One Canadian man was gunned down on Mexico's Pacific coast beach town of Puerto Escondido last night – becoming the second foreign tourist killed there within less than one week.
https://www.escondidokiwanis.org/what-is-the-crime-rate-in-puerto-escondido-mexico
Although crime in Puerto Escondido Mexico is generally low, travelers should exercise extreme caution when walking alone at night or leaving valuables exposed. Petty thefts pose the greatest threat; therefore it's wise to conceal valuables.
Petty Theft
As a popular beach destination that relies heavily on tourism, Puerto Escondido does have some petty crime issues. Thieves and pickpockets can often be found lurking during peak season; therefore it is advisable not to display expensive items such as cameras or phones when walking alone on streets – keep valuables hidden to remain safe!
At night, it is wise to walk only in well-lit and populated areas and if possible travel in groups. Furthermore, overnight buses into Mexico City have a high risk of robberies so avoiding taking such buses is also recommended.
Tourists should also be wary of taxi drivers as they could attempt to con them out of money by overcharging or taking them on unaccountable routes. To protect themselves further, only take taxis that display papers indicating their legal taxi status, as these drivers tend to be honest.
Drug Trafficking
Puerto Escondido does see some drug trafficking activity; however, this should not affect tourists as most drug trafficking takes place away from tourist centers.
Backpackers visiting this part of Mexico should also take extra precautions with their belongings when traveling there, such as keeping valuables close or in a secure safe. Furthermore, staying within well-lit and populated areas at night will reduce the chance of criminals targeting you.
Learning Spanish before your trip can also help you blend into the culture more seamlessly, reducing the likelihood that criminals target easy targets like you. Furthermore, this language will aid communication with locals as it will facilitate building relationships during your stay.
Violent Crime
One of the more dangerous forms of crime in Puerto Escondido Mexico involves cartel violence. This usually takes place in larger cities and poses no immediate risk to tourists.
Avoid carrying large sums of cash or valuables when out and about to reduce the likelihood of becoming an easy target for thieves. Learning Spanish will also help to integrate more with locals and decrease your risk.
No one should walk alone through Puerto Escondido at night; this can increase your risk of robbery. Instead, it is advised that visitors travel in groups and remain within well-lit areas, while it would also be wise not to walk alone along beaches at nighttime. Inquire with your hotel or Airbnb host about ordering a taxi instead of hailing one off the street – this way you won't get taken advantage of by dishonest taxi drivers.
Overall Safety
Overall, Puerto Escondido is an overall safe place for tourists to visit; however, as with any city or region worldwide, some areas can be more hazardous than others; it would be prudent for visitors to avoid these areas at night, particularly as much of Puerto Escondido can become quiet after sunset.
Town has an outstanding record for safety; however, crime rates may increase during peak seasons due to an influx of tourists that attract criminals.
As with traveling alone, it is wise to exercise extra caution when travelling alone. Always carry small amounts of cash with you and don't leave your belongings unattended. Before making your reservations for hotels and taxis, conduct research.
At night, it is wise to take a taxi home, even if the time is not extremely late, to ensure your safety and ensure an enjoyable and safe trip in Puerto Escondido. By following these tips and planning ahead for an enjoyable stay at Puerto Escondido.