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Americans are going to Hawaii, Florida and the Caribbean for spring break this year instead of Mexico, after it was recently rocked by cartel violence, a global security director has said.
The widespread violence that hit after the Mexican army killed the country's most powerful drug lord, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho," has ended, but “a lot of people are shaken,” said Tyler Hosford, security director at global risk mitigation company International SOS.
Why It Matters
The recent unrest in parts of Mexico and a worldwide caution from the U.S. government have prompted many travelers to seek destinations that feel safer and closer to home, altering one of the busiest leisure travel periods of the year.
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What To Know
Hosford told USA Today that people are opting for places where they can “have peace of mind on spring break.”
"It's more this mindset of I'm trying to go, you know, relax, have a margarita and not have to worry about things,” he said. “Yes, it's safe, but could I just go somewhere else?"
He said that some of his clients swapped their trips from Mexico to Florida, Hawaii, and the Caribbean.
USA Today, citing Hopper Technology Solutions, reported that the top three trending spring break destinations are:
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- San Juan, Puerto Rico
- Fort Myers, Florida
Others include Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic and Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica.
Earlier this month, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a travel advisory to Americans planning to visit the country for spring break, warning about risks of carjacking, robbery, kidnapping, and drug-related violence, particularly in popular tourist areas.
Newsweek has broken down some tips on how to stay safe in Mexico here.
The U.S. State Department’s wider travel advisory is currently “Level 2: Exercise increased caution” due to “terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.”
There is a “Level 4: Do not travel” advisory in place for the following Mexican states:
- Colima
- Guerro
- Michoacan
- Sinaloa
- Tamaulipas
- Nuevo Laredo, except for U.S. government employees with approval
- Zacatecas
Jalisco, a state where much of the violence took place after Cervantes' death, is one of several under a “Level 3: Reconsider travel” warning. Like many affected areas in Mexico, the Jalisco city of Guadalajara returned to normal after a few days of violence.
Taxi driver Juan Carlos Pila, who had spent two days waiting with his family for things to calm down, rolled his eyes at what he called overblown coverage while speaking to the Associated Press. “People should come, man,” he said.
What People Are Saying
The U.S. State Department says in its travel advisory for Mexico: “Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico.”
What Happens Next
Security advisers recommend enrolling in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and reviewing cancellation policies as conditions evolve.
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