I live seven miles from the Mexican border and haven't been there in two years. The last time I went they had armed military troops walking around, an armored car(looked like a tank) that had a machine gun with a military guy behind it, He was moving it back and forth. There were Hummer looking vehicles that were full of armed troops in the middle of all the intersections. This was all less than a block off the bridge. This was all more than two years ago and I understand that it's worse now, twice as many troops, twice as many armored vehicles. This is Nevo Progresso, just a tiny village, the business area is only about four block long on one street. I don't know the population, tiny.
People come here from up North to spend the winter. They used to go across frequently, sight seeing, dining etc. I don't hear of anybody going like that, all they do is go to the first pharmacy or dentist across the bridge and hurry back.
There was a gun battle on the main street last year. Tourists were shot at, a building was burned down, several military vehicles tipped over and burned. That evening on the news it was reported that it was a battle between two different cartel in the area. There wasn't any American killed, two were wounded and four cartel members were killed. This has been the only incident that has been reported in Nevo Progresso.
Business people that have a business in Matamoros don't drive there, they fly.
In Brownsville there is the University of Texas, Brownsville that is right on the Rio Grande River and on most of the walls that are facing south have bullet holes in them.

Take a vacation in Mexico? Good place to stay away from.

I just remembered, last year there was an American family with twin girls that were about 6 or 7. They were on their way to Mexico City. The twins were kidnapped and held for ransom. When the parents got them back they (the girls) were addicted to drugs and so abused they had to be hospitalized, yes abused in all the ways.

If you go you'll need a passport or passport card and picture identification, your birth certificate would be a good idea to take to. You'll need these things to get back into the U.S.

I definitely wouldn't carry weapons. I've gone to Mexico on turkey hunts three times in the past several years and was cautioned against bringing our own shotguns into the country. Not impossible but not advisable. We used the outfitters gun instead. We were also cautioned against wearing anything that had a camouflage pattern, except when actually hunting. Camouflage is considered "military" in nature and they frown on that too. I was going to bring a night vision monocular in the event I got stuck in the jungle later than I expected and was advised against that too. In the end, on two of the trips, we just insisted the outfitter, or his representative, pick us up - once in ElPaso and the other time in Eagle Pass - and bring us across the border. Saved a lot of headaches. The third time we flew from Detroit to Campeche, MX and the outfitter piked us up there. The Mexican police have no sense of humor and even the slightest mistake can get you in a world of hurt.

My hubby and I are trying to decide on our next trip, will either be St. Lucia, or the Riviera Maya (near Playa Del Carmen). We will be traveling with our 5 year-old daughter, who travels well and has an adventurous spirit. It's really a toss-up as I want to see both places.

I really want to see and photograph the Mayan Ruins, most particularly Chitzen Itza, but I hate bus tours and would rather rent a car and go at our own pace. I've heard a lot of mixed stories about driving in Mexico, not sure about the Mexican Riviera. Has anyone done this - driven in this area?? If so, what was your experience? I want to make sure my family is safe.