Travel Tales: The Mexico Reader

Is a collection of travel stories to one of North America's no doubt favorite winter destinations. The allure of Mexico, whether its magnificent beach resorts, its exciting Latin culture, or its sumptuous food and drink... is a magnet to adventure, and is one of the easiest and closest escapes from the harsh American winter.

But travel to Mexico has always been something of a mixed bag -- like one of Forrest Gump's famed boxes of chocolates -- for in Mexico you never quite know what you're "gonna" get. In fact, so many stories of corrupt police, dangerous outlaws, the cartels, and other occasional unfortunate occurrences leave people who travel to Mexico always a little wary.

Mexico with all its wonder is not entirely without its dangers. And one need always be circumspect. While many North Americans love Mexico, Mexicans, and their culture, so many travelers to Mexico warn that aspects of visiting the country portend at times distinct potential dangers, so much so, that I have divided the book into three sections, modeled after the famous Clint Eastwood movie, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

Succinctly said, the chances are that nothing untoward or unpleasant will happen to you. For the most part, your visit to Mexico will be memorable. But know this: you must always maintain a healthy respect and be circumspect in so far as your activities and actions in Mexico go. Betwixt and between most travelers' safe and secure travels to and within Mexico are distinct reports of some horrific and dangerous things that do happen on occasion to tourists.

Mexico has had a history of kidnappings, robberies, police extortions, as well as occasional rapes, and even murders.

If you act rationally and carefully and abide by common sense, again, your visit to Mexico is almost entirely likely to be among the most memorable of all your travels.