and the internets :biggrin:

i wish i saw all the fish your describing of lol i was just there about a week ago, but couldn't see any fish since i can't swim lol

For all those scared to travel to Mexico... Don't believe the media and the hype. Traveling anywhere can be dangerous, really doesn't matter where you go. Just travel smart!

Mexico is safe, the people are great and as a whole the country has alot to offer families who wish to have a tropical vacation and don't want to be stuck on the resort the whole time. I have been to the Mayan twice in the past year with my family, and will definately be back again soon.

Cuba is also great, same with Domincan Republic... The only problem as stated with others is the travel time. In the old days, you could go to both direct/non-stop... But now in Calgary, you have to go to Toronto... Sorry, with 2 kids and between 4-9 hours in layovers, just not going to do it. If someone knows a charter that still goes direct, let me know, as I would love to go back to these countries in the near future.

http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pa....asp?id=184000

In other words, so long as you're not near the US-mexico border you should be OK, but, you "should exercise a high degree of caution due to a deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country" anyway.

I like Hawaii. Nice, clean and safe.

The same way i would avoid the east L.A. or Harlem in New York. etc. etc. etc. I wouldn't go to North Central here in Regina but I wouldn't tell people to stay clear of Canada. :lol:. I think the biggest problem is the nature of the violence, very violent but mostly against their own. Ya the army needs to "stomp" out the drug lords. The police are toothless and victims themselves alot of the time.

PV is very safe and a much different atmosphere than Mazatlan. PV is way nicer; better scenery(from beaches to mountain jungles), nice people, good hospitals, good restaurants, good diving, etc, etc. It's a sweet place to go to any time of year, in fact I like to go in the summer as well. The diving is also the best in the summer with the water being around 86 degrees F.

I agree when we were there we used the "local" transit bus to and from the resort to downtown, that was an experience... all good. walked the streets nights and days. Even got on the wrong bus at night that took us through the local residential areas, was a bit un-nerving but never felt threatened.

We are going to Varedero next month as the beaches look beautiful with crystal clear water with lots of snorkelling and dive excursions to go on. Food is not so great in Cuba I hear but I would rather eat lousy food and feel safer. My wife actually wanted to go to PV or Cozumel but I said "no way I'm going there" so she gave in to Cuba!

The food in Cuba is fine, as long as you eat Cuban food :) If you're looking for a good steak, forget it. Lots of good restaurants, and if you can, try to arrange a home cooked meal at one of the casa particulars in town. Any of the staff at the resorts should be able to hook you up.