Don’t you deserve that summer vacation in Cancun you’ve been putting off? Or anywhere in Mexico, for that matter? Well, Southwest Airlines is hoping to entice travelers to Mexico this summer by offering an additional 2,000 points to Southwest Airlines’ Rapid Rewards Members. This is in addition to the points you’ll already earn from the flight!

Here’s the deal, Southwest Airlines has a partnership with Mexican carrier Volaris. Together, the airlines offer connecting service from more than 55 Southwest Airlines cities to Mexican destinations of Mexico City, Guadalajara, Cancun, Morelia, and Zacatecas. Rapid Rewards Members will earn the bonus miles per roundtrip to Mexico by connecting to and from a Southwest flight.

This super sizzling offer is available for travel purchase June 9 through July 31, 2011, and travel must be completed between June 9 and Sept. 30, 2011.

“More points, more options, and great service. Southwest’s partnership with Mexican carrier, Volaris, is growing across our network and allowing more of our Customers to experience Mexican hospitality and service,” said Kyle O’Neal, Southwest Airlines Senior Manager of Partnership Alliances. “We now have more than 55 Southwest cities connected to Mexico with Volaris service. The 2,000 extra points for Rapid Rewards members delivers additional value to these trips.”

Travelers who are not Rapid Rewards members can visit southwest.com/rapidrewards. Those who are members can register for the bonus points and read the fine print at southwest.com/rapidrewards/promotions.

Of course, we here at Resort Rentals International are ready to assist in booking your Mexican accommodations.
Image Source: Southwest Airlines

We’ve read the U.S. State Department travel warnings to Mexico and have heard about the escalating drug wars, carjackings and shootings. Mexico is a large country and although the media may want you to think visiting now is unsafe, Lonely Planet travel expert Robert Reid says otherwise.

In his article on CNN.com called, “Travel Expert: Why You Should Go to Mexico,” Reid doesn’t sugar-coat the situation but lays out the facts why visiting “Mexico is a lot safer than you may realize.”

Let’s take geography for instance. If you have friends who live in another country, don’t they send you an email of concern when devastation happens in Middle America and you live on the East Coast? We know the United States is huge and so is Mexico. (Well, not quite as big as the U.S., but it’s still big.)

As Reid points out in his article, there are 17 Mexico states not named in the April 22 updated travel warnings that are perfect for vacationing including the Yucatan Peninsula, San Miguel de Allende and Mexico City.

He says one of Mexico’s safest destinations is located an hour inland from Cancun’s beaches, Yucatan state. He relates the population of Yucatan to that of Kansas but it only “saw two drug-related deaths in 2010 while Wichita, Kansas, had six gang-related killings” that same year.

Reid quotes a Cozumel diving operator “who is ’shocked’ when people say they had been scared” to visit Mexico. He also says, “in most of central and southern Mexico, drug violence simply isn’t on the radar” of everyday life.

As we know, crime has no address and Mexico is no different. But the same crimes as pickpocketing can be found in the United States as in Mexico.

Read travel expert Robert Reid’s entire article to learn the other reasons to visit Mexico and ease concerns about planning your Mexico vacation.

Image Source: Riviera Maya Destination Marketing Office

The U.S. State Department issued a Travel Warning on April 22, 2011, informing U.S. citizens traveling to and living in Mexico about the country’s security situation. Now, if you have a vacation planned in Mexico or considering one, say to some place like Cozumel or Puerto Vallarta, read on, especially if you’re not involved in the narcotics trade and know how to practice common sense. Yes, we believe traveling safely is priority number one when it comes to vacations so we want to ensure you review the latest travel advisory.

The Travel Advisory reminds travelers millions of U.S. citizens visit Mexico each year without incident. It also states:

“Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region and in areas along major trafficking routes. Nevertheless, crime and violence are serious problems and can occur anywhere. While most victims of violence are Mexican citizens associated with criminal activity, the security situation poses serious risks for U.S. citizens as well.”

Yes, crime has no address and crime could happen anywhere, including right here in the United States in neighborhoods traditionally deemed safe. Statistics indicate narcotics-related homicides along the Mexican border states have increased. Although there is no evidence U.S. visitors are targeted, the State Department urges U.S. citizens to travel only daylight hours, use toll roads when possible and avoid isolated roads.

Luckily for travelers, most of the major resort areas in Mexico are NOT in these high-crime regions. Vacation destinations as Acapulco, Cancun and Riviera Maya are quite a distance away and resorts take special care to ensure their guests are safe.

But don’t let us make the decision for you. Do some research, learn the facts and visit the U.S. State Department website to view the Travel Advisory yourself before booking your vacation to Mexico.

Image Source: Riviera Maya Tourism Office