jotaele

Mexico is paradise for any photographer. Not taking your best gear would be a mistake and you'll regret it when that once in a lifetime shot comes up and your point and shoot messes it up. I have been to Mexico sooo many times, always with 2 DSLRs and an assortment of lenses and never had even a hint of worry there. Mexico City, Cancun, Tulum, Chiapas, Baja California, Taxco, Loreto, Puebla and more. Just be aware of your surroundings, never be alone and make friends with the locals.

gunflint Loc: Rocky Mountain High, Colorado

I think each person has to weigh the pros and cons of travel anywhere in the world and accept the level of risk he or she is comfortable with.

A trip to remote Ethiopia had us visiting and staying with different tribes. All of the men carried AK47 rifles and I openly used my photography equipment as was the purpose of the trip. Felt uncomfortable at times but never had any incident. We were not with a group but only our guide, driver, and cook.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

Any friendly recognition - a smile , head gesture or simple "Jola" goes a long ways - don't be the suspicious gringo- our family has helped many of the locals as well as folks broke down on the roads - both local and miles from help on the hwy to Balize - it always come back. I have some great memories and stories of this.
Harvey

ronaldwrightdallas

i go to cabo every year for 2 weeks, never had any concerns there. i have been to cancun and the road south of there a couple of times a few years ago. no concerns.
however, pay attention to yourself and your possessions at all times just like you would in most places. i never set my equipment down where i don't have control of it. learned that lesson the hard way in a tourist area of spain.
don't go off on your own out in the country or rough areas of town, just like you would in most other countries.

ppkwhat Loc: Gibsonton, FL

Tommy,
I have traveled all over Mexico for over 11 years, both for work, staying in Mexico City, Monterrey, Puebla, Guadalajara and Vera Cruz. Never had a single issue or problem. During the working trips I would spend the weekends either in Cancun or Cozumel and visit all the sites I could = no problems at all. I always preferred staying in Cozumel - a more "quaint" city than Cancun (less tourists). Just as information on the frequency I was in Mexico, it was for two weeks every month for 11 years.
I first took my Nikon F-100 film camera and after that my Digital Nikons.( D-70, D-80, and D-300) The lenses I carried were the Nikkor 24-120mm and a 50mm F:1.4 that I kept in my jacket. My last trip over there was in 2013. I would suggest you take your camera with one set of zoom lens with the range between 24-120mm or anything around that range. Just to add an advice in case you decide to swim on the seas between Cancun and Cozumel the sea currents are around four and a half knots.
I hope this helps you. Have a great trip, enjoy yourself, take lots of pictures and share a few with us. Cheers

aam421

Use your camera phone. It will do a terrific job

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Mexico use to be a good place visit. The cartels own most of the country and you never know when a gang rivalry will cross over into a tourist area. Somewhere about 25,000 are murdered every year. Over 100 politicians were killed going into last year's elections. Look for a more stable environment in the Caribbean. Better yet, look at Alaska this summer. If you are really looking for the excitement, visit my old home town of Chicago. The hospital system is much, much better there. The military actually trains their physicians there as it gives them plenty of practice treating bullet wounds.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

There is just no need for a lens more than 150-200 and the wide angle of 18-24 comes in real handy.
You can't climb any of the pyramids any more - except for Coba - at least that was the last one I could climb - so other than shooting cruise ships every thing is close.


Harvey

PierreD

I wouldn't hesitate to go.. BUT:
**. Make sure to insure all your equipment before you leave;
**. Study before you go - just as anywhere else, some areas are DEFINITELY not safe and should be avoided. But for many (most?) other areas, frankly, you are probably safer than here in the US.
**. Always keep a close watch on all your equipment - just as you should do here. If possible, avoid crowded/touristy areas - this is where thieves and troublemakers are waiting for you.
**. Avoid driving at night. Many roads are not as well maintained as here in the US and you don't want to get stranded out in the country in the middle of the night.

With common sense precautions it is unlikely that anything bad will happen. I never had serious problems down there. Mexican people are friendly and welcoming, and Mexico is a beautiful country that's absolutely worth visiting.

fantom Loc: Colorado

YET

Bigmike1 Loc: I am from Gaffney, S.C. but live in Utah.

You were in a dangerous part of the world. I would have felt uncomfortable also. Right now the only country in the Middle East I would go to is Israel. Everywhere else there are crap loads of Islamic extremist organizations around and that includes Egypt. As an American you are going to stand out and that makes you a target. We have a Russian artist friend living in Dresden, who is also trained as an archaeologist. A couple of years ago he was accepted to travel with an expedition to Egypt but had to cancel because of security concerns. There are too many unsafe places in the world today.

le boecere

Your words: "We are not here to discuss your political view." I've not seen your admonishment to the previous posts that inferred another political view. Why'd you pick traderjohn's?

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Balanced against the benefits we derive in low cost labor no American is willing to perform, there is little real cost. And since we already know these illegals are far less likely to commit a crime than our lovely citizens, I say send them in. I think it is good to make it difficult to get in, but once they have overcome the obstacles, they have shown that they are highly motivated, willing to make a big effort and much more likely to benefit this country than many who were born and raised here.

fantom Loc: Colorado

Good question but I bet you don't get a reply.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

God Bless America

And now lets enjoy our Japanese Cameras