, behaving obnoxiously, and acting in a manor that would also get them into trouble if they were to act like this on home turf. I am sure that many people here have witnessed this kind of thing at resorts all over the Caribbean and thought that if they were to act like that at home, it wouldn’t be tolerated. You wouldn’t last 5 minutes in a bar in London acting like an idiot, it’s not excusable because you are on vacation.I am not a big fan of AI resorts, but the few resorts I have been too, are huge and are very easy to lose your direction, especially after several hours in the bar, many people would be a prime target in this scenario. Resort or no resort, you still have to be street wise and have your wits about you especially on foreign soil.

I’ve been to Cozumel twice and the Mayan Riveria region of Mexico about 5 times now. We usally leave the resort a couple of times during the week we are there. We have never felt unsafe off the resort. We are always back at the resort before dark unless we are with an organized tour. This last incident leaves more questions than answers. I hear that Sheila has been brought out of the medically induced coma and recognized her husband and doesn’t seem to have any brain damage (I’m so happy about that). What they are not saying is if she could identify her attacker. Maybe they want to keep that private right now. I have no idea why she was out of her hotel room by herself in the wee hours of the morning. That is still no reason for someone to have put that beating on to her. Bad things can and do happen to good people. When the story comes out in the news they always refer to the other crimes against Canadians in the last couple of months. I don’t think it’s that cut and dry, the circumstances behind all the crimes are different. This last one is particularly worrisome because it happened inside a well known resort. And because it did happen inside a resort, no ones knows who the culprit was, it could have been another tourist or a local. I hope Sheila will be able to tell the authorities. I will still visit Cozumel and the MR, at this point I don’t have any desire to journey to the Pacific side of Mexico. While in any country on vacation, I will still practice my street smarts. I won’t be going off the resort after dark, I won’t be traveling around the resort after dark by myself, and I won’t be opening my door to strangers. Happy travels everyone, stay safe.

Hey Guys!The Mexican responsible was apparently staying @ the resort. As always no matter where you go for Vacation beware of your surroundings. We have been traveling for over 25yrs to many different places. You will always hear the bad & seldom hear the good. Even in the DR last year a Canadian was killed! Its just more public in Mexico others are kept hush.We feel safe off the resort, on the resort as well as in Cancun & PDC. Just beware of your surroundings take the extra safety precautions. You don’t take chances. We, hubby & I never separate especially @ nite. If we do we give 10 minutes & if not back we go a looking. We always tell each other where we r going & why & approx how long we will be. Enjoy your vacation! I know we will we are going to the Maya Riveria & looking forward to it!Happy Travels!

As stated before, it is particularly scary that this incident occurred on resort property. And that it was an upscale Riu is also worth noting. I saw the photos of it on t.v. and boy is it huge! Because of that, at least they had cameras to help identify the perp, which is a blessing. It sends shivers up and down my body just thinking of that poor woman being attacked in her own building! One thinks these incidents are mostly confined to areas off the resorts. Although it is scary, it won’t deter us from travelling. However, Mexico is just not going to be one of our destinations, methinks. We’ve been three times but I believe this latest crime is the proverbial ‘straw that broke the camel’s back’ for us. I know others will think that is unfounded, but it’s our own level of comfort. It’s a shame since Mexico is such a beautiful country and we enjoyed our trips there!

I am so happy that Sheila (?) is back in Canada where she will receive excellent care. I wonder if a generous anonymous person paid for the private plane to get her back or if the insurance company came through…. Just curious.

Travelchick, totally understand & agree with what your are saying. But…. there is a travel advisory on the government site for this area. I am a TA & will not send anyone from my area there & I will tell my clients why! Maybe this is one of the pluses for booking with an agent & not online?We ourselves are going to the Maya Riveria. Our family of 5 is. Yes we have an excursion booked for the Chichen Ruins off the resort. No I don’t feel we are taking a chance, its called no your surroundings & take the precautions as you would for any vacation. Yes we are going to PDC via taxi. Will I go out of my room in the middle of the night by myself? Not! Do I go anywhere without my family by myself, no. Mexico is safe in the Cancun Maya Riveria area, I certainly would not recommend anyone going inland or to the western area of Mexico where this last incident happened.I am so happy that Sheila (?) is back in Canada where she will receive excellent care. My heart goes out to the family!Happy Travels even to Mexico!The DR last year had a Canadian killed there as well, on a resort. Are you considering the DR? It is happening all over the place including your home town. You will only hear the bad.

www.calgaryherald.com/Here is an update on Sheila! and this should NOT of happened!The Rui Resorts security should of been checking armbands at the entrances exits especially in this area. I personally feel that the Rui chain is responsible for letting him enter the Hotel especially with the history of this area, they put their guests in danger by not doing so.

Happy Travels!

	I don’t believe a word that comes out of the mouths of Mexican police. Remember when that Canadian couple were murdered in their room, a few years ago, and the Mexicans tried to say a couple of women from Ontario were the killers? This article reads like a piece of bad fiction!

We certainly make ourselves aware whether there are any travel advisories for places we plan on visiting! I think one need not necessarily use the services of a T.A. to check for these before selecting a destination.

Again, I said it is only our own comfort level which has made us decide us not to return to Mexico (after having gone four, not three times, as I later remembered.) Yes, we have been to the DR. But the thing is, it seems that over and over again there are more tourists killed in Mexico than in any other Caribbean country. We all hear stories of the drug warfare; inept and/or corrupt police, who possibly do not contribute to, or actually impede, crimes against tourists being solved. I do regret that I have inadvertently elicited the oft-quoted argument that you can get shot stepping outside your front door in your own city, so just take precautions and don’t worry about travelling (to Mexico, particularly.) Honestly, I have heard the same old comments ad nauseum. Perhaps this topic will die down gracefully. I, for one, will not add more to it. (Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut to begin with. lol ;))

Again, let me reiterate that Mexico is a lovely country and I know most tourists who go there will have a wonderful, relaxing holiday!

Yes Travelchick, you are one of the few that check that site. NOT everyone does, soo…. for those who do not take the time to do so should consider using a TA!Or maybe the online booking sites should consider having an alert for these areas for Canadians booking!Everyone has their own opinion, & mine is that I will not write ALL of Mexico for another area that is just not doing so well with tourists. But this last beating is solely the resorts fault. Why have securirty if the locals can walk through the resort?Happy Travels!

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