Most places in Mexico—especially those we have profiled in this book—are classified as safe places, but like anywhere else in the world, crime does occur. Luckily, however, these crimes (mostly petty crimes like pick-pocketing, breaking and entering, and vandalism) occur infrequently and are definitely the exception, not the rule. As in any other area of the world, one should always use common sense and have “street smarts.” Here are some general safety tips (again, these apply to traveling anywhere in the world, including the U.S. and Canada):
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1.Avoid revealing large sums of cash in public places. Carry minimal amounts of cash when- ever possible.
2.Do not wear flashy, expensive-looking jewelry, or clothing that draws attention to yourself, exudes wealth, or screams 'tourist.'
3.Use small bills whenever possible to pay for purchases, especially with street vendors. Please note that the minimum wage in Mexico is 45 to 50 pesos per day. So paying for an inexpensive five-peso souvenir with a 500 peso note is like paying for a pack of gum in the U.S. with a $100 bill...not good manners.
4.Leave unneeded credit cards, traveler's checks, and cash in the hotel safe whenever possible.
5.When in a crowd, pay attention to the people around you. People who seem to jostle you or purposely step into your personal space may be trying to pickpocket you. Remember that pickpockets work in pairs, so while one is distracting you, the partner may well be stealing your luggage, your purse, or your wallet.
6.Copy all of your travel documents, (i.e. passport, driver's license, travel visas, etc.). Carry the copies and store the originals in a separate, safe place (like the hotel safe).
7.Secure valuables in your hotel room if possible. If the hotel does not provide a lock box or safe, lock valuables in your suitcase. Unsecured cameras, jewelry, and the like are often tempting to thieves because they're easy to hide.
8.Report crimes when they occur. The police cannot act to improve public safety if they do not know that the crimes are occurring. The police in most Mexican cities are especially concerned with the safety of tourists.
9.Don't leave belongings like backpacks, purses, laptop cases, shopping bags, cameras, etc. hanging on the back of your chair in public places and restaurants. Place these items on an unoccupied chair that is against a wall, or consider passing the handle/strap through the legs of the chair you are sitting on, and take it with you if you leave your table.
Tip: If you have access to a scanner, you may also want to make digital copies of these documents and store them online'for instance, send them to a free e-mail account. That way you can retrieve copies from anywhere in the world with Internet access.
Larry Crowson Tulum, Mexico
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