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Los Cabos may be one of America’s favorite sunny getaways, but concerns regarding safety levels in Mexico continue to haunt potential visitors amid the overwhelmingly negative portrayal of Mexico in U.S. media this year.
Reports of kidnappings, murders, and rising crime in border regions have dominated headlines, and while certain areas of the country are indeed no-go zones and quite dangerous for foreigners, particularly along the U.S. border, it’s important not to generalize as crime rates vary drastically between regions.
The dual-destination of Los Cabos continues to be very safe, if not safer, than most resort towns this summer, and this is the reason why:
Los Cabos Is A Level 2 Destination, But What Does That Mean?
The Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo duo, which jointly form the ‘Mexican Capes’, are one of Mexico’s least-risky destinations this season. That news should certainly come as a relief to more cautious travelers who have been holding off on their vacations over media-perpetuated fears.
Mexico is an incredibly vast country, with as many as 32 states, and the overall perception of safety in a state, province, or even wider historical region can be completely different compared to others.
Los Cabos is part of Baja California Sur, on the Pacific Coast, away from all the gang violence and rampant crime that plagues most of the transitory territory between Mexico and the States.
Unlike in no-go zones like Colima, Guerrero, and Zacatecas, Americans are not at considerable risk of being targeted by criminals, kidnapped, or seriously injured in assaults: the U.S. State Department considers it a Level 2 destination.
This means a higher degree of caution is advised when visiting, but travel is not discouraged nor strongly advised against as safety levels are within normal parameters. At Level 2, Los Cabos is one of the safest destinations in Mexico heading into summer, and local authorities intend to keep it this way.
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Recently, they announced they are taking further actions to ensure tourists feel safe when visiting, particularly regarding transportation around the zone.
More Safety On Cabo Roads
As those of you who have been to Mexico previously will know, the dream of arriving at any Mexican airport for that much-needed sunny break can quickly turn into a vivid nightmare.
With shouting taxi drivers that swarm arrival halls to try and get your attention and hiked cab fares threaten to empty your wallet within the first few hours of arriving, landing in Mexico without having previously arranged a private transfer can make you an easy target for scammers, and be incredibly risky.
Fortunately, the Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Economy, as well as municipal and state authorities, and the Mexican National Guard are now working together to inspect transportation companies across the resort strip and ensure drivers comply with guidelines not only pertaining to pricing but especially safety.
As reported by The Cabo Sun, there are numerous delays resulting from accidents along the road linking the international airport to the hotel zones, either due to congestion or reckless driving.
Officials have now vowed to improve the transfer experience, investing in road expansions and allowing traffic to flow better, reducing the speed limit, detecting bad driver behavior, and ensuring guests have a smooth and safe trip to their Cabo home.
More Police In Tourist Zones
Additionally, police presence is increasing – yet again – in tourist areas, particularly after a robbery at gunpoint took place in a cafe close to the tourist zone on July 7.
While events like these are quite common in any major tourist destination, including in the States – they are not exclusive to Mexico – it’s Cabo authorities that have shown some spine in reacting faster and more decisively.
Unlike in large U.S. cities like San Francisco and New York, where urban violence continues to increase without an effective response from state officials, all it took was a single armed robbery for Cabo to ramp up its ‘Tourist Battalion’.
Though no one was injured, police flocked into the town’s tourist hotspot, immediately offering vacationers a greater sense of security and sending a clear signal to bandits and pickpockets that crime will not be tolerated.
Beaches lining the resorts, Cabo’s lively marina, and the Bohemian districts also enjoy more surveillance since the incident.
The fact that authorities are willing to go such great lengths to remind visitors that they are welcome and perfectly safe in Cabo when the city itself has very low crime rates, and this was merely an isolated occurrence, is further proof they have nothing to (excessively) worry about.
Locals Themselves Feel Los Cabos Is Safe
As a matter of fact, an INEGI report concluded that 67.5% of residents of Los Cabos consider it a safe place to live, one of the highest rates in Mexico.
Crime is exceedingly rare in touristy parts of Cabo, and a majority of disturbances are related to pickpocketing as opposed to gun violence.
On top of that, they have begun cracking down on illegal vendors who are known to harass beach-goers who are merely trying to enjoy a relaxing day out in the sun.
Now, authorized vendors are made to display vendor accreditation and wear white uniforms so that visitors know they are not scammers and can be trusted.
In sum, security in Cabo is tight as it’s ever been, and though it is certainly not crime-free, similarly to any hugely popular global destination in its league, it’s one of very few to prioritize the safety and well-being of tourists – and as seen here, they do through actions, not only words.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com