Safety in Mexico

In its Travel Warning of November 20, 2012, the State Department cautions against visits only to certain regions of Mexico, chiefly in the north and especially along the U.S. border.

There are no warnings for most of the areas and cities in which I recommend hotels, for example: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Mexico City, plus Baja and the Yucatán Peninsula. American travelers are advised to “exercise caution” in the cities of Zacatecas, Morelia, Acapulco and Cuernavaca.

The key to peace of mind is taking some common-sense precautions — for example, not wearing expensive jewelry. We hired a reputable driver and guide, and we also stayed in at night, eating dinners at our hotels. Andrew Harper Travel Office staff continue to visit the country regularly — so far, I am pleased to say, without incident. -A.H.