How Safe is Los Cabos For Tourists?
The stats, the facts and what people say…
Last update: August 23, 2017.
Increasing concern over safety in Los Cabos continues. It has been widely covered by the media. No doubt you will have read all about it.
Violence and shootings have
increased compared to the same period in
2016.
On Sunday August 20th, BCS Governor Carlos Mendoza, publicly acknowledged these deaths have been due
to the drug cartels.
Two days later - on August 22 2017 - the US State Department issued
a new travel warning for Mexico. Sadly, Los Cabos and La Paz, are both
mentioned in the specific alert for Baja California Sur.
Quite simply, these are the
facts. But perspective is required. And
a number of other facts also need to be considered in order to get the full picture on safety in Cabo.
Cabo - how safe is it?
Right now that is a tricky question. Some will argue that Cabo continues to be one of the safest spots in Mexico. Others will point to the recent rise in crime and violent murders. Another will argue these crimes are only between warring drug gangs. And don’t affect tourists.
Tit for tat. The debate continues. Whatever your view, “supporting evidence“ can be found. Alarming crime stats, or positively glowing reviews.
So, let’s just move away from all that. Let’s just look at Cabo. And what is and isn’t true. Over the last few months.
And now, the facts...
It is true that…
- there has been a spate of drug related murders since November 2016.
- most of these deaths have been shootings.
- according to the media, from Jan to mid-July 2017, the number of deaths rose to 159.
on August 22 - the US issued a new travel warning for Mexico. Los Cabos and La Paz are both included in the warning for BCS.
- on Sunday August 20, BCS Governor Carlos Mendoza, publicly acknowledged these deaths have been due to the drug cartels.
- on the weekend of Aug 04 there were 9 murders in Los Cabos (3 of these occurred on Palmilla Beach, where 3 men were shot at point blank range. And 2 days later a woman also died as a result of this incident).
- In July (and also March) there were some particularly violent incidents and body parts were found in coolers and in plastic bags. Bodies were also found in abandoned cars. All of this this has been widely publicised in the media.
- in May, a reporter, who mainly covered police matters, was shot in La Paz.
- in April there was ONE violent incident in a San Jose Hotel. But nobody was hurt.
- in March ONE female tourist was wounded in the crossfire of a drug related incident in San Jose del Cabo. (Over 300, 000 tourists visited Los Cabos in March).
It is also true that…
- apart from 4, all deaths have been outwith the tourist areas.
- the increased presence of security personnel - Inter Operacion - is being continued indefinitely in Cabo. (This combines Federal Forces, Gendarmerie, Federal Police, State Police, Municipal Police, Armed Forces and Navy).
- on 10th July the Ministry of Interior announced that there will be a 20% increase in the number of Gendarmerie and Federal agents to be deployed in Los Cabos and La Paz.
- on 05th July, SECTUR (Ministry of Tourism) announced that a security pilot programme will be implemented in Cabo in August (details not yet known).
- in July local businesses pledged their continued support to provide funding for the additional Gendarmerie.
- in May it was announced that a Training Barracks for State Police is to be established in Cabo San Lucas.
Plus…
- tourists can now access help and support 24/7, 365 days a year in Cabo's new CATAC offices (Tourist Assistance Centre). Conveniently located at the Cabo San Lucas Marina.
- tourism in Cabo is still growing. There has been a 19.9% increase in air passengers in the first 6 months of the year.
- numbers of cruise ships are also increasing None have cancelled.
- another 3000 hotel rooms will be added to Cabo by the end of 2017. More new hotels have been announced.
- Cabo hotels, resorts, and golf course continue to win prestigious tourism and travel awards.
- new direct flights are opening. Most recently from San Diego, Oakland, and LA. And discussions are underway to add non-stop flights from New York.
- construction has just begun on a second international airport. It will be located in Cabo San Lucas. Initial capacity will be for one million passengers. But ultimately will accomodate 10 million.
The official line…
Tourism is a way of life here in Cabo. Rest assured that the federal, state and municipal governments have vested economic interests in maintaining this. This is clearly evidenced by all the extra support they have already brought into Cabo over the last couple of months. On July 14 2017, Director of Los Cabos Tourism Board, Rodrigo Esponda, said -
“We have an obligation to let visitors know the situation.
But recent events must be seen in context. With two exceptions, the violence
and shootings have not been anywhere near the tourist areas. Overall the
destination of Los Cabos is perfectly safe. Thousands of tourists have been
arriving every day. In the first half of this year Los Cabos Airport has
experienced a 19.9% increase in passengers.. This would not be happening if Los Cabos wasn’t safe.” (
Some words of advice…
If you are still worried about safety in Cabo, check for any new travel warnings before your trip. Look at recent Trip Adviser reviews on safety. And remember, there is an American and Canadian Embassy in Cabo if you have any concerns while you are here.
Other safety concerns in Cabo…
Of course there is crime in Cabo. And of course tourists
need to take care. Stick to busier streets, especially after dark. Don’t flash your cash too publicly. Don’t
party so hard you don’t know what you are doing. Traffic is tricky - take care
if you are driving. Watch out crossing the roads. Pavements have pot holes. Pay serius attention to “no swimming “ signs. Winds can be strong. Currents can be treacherous. Always take care in the sun. Always drink bottled water. Choose carefully if you eat street food.
|
FURTHER READING:
What To Do In An Emergency In Cabo
Read More >
|
The truth is…
That the old, slightly worn out cliché seems to be true. You are still much more likely to be at risk of sunstroke, or a raging tequila hangover, than you are of getting your head blown off by a drug lord.
Take the same care as you would anywhere. And enjoy everything Los Cabos has to offer.