This winter we considered doing our annual trip south to Jamaica , but eventually decided on Manzanillo. We have been to Mexico quite a few times before with trips to Puerto Vallarta , Riviera Maya , and Huatulco and have had no real concerns about safety. When the recent warnings about Montego Bay in Jamaica hit the news, we kind of thought we dodged a bit of a bullet by deciding against going there for other reasons.
Now however, I read this article about Mexican homicide rates in CBC, and quite frankly I am now concerned about safety for the first time. Until I read this article I never imagined Colima to be a bad area. I knew some areas near the border with the US were a problem, and Guerrero was a problem, but not Colima. As it turns out Colima is said to have the highest homicide rate in Mexico at nearly deaths per , population.
To put that in perspective the worst cities in Canada are in the 6 deaths per , range. Detroit in the US is about The Montego Bay area is higher though at just over It is too late for us to back out now, but do any of the regular travellers to Manzanillo have any safety tips? Areas to avoid? My general rules are to travel off the resort in daylight hours only and to well populated areas.
After dark I only travel with a trusted local like a guide or taxi driver, and not alone. Any other suggestions? The warnings that are put out by the government's are there to scare visitors away from Mexico so they will keep their travel dollars in the USA or Canada. I have traveled throughout the world and am always amazed at the "Warnings" blown out of proportion upon arrival at destination. There was the time we were told not to go to places in Africa Upon arrival all is well, only to find a small group situated on a hill top burning tires for the newspaper photographers and headlines reading smoke filled air due to rioting!
Chicago had murders in and in with Houston's in Our cities have higher murder rates and crime than Manzanillo , and yet we all feel comfortable living and working in them. Is there crime in Manzanillo, yes, like every other city people visit in the world, ie. Paris , Rome, etc. There is not shooting in the streets, please!!. As with everywhere else, do not get involved with those of questionable characters, and stay away from drugs.
