Mexico Safer than Headlines Indicate

Many consider Mexico to be less safe than the States. Well, did you know that even the very safe Washington, D.C. has a higher homicide rate than Mexico City? The flip side to all of the news about crime in Mexico is that more than 95 percent of Mexico's municipalities (the equivalent of an American county) are at least as safe as the average American traveler's hometown.



Based on FBI crime statistics for 2010 and Mexican government data released early this year, Mexico City's drug-related-homicide rate per 100,000 population was one-tenth of Washington's overall homicide rate - 2.2 deaths per 100,000 population compared with 22. (Drug violence accounts for most murders in Mexico, which historically does not have the gun culture that reigns in the United States.) Media sensationalism accounts for much of the wariness concerning travel to Mexico. The biggest factor may be, as this San Francisco Gate article suggests, that travelers looking for a carefree vacation simply find it easier to write the entire country off than to learn what areas to avoid.

Interactive Map of the State of Nayarit

This interactive map of Riviera Nayarit will give you a greater perspective on what the Riviera Nayarit region is like. Especially if you want to get to know those cities less traveled, click on the cities and towns in blue and you'll be taken to an informative article with all the history, culture and practical information you'd ever want to know.

The Sunsets of Puerto Vallarta

Banderas Bay is a part of Riviera Nayarit that is host to beautiful sunsets all year around.

Rosa Mexicano: Gold Standard of Mexican Cuisine

In the states and missing Mexico?

Here's event information for a Mexican-style clambake this week, starting as soon as July 13, in different locations across the U.S. As the web site suggests,"Dig into a selection of our fresh Clambake flavors, classic favorites and famous cocktails. Mingle with our chefs and experts and put your chile knowledge to the test. Reservations are required so make sure to go to their website for details. As they say in Spanish, ¡Que aproveche!

"Americans Should Know Much of Mexico is Safe"

This photo of Punta de Mita is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Read this account of the real Mexico, courtesy of a resident who is now living in beautiful Punta de Mita, Mexico, in the Riviera Nayarit region,'saddened by all of the negative media stories about Mexico.' The stories, in general, are very misleading and don't explain the reality of this beautiful country- one of the best countries to retire in in the world.