Sunday, January 27, 2013

Rethinking Acapulco

Last night we had some friends over for dinner and they told us about some people they know who had just returned from Acapulco with the news that things are really awful there.  It's experiencing a three-way drug cartel battle and there are helicopters patrolling the beaches, army units and cops everywhere and a high risk of getting caught in the middle.

This news prompted us to do some more intensive research online and we found out that Acapulco is simply not a good place to visit right now. In fact the city has declared bankruptcy as of the first of the year and the murder rate is through the roof. It's not where we want to spend our few days of beach time, even if the hotel is a fabulous bargain.

Fortunately we were able to cancel our hotel reservation without penalty and we've rebooked on the other coast. We're going to Playa del Carmen in the Yucatan instead. The last time we were in the area was in 1984 when it was a sleepy little ferry dock where boats left for the island of Cozumel.  Now it's an upscale destination with lots of resorts along its white sand beaches.



We both feel better about our trip having made this decision. Not only is the Yucatan safer, it's also cooler and less humid than the west coast.  Now all that's left to do is ready the house for our dog sitters. We leave on the 5th of February.

2 comments:

  1. I am so relived to know you have canceled your trip to Acapulco. I mentioned in your first post that I didn't think you should go.
    Even as a Canadian that would not protect you from the violence of drug gangs or kidnappers.
    I never know how much to say but if you posted again that you were going I wold have written an e-mail to you. I don't like coming of as an alarmist but when you live where I do in a border town, you understand what is really going on in Mexico.
    I am relieved at this news.

    cheers, parsnip

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  2. Thanks Parsnip, I appreciate your concern. I think we'll have a much better time in the Yucatan where there isn't any of that stuff going on.

    Joanna

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