In addition to this story, check out my regularly updated series of blogs on the recent surge in drug cartel violence (including how it directly affects Americans): PLEASE CLICK HERE for those reports.

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Below is an email exchange I had with a reader who is planning a trip to two cities in MexicoReading her letter and my response will be helpful for people traveling to Mexico this year, whether it's for spring break, vacation, or a family visit.

If you have any comments, questions, or story ideas, send me an email: nik.ciccone@foxtv dot com

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Dear Nik Ciccone,

I writing to you because I have seen/read your Latest Activity regarding Monterrey, Mexico. In a few weeks I will be leaving Chicago, IL in order to see family and friends in Monterrey, Mexico. My family and I have been watching the news and home and have spoken with our family and friends a few weeks ago and they assure us there is nothing to be worried about. Now as days seem to grow closer to the time we will be leaving, I asking for your personal opinion, is it really safe to go now. I had also planned to travel to Durango, Mexico to see other family, but by local bus. I'm thinking at this time it may not be a good idea. The excitement that I had to see family and friends has now grown to fear. I am asking for you opinion because it seems that you are pretty in tuned to what is going on. I would greatly appreciate your feed back Thank you.

Sincerely,

Reader 

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Dear reader,

First off, I'm not an expert on travel in Mexico, but I do consider myself informed... so take that for what it's worth. In light of what I've written below, I would probably not go to the State of Durango (the city Durango is the state's capital), unless you are in one of the "safe" areas. On the other hand, I wouldn't hesitate traveling to Monterrey, as long as you don't travel alone within the city and you are in areas you are familiar with. I plan to go to Monterrey myself later this year. My wife will go in the next month and my mother in law will go there later this week. I'm not worried about any of our plans, in regards to safety.

I pulled the following information from the U.S. State Department website. The good news is that there is NOT a "Travel WARNING" for Mexico, which is a very bad label to get stuck with. Here's what a WARNING is:

"Travel Warnings" are issued to describe long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria."

However, Mexico is under a "Travel ALERT." This is how the Department defines an ALERT:

"Travel Alerts are issued to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Natural disasters, terrorist attacks, coups, anniversaries of terrorist events, election-related demonstrations or violence, and high-profile events such as international conferences or regional sports events are examples of conditions that might generate a Travel Alert."

Under the Mexico Travel Alert, the State Department gets specific. This is especially important for you. For all the details, follow this link (it's absolutely LOADED with more info than you'll ever need; It also have lots of helpful links):http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_3028.html. They do make a pretty dire warning for the State of Durango: "The U.S. Mission in Mexico currently restricts non-essential travel to the state of Durango and all parts of the state of Coahuila south of Mexican Highways 25 and 22 and the Alamos River for U.S. government employees assigned to Mexico.  This restriction was implemented in light of the recent increase in assaults, murders, and kidnappings in those two states

So, I recommend pulling out a map and seeing which parts of the State of Durango you will visit, to see if they are in the safe zone.

If this is too much to figure out (it can get complicated), call the Mexican Consulate in Chicago; they should be able to help (although, I'm not sure if they follow Travel Alerts). Many states have Mexican consulates.

Consulate of Mexico

300 N Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 332-7352

I'm not sure what your experience level is when it comes to traveling abroad, but the following about.com article is very helpful and is specific to Mexico travel: http://gomexico.about.com/od/planningandinformation/a/safety.htm

For background on what Durango is like, check this Wikipedia file: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durango 

Sorry about the long reply, but I hope this helps... it's always better to have too much information than too little,

Nik