current violence in Michoacán vs. Veracruz
Replies: 17 - Last Post: Feb 25, 2013 8:16 PM Last Post By: lotusland2
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current violence in Michoacán vs. Veracruz
Hello all,I am thrilled to be heading back to Mexico for the last weeks of February. Right now, I'm contemplating whether I should spend my time in Michoacán highlands (Angangueo, Lago de Pátzcuaro, Volcán Nevado de Colima) or Veracruz (ruins, rafting, ocean?). My main concern is whether Michoacán is safe right now. The US Gov't warnings (admittedly conservative) say to use caution in Veracruz, but avoid Michoacán, outside Morelia and Lázaro Cadenas.
I spent 6 weeks in Mexico in 2010, traveling along the Pacific coast, and had no problems whatsoever. I also enjoyed 3 months throughout Mexico in 2003. However, my Mexican friends here in the U.S. tell me the violence is now much worse. If Michoacán has seen lots of violence, I'd rather head to Veracruz.
Does anyone who has been in Michoacán or Veracruz recently have an opinion on this? I am single female traveler, but I speak fluent Spanish and have many years of travel experience in Latin America.
Thank you!
Laura
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My wife & I just took an overnight bus Guanajuato to Zihuatanejo straight through Michoacan a most peaceful journey with zero incidents.2
OP, if you had been in La Birrería Don Prisci in Pátzcuaro last week, just at the right time (about 1:00 p.m.) you might have been a witness to the murder of the Secretary to the Mayor of Nahuátzen, a town about 25 miles away. But the chance of any of us being there, (especially at that late hour) is unlikely.What I'm trying to say is that yes, there is violence, but ones' chance of being present seems very slender.
My wife and I live in the Pátzcuaro area, and other than annoyances of Escuela Normal students blocking the highway closer to Morelia, combi van strikes and blockages, and the usual, everyday irritants of life in Mexico, we have never seen an act of violence.
(We have seen the aftermath of horrid vehicular accidents, but luckily, none recently.)
Come, and enjoy yourself.
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I'd opt for the Veracruz itinerary, not solely because of "safety" but because it sounds like you'd have a more enjoyable time there than in Michoacan (where, in some parts of the state, the dangers are substantial for someone unfamiliar and who gets off the beaten path).LW
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I am in Patzcuaro now for the 5th day, having spent a couple of days in Morelia. I sense no danger at all, but also sense a deep sadness in the Mexicans I speak to because of feeling shunned by travellers. There is definitely an awareness that travellers are staying away. I am the only Spanish learner in my school here.I have done a bit of travelling around the area, including solo on the "combis", and expect to do more this coming weekend. I have had no warnings from locals to not do same. I have been warned to be cautious in the local market.
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I am in Patzcuaro now for the 5th day, having spent a couple of days in Morelia. I sense no danger at all, but also sense a deep sadness in the Mexicans I speak to because of feeling shunned by travellers. There is definitely an awareness that travellers are staying away. I am the only Spanish learner in my school here.I have done a bit of travelling around the area, including solo on the "combis", and expect to do more this coming weekend. I have had no warnings from locals to not do same. I have been warned to be cautious in the local market.
7
Laura,I was in Michoacan in 2010 for 6 weeks without incident. I traveled to Zihuatanejo, and to Angangueo using Michoacan and Patz area as a base. The military presence is always unnerving and something I still am not used to. I was traveling alone as a single female. A year ago at this time, I also spent a month traveling alone in Hidalgo, Guanajuato, Queretaro and Veracruz. I did see more police/military presence in Veracruz than I did in 2007, the last visit to the area. The locals thought this was a good thing. As I mentioned, it is always unnerving, but...it would not stop me from traveling there again. In fact I am pining to head out again soon.
Since 2007, I have noticed less Americans traveling in Mexico than previously . I think all the scarey news reports have worked in keeping folks at bay, which is a shame in my opinion. Maybe Mexicans are more leary since many of them have had family, friends touched by the drug war, which is very sad.But, I am also not sure how many of them travel independently, especially females. Violence against travelers is not as prevelant as all the violence in American media day in and day out. There are probably places in Mexico that I might think twice about visiting alone, just for my own comfort level. You have been before. I think you will find that when you arrive, on a day to day basis, little has changed since your 2010 travels. Enjoy!
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Most of the responses are spot on, beware of #3 as anyone claiming you'd somehow be safer in Veracruz has likely not been to Mexico in decades. The same issues are going on there, and in both places it poses zero threat to tourists. One difference is that the "bad guys" in Michoacan have gone out of their way to promise avoiding harming innocents and tourists, while the ones on the gulf coast haven't been as explicit.You can get "off the beaten path" in Veracruz just as easily as you can in Michoacan. I just spent over a month in each recently and saw evidence of unrest in both, but also felt perfectly safe at all times, even going out at night in obscure corners of Uruapan and Xalapa (even ended up in that nightclub with the heads in Uruapan, though that's neither here nor there).
Listening to the US warnings is one of the first and worst mistakes you can make; they've been widely discredited. Ignore them, or use them only as a baseline for exaggerated and useless information. Personally I'd recommend visiting Michoacan as it impressed me more, but that's just a personal thing.
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(if that wasn't clear, the levels of violence vs. tourists in Michoacan vs. Veracruz are exactly the same: virtually zero, similar to your chances of getting off the beaten path into some dangerous place in either of them).11
after posting the original comment, i´ve traveled to michoacan and am very happy with my decision. both what i´ve seen and what locals have told me assures me that this area is indeed very safe. thank you for your comments and suggestions. if anyone else is considering travels to michoacan, i highly encourage you to come! the monarchs are amazing (through end of march i{m told)- both el rosario and macheros (cerro pelon). angangueo is idyllic... now in patzcuaro, and i just love this town. visited isla janitizio yesterday, hoping to see another lake- ciruan?- today. lovely people, jaw dropping scenery, scrumptous food. awesome!13
Rioalmar, I am also currently in Patzcuaro, and would love to get together for a coffee and chat if you wish. Unfortunately, PM's are not working, but if you wish to contact me, I can be reached at lotusland2 at live.ca.
