Taking the Kids: Is it safe to take the kids to Mexico?

“Matamoros is not anywhere near major tourist destinations such as the Riviera Maya, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita, Mexico City, San Miguel Allende, Oaxaca or the Yucatan Peninsula,” Rabinor said. He noted that Matamoros is about 1,360 miles from Cancun.

AAA spokesman Skyler McKinley noted that tourism to Mexico is up, with 30 million Americans opting to vacation there last year.

The State Department notes in its Quintana Roo advisory — Playa del Carmen and Cancun are in the state of Quintana Roo – that violence and criminal activity may occur anywhere, “including in popular tourist destinations.”

“Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations,” the advisory warns.

Of course, it is wise to exercise caution as you should whenever and wherever you travel, the experts say. Stay within the tourist zones. You will see increased law enforcement presence, McKinley noted. That is because the Mexican government is spending a lot of money to protect tourists. “It’s such a foundational part of the Mexican economy,” he explained.

Rather than ride shares, book transportation and excursions through your hotel. And if you are opting for a vacation rental, vet it in advance to make sure it is located in a safe area. Don’t wander alone after dark or wear flashy jewelry or watches.

Many all-inclusive resorts are encouraging guests to stay within the expansive properties.

Journey Mexico’s Rabinor notes that much of Mexico is ranked at “Level 2: exercise increased caution” by the State Department. That is as in other popular countries, including France, Germany and Italy. Journey Mexico has put together a comprehensive resource about where in Mexico you can travel safely.

If you are traveling with adult children or teens, make sure they appreciate that Mexico is a place not to go off the grid and to make sure all family members stay in touch if they are going in different directions.

AAA’s McKinley notes that more travelers are opting for travel insurance to protect them in case of illness (including COVID), injuries, dental emergencies, flight delays, lost baggage and more. Allianz Travel Insurance also includes access to its TravelSmart mobile app, which provides locations for local resources, translations for medical terms, local emergency numbers and one-touch access to Allianz’s award-winning customer service and travel assistance teams.

For the first time, Cancel Anytime insurance is available directly to consumers as an optional upgrade on some Allianz policies. That means you can cancel for almost any reason, and you will get back 100 percent of prepaid nonrefundable costs, though there are some exclusions. It offers the most flexibility. Even though it is significantly more expensive, more travelers are opting for such a policy.

“The headlines are scary, but they don’t impact the American tourist experience anywhere they would go,” says McKinley. “Americans by the millions have been going to Mexico for generations safely,” he said.

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(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The Kid’s Guide to Philadelphia and The Kid’s Guide to Camping are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)