While the media has reported that there is great danger traveling in this area, we at PuertoNuevo.com believe the media should actually visit the area before they simply repeat what they hear. Many US citizens live and play in this area every day. It is life as it has always been.
What they are reporting on has simply not touched the tourist areas in any way, except for the bad publicity and lack of media knowledge of the area's geography.
The only change in this area is that the regular Southern Californian visitors are missing. We invite you to come back and see for yourself that the dangers are extremely exaggerated. There have been drug cartel battles, but they have been far from tourist areas. They are not looking for tourists we can assure you.
Did you stop traveling to New York, Chicago, and Las Vegas in the 50s through the 70s? We knew the Italian mafia was everywhere, but it did not effect our daily lives. Did you run from the terrorists after 2001?
Come on folks, you are smarter than this. Baja is just as it always has been. Calming, beautiful, and full of hospitable hosts who are missing you dearly. You can see it in their faces every where. They want to know where you are. They want you to come back to Baja!
Visitors will not believe the deals at the shops, hotels, golf resorts, fishing, and the spas. Most of the arts, crafts, furniture, and services are deeply discounted due to the recession. We challenge you to not have a great time in Puerto Nuevo at a cost you can afford!
Still not convinced it is safe? Well take a look at
this You Tube video of retired Americans who live on the
Rosarito/Ensenada coast line. These are all locals living in the area
who are trying to convince you that all those media reports you are
hearing are simply untrue!
You gotta see this YouTube Video - The Baja Tequila Dance
The Department of State has issued
this Travel Warning to inform U.S. citizens traveling to and living in
Mexico about the
security situation in Mexico, and to advise that
the authorized departure of family members of U.S. government personnel
from
U.S. Consulates in the northern Mexico border
cities of Tijuana, Nogales, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey and
Matamoros
has been extended.
This Travel Warning
supersedes the Travel Warning for Mexico dated April 12, 2010 to note
the extension
of authorized departure and to update guidance
on security conditions and crime.
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.
Nevertheless,
crime
and violence are serious problems. While most victims of violence are
Mexican
citizens associated with criminal activity, the
security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.
It is imperative that U.S.
citizens understand the risks involved in travel to Mexico, how best to
avoid dangerous situations,
and who to contact if one becomes a victim of
crime or violence.
Common-sense precautions such as visiting
only
legitimate
business and tourist areas during daylight
hours, and avoiding areas where criminal activity might occur, can help
ensure
that travel to Mexico is safe and enjoyable.
Never travel alone at night. (Of course this is true in any country.)
There are no sides to the road in many areas, so it is
best to drive in the daylight especially if you are not familiar with
the area.
Do not drink too much tequila! Have a babysitter in the group if you must. Or better yet, hire a taxi if you plan to go out dancing and drinking!
Don't surf or perform water sports without a buddy.
Do
not open the door to conflict with drug dealers. While the drug
cartels are not the least bit interested in tourists, if you
participate in the purchase, sales or transportation of recreational
drugs, you can no longer claim the status of innocent tourist or
bystander.
The task of curbing the constant flow of weapons,
narcotics and drug money between Mexico and the US has been assigned to
the military so checkpoints have been set up along many roadways.
While it may be disconcerting to encounter a bunch of 'kids' in
uniforms with M-16s at their sides wanting to search your vehicle,
they're not looking for you. Yes, it holds traffic up but we have
found them to be unfailingly polite, almost to the point of being
apologetic. Maybe they have a BOLO on a car that is the same make,
model, and/or color as yours so if they want to search your vehicle, be
gracious and let them. They're just doing their job and they're not
going to find anything anyway, right?
One more word on Military Checkpoints. Jokingly refer to as the 'flirt
search', scantily clad young women in a car is an open
invitation to a vehicle search. Come on, ladies, they're guys! They
live in tents with a bunch of other guys on the side of the road far
from home. They are not going to search your person but are probably
bored to tears so just take it as a compliment and be nice. Or flirt
back - it'll make their day!
