Quick – which national capital has the higher murder rate: Mexico City or Washington, D.C.?
If you answered Mexico City, you’d be in good company – after all, Mexico is a war zone, isn’t it? But you would be wrong, on both counts.
Based on FBI crime statistics for 2010 and Mexican government data released early this year, Mexico City’s drug-related-homicide rate per 100,000 population was one-tenth of Washington’s overall homicide rate – 2.2 deaths per 100,000 population compared with 22. (Drug violence accounts for most murders in Mexico, which historically does not have the gun culture that reigns in the United States.)
And while parts of Mexico can be legitimately likened to a war zone, drug violence afflicts 80 of the country’s 2,400 municipalities (equivalent to counties). Their locations have been well publicized: along the U.S. border in northern Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas states, and south to Sinaloa, Michoacan and parts of San Luis Potosí, Nayarit, Jalisco, Guerrero and Morelos states.
The flip side is that more than 95 percent of Mexico’s municipalities are at least as safe as the average traveler’s hometown. Yucatan state, for example, had 0.1 of a murder for every 100,000 people in 2010 – no U.S. tourist destination comes close to that. Most cities in central Mexico, outside of the scattered drug hot spots, have lower murder rates than Orlando.
It would seem fairly clear – fly, don’t drive, across the border into the safe regions. Yet whenever people say they are going to Mexico, the invariable response is “Aren’t you afraid?”
Media sensationalism accounts for much of the wariness. “Gangland violence in western Mexico” “Journalists under attack in Mexico” and “Mexico mass grave toll climbs” sound as if the entire country were a killing field. The story might name the state, but rarely the town and almost never the neighborhood. And some reporters apparently are confused by the word “municipality” – some of the killings reported as being in Mazatlan, for example, actually happened in a town miles away from the city – akin to attributing East Palo Alto’s slayings to San Francisco.
But the biggest factor may be that travelers looking for a carefree vacation simply find it easier to write the entire country off than to learn what areas to avoid.
The Mexico Tourism Board is working to change that. Efforts so far have concentrated on getting accurate information to travel agents, who funnel the lion’s share of tourism to Mexico’s popular destinations. Independent travelers’ primary source of information is the State Department travel alerts (travel.state.gov), which are finally getting better at pinpointing the trouble spots.
“We are trying to work with U.S. authorities in making these travel alerts specific and not general,” said Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, the tourism board’s chief operating officer. “Unfortunately, they have projected a somewhat distorted image.”
In the meantime, we have done some of the work for you. The chart above recommends destinations for various comfort levels and travel styles. If you’re totally spooked, there are places that pose no more risk than Disneyland. If you’re open-minded but don’t want to take unnecessary risks, we have places safer than Miami, New Orleans or Washington, D.C. For fearless travelers, these sometimes dicey destinations are worth the extra caution.
Mexico safety tips
Your most important tactic for traveling safe, in Mexico or anywhere else, begins before you even decide where to go. Get familiar with Mexico’s geography; it’s a big country, and your destination might be hundreds or even a thousand miles from violence-prone areas. Keep up on Mexico coverage in major dailies, then do some focused research. Some sources:
– The current State Department travel warning (travel.state.gov) and security updates make a good start.
– The travel agents trade publication Travel Weekly has created a map that puts the latest travel warning in easily digestible graphic form (travelweekly.com/uploadedFiles/MEXICOMAP4.pdf).
– The United Kingdom Foreign Office Travel Advisory for Mexico ( www.fco.gov.uk; “Travel advice by country”) provides another perspective.
– Stratfor, a global intelligence company that advises government agencies and international corporations on security issues, is a reliable, up-to-the-minute source. Membership is expensive, but the website ( www.stratfor.com) makes some reports available for free.
Assuming you’re not headed for northern border areas, normal safety precautions that apply anywhere in the world will suffice. These are particularly important in Mexico:
– Don’t pack anything you couldn’t bear to part with; leave the bling at home.
– Carry only the money you need for the day in a money belt (not a fanny pack), and leave your passport in your hotel unless you know you will need it.
– Get local advice about areas to avoid.
– Don’t get drunk and stumble around dark, unfamiliar streets. Drunk or sober, don’t walk beaches late at night.
– Stick with taxis dispatched from your hotel or a sitio (taxi stand); if you go out for dinner, ask the restaurant to call a taxi for you.
– Drive during the day; if nighttime driving is unavoidable, use the toll roads.
– Leave a travel itinerary and a copy of your passport with someone at home. If you’ll be traveling in higher-risk areas, notify the nearest U.S. Consulate.
A final note: Don’t get rattled if you see armed soldiers patrolling the beach or manning highway checkpoints. They are young men doing a difficult job. On the road they’ll usually just ask you where you’re coming from and where you’re going; very rarely they will ask to inspect your trunk or your bags. I’ve never encountered one who wasn’t cordial and glad for a smile or a brief conversation.
Travel agencies are the vacation experts. They employ professionals that have up-to-date knowledge on travel industry trends; they maintain valuable connections with the world’s leading suppliers like airlines, hotels and tour companies, and they have the resources to design a vacation experience perfectly suited to your travel style, needs, and most importantly – budget.
As the online vacation travel industry continues to grow, more and more websites flood the internet advertising “Book It Yourself” vacations with a few clicks of the mouse. In reality, many of these sites can be tedious to use and offer vacation packages that are inflexible and clouded in fine print.
In recent years “Rent by Owner” websites have also become so numerous that it’s difficult to know which sites are trustworthy sources for booking a vacation property. These types of websites have also attracted many unscrupulous people seeking to defraud innocent renters through:
Fake Listings – Payments for reservations have already been made well before people discover that the listing was fraudulent.
Unrepresentative Photos – Outdated or graphically enhanced images of the property which do not accurately reflect its current state.
Disputes – The use of unprofessional rental contracts and fine print to create inflexible rental agreements that can jeopardize the customer.
These are just a few examples of why it’s in your best interest to plan your vacation through a travel agency.
Trust an Accredited Travel Agency – Book with Sun Cabo Vacations
Sun Cabo Vacations is a licensed, accredited travel agency. We belong to several independent organizations like the Better Business Bureau, IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network) and ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents) – organizations that make it their business to ensure that we are providing honest, quality service to our clients.
At Sun Cabo Vacations, our listings represent properties that each of our staff have personally visited and inspected.
We take our own photographs and publish a complete list of amenities for each property
We know exactly where the property is located, who owns it and how it is managed and maintained
We use professional, legal rental agreements and will happily discuss any questions you have about the property and about your reservations.
We have been in business now for close to a decade, and during the past ten years we have developed a customer service philosophy that is based on honesty, integrity, knowledge and communication. When you reserve a property through us we become your advocate – working with the property owners to find you the perfect home at the right price with all the amenities you need. We maintain excellent relationships with the owners of the properties in our collection. As a result, we are able to negotiate on your behalf should you have special circumstances, last-minute changes or particular requests. We also enjoy preferred pricing with many owners due to the high volume of bookings we secure for their properties – fantastic pricing that we pass on to you.
Say that you still decide to “roll the dice” and book directly from an owner and the transaction is not fraudulent AND the house actually exists – then what? Will there be someone at the property to greet you upon arrival? Is there someone you can call in an emergency? Will you have a contact number for someone who can recommend different activities or restaurants throughout your stay? Someone who lives in Los Cabos and knows the area extremely well?
When you book with Sun Cabo Vacations, all of these resources will be available to you.
We offer pre-trip concierge services to help you plan your vacation, such as pre-stocking your villa with food and beverages, arranging chef and butler services and booking fishing expeditions, spa treatments, golf tee-times …
Sun Cabo Vacations also has friendly staff that live and work in Los Cabos. They know the area well, and are available to you should you require any assistance during your stay with us. Our concierge staff can book activities and arrange villa services upon your arrival at the vacation home, and they are there for you should you have any last-minute requests, or simply need some tips or recommendations for dining, shopping and sightseeing in Los Cabos. Whatever your request – they are there to help.
Ethical Business Practices
With so many ‘Vacation Rental by Owner’ websites on the internet today it’s difficult to know who you can trust. Sun Cabo Vacations is proud to be a member of the following accredited organizations so that our customers know we uphold honest business practices and a high standard of service in the travel industry.
Better Business Bureau Approved
Sun Cabo Vacations holds an active membership and an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) is a non-partisan organization that maintains a database of companies and websites that have been verified and agree to conduct business as follows:
Provide the BBB with information regarding ownership and management of the company
Be in business for a minimum of 1 year
Have a satisfactory complaint handling record with the BBB
IATAN (International Airlines Travel Agent Network) is the de facto standard in Travel Agency Accreditation. IATAN’s Personnel Verification Program is in place to ensure that the highest professional standards are met and maintained. Here is a list of some of the requirements for obtaining IATAN membership:
The business has been in operation for at least one (1) year immediately prior to application and produced at least $20,000 in gross travel income or $200,000 in gross travel sales in the previous twelve (12) months;
Has qualified personnel who devote substantially all of their time to the affairs of the business, and are authorized to make managerial decisions and exercise daily supervision of the business;
Provides proof of the legal form of the business and of a business bank account;
Provides two (2) letters of recommendation from national or international industry suppliers or from a national travel association;
Provides proof of the business listing in a telephone or equivalent directory, website home page or advertisement showing how customers could contact the business;
Provides proof of a valid and relevant errors and omissions insurance policy in the name of the business;
Ensures that the business and location are in compliance with all federal, state, county and local laws including but not limited to zoning, registration, business license and, where applicable, provide proof of sellers of travel registration;
Has no pending or unresolved complaints at state or local consumer affairs offices.
ASTA Member in Good Standing
Sun Cabo Vacations is proud to be a member of ASTA – The American Society of Travel Agents – and as a member we are bound by the ASTA Code of Ethics. Members of this organization have earned an excellent reputation as professional travel agents around the globe. ASTA’s motto is “Without a travel agent, you’re on your own” – a statement that we firmly believe.
Tips for Booking Online
While the internet has revolutionized the way customers and companies conduct business, it has also opened the door for many individuals who seek to exploit consumers for their personal gain. We maintain active memberships in the above organizations to prove to our customers that we are a real company employing honest business practices that can be easily and readily verified by several independent sources.
When you do decide to do business over the internet, take extra caution with your money. If a company/broker insists on a wire transfer of funds, note that once wired your funds are almost always irretrievable. Unless you have done business with the company before and trust they will deliver the product/service upon payment it is advisable to use a credit card.
Flexible Payment Options
As a convenience to our customers we accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover Cards. Using your credit card offers you a level of fraud protection from your credit card company, and credit cards have become the preferred form of payment when making purchases online. We also accept cheque, money order and wire transfers at the discretion of our clients.
Knowledge & Expertise
Sun Cabo Vacations has one of the largest collections of vacation homes in Los Cabos – we feature beachfront condos, hilltop villas and family-oriented homes, as well as numerous properties that are ideal for kids, couples, groups of friends, and pets too. Using our knowledge and expertise we will find the perfect vacation home for you and your guests.
We know each and every home in our collection. Our staff travel to Los Cabos several times per year to tour properties so that we are personally familiar with their location, amenities and level of luxury. We know exactly which properties are family-oriented, perfect for couples, ideal for a romantic escape or mere steps away from a secluded beach.
Sun Cabo Vacations has been developing its expertise in the travel industry for nearly a decade, and continues to maintain a solid reputation as one of Los Cabos’ top vacation rental companies. Not only do we offer an unprecedented collection of luxury condos and villas, we also design complete vacation experiences for our clients with our comprehensive menu of services and friendly concierge staff. As well, our strong business ethics and honest customer service philosophy have made us a leader in our field.
Trust an accredited travel agency and book with Sun Cabo Vacations.
This has to be our #1 question/request from our customers so this article will hopefully answer everyone’s question. Feel free to ask any questions I did not cover.
Geography and Location. Los Cabos ( in English means “the capes” ) is situated at the very tip of the Baja Peninsula. It’s approximately 1000 miles south of San Diego, California. The water here gets very deep very quickly and it’s 1000′s of miles of open ocean from here. Next stop – Hawaii!
Much of the coastline here is open ocean – quite similar to the coastline in Southern California. Just like in California, there are spots where the surfing is good and also lots of sheltered bays and inlets where the swimming and snorkeling is good. I’ve seen the ocean down here as calm as glass and I’ve also seen 6 foot waves crashing.
I’ll go through each specific area in detail so you have a good idea of what to expect.
Medano Beach
Medano Beach- Medano beach is by far THE most popular beach in Los Cabos. It’s located in downtown Cabo San Lucas and has several restaurants and bars where on it where you can lay in the sun and be served your favorite cerveza all day. This is a well protected bay and has generally calm water safe for swimming and roped off areas for children. For people travelling to Cabo for their first time, I usually recommend something along this beach until you get to know the lay of the land. There’s also lots of activities here such as Jetski rentals, Parasailing, Horseback riding, glass bottom boat tours out to the arch, and ultra light flights. Around the corner at the Marina you can hire a fishing boat for the day, go diving, snorkeling, sailing or on a beautiful sunset cruise.
Lovers Beach and Divorce Beach – Just across the bay from Medano beach is Lovers Beach. Any of the countless water taxis will be happy to
take you across the bay to Lovers’s beach for a few dollars. You can go just to look and see or they can drop you off there for the day. It’s very popular as it’s a beautiful beach. One of the most interesting aspects is that you can walk across to the other side – the Pacific Side – which is aptly called Divorce beach. And not without good reason. The water on the other side is the open Pacific Ocean. There’s a strong rip current here and VERY LARGE WAVES can appear out of nowhere. People have been known to have been washed out to sea because they were not paying enough attention to the waves here. If you do cross over – please do so with caution and stay well back from the waves.
Pedregal Beach – Right behind the main town of Cabo San Lucas is a very large gated community with approximately 400+ homes – many of these Pedregal homes are for rent. If you’re looking to rent a villa close to town – this is as close to town as you can get. The villas on the city side are an easy walk into town and the villas on the Pacific side are a little further – still walkable – but most people would want to drive from here.
Pedregal Beach
Pedregal Beach is a long gorgeous beach that is perfect for walking on. You can walk for a very long ways on this beach. The waves are generally quite big here as it is open ocean and it drops off very quickly
, but if you’re a strong swimmer you can swim here. One of the beach front owners has swam out front for years. But you definitely need to be experienced and it would NOT be for children for sure. This beach is perfect for sunset weddings and there are a few beachfront homes here willing to accommodate as follows.
Capella, Playa Grande, Finisterra, Terra Sol, Grand Solmar – All of these properties are located between the Pedregal Beach and Lands End. ( * Note – You cannot get to the Pedregal Beach from here as it’s blocked by some large cliffs ) The beach here is pretty much the same as the Pedregal Beach, however – there is a STRONG RIP CURRENT here and it is not safe for swimming. There is always red flags flying. All of these resorts have fabulous pools from which you can enjoy the amazing views and spectacular sunsets from the Pacific side.
Pedregal Beach
Part II will cover the beaches on our way out of downtown Cabo San Lucas and along the Corridor.
At the southern tip of Northwestern Mexico’s long narrow Baja California peninsula, one can locate a large municipality named Cabo San Lucas. The city is a very versatile destination in which each of its areas are significantly different. With a legendary nightlife, the city is considered to be the Mexico’s “Wild Wild West of hedonism”. Internationally, it has been acclaimed as a big party and Spring Break destination. One can find various piano bars, nightclubs and jazz clubs, sports bars, hip international venues, Latin dance clubs. One can locate many bars and clubs in downtown Cabo San Lucas within a ten-block radius. The three most popular and crowd gathering clubs of the city are: Cabo Wabo, El Squid Roe, and the Giggling Marlin, located in Cabo, and other hot clubs like Zoo Bar & Dance.
Cabo Wabo: In Cabo San Lucas, the most popular club is Cabo Wabo, owned by Sammy Hagar. The club has a concert venue feel with its large main room having a raised stage and a high ceiling. The club has a dark and spooky ambience, along with a long busy bar, good-sized dance floor, and a VIP lounge upstairs. Celebrities as well common man can be found here every now and then. Cabo Wabo can be located easily. Its landmark lighthouse is on Guerrero Street off L. Cardenas.
El Squid Roe: Since around 1980s, the El Squid Roe has been offering hot and wild Cabo nights. It is located on the other side of town. “The Squid” has two floors above the open-air street level dance floor, which is adjacent to the restaurant and bar. The Squid offers a tropical, beach like ambience, with irreverent graffiti on the walls. The canned music of the ‘80s and ‘90s can be enjoyed here. The place is a voyeur’s heaven and totally outrageous. It is certainly not a place for prudes.
The Giggling Marlin Bar and Grill: This is one of the leading party spot and Cabo landmarks since 1984. The Giggling Marlin Bar and Grill can be checked out hitting the other clubs as it gets going earlier. The club’s floor show is known for its dirty dancing-style, and audience participation is a welcome. The two floor shows start around 8 p.m. Other attractions of the Giggling Marlin are dancing on the bar and on the spot conga line dancing. Located on Boulevard Marina across from the Pizza Hut, the Bar is open throughout the day.
This JUST in! There’s been a cancellation at one of our best homes for the New Years Holidays! Villa Gran Vista is now open for Dec 26 – January 2nd. So for all you people that are bummed because you missed out on booking that great house for the holidays – now’s your chance. This will be snapped up in a day or two so act quick. All of the really nice homes are gone. Price per person works out to $232 per night – Taxes all in!
If you’ve ever considered ringing in the New Years in Cabo Mexico – then Los Cabos, Mexico is THE place to do it! There’s a number of fantastic new restaurants and clubs that have sprung up over the last couple of years that will be sure to make your New Years experience just that much better. Have a look at the new Baja Junkie, Pink Kitty or Mandala’s as some of the “in” places to go. Of course, if you’ve been to Cabo before – you’ll no doubt want to spend some time
at the one and only Cabo Wabo. Cabo’s home to Sammy Hagar and some great Rock and Roll!
If the club scene is not your thing, Los Cabos has a myriad of different restaurant choices. Here’s a few of our favorites.
Edith’s
Unlike any other restaurant in Cabo San Lucas, Edith’s Restaurant is widely known for the outstanding quality of its service. Serving cuisine of the Baja Peninsula you will find the most exquisite dishes you have ever tasted.La Dolce (Italian)La Dolce does not stray far from traditional Italian fare. The menu offers an array of pasta dishes and pizzas, with a focus on value. You might like to begin your dinner with one of their various antipastas which include a wide range of Italian favorites like Focaccia with oil and balsamic vinegar. When considering a primo course or entrée, one of the house specialties is lasagna. Be certain to leave room for la dolce, meaning “the sweets.” Dessert is perhaps what is most alluring about La Dolce.
New Years in Cabo
La Golondrina (Mexican – Seafood)
Be prepared to enjoy huge portions of lobster, steaks, home-style Mexican food and fresh seafood. Our famous family recipes and sauces continue to be used in preparation of over 100 entrees and combinations available from our huge walk up menu board
Nick San Japanese Restaurant (Sushi)
You will find classic Japanese dishes such as teriyaki, tempura and curries, many varieties of kushiyaki, Japanese barbecue, including vegetarian options. Though wasabi and ginger are always available, many dishes present variations on these flavor elements of heat and pungent using traditional Mexican forms such as minced habanero and red onion, fresh fruits and herbs. You’ll see the local influence in the lobster roll, balanced with crunchy Lobster, Mango and Avocado. Large sea scallops are graced with lemon olive oil and thin slices of fried garlic.
Ruth’s Chris (Steak House)
The finest USDA beef cuts along with a full menu of veal, lamb and fresh seafood prepared on our specially- designed grill. We keep the highest standards of quality, value and service at all the Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses around the world.
El Matador (Mediterranean – Mexican)
You will enjoy an unforgettable evening of delicious Mediterranean Mexican Gourmet fusion along with an atmosphere unlike any other restaurant. Every seating space at “El Matador” articulates graceful accents of Spanish furnishings. It has an open-air patio along with a full bar. There is a wide variety of Mexican, Spanish, Chilean, Argentinean, French and California wines.
Morgan’s (Mediterranean)
Discover a hint of Tuscany, a whisper of Provence, the soul of the Mediterranean in the heart of San Jose, where tantalizing taste in food meets a visual experience in design excellence. The signature breads and pastries of Morgan’s Restaurant and Cellar are baked fresh daily. Fresh fish and organic vegetables are delivered daily, meat and poultry dishes are prepared from the finest of both local and imported products.
Sometimes I’ve been called a maverick because I don’t always agree with my colleagues, but then, only dead fish swim with the stream all the time. The stream here is Mexico.
You would have to be living on another planet to avoid hearing how dangerous Mexico has become, and, yes, it’s true drug wars have escalated violence in Mexico, causing collateral damage, a phrase I hate. Collateral damage is a cheap way of saying that innocent people, some of them tourists, have been robbed, hurt or killed.
But that’s not the whole story. Neither is this. This is my story.
I’m a journalist who lives in New York City, but has spent considerable time in Mexico, specifically Puerto Vallarta, for the last four years. I’m inVallarta now. And despite what I’m getting from the U.S. media, the 24-hour news networks in particular, I feel as safe here as I do at home in New York, possibly safer.
I walk the streets of my Vallarta neighborhood alone day or night. And I don’t live in a gated community, or any other All-Gringo neighborhood. I live in Mexico. Among Mexicans. I go where I want (which does not happen to include bars where prostitution and drugs are the basic products), and take no more precautions than I would at home in New York; which is to say I don’t wave money around, I don’t act the Ugly American, I do keep my eyes open, I’m aware of my surroundings, and I try not to behave like a fool.
I’ve not always been successful at that last one. One evening a friend left the house I was renting in Vallarta at that time, and, unbeknownst to me, did not slam the automatically-locking door on her way out. Sure enough, less than an hour later a stranger did come into my house. A burglar? Robber? Kidnapper? Killer? Drug lord?
No, it was a local police officer, the “beat cop” for our neighborhood, who, on seeing my unlatched door, entered to make sure everything (including me) was okay. He insisted on walking with me around the house, opening closets, looking behind doors and, yes, even under beds, to be certain no one else had wandered in, and that nothing was missing. He was polite, smart and kind, but before he left, he lectured me on having not checked to see that my friend had locked the door behind her. In other words, he told me to use my common sense.
Do bad things happen here? Of course they do. Bad things happen everywhere, but the murder rate here is much lower than, say, New Orleans, and if there are bars on many of the ground floor windows of houses here, well, the same is true where I live, in Greenwich Village, which is considered a swell neighborhood – house prices start at about $4 million (including the bars on the ground floor windows.)
There are good reasons thousands of people from the United States are moving to Mexicoevery month, and it’s not just the lower cost of living, a hefty tax break and less snow to shovel. Mexico is a beautiful country, a special place.
The climate varies, but is plentifully mild, the culture is ancient and revered, the young are loved unconditionally, the old are respected, and I have yet to hear anyone mention Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, or Madonna’s attempt to adopt a second African child, even though, with such a late start, she cannot possibly begin to keep up with Angelina Jolie.
And then there are the people. Generalization is risky, but- in general – Mexicans are warm, friendly, generous and welcoming. If you smile at them, they smile back. If you greet a passing stranger on the street, they greet you back. If you try to speak even a little Spanish, they tend to treat you as though you were fluent. Or at least not an idiot.
I have had taxi drivers track me down after leaving my wallet or cell phone in their cab. I have had someone run out of a store to catch me because I have overpaid by twenty cents. I have been introduced to and come to love a people who celebrate a day dedicated to the dead as a recognition of the cycles of birth and death and birth – and the 15th birthday of a girl, an important rite in becoming a woman – with the same joy.
Too much of the noise you’re hearing about how dangerous it is to come toMexico is just that – noise. But the media love noise, and too many journalists currently making it don’t live here. Some have never even been here. They just like to be photographed at night, standing near a spotlighted border crossing, pointing across the line to some imaginary country from hell. It looks good on TV.
Another thing. The U.S. media tend to lump all of Mexico into one big bad bowl. Talking about drug violence in Mexico without naming a state or city where this is taking place is rather like looking at the horror of Katrina and saying, “Damn. Did you know the U.S. is under water?” or reporting on the shootings at Columbine or the bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City by saying that kids all over the U.S. are shooting their classmates and all the grownups are blowing up buildings. The recent rise in violence inMexico has mostly occurred in a few states, and especially along the border. It is real, but it does not describe an entire country.
It would be nice if we could put what’s going on in Mexico in perspective, geographically and emotionally. It would be nice if we could remember that, as has been noted more than once, these drug wars wouldn’t be going on if people in the United States didn’t want the drugs, or if other people in the United States weren’t selling Mexican drug lords the guns.
Most of all, it would be nice if more people in the United States actually came to this part of America (Mexico is also America, you will recall) to see for themselves what a fine place Mexico really is, and how good a vacation (or a life) here can be.
So come on down and get to know your southern neighbors. I think you’ll like it here. Especially the people.
Cabo Wabo:
The Giggling Marlin Bar and Grill:
This JUST in! There’s been a cancellation at one of our best homes for the New Years Holidays! 
