With the March 25 killing of a deputy police chief here in Nogales, Sonora, the drug cartel-related death toll in this Mexico border city has hit 79 for 2010, and the US Department of State has issued a new travel warning for Nogales. An uptick in drug business violence over the last three years is distressing news for what has been a safe large city at which to cross the Mexico border since the drug trade coursing through Juarez, a Mexican border city of 
around 2 million 400 miles east of Nogales, has contributed to more than 5600 deaths since 2007, making Juarez one of the most dangerous cities in North America*. According to Mexico's daily El Universal, 800+ were killed in Juarez in 2007, 1,623 in 2008, 2,635 in 2009, and more than 600 have died in drug-related violence in Juarez thus far in 2010.
I'm in Nogales, and the crowded, touristy area area very near the border in Nogales is perfectly safe, in my opinion; I'll also be comfortable driving through Nogales on my way to Puerto Penasco, a resort town on the Gulf of California which has been gaining in spring break popularity partially due to its proximity (70 miles) to the US. This weekend, I plan to drive over to Lukeville, Arizona, and cross the border again at Sonoita preparatory to driving that easy (and best) route to Puerto Penasco (also called Rocky Point), and I'll let you know what the border scene is there; I assume it's going to be as calm and simple as the crossing at Nogales was this week.
The perception of the safety of spring break in Mexico has taken a terrific beating over the last two years, contributing to a surge in the popularity of Europe, the Caribbean's Dominican Republic, and easily accessible but hospitality-challenged Bahamas for spring break. Although Mexico drug trafficker-related (as opposed to tourist-related) violence is confined to certain parts of Mexico and is targeted to Mexican law enforcement or to the drug cartel thugs themselves, driving down to Mexico for spring break may be heading for a sad nosedive if the drug thugs keep spreading their messy mayhem west to the border country south of Arizona (Nogales, Sonora, Mexico is directly south of Tucson, AZ, and is a logical, and lovely in spots, route to take if cruising to Copper Canyon, Mazatlan or farther down the Pacific coast while avoiding Juarez's crossing). Just as in any country, take normal safety precautions (just like you do at home), and you'll likely be just as safe as I am at this moment, and I am sitting in a city supposedly unsafe.
And about that travel warning we mentioned? There had been one (find out what a travel warning is, if you don't know) for the city of Juarez and border crossings south of Texas: the Mexican states of Coahuila and Chihuahua, plus Durango, were considered unsafe or the US government had pulled some of its embassy employees out in those areas; the warning was extended to Nogales last week. Now, the US government tends to be a little more conservative in its assessment of what is and is not unsafe than do I (I am, after all, yawning and sipping a coconut lime bebida streetside in a city under a US-issued travel warning); a government travel warning is nothing to denigrate as nothing, though: I'm a somewhat seasoned traveler and have traveled through much supposed scariness with nary a scratch or even sideways glance -- you can decide for yourself whether you feel safe in driving to Mexico and traveling in Mexico (and if you're going for spring break and you've got a package in the sunny sands of spring break hot spots like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, do remember that your travel within the country will actually be limited to those very safe cities, and you can take taxis to places like Senor Frog's (though you'll have more fun on mucho cheap local buses); you'll not be wending your way on foot along unmarked rural roads nor will you be anywhere near the US-Mexico border):
Related Mexico Travel Reading:
around 2 million 400 miles east of Nogales, has contributed to more than 5600 deaths since 2007, making Juarez one of the most dangerous cities in North America*. According to Mexico's daily El Universal, 800+ were killed in Juarez in 2007, 1,623 in 2008, 2,635 in 2009, and more than 600 have died in drug-related violence in Juarez thus far in 2010.
I'm in Nogales, and the crowded, touristy area area very near the border in Nogales is perfectly safe, in my opinion; I'll also be comfortable driving through Nogales on my way to Puerto Penasco, a resort town on the Gulf of California which has been gaining in spring break popularity partially due to its proximity (70 miles) to the US. This weekend, I plan to drive over to Lukeville, Arizona, and cross the border again at Sonoita preparatory to driving that easy (and best) route to Puerto Penasco (also called Rocky Point), and I'll let you know what the border scene is there; I assume it's going to be as calm and simple as the crossing at Nogales was this week.
The perception of the safety of spring break in Mexico has taken a terrific beating over the last two years, contributing to a surge in the popularity of Europe, the Caribbean's Dominican Republic, and easily accessible but hospitality-challenged Bahamas for spring break. Although Mexico drug trafficker-related (as opposed to tourist-related) violence is confined to certain parts of Mexico and is targeted to Mexican law enforcement or to the drug cartel thugs themselves, driving down to Mexico for spring break may be heading for a sad nosedive if the drug thugs keep spreading their messy mayhem west to the border country south of Arizona (Nogales, Sonora, Mexico is directly south of Tucson, AZ, and is a logical, and lovely in spots, route to take if cruising to Copper Canyon, Mazatlan or farther down the Pacific coast while avoiding Juarez's crossing). Just as in any country, take normal safety precautions (just like you do at home), and you'll likely be just as safe as I am at this moment, and I am sitting in a city supposedly unsafe.
And about that travel warning we mentioned? There had been one (find out what a travel warning is, if you don't know) for the city of Juarez and border crossings south of Texas: the Mexican states of Coahuila and Chihuahua, plus Durango, were considered unsafe or the US government had pulled some of its embassy employees out in those areas; the warning was extended to Nogales last week. Now, the US government tends to be a little more conservative in its assessment of what is and is not unsafe than do I (I am, after all, yawning and sipping a coconut lime bebida streetside in a city under a US-issued travel warning); a government travel warning is nothing to denigrate as nothing, though: I'm a somewhat seasoned traveler and have traveled through much supposed scariness with nary a scratch or even sideways glance -- you can decide for yourself whether you feel safe in driving to Mexico and traveling in Mexico (and if you're going for spring break and you've got a package in the sunny sands of spring break hot spots like Cancun or Puerto Vallarta, do remember that your travel within the country will actually be limited to those very safe cities, and you can take taxis to places like Senor Frog's (though you'll have more fun on mucho cheap local buses); you'll not be wending your way on foot along unmarked rural roads nor will you be anywhere near the US-Mexico border):
- What is a Travel Alert? What is a Travel Warnings?
- News: "Deputy police chief, guard shot to death in Nogales, Sonora" (Arizona Star)
- News: "Is Mexico Safe for Spring Break?": With spring break fully fleshed out and happening on Mexico beaches, there could hardly be a worse time for Mexico's safety (or lack thereof) to hit the news: mid-March's spate of drug cartel-related murders in Mexico may give...
Related Mexico Travel Reading: - Spring Break in Mexico
- Is Spring Break in Mexico Safe?
- Mexico for First Time Travelers
- Mexico Travel Planning FAQ
- Mexico Travel Myths
- Mexico Travel Documents
Yes, most parts of Mexico are very safe. Rocky Point is 100% safe. Nice article.
However, your title should probably be changed. You are writing about how it feels safe on the ground and your title is scary and reactionary (especially as it pops up in Google searches).
Also, Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) is nowhere near Nogales and nobody would ever travel through Nogales to get to Rocky Point. For Rocky Point, you go through the tiny, tranquil border crossing at Lukeville, AZ. If you get to Puerto Penasco, be sure to visit Las Conchas and see the CEDO Institute, CETMAR Aquarium and Tessoro on the Las Conchas Peninsula (unbelievable views of the Morua Estuary). Have a great trip!
Yeah…What’s with the title? This should be revised…
I lived in Rocky Point for 6 years as a young, single female. Never had an issue, or anything even close to an issue. The only scary thing in Rocky Point is the occasional drunk, stupid redneck or frat boy…and the way the US developers have gobbled up the waterfront.
Rocky Point is a lot of fun, with amazingly beautiful landscape & friendly people. Really, a very cool, chill place. Perfect for spring break or even a weekend retreat. Cholla Bay & Playa Encanto are must see spots on the outskirts of town. Go check out Rocky Point, and as long as you have some common sense, you’ll be better than fine!
From Phoenix or Tucson, it is only 3.5-4 hours. Arizona’s beach! (go through Lukeville, don’t go anywhere near Nogales).
I am looking for some positive reasurance in light of recent violence in Mx throughout the summer of 2010. I have been driving to Mx for fifteen years and have lived in Bucerias, Nay for the past 5 yrs. I returned to Chicago this summer to meet my new grandson. I am scheduled to drive back to Bucerias in 4 days and for the first time find myself terrified to travel through the country. My usual route is through Brownsville Tx or Laredo. This is seemingly out of the question right now. I decided to re-route my trip and cross at Nogales and then drive the coastal…now I find nothing but horror stories about Nogales and Sinoloa..does anyone know the safest route to PV? Any info. would be helpful