It’s been an incredibly tough year in the media for Mexico.  The country has faced intense media scrutiny on its war against drug gangs and unfortunately Mexico City was the epicenter of the world-wide outbreak of the swine flu (H1N1 virus).    But the sun always shines in Mexico and the country should be recognized for its ability to see a problem and tackle it head on.

Every traveler should be aware that the battle against drug gangs is no where near the major tourist regions of Cabo San Lucas, Cancun, Puerto Vallarta or the Riviera Maya.  You’re more likely to encounter Mexican drug cartel violence visiting Arizona and Texas, than you are visiting the beach resorts of Mexico!  The problems facing the Mexican drug cartels are predominately on the border of Mexico and United States, some two thousand miles away from most resort towns.

As for the swine flu (H1N1 virus), we’re now facing a situation where we have twice as many cases in the United States as there are in Mexico (source: flucount.org) and there are over 160 countries in the world reporting swine flu cases.  It is true the United States, Canada and Mexico have reported the largest number of swine flu cases in the world.  However, you are (statistically) more likely to catch swine flu in Hong Kong (2,334.75 cases per million), the Cayman Islands (1,803.57 cases per million) or Australia (1,641.73 cases per million) than Mexico (216.13 cases per million).

Mexico is home to many has of the worlds top-rated resorts, like the award-winning Royal Hideaway Playacar and Four Seasons Punta Mita.  And Mexico’s beaches, like the number 1 rates Maroma Beach, are paradise on Earth.   Her historic attractions, like Chichen-Itza and Xcaret, are the absolute best of any beach destination we can think of.  The hard working and hospitable Mexicans involved in the tourist industry make you want to return to the place they call home again and again, as many people have done for years.  And in recessionary times like these, few places on Earth beats the value of Mexico when it comes to travel.  

The sun always shines in Mexico, go out and enjoy it.