I Will NEVER Vacation in Mexico

[VetsandVettes]

It's so corrupt that a common scam now is the POLICE planting pot in the luggage of single travellers then busting them. The penalty, after being ****ounced guilty on site, is whatever you've got. Cash advance, Visa advance, whatever you can come up with to get out of that horrible hole. While admittedly parts of Mexico are gorgeous, I'll stick with the non-existant violent crime rate against tourists that Cuba boasts.
Case-in-point...


WOODBRIDGE -- Relatives and friends of Adam DePrisco say they are in a Mexican standoff over the teen's violent death in Acapulco.
Police there claim DePrisco, 19, was left for dead by a hit-and-run driver.
But Marco Calabro, a friend of DePrisco who was with him on the Mexican vacation, said yesterday he is convinced robbers created a scene in the Paladium nightclub, then beat his friend to death after he was thrown out of the club by bouncers.
"He didn't get hit by a car, he didn't have any indication of injuries from the neck down," Calabro said, shivering outside the home of the victim's uncle, where DePrisco's mother, Carm; father, Benny; and brothers Tony, 24, and David, 17, are staying.
Calling him "a very friendly person," who loved partying, avoided trouble and had many friends, David said his older brother phoned home, from Mexico fulfilling a promise to his parents.
"It was his first time on a plane ... he saved up for this holiday," David said. "I'm out of tears, I can't cry any more."
The victim was a part-time cook who aspired to be a tool-and-die maker.
Calabro, a friend of Adam's for 11 years, said a woman "grabbed Adam" on the Paladium dance floor. "It was a setup."
Minutes later, bouncers told Calabro they had ejected DePrisco after the woman's boyfriend objected.
A translator later told him gangs often use women to approach foreigners and conspire with bouncers to force them outside to be robbed.
"I saw someone lying on a road, but didn't realize it was Adam," Calabro said. "When I didn't find him in our room, I went back."
When he returned, city workers were cleaning up.
DePrisco was taken to the general hospital, where doctors demanded $2,000 US before they would treat him, Calabro said.
"I told them we had insurance, but they insisted on being paid." He scraped together the money with help from a friend after staff said DePrisco must go to a private hospital because they could not deal with his head injuries.
"One doctor admitted to me he didn't get hit by a car," Calabro said.

[mi35d]

I'll still visit Nogales when I'm "vacationing" at Huachuca. Love those street vendor tacos.

[PeterG]

A buddy from work, said he was totally disgusted with Mexico after his vacation there - he didn't want to talk about it in detail, but said he felt extremely vulnerable and threatened while in Mexico city, to the point where he simply stopped leaving the hotel. It might be better in the more tourist-oriented resorts i suppose.

[seraosha]

Back in High School we would hop the border to TJ to drink while underage...thousands of US Teens getting hammered every weekend.

On many occasions we would get hassled by the cops, public intoxication or public urination on the walk back across...everyone with half a brain kept a spare $20 in their shoe as a "get out of jail" card.

Maybe the folks going south of the border need to get their heads out of their ass before going? A quick bribe, and you are gone.

Baja California is absolutely awesome, you should go sometime.
bring money for the tacos sold on the street...p-)

[bthest86]

Going into the big cities are the problem. I stayed in an old town called Somberete in the middle of the desert. The kind of place you see in the old western movies. Great food, nice people, pretty girls. I'll definetly be going back when I can.

Zacatecas and Aguascalientes were also pretty nice cities. But Durango and Fresnillo, they were pretty shady and Nuevo Loredo was a complete crap hole. I hate that place.

[VetsandVettes]

Back in High School we would hop the border to TJ to drink while underage...thousands of US Teens getting hammered every weekend.

On many occasions we would get hassled by the cops, public intoxication or public urination on the walk back across...everyone with half a brain kept a spare $20 in their shoe as a "get out of jail" card.

Maybe the folks going south of the border need to get their heads out of their ass before going? A quick bribe, and you are gone.

Baja California is absolutely awesome, you should go sometime.
bring money for the tacos sold on the street...p-)

Quick bribe? These assholes wanted $2000 just to make that attempt to save this Canadian tourist's life. You call yourself a Doctor, amigo? I wouldn't let you neuter my dog.

[foxtrot023]

Indeed, and not just Mexico. Anywhere in the world, tourists are easy targets for scumbags. It pays to be on the lookout always.....and don´t forget to always lock you bag, or even better buy a hard top luggage with no pockets.

[VetsandVettes]

Indeed, and not just Mexico. Anywhere in the world, tourists are easy targets for scumbags. It pays to be on the lookout always.....and don´t forget to always lock you bag, or even better buy a hard top luggage with no pockets.


Agreed. Mexico does not stand alone in this regard. However, Cuba is also a third world country with enormous potential for bribe-or-no-service abuse but you don't see it. Sure, I've been casually asked for a "birthday donation" from a Policia (while I've parked a beer can on the roof of his patrol car) but the consequences of declining are nil. There are also minor scams at airports (overwieght lugguge) or begging on occasion but you would never have your life priced out in front of you by a Doctor. Canadians should avoid Mexico in droves...

[Alex-L]

Been to Cozumel, very very good place, I was actually shocked cause I wasnt stoked about going to Mexico at all.

now Jamiaca, I can see them pulling this scam, durtiest crapiest place ive ever seen

[Saranof]

I often feel that way about poor countries I visit, you feel really picked out by the locals, like they don't want you there. Which is strange, since you give them loads of money really.

Maybe it's just my paranoia..

[seraosha]

Been to Cozumel, very very good place, I was actually shocked cause I wasnt stoked about going to Mexico at all.

now Jamiaca, I can see them pulling this scam, durtiest crapiest place ive ever seen

I feel that way about the Caribbean in general.

And 2k for immediate treatment in a foreign country with a life threatening injury? What, Canadians think their state insurance is good worldwide?
I feel for the kid and his family, but jeebus...didn't they learn to stick together and watch each others back? In a bar, in MEXICO?

:cantbeli:

[John Crighton]

Mexico is a s*** hole. I see why they risk their lives trying to come here and make it a s***hole here as well.

Been there twice with friends, even the best parts are bad. Corruption is so bad that American corruption is a joke com paired.

There are many other good places to visit.

[Kant]

I often feel that way about poor countries I visit, you feel really picked out by the locals, like they don't want you there. Which is strange, since you give them loads of money really.

Maybe it's just my paranoia..

Like when I go to England.

[Createdeemcee]

To tell you a spring break story that was the most fun and the worst at the same time. One evening about 3 days into a 6 day trip to cancun, some buddies of mine along with a few cuties we skinny dipping in the ocean in front of our resort about 3 in the morning. Still felt like 90 degress an in the sun even tho it was so dark. A few of my bolder friends were jumping waves in the moonlight with liquor bottles while i was trying to impress one of the ladies on the beach front. just then I noticed a pipe coming out of the wall over the ocean infront of the resort was dumping something into the ocean. I moved in closer to see the chunky liquid to see what exactly it was. Then the smell came. It was raw sewage being dumped into that wonderful ocean. I informed my buddys that there were brownsharks heading their way and they quickly treaded the water faster than anything. Was funny as hell. After becoming violently ill a day later from their bottled water was enough to never go back.

[VetsandVettes]

I feel that way about the Caribbean in general.

And 2k for immediate treatment in a foreign country with a life threatening injury? What, Canadians think their state insurance is good worldwide?
I feel for the kid and his family, but jeebus...didn't they learn to stick together and watch each others back? In a bar, in MEXICO?

:cantbeli:

Of course our "state" insurance (actually Provincial health insurance like OHIP) would cover that sort of situation. As well, anyone with a credit card or private travel insurance (like I get) would have all costs covered including a $50,000 private charter flight back to Toronto.
Point is, these corrupt "doctors" wanted CASH in order to pocket it which they couldn't do with an insurance settlement.
They should be executed for voluntary manslaughter, period.
Everytime something like this comes up the Mexican government lies through their greasy teeth, shifting blame to the individual if possible. They do this to try to keep their tourist industry untarnished, but I think the word is getting through up here...

[seraosha]

Of course our "state" insurance (actually Provincial health insurance like OHIP) would cover that sort of situation. As well, anyone with a credit card or private travel insurance (like I get) would have all costs covered including a $50,000 private charter flight back to Toronto.


Thanks for the info, I have some reading to do about Canadian Health Care.

But back on topic, yea, corruption in Mexico is one of those things you should know about before going. Again, shame for that kid and family.

[akd]

I go to Cozumel quite frequently and have NEVER had a problem there with anyone, authorities or otherwise (except the guy who put my regulator on a near empty tank).

Maybe you should revise your statement to specify the locations or particular people you have an issue with. Otherwise, it's like saying you will never visit the United States because someone had a bad experience with the Louisiana State Highway Patrol.

[VetsandVettes]

I go to Cozumel quite frequently and have NEVER had a problem there with anyone, authorities or otherwise (except the guy who put my regulator on a near empty tank).

Maybe you should revise your statement to specify the locations or particular people you have an issue with. Otherwise, it's like saying you will never visit the United States because someone had a bad experience with the Louisiana State Highway Patrol.

I'm sure many vacationers still go down there and return without any problems. BUT the pattern of abuse, corruption, crime and even murder by the POLICE and officials is really getting out of hand. Is there a "safe" area to visit? Likely according to price, and complemented by the practice of staying on the resorts property.
I go down to the States on occasion but really work at keeping my nose clean in a country where people carry handguns in their glove boxes...

[SBL]

Mexico City is a tough town. I spent a few weeks down in Mexico, and during my time in the city, I never went out alone nor wandered far off the beaten path. The armed-to-the-teeth cops and warnings from our driver were enough for me. My sympathies to the family, but it pays to be observant, even (especially?) while on vacation.

[sferrin]

A buddy of mine and I were in the airport in Lima Peru with niether of us speaking a 2nd language and trying to book an early flight out of there. We had a herd of cab drivers and "helpers" wanting to "help" us. All the international "I will rip your spleen out through your nose" look did was get them to shut up but they followed us everywhere. We lucked out and some lady came up (at which point the herd scattered) and helped us for nothing. Even managed to get me on the plane with a big ass knife but the pilot had to carry it until we got to Houston. Cusco was crazy too. We'd started off there and for I guess it was something like $55 dollars this guy got us to the airport, had had them hold the plane for us and everything. It was surreal. The airport workers were all motioning to us to hurry and you could read "dumb asses" on the face of every person on the plane :) Then the pilot taxies out, makes the last turn on two wheels, and punches it before we'd even completed the turn. Tanzania was totally different. There everybody was cool and just wanted you to have a good time.

[VetsandVettes]

Mexico City is a tough town. I spent a few weeks down in Mexico, and during my time in the city, I never went out alone nor wandered far off the beaten path. The armed-to-the-teeth cops and warnings from our driver were enough for me. My sympathies to the family, but it pays to be observant, even (especially?) while on vacation.

Yeah, that "man on Fire" movie with Denzel was a real eye-opener, not so much because of the kidnapping rings the cops run (which we know to be a reality) but because of the on-location footage of Mexico City. Wow...
I tend to wander off-resort when I'm in these all-inclusive places and expect a degree of safety. They know you're going to be drinking and I guess that's why I appreciate the coverage provided by Cuban cops. It's almost embarrassing the extent they will go to keep you out of trouble, even for those who deserve a kick in the ass...

[tyovan]

I will never visit Mexico in my life. I simply refuse.

The girlfriend wants to go to Cuba sometime, I haven't heard anything about it. Could we get in trouble as US citizens for traveling there if we travel on foreign passports?

[Ghelp]

Any place that you are a foreigner will be like that and criminals will see you as easy prey.My friend when he went to France was pick pocketed but this in no way does mean France is a bad place.There are bad people ever where.

I think Mexico is a great place.I love to visit it.

[VetsandVettes]

I will never visit Mexico in my life. I simply refuse.

The girlfriend wants to go to Cuba sometime, I haven't heard anything about it. Could we get in trouble as US citizens for traveling there if we travel on foreign passports?

Cuba doesn't stamp passports for this reason. They like US tourists and there is still a strong Russian residue there.

[danielc]

Mexico is a great place to go on holidays, I've been there many times and I love it.

However, it can be a dangerous place, and if you're a gringo, some people have no qualms in fleecing you for whatever they can get from you, so it's up to you to be cautious and protect yourself.

Also, the doctor did nothing wrong in asking for money upfront, if you're a foreigner travelling anywhere in the world, no doctor is going to treat you and expect to get paid by some insurance company from your home country. You will always have to pay upfront, from your pocket, and then get reimbursed by your insurance company when you return.

Cuba is definitely safer, but not as pretty as Mexico.

[danielc]

I will never visit Mexico in my life. I simply refuse.

The girlfriend wants to go to Cuba sometime, I haven't heard anything about it. Could we get in trouble as US citizens for traveling there if we travel on foreign passports?

I don't think you can travel directly to Cuba from the US, you'll have to go through Canada or Mexico to get there, and then they'll give you a tourist card that is stamped when you get-in, and which you hand back when you leave, so your passport will never be stamped.

[Ghelp]

Any one has ever vacationed in Colombia by the way.

[Carib]

Not yet, but am planning on meeting some family there this summer. We are going to Cartagena, my fam resides in Venezuela. We're not Chavista's in case you were wondering:roll:

[Ghelp]

Cool have fun in Cartagena .There are 5 million Colombians in Venezuela.No worries.

http://www.elheraldo.com.co/revistas/gente/tapiz/cartagena3.jpg

[tyovan]

Cuba doesn't stamp passports for this reason. They like US tourists and there is still a strong Russian residue there.

My girlfriend's Russian, so she wants to go and jokes about leaving me behind in the US.

[Carib]

Thanks Ghelp i appreciate it!!

[TheBelgian]

Meh, this kind of stuff happens all over the world in develping countries I'm sure. Most violence against a tourist can be avoided by having enough common sense and to stay alert. I used to live in Mexico (Guadalajara) and I never had any problems whatsoever, with locals, cops or customs. I felt safer walking around street at night there than back in Belgium. And it's not like I blend in amongst the mexicans, I'm 6ft4 and blond. So, dont write off all of Mexico because of a few negative reports. Its a big country, and the safetly situation changes from state to state and city to city.

[Seraphim]

I've heard too many horror stories...I'll never set foot there.

[Ghelp]

I heard alot of horror stories about New York and LA like the riots there.But I would still like to visit these places in a heartbeat.

[Seraphim]

I heard alot of horror stories about New York and LA like the riots there.But I would still like to visit these places in a heartbeat.

And how often does riots happen there?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070111/national/mexico_death_3

[gaijinsamurai]

I used to love travelling in Mexico, but haven't been there in a long time.
I have, however travelled and lived in Central America.
Guatemala has turned into a total armpit, and I wouldn't recommend that anyone go there, despite the natural beauty, old ruins, and great weather.
People will rip you off at the slightest opportunity, and the cops couldn't care less.
El Salvador is still pretty good, however. Despite the gangs.

[SBL]

-edit-

delete.

[SBL]

Guatemala has turned into a total armpit, and I wouldn't recommend that anyone go there, despite the natural beauty, old ruins, and great weather.
People will rip you off at the slightest opportunity, and the cops couldn't care less.


x2. Guatemala has nice scenery/natural beauty but the place is pretty much a dump.

I think we're bound to run into each other one of these days.

[tuercas]

i have never heard of any drugs being planted on tourists here, airport officials are the most monitored and are the least likely to ask for bribes. I have heard of many tourists who consider Mexican officials readily bribeable and take stupid risks by bringing or attempting to export illegal substances.

many tourist, specially to the bender cities like Nuevo Laredo , get extremelly drunk and abnoxious, just making themselves more of a target. I have seen it many times at the local clubs where many tourists, specially young americans, feel that they are somehow imune to the law and constantly pick figths and make scenes, in the end becoming victims themselves. i have lost count of americans making mad dashes to the international bridge after geting into trouble at the downtown clubs.

Mexico is no different when it comes to crime and corruption as most countries. the smart traveller will not make him/herself a target; register with your embassy, dont wear flashy jewlery, dont wear expensive clothes. dont flash expensive electronic gadgets or loads of cash, know where you are going before hand when going on excursion, dont ride unmetered, unmarked taxis, etc above all, dont suport corruption, in Mexico, when tourists get hassled for bribes , the threat is usually that if you dont pay a bribe you will get taken to the police station, best thing to do is to just agree to go to the police station, a cop that is trying to bribe you will get discouraged 9 out of 10 times, if things get serious, demand to speak to a superior, dont just jump into a patrol car if you didnt do anything wrong, make scene if you have too.

most tourists that go to larger cities like Mexico city where there is a lot of poverty, then you may have to be more carefull. the best places to visit for those with little experience in mexico are places with a lot of foreingn expats like Guadalajara or San Miguel de Allende. also the more touristy places like Cancun or Cozumel are by most part safe since they rely so heavily on tourism.

[Ghelp]

And how often does riots happen there?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/070111/national/mexico_death_3

I don't know what that link is suppose to prove.But you can go back and forfth.All places have bad people it is some thing even in the most safest of countries you will run into.

[buttchowder]

I'd like to visit Mexico some day.

[aartamen]

the question would be why would you go to mexico at all?
- there's legal pot in canada, not to mention here
- there're beaches and pretty much any type of weather and terrain and hookers in the States
- there're much better resorts elsewhere
- is it cheapeness or lack of imagination?

[bthest86]

the question would be why would you go to mexico at all?
- there's legal pot in canada, not to mention here
- there're beaches and pretty much any type of weather and terrain and hookers in the States
- there're much better resorts elsewhere
- is it cheapeness or lack of imagination?

Because there are some neat places to see that aren't on the usual tourist trails as long as you know the locals. Not everyone likes gringo catering resorts or beaches. There are lots of other "non tourist" places to go that aren't crime ridden.

Neuvo Loredo is a big tourist trap. Hated that place. I will never stay there for any time longer than it takes to get my visa and move on.

And yeah, not everyone, including me, can afford +$3,000 trips to Europe.

PS, I wish you'd let me in on the secret to getting legal MJ in the US.

[Seraphim]

I don't know what that link is suppose to prove.But you can go back and forfth.All places have bad people it is some thing even in the most safest of countries you will run into.

Cops here dont make a habit of covering up murder.

[Ivan le Fou]

Go to Japan!

It's safe, people are nice, gaijin are really appreciate by japanese girls (:)) the food is great.


Or go to France = > Carcassone.
Or go to Portugal = > Porto.


woot

[VetsandVettes]

Mexico is a great place to go on holidays, I've been there many times and I love it.

However, it can be a dangerous place, and if you're a gringo, some people have no qualms in fleecing you for whatever they can get from you, so it's up to you to be cautious and protect yourself.

Also, the doctor did nothing wrong in asking for money upfront, if you're a foreigner travelling anywhere in the world, no doctor is going to treat you and expect to get paid by some insurance company from your home country. You will always have to pay upfront, from your pocket, and then get reimbursed by your insurance company when you return.

Cuba is definitely safer, but not as pretty as Mexico.


It is immoral and, at least here, illegal to refuse medical aid to the critically injured, regardless of their nationality or status insurance-wise. The USA is obligated to not just allow someone to die on the steps of a hospital, but good insurance will go a long way towards prompt, top-notch service. The Mexican "doctors" were trying to pocket the cash.
While Mexico has some very nice areas, Cuba is renowned for it's beaches world-wide.

[VetsandVettes]

Any one has ever vacationed in Colombia by the way.

I would consider it, but again safety is a huge issue there. Lots of kidnappings-for-cash going on there.

[VetsandVettes]

Cops here dont make a habit of covering up murder.

Or running organized kidnapping rings.

Ramen! I see you are one of the few who will go to a heaven with a beer volcano and hookers! Us Pastafarians have all those "other" religions beat hands down! You a Canuck?

For some reason there is a lot of hate for our church from the US bible belt. Sorry about the stray off topic...
http://www.venganza.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/01/logo_torontostar.gif


Leslie Scrivener has written an excellent article, In praise of an alternate creation theory, in the Toronto Star.
From the department of one scientific theory is as good as another, comes the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
The theory goes like this: the Earth and all living things were created by a Supreme Being, the Flying Spaghetti Monster, and though there are no witnesses to creation, there are written accounts of it.
In time, men and women heard of the spaghetti monster and came to worship him. And as the word spread, a gospel was written and churches were established in his name.
And artists, inspired by his word, drew his image – a tangled mass of pasta, with two generous meatballs, and googly eyes protruding from stalks.
Since the Flying Spaghetti Monster was revealed in 2005, millions have seen his image or read about him and his teachings, on the Internet site www.venganza.org (http://www.venganza.org) and also in a book published last year, The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

[VetsandVettes]

i have never heard of any drugs being planted on tourists here, airport officials are the most monitored and are the least likely to ask for bribes. I have heard of many tourists who consider Mexican officials readily bribeable and take stupid risks by bringing or attempting to export illegal substances.

many tourist, specially to the bender cities like Nuevo Laredo , get extremelly drunk and abnoxious, just making themselves more of a target. I have seen it many times at the local clubs where many tourists, specially young americans, feel that they are somehow imune to the law and constantly pick figths and make scenes, in the end becoming victims themselves. i have lost count of americans making mad dashes to the international bridge after geting into trouble at the downtown clubs.

Mexico is no different when it comes to crime and corruption as most countries. the smart traveller will not make him/herself a target; register with your embassy, dont wear flashy jewlery, dont wear expensive clothes. dont flash expensive electronic gadgets or loads of cash, know where you are going before hand when going on excursion, dont ride unmetered, unmarked taxis, etc above all, dont suport corruption, in Mexico, when tourists get hassled for bribes , the threat is usually that if you dont pay a bribe you will get taken to the police station, best thing to do is to just agree to go to the police station, a cop that is trying to bribe you will get discouraged 9 out of 10 times, if things get serious, demand to speak to a superior, dont just jump into a patrol car if you didnt do anything wrong, make scene if you have too.

most tourists that go to larger cities like Mexico city where there is a lot of poverty, then you may have to be more carefull. the best places to visit for those with little experience in mexico are places with a lot of foreingn expats like Guadalajara or San Miguel de Allende. also the more touristy places like Cancun or Cozumel are by most part safe since they rely so heavily on tourism.
Too may cautions required for VACATION purposes. I could see it it you HAD to fo there for business or something but not to relax.

[Ghelp]

I would consider it, but again safety is a huge issue there. Lots of kidnappings-for-cash going on there.

Nonsense.2 million tourist last year alone with out any problems.Many tourist say Colombia is safer then most countries they have been to.

http://www.youtube.com/v/uQ3wjBNoIxw


Here is what a Canadian tourist thinks.Link below.


Hey Guys!
I'm back!
Wow did i EVER HAVE A GOOD ****ING TIME!.
The city is sooo huge, you could never see it all in like 100 years! All the people are so nice, smiling and waving. The woman, *phew*, i'm still sweating! :-)
I told all my friends to forget everything they ever heard on the news and jump on the next plane to this wonderful country!
I love how everyone drives bikes and you can drive ATV's in the streets. Clothes are sooo cheap! We went to this market place on other side of city and everything is tax free!
I didn't see alot of homeless people like I thought I would. There was poor people of course, but most of them were selling stuff or washing windows and stuff for money. Not just begging. If they asked me, I say No tengo and they don't bug me anymore. But always with a smile. and I know I shouldn't give money to kids but I always gave all my change to them.
I drank alot of aguardenite, and brouight alot back! That **** gets your twisted, at only 29%.
I love the beer there... most of it like 4% when in Canada alot is like 6%, hehe but good regardless. Bogota beer company had alot of choices which they gave to you in a huge beer bong! Club Colombia is greatest beer ever.
Anywayz, I seen alot of sites in and around the city, so all n all I had an amazing time.
You can see some selected pictures here, I didn't upload them all because there was over 320 pics and 30 videos.
http://community.webshots.com/user/jordanxxx
http://community.webshots.com/user/jordanxxx
http://community.webshots.com/user/jordanxxx
Please sign the guestbook.
Thanks for giving me the ambition and courage to see this wonderful place. I'm glad this is an oppourtunity that I didn't miss out on.
Take care,
Your Canadian Friend,

http://poorbuthappy.com/colombia/node/19696

[VetsandVettes]

Thanks for that. I am far from closed-minded and am slowly travelling around as time/money permits. I will revisit Columbia as a potential destination now. My brother just did a trip through Africa and was robbed by the police!

[Birsanc]

Drink and/or act stupid and you are bound to get into trouble anywhere in the world.

[VetsandVettes]

Drink and/or act stupid and you are bound to get into trouble anywhere in the world.


And of course this caused the Mexicans to pick his corpse blind, right?


Family afraid of Mexican cover-up

By ROB LAMBERTI (rob.lamberti@tor.sunpub.com) -- Toronto Sun

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A Canadian man whose death on a Mexican vacation has left his family desperate for answers had his Acapulco hotel room robbed as he was clinging to life in hospital, his best friend and travel companion said yesterday.
And contradicting the official Mexican version of what happened, an Acapulco city official who spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity said witnesses had seen nightclub staff and taxi drivers beating Adam DePrisco.
The conflicting accounts of how the Woodbridge man died have left his family fearful the truth will never come out.
"We're at our wit's end," DePrisco's cousin, Luisa Pannozzi, 23, said from her Woodbridge home. "His life was worth something and it shouldn't be covered up."
UNCOVER THE TRUTH
While DePrisco's family held out hope Ontario's chief coroner would uncover the truth, his travel mate Marco Calabro continued to rail against Mexican officials for suggesting the death was a hit-and-run accident.
The injuries to DePrisco's face and head were so severe that he was almost unrecognizable, Calabro said, adding his buddy was set up by muggers who created pandemonium inside the Paladium nightclub and then beat DePrisco after he was tossed out by bouncers.
DePrisco, 19, whose body will be autospied after it arrives in Canada tonight, was found unconscious early Sunday outside the Acapulco club.
After spending several hours at the hospital with DePrisco, who died Monday night, Calabro said he returned to the pair's hotel room to discover it had been robbed. "My camera, my camcorder, everything was gone ... the police don't care."

[Group9]

The Palladium in Acapulco is a notorious hangout for drug cartel members, like Edgar Valdez Villarreal and Arturo Beltran Leyva. That any tourist would go there shows some piss poor intelligence gathering before choosing a vacation or nightclubbing spot. It is incredible that someone from the US would go into the place and not expect major trouble.

I would say that there is no more dangerous country in the world to go on a vacation right now than Mexico. Not because every single place there is dangerous, but because the average person doesn't have anyway at all to find out which places are really bad, and which ones are just kind of bad. And, just because it is a resort area, or looks halfway civilized, is not a guarantee that it is safe.

And, it is going to be really hard for a tourist to even know where the bad places are because most of the news media in Mexico has quit reporting on the Cartels and their violence out of fear. Going to Mexico is like jumping without a reserve chute. Chances are, you will be okay and your main chute will work. But, if it doesn't, it is going to be really bad and not very easy to fix.

[Birsanc]

And of course this caused the Mexicans to pick his corpse blind, right?



Are you concerned about a death, a robbery or Mexicans?

[VetsandVettes]

Are you concerned about a death, a robbery or Mexicans?

In this case, they all go together. Guy is dying in hospital where they refuse to treat him, cops lie about how he got there, scumbags rob his hotel room while he dies. Real classy...
The more of this stuff hits the news, the fewer Canadians will trust the country for a vacation, that's all. Sow, and ye shall reap.

[Birsanc]

You should be more careful with your posts.

Saying, "And of course this caused the Mexicans to pick his corpse blind, right?" isn't on course. It's false in the context you presented.

I'll amend my original post by adding:

Drink and/or act stupid while hanging out with strangers and you are bound to get into trouble anywhere in the world.

[stateofequilibrium]

Mexico does have some great places for tourists. Like Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in those places, walking about at night with no difficulty at all.

[a_very_ex_STAB]

I've been to Mexico several times for work and on holiday. Never had a problem. Maybe it helps to be British and not a septic.

[hy92]

Mexico City is a tough town. I spent a few weeks down in Mexico, and during my time in the city, I never went out alone nor wandered far off the beaten path. The armed-to-the-teeth cops and warnings from our driver were enough for me. My sympathies to the family, but it pays to be observant, even (especially?) while on vacation.

Few years ago while I was in college, my friend who happens to be a Mexican invited me to his family's trip down there. We spend much of two weeks visiting their relatives through out the country from Guadalajara to Morelia, where no tourist would venture to. Needless to say, they won't go down to Mexico city because of the crimes there. If Mexicans themselves won't go there then I definitely won't go there.

I had wonderful time down there with their warm and friendly hopitality from most of people I met. And, i guess it was different situation for me since I was with a family of Mexican and away from touristy places. Sure, what I saw was typical third world and had to bribe a local cop to get out of ticket on one occasion, but I tell ya it was a cultural immersion and eye opener. Even met a girl there, who had me visit her a year later. She reminded me of young Salma hayek.

Enough babling. There are different sides to Mexico and it's possible to avoid those problems.



I'm sure many vacationers still go down there and return without any problems. BUT the pattern of abuse, corruption, crime and even murder by the POLICE and officials is really getting out of hand. Is there a "safe" area to visit? Likely according to price, and complemented by the practice of staying on the resorts property.
I go down to the States on occasion but really work at keeping my nose clean in a country where people carry handguns in their glove boxes...

Dude, chill out!!! I know not everyone in the world is polite and friendly as you Canadians, no one's out to get you. Because some people had bad experience, i won't stereotype entire nation.

[tbk107]

The problem isn't that someone was murdered; which could happen anywhere. The problem and concern is that the Mexican authorities try to sweep these incidents under the rug as if they never happened. To the point of making up outrageous claims as to what happened and apparently destroying evidence at the crime scenes. Well these claims might pass the sniff test with uneducated locals, though I doubt that too, it certainly won't with westerner's.

They better start taking these incidents more seriously. Even a small drop in people vacationing in Mexico will cause economic hardship for some Mexican's employeed in the tourism industry. Although I doubt many in power care.

BTW A couple whom I'm friends with just decided against a vacation in the resort where Domenic and Nancy Ianiero were murdered. They are going to Barbados instead. A deciding factor was the utter joke of an investigation into their murder's. So that's -$3,000+ and someone's not eating tonight.

Is it any wonder countries such as Mexico are in the state they are?

[Birsanc]

Family asks cause of Mexican death not be made public
Canadian Press

Toronto — The young Woodbridge, Ont., man killed one week ago in Mexico likely died in a hit-and-run accident, his uncle told the Toronto Sun...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070114.wmexico0114/BNStory/National/home


Although the autopsy results from Canada are not being made public, it would appear this person was not murdered.

[VetsandVettes]

With those last murders the Mexican cops originally blamed two Canadian women for them, then changed it to a hotel employee. There is no doubt facts are changed to protect the tourism industry by Mexican officials.


WOODBRIDGE -- Adam DePrisco's body has bruises typical of being knocked down on a road, his uncle said yesterday, after again discussing the teen's autopsy with Ontario's chief coroner.
But as the family began planning a funeral for Wednesday, Sandro Bellio said he did not see the leg, shoulder and lower back injuries when the 19-year-old died in Mexico last Monday.
"There's more damage to the body than when I left there," he said, insisting they were added to cover up a "murder" in the tourist city.
Bellio said the family can't accept a Toronto coroner's verbal report that DePrisco's fatal injuries were likely caused by a hit-and-run, not a beating. A civic worker told a news service reporter, "Adam was beaten" by a bouncer and a cabbie after being ejected from a club, where he and pal Marco Calabro went with friends Jan. 6, Bellio said. "A large tanker trunk came along and washed it all away."