Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Message Board - Not in "war torn Montana"

Young girls jailed after attempting to flee forced weddings in Guerrero

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/youths-jailed-forced-wedding-guerrero/

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Young girls jailed after attempting to flee forced weddings in Guerrero

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/youths-jailed-forced-wedding-guerrero/

Not sure what Montana has to do with anything. The region referenced is what we call La Montaña. And I noticed that once again Mexico News Daily couldn't resist taking a low-blow jab at the Presidente and taking his words out of context. The Gobernadora Evelyn Salgado and her administration are taking this matter very seriously, but it's been going on for centuries, and it hasn't seemed to bother any of our visitors for all that time.

Some very good and dedicated people are working hard to stop forced marriages as well as the sale of children, another old custom in a few rural communities that's been declared illegal. This has pained many of us for years, but you all have to remember that not that long ago we were still in the middle of a Guerra Sucia where the government was disappearing people. Not that it doesn't still happen, but not to the degree that it used to.

It still boggles the mind that people think this a good place to throw all our eggs in the tourism basket. We need to diversify our economy and expand opportunities, especially in rural areas which means the cartels and gangs need to be run off. Something that simply isn't happening. Locally we can't buy building materials for the moment (and their prices are going up) because all the stores are closed after being threatened by extortionists. I hesitate to mention this delicate matter, but it appeared in today's news. The tourism industry is fickle, and on a whim people can decide not to come for whatever reason, and then what do we live on?

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It still boggles the mind that people think this a good place to throw all our eggs in the tourism basket. We need to diversify our economy and expand opportunities, especially in rural areas which means the cartels and gangs need to be run off. Something that simply isn't happening. Locally we can't buy building materials for the moment (and their prices are going up) because all the stores are closed after being threatened by extortionists. I hesitate to mention this delicate matter, but it appeared in today's news. The tourism industry is fickle, and on a whim people can decide not to come for whatever reason, and then what do we live on?

I know several long-time (and longterm) visitors to Zihua who, in light of recent, albeit sketchy, available information, are wondering if this is the year to consider some other destination.
I expect the chances of foreign tourists being directly involved in, or affected by, local criminal activities is no greater now than in previous years. Personally, areas of concern are local and area transportation - buses, combis, taxis - and restaurants. If those are "iffy", we'll go somewhere else.

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My wife and I spend four months in Zihua and have for several years. We agree completely with Ironwood. Hate the thought of giving up on Zihua, but, unless things change we will be looking elsewhere.

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Along with the airport being the slowest to process tourists, searching everything trying to come up with fake taxes does make one wonder if it’s a bad decision to come to Zihuatanejo. We have an October and April trip already booked and will reevaluate after to see if there are anymore. Have some great friends there and just love the area but it may be coming to an end of being a north of the border tourists destination. It’s been heading that way for quite some time, you just can’t fix stupid. No problems like this when we go to Cabo or Guadalajara and they are much easier to get to.

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Along with the airport being the slowest to process tourists, searching everything trying to come up with fake taxes does make one wonder if it’s a bad decision to come to Zihuatanejo. We have an October and April trip already booked and will reevaluate after to see if there are anymore. Have some great friends there and just love the area but it may be coming to an end of being a north of the border tourists destination. It’s been heading that way for quite some time, you just can’t fix stupid. No problems like this when we go to Cabo or Guadalajara and they are much easier to get to.

Good point. The mess at airports that have made air travel anywhere much more of a hassle are bad enough. We haven't had any problems in the past few air trips to ZIH, but for those who have, that's another thing to consider.

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Perception versus Reality.

The sad truth is that many people don't bother to find the truth. If the media or travel websites or governmental agencies or whatever source start a narrative that a resort or other location is dangerous, that perception becomes the reality for many. Often the instances of violence are overexaggerated or misplaced. No matter.

For what it is worth, I still feel safe traveling to Zihua. Having said that, I wouldn't go looking for trouble for I am certain I would find it. I still have a difficult time reconciling the beauty that we find in Zihua and the ugliness that we know is hiding under the surface.

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I have to rely to your post. I am glad my friends whose uncle/ brother in law recently died after two months of hospitalization and eventual end organ failure and death two weeks ago don’t speak English.
I’m glad the violence has not directly entered your world.
As tourists/ expats/ etc we are generally outside this reality.
Deaths of innocent locals caught in crossfire or murdered because they choose not to be extorted are real and they’re in and around Zihua.
Please be less dismissive.
Your post was hurtful.

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I have to rely to your post. I am glad my friends whose uncle/ brother in law recently died after two months of hospitalization and eventual end organ failure and death two weeks ago don’t speak English.
I’m glad the violence has not directly entered your world.
As tourists/ expats/ etc we are generally outside this reality.
Deaths of innocent locals caught in crossfire or murdered because they choose not to be extorted are real and they’re in and around Zihua.
Please be less dismissive.
Your post was hurtful.

It appears that apologies are in order. First, I apologize that you perceived my post as hurtful. Please know there was no intent to make it so. Second, I apologize because I honestly don't understand why the post was perceived as hurtful to you. And if it is impossible for me to know exactly what was hurtful, then I won't know how to avoid any further injury in the future. Was it this statement?

I still have a difficult time reconciling the beauty that we find in Zihua and the ugliness that we know is hiding under the surface.

Also, could you please explain why your friends whose family member recently passed away would be so upset or enraged? I agree that we tourists and expats are shielded from the harsh reality of many locals. I thought that I acknowledged that reality in the post. There was no intent to be dismissive. Again, I offer you my apologies.

If you care to send me a private message so not to have this conversation continue in public, please do so.