US State Department issues spring break travel warning for Mexico

August 2024 · 2 minute read

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Tourists heading to Mexico to thaw out on spring break have been urged to take extra precautions by the US State Department.

In a security alert, the US Embassy warned that tourists could face dangers like medical emergencies, drowning, unregulated alcohol and sexual assault.

“US citizens have reported incidents of rape and sexual assault in some resort areas,” reads the alert, which was released on Wednesday. “Perpetrators may target inebriated or isolated individuals.”

In August 2017, Mexican authorities were forced to dump 10,000 gallons of alcohol and shut down popular resorts in travel hotspots Cancun and Playa del Carmen after the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported that more than 200 tourists had become blackout drunk after drinking moderate amounts of booze.

Many were robbed, assaulted, jailed and hospitalized with no recollection of what happened.

The consulate is urging travelers planning a trip south of the border to make sure their health insurance is valid in Mexico, as some uninsured tourists who were hospitalized were charged tens of thousands of dollars, according to the Journal Sentinel.

And when it comes to nightlife, it says tourists should know their drinking companions and stay in groups when going out.

However, despite the caution, the travel alert also noted that “the vast majority of travelers have safe and enjoyable trips.”

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