Travel Warning for MX

[halocline]

Cozumel has always been a peaceful island. When Juan de Grijalva "discovered" the island in 1518, he was received in a friendly manner,

Yes, I remember that week. The diving was pretty good, and Juan wrote a good review in trip advisor.

 

[JamesBon92007]

The county of Mexico has laws regarding the formation of states that include a minimum population. Cozumel could never become a separate state under present rules. However, the island has always marched to its own drummer. Rules, regulations, customs, and attitudes that are entrenched on the mainland are frequently ignored on Cozumel.
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What I heard was more along the lines of forming their own country, not just a state.

 

[BRT]

I think they pretty much were their own country into the 20th century.

 

[ggunn]

What I heard was more along the lines of forming their own country, not just a state.

I don't think that either is very likely.

 

[El Graduado]

Kelemvor said: "You folks who live there should see about forming a separate state from Quintana Roo maybe? The US state department already went so far as to break listings out to the state level rather than doing it by country like they used to. I don't think the state department could reasonably differentiate small municipalities."

Cozumel tried once before to secede from Mexico and join another country in 1848 (they weren't picky; they asked Spain, US, and England), but nobody wanted them.

Cozumel has always been a part of either New Spain, Mexico, or Independent Yucatan. The brief months that the Republic of Texas flag flew over the island was never recognized by the President of Texas, since Yucatan was an ally of Texas at the time and would have not appreciated the loss of the island, no matter how insignificant it was at the time.

 

[Themerrydiver]

The county of Mexico has laws regarding the formation of states that include a minimum population. Cozumel could never become a separate state under present rules. However, the island has always marched to its own drummer. Rules, regulations, customs, and attitudes that are entrenched on the mainland are frequently ignored on Cozumel.

Cozumel has always been a peaceful island. When Juan de Grijalva "discovered" the island in 1518, he was received in a friendly manner, even though everywhere else he went in Mexico he encountered fierce opposition from the Maya who fought him wherever he landed. When Cortes came to Cozumel the next year, he tore down the Maya idols, but they turned the other cheek and helped him fill his boats with food and water before letting him leave peacefully. He even wrote a "letter of recommendation" for the Maya chief to have on hand in case another Spanish expedition came along, so they would know the people of Cozumel were friendly.

I don't know the reason for this peaceful attitude that the inhabitants of the island have always had towards visitors, but it certainly remains a strongly held attitude to this day.

Cozumel is the Mayberry of Mexico, just with a lot more cruise ships.

Love the Mayberry comment! Getting ready for my third trip there! The Maya influence is definitely present on the island including the food they serve. It's deluxe.

 

[Themerrydiver]

@annasea, you're right, it was mean. Sorry @Themerrydiver

Thanks annasea!

 

[kelemvor]

Well now I might not get to go on that planned trip. The in-laws have caught wind of all the events and have had a talk with their daughter on the matter. Like many, I guess I will have to play it by ear.

As I sad before. Hopefully, the Mexican government will at least make it look like there's an effort to do something. Mexico, or Q. Roo, or Coz, or someone. I'm sure I won't be the only one in this boat - heck, many others might not want to go as bad as I do and so will give up on the debate.

 

[spc751]

Tourists are being targeted in Europe. I will stick with Mexico.

 

[gopbroek]

Currently on the island for the weekend and I spent part of the afternoon on the phone talking down relitives who are coming in November from cancelling due to the travel warning. I calmed them down and they are currently sticking with their schedule.
A lot of novice and occasional travelers are really spooked over this. I love Cozumel and know that the island is safe and the primary issues are on the mainland. Even on the mainland I have not heard of actual violent crimes targeted against tourists but I also realize that all it would take is a couple overt attacks on tourists to devastate the entire region. A kidnapping or residential invation or a bus hijacking / robbery (like the bus to Merida a couple weeks back) involving tourists by petty criminals as opposed to true organized criminals could cripple this entire region.
Acapolco degenerated very quickly and that example is on a lot of people's minds. It may not be fair but Cozumel is unfairly lumped in with the mainland in minds of most people.