Los Cabos is a beachgoer’s dream come true but is it a dangerous vacationing spot?

LOS CABOS — Los Cabos just might be home to some of the most breathtaking beaches and marine life in the entire world, but it’s also received the title of “Murder Capital of the World,” which, for some folks, might deter them from visiting. On the contrary, there are many people who regularly visit Los Cabos and feel completely safe doing so provided they use common sense.

Unfortunately, Los Cabos was recently reported as one of the most dangerous spots for tourists in 2017 and continuing into 2018. While this is a beautiful destination with plenty of beaches, it is important to adhere to some safety standards as a tourist in Los Cabos. Luxury resort owners, however, are not fearful of opening new locations in Cabo and a few bad eggs are not keeping tourists from the pristine beaches.

Violent acts of intimidation carried out by gang or cartel members have also been a sticking point, and according to reports by Reuters, 2017 was the deadliest year for Mexico in recent history.

At the same time, Los Cabos is home to some of the most beautiful sights in the world and tourists do not appear to be curbing their trips to the scenic destination any time soon.

According to an article by Dallas News, the answer can be summed up in one metaphor: a shark versus a cheeseburger. Though cheeseburgers are actually the most likely to kill a person (they contribute to the number one killer – heart disease), many humans are afraid of shark attacks. Though tourists do become embroiled in the crime that happens in Mexico, it is not common.

Cabo Pulmo National Park is known as the “Aquarium of the World.” There are also a variety of beaches right at tourist’s fingertips, such as Medano Beach and Lover’s Beach. At Baja California’s southernmost tip, there are many grand resorts with five-star amenities to choose from while staying in Cabo.

In a recent post on TripAdvisor where a tourist questioned the safety of Los Cabos, quite a few responses shared they had enjoyed their trip, many going back on multiple occasions.

According to USA Today’s Travel Tips, there are a few things travelers can do to avoid unwanted conflict:

  • Don’t drive at night and if you must take a taxi, be sure to order it at your hotel.
  • Stay on your resort’s property and inquire with concierge about tourist activities.
  • Though it can be fun to go off the beaten path, stick to touristy activities in Los Cabos.
  • Travel in groups.
  • Store personal belongings in a safe at the hotel and don’t travel with expensive or flashy items. Be sure not to “flash cash” in public.

Additionally, Los Cabos beaches do not have lifeguards on duty and the closest medical personnel will be available at the resort. For this reason, swimming or boating in prohibited or dangerous areas is not advised. Alcohol consumption is also advised to be kept at a minimum while swimming. Stay hydrated and alert while away from the resort destinations.

Under the U.S. State Department’s new four-tiered travel advisory system, U.S. Citizens can check in advance if they can safely visit a destination. Level 1 is the safest, meaning “Exercise normal precaution,” while Level 4 is the most alarming and means do not travel to that destination. Baja California is a Level 2, meaning “Exercise Increased Caution,” as of print. Checklists, safety procedures and other materials can be accessed at travel.state.gov.

When traveling to Mexico, many resort staff want to help you enjoy your trip. In locations that are considered more dangerous, it is recommended to stay on the touristy side or travel in pairs. In short, yes – Los Cabos can be dangerous, but travel to many places without being alert of one’s surroundings can lead to an unsafe vacation. However, it can be a real shame to lose out on experiencing the quartz-like waters and luxurious resorts because of fear.

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