HURRICANE PATRICIA UPDATE:

Despite dire predictions, Puerta Vallarta was spared the worst of Hurricane Patricia's wrath. The Category 5 storm struck roughly 200 miles south of the main tourist areas of Puerta Vallarta and Nayarit and quickly weakened as it came in contact with the mountains and was downgraded to a Tropical Storm. The hotels, shops resorts and spas are open and ready to welcome guests.

Mexico is safer than other popular destinations.

Mexico, one of the world’s great travel destinations, is often singled out for violent crime without telling the whole story. While there is sporadic violence along parts of the U.S. border, the majority of Mexico’s key tourism areas are not only safe, but safer than many other popular tourism areas. COMPARE POPULAR TRAVEL DESTINATIONS >

The Yucatan is as safe as rural U.S. states.

The magnificent beaches and ancient ruins of the Mexican State of Yucatan are among the safest and most spectacular resort beaches in the world. Yucatan’s low homicide rate is lower than the rural U.S. States of Wyoming, Montana, Oregon and North Dakota, West Virginia and several others. COMPARE U.S. CITIES TO MEXICO >

Mexico City is 4 times safer than Washington D.C.

The U.S. State Department in Washington issues warnings about Mexico, yet Washington D.C. is four times more deadly than Mexico City. Washington’s murder rate has been cut almost in half in the last 10 years, but it still averages 24 per 100,000 vs. only 8-9 per 100,000 in Mexico City. How do you suppose the U.S. State department would feel if the Mexican government posted travel warnings for the U.S. capital? Mexico City is a cultural treasure that is larger than New York, London or Paris. In fact, it is about the same size as London and Paris combined. LEARN WHICH AREAS OF MEXICO ARE SAFEST >

Understanding the size and scope of Mexico.

Mexico is the 14th largest country on the planet. Its famous beaches and cultural treasures are hundreds of miles away from isolated border violence. In fact, the U.S. State Department's travel advisory recommends avoiding only 4 of the country's 31 states. Take a 60-second crash course in Mexican geography and you'll feel smarter and safer. LEARN WHY SIZE MATTERS >

“Mexico’s violence not as widespread as it seems.”

After months of sensationalized stories about Mexico's border violence, USA Today finally published a story about the media hype. While the story itself became an excuse to re-tell some of the sensational tales, it did set the record straight by comparing U.S. and Mexican homicide figures. COMPARE VIOLENCE STATISTICS >

Politics & Profits drive sensational media.

Why is Mexico shown in a negative light? There is money to be made by sensationalizing violence. Drug cartels launch graphic attacks to secure and protect their turf. Media firms hype stories to sell more ads or magazines. And powerful politicians have an interest in slowing the growth of Latino voters in the U.S. Each group enhances perceptions with ulterior motives. The reality is simple: if you are in the drug trade looking for trouble, you can find it. If you are visiting Mexico’s touristic areas, you are safer than you are in many U.S. touristic areas. LEARN HOW TO TRAVEL SAFELY >