Thursday, May 3rd, 2012 | Posted by

Millions of prudent travelers enjoy beaches, history of Mexico

The crystal-clear waters of the Caribbean Sea are seen from this beach in Playa Del Carmen, which is about 45 minutes south of Cancun, Mexico. PHOTO/CALYN SHARP

BY CALYN SHARP
OU News Bureau

Travel warnings about visiting Mexico arise whenever there is an upswing in violence due to drug wars.

Travel agent Katie Masters of Romeo said Americans hear about those warnings from the U.S. State Department and think all of Mexico is not a safe place to visit.

“Millions of Americans visit Mexico each year,” she said. “The Mexican government does its best to protect visitors to their country.”

Masters explained that the warnings mainly are for the border areas and western side of the nation. Most tourists, she said, visit the East Coast.

“For Quintana Roo, the area where Cancun, Cozumel and the Mayan Riviera are located, there is no advisory in effect,” she said.

Vacationing in Mexico can be safe, Masters explained, if you take precautions — just like anywhere else in the world.

Travel safety tips include:

  • Keep your passport with you and secure it in a safe spot.
  • Have your passport with you and secure it in a safe spot.
  • Save the number of the U.S. Embassy in your cell phone.
  • Use recommended transportation gleaned from trusted travel sites.
  • Stay near your resort or in populated areas.
  • Don’t go off alone.
  • Examine websites such as Travel Mexico or Trip Advisor to find popular information about the area you will be visiting.
  • Visit the State Department website  for the most up-to-date information about your destination.
  • Use travel websites such as bookit.com to plan your entire trip.

“I have been to Mexico multiple times,” said Macomb County’s Nina Beaulieu, a frequent visitor to Mexico. “It’s one of my favorite places to visit. If you stay on the resorts and go through trusted companies, sightseeing can be a great experience.”

Many resorts, she said, are all-inclusive, meaning all food, drinks, lodging and some activities are included in one price.

“All-inclusive resorts are a great way to travel,” Masters said. “They are generally a cheaper way to travel and the resorts can also provide transportation to local sites.”

Masters said some of the most popular travel sites in Mexico are the Mayan ruins.

“People love to visit the ruins,” Masters said. “It’s an amazing site to see and one of the best parts about visiting Mexico. The ruins remind people there is more than parties and shopping in Mexico, that there is a fantastic culture there, too.”

Mexico is a popular vacation destination for many people because of the white sand beaches, warm temperatures, and clear, blue water, Beaulieu said.

“The Mayan Riviera is one of my favorite places to visit,” said Lauren Howell, a junior at Oakland University. “The beaches are great, but there are so many other things to do.”

Howell said snorkeling through the Cenotes, swimming with dolphins, and zip lining through the jungle are all great things to do when visiting Mexico.

“Every time I visit the Mexico I try to visit a new place or do something I’ve never done before,” she said. “Mexico is a beautiful place and I think everyone should try to visit there if they can, it really can be a safe place if you travel wisely.”

Short URL: http://www.ounewsbureau.com/?p=2653

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