RESORT SAFETY

Puerto Rico is the one place that I didn't feel safe. We were in a luxury hotel that was supposedly where dignitaries stay when they go to San Juan. Tons of security people all over...

The couple we were there with had their room burglarized- in broad daylight. They were not in the room, but the maid was. She was beaten up bad enough to require being taken to the hospital. The guy stole like $20 cash, a pocket knife and clothes. Their valuables were in the safe in the room. The room smelled really bad- apparently the guy hadn't bathed in a long time.

Security caught the culprit. They showed the couple a picture of the bandit. He was wearing the guy's shirt and her shoes. Yeah, keep 'em.

@Molly

"Also, for anyone who wants to California bash on the basis of this, Bakersfield is the reddest part of the very red part of California and has the tax base to actually deal with its homelessness and gang problems way better than it does, so maybe don't use your outside voice just this once."

Yes, it is the speaker of the houses district. I think we may have stayed at that hotel once. Bakersfield, as the crow flies is only about 70 miles from me. However, it is about a 3 drive. We have been there a few times and every time we question why. We have some good friends that live there and there is a 'good side' of the tracks. It is just a small area.

If you really want to learn more about what the issues are there, look into oil and . . . pomegranate. Look into Stewart and Lynda Resnick.

The idea of "safety" directly addresses (each of) our "assumptive worlds". Each of us imagines our environment a little differently, but the reasons for the way each of us thinks and the belief we hold is similar: personally held assumptions about how our world works helps us make sense of the world and our role within it. They also help us feel safe, capable, and in control of what happens to us and, to those around us. A "resort", or a "school", or a "house of worship" is supposed to feel safe--places to learn, relax, rejuvenate etc. With respect to this specific topic--"resort safety"--we are forced to confront a shattered assumption about the benevolence of the world. We want to believe that (a) the world is generally a safe place where there is more good than bad, and
(b) most folks have good intentions and can be trusted...especially at a resort.

Been around the planet and always love local food and hospitality. Just use common sense and enjoy what each place has to offer. Conspiracy theory oooglybooogly can stop you from driving to Walgreens if you let it. Especially when you have LS fun traveling is even better.

I've done a fair amount of solo traveling, mostly in the US, but I've also been to Jamaica and Mexico by myself. I remember questioning my judgement one hot night in mid-gentrifying Alphabet City in Manhattan - too many men on the street catcalling, plus the open drug deals - but the only time I've actually been a little afraid was this past autumn in Bakersfield, California. I'd never stayed in a hotel with high chain link fences topped with concertina wire before and leaving it to go to a restaurant next door involved stepping over drug paraphernalia, empty liquor bottles, and vomit, plus there was a small homeless camp in the brush off to the side. Kinda rough, but the one guy I talked to was nice enough.

Also, for anyone who wants to California bash on the basis of this, Bakersfield is the reddest part of the very red part of California and has the tax base to actually deal with its homelessness and gang problems way better than it does, so maybe don't use your outside voice just this once.

“we have been to Jamaica 25+ times and never had any problems. we've been to Mexico several times, Honduras, Belize and Guatamala and didn't have any problems.”

And that’s why you keep going, because of YOUR experience. That doesn’t take away from the bad experiences others have had. That’s why you keep going and they don’t.

we have been to Jamaica 25+ times and never had any problems. we've been to Mexico several times, Honduras, Belize and Guatamala and didn't have any problems.

Different strokes for different folks. We’ve been to the Caribbean many times (Jamaica, Bahamas, DR) and have been to Mexico a few times. While I agree that there are many locals that are very welcoming, there are also many locals who are ignorant, conniving, racist, criminal assholes. You’ll find them in the Caribbean and you’ll find them in the good old USA. Obviously the support you receive from the police in the USA, as opposed to a foreign country will be night and day, but nobody ever really thinks about that when planning a vacation. Best advice, go where YOU like to go and don’t worry about what others think. You’re not paying for their trip and they’re not paying for yours.

While in Cabo I took an Uber to a public beach. I had reservations about it but it turned out great. Some of the best marine life i've seen was at this free beach, and I've paid for snorkeling trips that weren't any better.

Same while in Cozumel, rented a scooter, drove the island, stopped wherever I wanted and snorkeled for free. The guided snorkel tours were actually stopping in places I was at. No issues, just enjoying life.

I've vacationed lots of places in the US and never found an all inclusive that offered so much for the price.

No matter where you are or where you go, if you're looking for trouble, you're going to find it, just saying.

Bad stuff can happen anywhere if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time. We have been to Cabo San Lucas and Cancun all-inclusives. All inclusives generally give you a lot for your vacation dollar.

The Cancun resort was huge and had 5 different "nightclubs/venues" and 17 restaurants as I recall. You could be quite happy just staying in the resort. Cabo was smaller but still had some nightlife. There was no "room bar" but there were plenty of bars everywhere.

We went off the resort in both places as well as wandering around in some other resort towns on Carribean cruises. In all cases we went with at least one other couple but a small group is even better. In tourist locations they want the tourist $$$ so they have a vested interest in protecting their cash cow.

You also want to stay in the touristy areas, and that applies to places in the US as well, for certain areas. For example, Bourbon St is a well known tourist area but if you get too far away from the touristy stuff, especially at night, you're kind of asking for trouble. Besides, there really isn't anything fun about the non-touristy areas.

Even in the touristy areas you may want to keep an eye out and mind the time. When visiting SD we were told that the Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood is not a place you wanted to be at night as it was a known trouble spot for local criminals robbbing/attacking tourists.

And don,t drink the liquor from the room bar...... there is a long list of dead tourists who drank the tainted liquor...

We prefer to tour around freely and safly to explore new locations and soak in the the local life....

Try that in " most" carribian or mexican places..

Good luck anf enoy ypur 'caged' and 'guarded' and ;;confined' and dangrtous resorts...............don't get AIDS.....

And to add to that we just came back from 10 day Eastern Caribbean trip which included , St Marteen, St. Kitts, Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico.. All had the best beaches, most colorful we have ever seen and yes we are from south Florida.. and even DR who we were told to be very careful with.. we met some great people on a walking tour and felt safe the entire time as security and local police were everywhere we were ... they do NOT want any issues with tourists which brings them a lot of money.

We are already planning our next trips back..

Apo, not sure what gringos you have met and what Caribbean you have been do. Every tourist destination has local people who love interacting with guests and being great hosts. Roll into their country with an attitude and you will most likely receive what you have given. You obviously haven't been to the beaches if you think they are the same. If you aren't a "beach person" then you probably don't care one way or the other. The Maldives and the Caribbean have some of the the best snorkeling and diving in the world.

YES....

See the USA in in your Cheverlot......

I wouldn,t go to ANY Carribian or Mexican resort if it were free... besides the crime,... the staffs are jealous of gringos and tourists and hate them... resulting in poison liquor, tainted food, etc etc etc....

Seeing the USA is the same price as anywhere else.......we,ve been to 43 states, by plane/ rental car and saw so many exciting and interesting things it was amazing.......the Carribian is NOT exotic, its just HOT and Sandy.... just like any beach in the USA.....

Iif you can,t find interesting locations in the USA to vacation, your just dull & dumb.

Lets just say.. sometimes one doesn't need to know "The Rest Of The Story"..

Some dont believe in the real "Blacklist".. Lets just say "I do". and even one with as many contacts over the years.. some are just no match for the deep state and have the money to fight them !!!!

Don’t hang around and Mexican border towns . You understand what ever country the border people are the roughest of both countries . There is a nudist resort in So Texas that those people cross the border all the time as a group…We have friends that take their motorhome south of the border with a large group . Even as a group they get hassled …nothing bad though.

@Ron&Cathy, I'm sure you have the story on this by now:
Like to know the full story on this one.. daytime, busy streets, the family was down allegedly for a medical procedure that many go for in Mexico ?

It was a bordertown, Matamoros, Not a resort or vacation destination. Mexican border towns are bad news. Supposedly it was a mistaken drug deal identity mix up. But 2 Americans were killed, thought to be Haitian drug dealers.
Regarding another bordertown.
I met a couple from Oregon who drive to Cabo, been doing it for several years. They would drive an older model inexpensive car and stay 2 to 3 months at a time. They say you have to know where to cross. They know people who've been stung by Mexican Federales.
They would set up a car crash and detain you until you paid for damages.

LOL

We agree.. and already told kids where the "Red Box" is.. just in case! LOL

R and K, you 2 are nuts lol. Just saying because things are so crazy today. Hope you 2 have a great trip.

Mickey

Here is the bottom line to OP.. every place in USA, and Outside USA has a risk vs reward.. all of us are different for various reasons.. write down your risk vs reward and if it works go for it and enjoy !

We can all sit here and talk all day long about Mexico, DR, Costa Rica, and Big Cities USA such as NOLA, Atlanta , etc which we have all been to swinging.. some we will not return in this day and age and thats what we have decided for our risk vs reward and yes one does that for a living!

We are leaving next week for a 10 day cruise one stop Dom Rep. and YES crime out of control and verified by those in the business who I know personally .. we are still going on a small walking tour of some liquor, cigar and local restaurants!

Detroit.. lived Hubbell and 8 Mile, parents grocery store on Dexter,, we were right in middle of 67 riots and burned down everything.. Yes downtown has improved big time, love coney islands near stadium, restaurants near old train station, etc etc and thanks to Quicken Loan founder.. .. but city Detroit , Dexter, Livernois, still crime infested and burned out buildings are all over still and never replaced our knocked down.. what a shame it was once the wealthiest city in USA with well employed auto workers and related fields who are friends and relatives everywhere !

Crime and real violent crime stats are what I do for 30 plus years 2021 stats : Detroit — With assaults, shootings and homicides on the rise across the country, Detroit continued last year to be among the most violent big cities in America, according to FBI statistics released Monday.

Detroit in 2020 had a rate of 2,248.4 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, behind only Memphis, Tennessee, as the highest rate in the country among cities with more than 100,000 residents. St. Louis, Missouri, Little Rock, Arkansas, and South Bend, Indiana rounded out the top five. Lansing, Michigan was ranked No. 9.

In Detroit, murders rose 19.3% and aggravated assaults increased 21.7%, leading to the city’s big jump in overall violent crime rate even though the number of reported rapes fell by 29% and robberies fell by 21.2%. The city reported 328 murders, including non-negligent manslaughter, 676 rapes, 1,848 robberies and 11,518 aggravated assaults, according to FBI data.

Thats why many if not all moved to Burbs.. and YES have all sorts relatives Bloomfield Hills, and surrounding areas etc.

I think much violent crime is "among young people" or "over drugs". But much isn't. Let's be real. I Don't think Seattle generally conjures up images of violent crime the way, say, Chicago or Detriot do. Yet there are probably two murders and perhaps half a dozen shootings in the greater metropolitan Seattle Tacoma Everett area every week that pop up in my news feed. Some are clearly criminal on criminal. Others while unspecified at the time, or never explained, are suspicious as to time of day and location. Still others are armed robberies of innocent people on the street or in businesses. Or car jackings. Or Home invasion robberies.

Now contrast this with crimes that have made the news recently in the Cancun metro region including the Riviers Maya. A couple of drug dealers shot in broad daylight at the Hard rock (yes, near desire RM) in a turf war. They were selling drugs to, guess who? Tourists. A Canadian ex pat couple who were killed in a drug deal gone bad. And some innocent bystanders in a restaurant in Tulum. I'm sure there is all kinds of violence that doesn't make the news specifically because it doesn't touch on foreigners. But, all in all, I would worry much more about traffic accidents than violent incidents in the Yucatan. Border regions in Mexico? Sure. Different story. But Omaha isn't Detriot either.

I’ve got friends that were Mexican born and raised. They don’t go back down there. Another thing that happens is they will steal your vehicle, especially if is a nice 4x4 or suv. I know of one friend that goes down to see his mom and other family. He stays in El Paso, they come across to him. The criminals simply don’t give a fuck, shooting you isn’t a big deal to them.

I’d like to put a word in for my old home town, Detroit. Yeah, the crime rate is higher than anyone would care for, but the violence is mostly among young people, over drugs or some witless thing. People are safe in their homes, and there are a lot of good restaurants and activities in the city, and the downtown area in particular is quite safe.