Forums > General > Traveling Mexico

Staci

Jun 27, 2002, 1:24 PM

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traveling with kids

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We are planning a trip to Mexico and are trying to decide whether to take our kids (ages 5 & 10). We will be in a truck pulling a cargo trailer and will be buying merchandise for our store. My husband has gone before with his brother, but this is the first time for me to go to Mexico. We will be going to Dolores, San Miguel, Monterrrey. I am a little nervous about going myself, and would appreciate any thoughts on taking kids, especially about how safe it would be. Thanks!

Rolly

Jun 27, 2002, 2:01 PM

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traveling with kids

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By all means take the kids. They’ll have a great time, and so will you. No need to be afraid. There are too many old movies and untrue stories that make Mexico seem dangerous -- but it's not. Use the same common sense here that keeps you out of harm's way at home, and you'll be fine. (Mexico City requires a bit more care; it can be dangerous.) Where I live I feel safe enough to leave both my car and my house unlocked. Of course I have a pit bull and a German Shepard to look after the house. When I go to the city, I’m more careful to lock the car.Come and enjoy!

CynthiaMason

Jun 27, 2002, 7:57 PM

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traveling with kids

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: By all means take the kids. They’ll have a great time, and so will you. : No need to be afraid. There are too many old movies and untrue stories that make Mexico seem dangerous -- but it's not. Use the same common sense here that keeps you out of harm's way at home, and you'll be fine. (Mexico City requires a bit more care; it can be dangerous.)
Mexico is a great place for children. Every child from Texas is in San Miguel in July. They have great Spanish cultural programs, Spanish programs, Sport programs plus just being a child here is so "normal". I thought at first you were afraid to be in the truck with them coming down - they will be fine here.
.: Where I live I feel safe enough to leave both my car and my house unlocked. Of course I have a pit bull and a German Shepard to look after the house. When I go to the city, I’m more careful to lock the car.: Come and enjoy!

John R

Jun 27, 2002, 8:44 PM

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On the trailer

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Did your husband take the trailer on the earlier trip? I ask because some jurisdictions in Mexico do not permit noncommercial vehicles to haul cargo.

Vallarta Bound

Jun 27, 2002, 8:48 PM

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traveling with kids

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Take the kids and if possible put one of those entertainment centers in your car. It work wonders.

John R

Jun 27, 2002, 8:51 PM

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No problem with the kids

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It should be at least as safe as the states and you'll find a lot of parks, restaurants, etc. with kids' areas. Some of the parks are a bit more freedom-oriented and unlawyered than U.S. play areas: old-fashioned jungle-gyms -- the sort I played on as a kid -- so it might pay to keep slightly closer eye on horseplay. In some areas, you may find things like guided horseback rides and gokarts much, much cheaper than in the U.S.

Staci

Jun 28, 2002, 8:17 AM

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On the trailer

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: Did your husband take the trailer on the earlier trip? I ask because some jurisdictions in Mexico do not permit noncommercial vehicles to haul cargo.When my husband went before, he and his brother took a Suburban and loaded it with cargo. A few months later, his brother took our truck and trailer and loaded the trailer with cargo and had no problems. I think they had one policeman stop them when they were in the Suburban and told them they couldn't haul cargo in that vehicle, but that was all. Thanks!

Liz

Jul 7, 2002, 2:39 PM

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We took our kids

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People thought we were nuts, but really the driving itself is the only hazard. You will need to excercise basic caution. You may also need to stop more often. We took three days from El Paso to Guanajuato and it was very leisurely. We did find driving through cities and traffic stressful, but we are from a very rural area and hadn't driven in cities for years. We also brought our large dog.The biggest risk is property crime. Violent crime is just as rare as at home. I might add that if you read the papers in the US where every crime makes news it sounds awful. We have a missionary here from LA and it is much safer than his home where a whole house got gunned down during a party because the parents would not let some ruffians in. This was within a few blocks of his house and he was not in a poor area. I think he feels much safer here.When I was evaluating risk I looked at the US State Department website. I think that will put things in perspective for you.