Is Mexico Safe?
There it is, the question we expats hear most often.
Sometimes, the answer to a very complicated and loaded question such as this can be absurdly simple:
While this graphic is simple, it truly represents the opinions and beliefs of many expats living in Mexico.
Go To The Source
What better way to learn how safe Mexico is than by reading what expats who actually live in Mexico have to say? And to find out what they’re saying, there’s no better source than Facebook.
Nearly every expat enclave in the world will have one or more associated Facebook groups. In these groups, expats share their opinions, experiences, and other helpful advice with fellow expats. And future expats! Let’s review some Facebook groups associated with Mexico:
La Paz Gringos BCS/Mexico – In this group (as with any other), you can submit a query using the search function. With the search, “is La Paz safe,” we can find these comments from La Paz expats:
- Karen: “La Paz is very safe.”
- Mai: “I feel far safer here than I do back in Oakland, CA!”
- Burt: “100% safe, been here 17 years.”
As with any large group, you will find differing opinions, but the overwhelming consensus from expats living in La Paz is, “yes, La Paz, Mexico is safe!”
Let’s try another:
Cabo Bullshit – Quite a colorful name for this group, but we’re looking for the unvarnished truth here! Same search: “is Cabo safe”; let’s review some comments:
- Donna: “Cabo is a very safe area; you shouldn’t be afraid to leave your resort.”
- Kristi: “I feel safer than I do in major cities such as San Francisco… we travel with our little ones to Cabo and feel safe.”
- Jodie: “I go around Cabo by myself all the time. It’s 100% safer than the states.”
And another:
Expats in Mexico – This group boasts over 142,000 members. Searching “is Mexico safe” in this group, we can find these comments:
- Jim: “Foreigners are not targeted unless they’re involved with the cartels…”
- Jean: “Safer than Sacramento or Dallas!”
- Cynthia: “I live in Texas and can say that it is more dangerous than Mexico.”
Ok…, but is Mexico Safe?
We believe the short answer is “Yes!” As with the United States, or any other country, safety depends on many variables, especially location.
In Mexico, there are unsafe areas—most are associated with known corridors the drug cartels use to transport their product. Yet, even in those areas, expats will tell you pretty much the same thing our simple flowchart and expat comments do: unless you are actively involved in the drug trade, you, as an expat, are safe in Mexico.
Some Tips for Staying Safe in Mexico
Once you are in Mexico and learning just how safe it can be, you’ll want to know how to stay that way. Here are some helpful tips:
- Don’t drive at night on the Mexican highways – Cartels? No. Ask any expat, and they’ll tell you, “if you drive at night, you will hit a cow.” Cows run loose all over the country, and at night, they’ll often gather on the roads to take advantage of the radiant heat.
- Don’t spend a lot of time drunk in public – Why? Mexico is a very poor country. Expats are generally considered wealthy (and whether true or not, most are wealthy by Mexican standards). Being drunk makes you a likely target for thieves.
- Don’t venture into the “bad” neighborhoods – Mexican cities are very much like others around the world; there are affluent areas, and there are areas much less so. It is advisable to avoid those areas, just as you would anywhere else.
- Abide by the laws – Again, as you would anywhere else, you’ll want to avoid going to jail in Mexico.
- Don’t be stupid – “Stupid is as stupid does…” Forrest is right on this one; doing stupid things in Mexico might make you less safe. What are some examples of stupid things people do in Mexico? Sounds like a great topic for another blog. Stay tuned!
More Questions About Mexico? Contact Pat O’Hara, Your Realtor in Cabo San Lucas!
Hopefully, we’ve answered the important question, “Is Mexico Safe?” But if you’re considering moving to Mexico or investing in property here, you’ll undoubtedly have many more questions.
It is my goal to answer as many of those questions as I can. Please visit and subscribe to my YouTube (link TBA) Channel (title TBA) to learn all about what it takes to live in Mexico. If you don’t see an answer to a question you have, go ahead and leave a comment with your question—if I know the answer, I’ll share it. If I don’t, I’ll find out, and we will learn the answer together (and I’ll be grateful for that opportunity!).
You can also call me at +1 (713) 438-7139 or +52 (insert Mexican #), email me at [email protected], or visit the website.
I’m learning, right along with many fellow expats, what a wondrous and beautiful country Mexico is. I hope you’ll join us—the water is warm and inviting!
