text:
Below are stories received by MVA.
To protect the privacy of the individuals that submitted these
stories, MVA has removed their last names.
Name: Jake
This is the full statement to the vacation company of what happened... I have never been so upset with a company in my life. They didn't even try to make it right. On october 15th at 8am we flew out of regina Saskatchewan to Calgary, to catch our connecting flight to peurto vallarta Mexico where we were staying at the crown paradise golden hotel. We arrived at 430pm and were finally settled at 630-7pm and started our 6 day long vacation. At around 1am that morning my girlfriend and I were tired and decided to head back up to our room for the night, I noticed 3 men ( 1 I saw earlier that worked at the hotel) following us, but i thought nothing of it. They followed us all the way to our room and when i opened my door they walked right in behind us pushing themselves in. I was sat on the bed well 2 of the men stood at the door well the other took my credit card and wallet and also our room key because he said "we will be back" the other man said "just relax" they were grabbing my girlfriends arm. I offered all the money I had in my pockets plus told then I can take out what they want if they just left and let my girlfriend go, his words were " it's not about the money we are here to take you" the 2 men stepped into the room and walked to the fridge and the back of the room leaving the door unblocked and open, at that time I yelled at my girlfriend to "RUN" she ran down the hall way to the stairs (8 stories) and fell half way down, and proceeded to run to the front desk and hide behind the desk. I was still in the room when 2 of the men went after my girlfriend and 1 stayed with me. He kept saying we had to go find my girlfriend because there is a car out front that they need to put her in and he said they were going to take me to the beach located at the back of the resort. Security finally arrived and the guards exchanged words in Spanish with the man in the room as I pleaded for them to help. They finished their conversation waved at the man and walked away back downstairs. When the guards were out of sight 1 of the 2 men that left for my girlfriend came back up and they said "it will be alot easier if we do this on the balcony... come stand next to me" he said and kept pointing right beside him well he leaned against the railing. He made a step forward toward me and at that point 1 guard walked around the corner and said "you...come with me" as he let the 2 men stay up at my room with all of our luggage and belongings. He took me to the lobby where my girlfriend is crying and scared for her life and 5 security guards all relaxed and leaned against the lobby desk. As I am trying to explain what is going on to the manager. The 1 man that was still persuing my girlfriend walked right through the lobby towards the elevator. I was yelling "that's 1 of them right there!" My girlfriend also identifying him. The manager and 1 security guard looked at me and said "Stop, dont worry about it" and told the man to proceed upstairs. At this point I did not have my phone but luckily just before my girlfriend ran out of the room she grabbed her cellphone off the bed. We called everyone we knew because they would not let us use their phone and would not call police for us. The young girl behind the front desk was so scared she grabbed the phone and called the cops quickly. 4 police offers arrived and the manager told us to not speak and sit there well he talked to the cops (in spanish) where they laughed and proceeded to give each other pat on the back and a high five. The cops escorted us back up to the room where there was noone to be found in our room (but noone came down the elevator or through the lobby) so they must have been somewhere still on the resort. The police gave us 5 minutes to get our stuff and 1 police officer took 200 peso that was on the bed and put it in his pocket, we went back downstairs and the manager cut our wristbands off of us. And said we must go, Or the only other option stay in the room (1 of the men had our key cards) at this point we were sick to our stomachs and our nerves were shot and we just wanted to leave. We asked the police to please drive us to the airport and the only way they would is I had to give the one officer 1000 pesos. We got to the airport to fly out as soon as possible but there were no flights until late that night. We took another cab to the holiday inn Express where we used our last 1400 pesos to get a room to collect ourselves well we waited for our flight home. We arrived back in canada Oct 17 at 1230AM. The hotel said they will do nothing for us. I am looking to be reimbursed the money for the trip and anything else you can do as me and my girl friend have not been able to even leave our house from being traumatized and anxiety ridden and psychological scarring. I have reached out to multiple media outlets to get my story out to warn others about this hotel and vacation package, also will have medical documents from my girlfriend as they severely bruised her arm grabbing her. I hope to be hearing from you shortly, thank you.
Name: Robert
I was recently a victim of what I now believe to be tainted alcohol in Puerto Morelos, Mexico, at an all inclusive resort. I want to make a report, file complaints and share my story if it will help others avoid what happened to me. Your site is one of the first I found so i am contacting you first for advice. Thanks, Robert
Name: Jennifer
My boyfriend and I were also drugged or given tainted alcohol while staying in the Riviera Maya at a resort. I woke up on the beach just before dark and I found him in our room passed out with a head wound behind his ear. Neither of us remember leaving the pool that we had only been at for about an hour.
Name: Crissy
Hi, my husband and I went to Cancun to the moon palace for our 15 yr anniversary in 1998. I booked a 14 day vacation for us. This moon palace was brand new. We were there 1 1/2 days when our nightmare began. We went to eat dinner, my husband ordered us drinks, I took a sip and the alcohol taste was way to much. I didn't drink anymore of it. My husband drank his, and mine. After dinner, I was heading up to the room and my husband said he was going to get some beer. I went to the room, I then heard the door key beep sound. I thought it was my husband. I looked up and seen a group of armed men coming into the room, and coming after me. I jumped up and was asking what the hell were they doing, they kept telling me to get undressed. They were very demanding and getting in my face, I would not do as they say, and they kept telling at me to undress as the were walking towards me until I was in the bathroom in a corner, surrounded by these men. I then heard some arguing and it was my husband. He said, he was walking towards the room, when a group of men, carrying automatic rifles, running towards our room. He saw them go upstairs and go into our room. He went up, and the 2 outside the door said he could not enter right now. My husband backed up, then RN and shoved his way into our room. He seen that I was cornered in the bathroom, and it was getting bad! They told him, to tell me to shut up or they would take me and dump me and he would get the blame. I held my ground and so did my husband, they kept telling my husband that I was going to be dumped and my body would never be found. They seem that I would not do what they said, then they went thru our room, took our money and camera equipment and gift we had purchased for our kids. Then another man came in and said, we are leaving and they were talking us to the airport, and we were to get a flight home at 10pm, they never left our room until we were escorted to the car. They said if we tried to leave the airport, we would be arrested. That they would know if we tried to go to another resort, and that if we did, we would be arrested. At the airport, the driver told an employee of the airport the same thing, We cant leave and if we did we would be arrested. We went into the airport, and there was only the cleaning crew. No flights in or out after dark. So we sat down on the floor with all of our bags, we had to wait until it opened in the morning. Morning came, I walked up with our tickets and said we need to leave now. They looked at my tickets and said, these show you are leaving in 12 days. I said yeah, that would have been great but now we have to leave, so take these tickets and put us on a flight to Los Angeles. She said no, we cant take those, you will have to wait 12 days or I could purchase new tickets. I said, all our money was stolen, she said well then you need to wait 12 days. I called my my job, and asked a friend of mine to get us tickets one way home. She got them for us at 1500.00 and we flew home. The next day, I went to our travel agent, I walked in the door and he was shocked to see me. He asked I told him, he then faxed them, saying he was checking in to see how we were doing, the manager said that we were seen getting into a taxi about 9pm the night before and that we hadn't returned and they were looking for us. He then said well, I have both of them standing in my office. The manager then said, they were told to leave because my husband threw a bottle of wine and hit the manager. I told my agent, ask them to describe my husband, I said, they never dealt with him, that I had planned and purchased this trip for our anniversary and he never seen my hubby. He couldn't. I filed complaints, told the embassy, I called and tried to tell anyone that would listen. I did get my money back for the trip, and my friend got her money back for our tickets, and they gave me round trip tickets to Hawaii, I quickly tore them up.
Our luck the plane would crash. I didn't want anything that had to do with our Cancun nightmare. Just recently I have been seeing these tainted alcohol stories, and this wasn't ever mentioned in the 90's. Then there was a couple that went their with their kids, husband got up, wife was gone, they tried to find her, and she was found in a drain by right by their stairway to the room they were staying at. I remember following this story, this man was charged with the murder of his wife. I then seen the name of the resort, MOON PALACE, CANCUN. I about fell off my seat. Same as ours, I wrote to news stations, I called, no one wanted to hear my story. He is still sitting in a Mexico jail. I had just learn ed about the tainted alcohol. I knew immediately what had happened to us. We EACH were given a mixed drink with dinner, the taste of strong alcohol was to much for me, so I just sat it down and didn't drink any more of it. My husband drank his, AND mine.That is why I remember everything!! They didn't know I hadn't drank my drink, they probably thought I would be passed out in our room when they broke in. I was completely sober and they couldn't take advantage of me. Now with all these stories coming out, I feel I should tell what happened to us. I don't think its tainted alcohol from the people that make it, I think its something like GHB put Into drinks. With me remembering everything, that just proves, they drug people, then go after them, for rape, robbery or to assault them, then the hospital won't touch you until you pay! I hope that this story helps anyone out, it's not safe, and if people do go there, keep a designated person that doesn't drink to keep the people drinking safe. They drug and prey upon people.
I hope this helps anyone reading it. Don't believe what Mexico tells you happened, it won't be the truth. We la dedicated in Texas to change flights I literally got on my knees and kissed the ground. I was so happy to be in AMERICA!! I COULDN'T WAIT TO SEE MY KIDS.
Name: Kimberly
Almost 3 weeks later, devastated and heartbroken. We went to a destination wedding. The wedding was at Hotel Mousai Puerto Vallarta. They are a part of Tafer Resorts Hotel Group. Garza Blanca, where we stayed, is part of the same group, and the overflow of guests stayed at this hotel. The wedding was Saturday, May 26th. I sipped champagne by the pool. Less than a bottle's worth over 7 hours. The wedding was at 6. I was completely sober. After the wedding, there was a cocktail hour. I had another glass of champagne. My stomach started to hurt, so I went to the room for a bit. My significant other of 4.5 years came up, and said it was time to go the reception. It was in the jungle, and we had to travel there by trolley with the group. We were there about an hour. I drank a couple more glasses of champagne, if that. We ate dinner. The last thing I remember is eating coconut icing off the cake. I woke up the next morning in the second room in our suite. My partner was furious. I had no hangover, and no memory. But, it's taken nearly 3 weeks for him to tell me what happened that night, and now he's ended it with me. What happened that night? We were dancing. I became needy at first. Then I dropped my glass, and proceeded to dance on the glass. At that time, he decided we needed to leave. We walked back towards where the trolley picked us up. We waited 30-45 minutes for the trolley. During that time, I've been told I became more and more agitated. I stated I was walking back to the hotel. Staff advised me against it due to danger. The hotel sent a van specifically for me. When it arrived, I ran behind the van, and then ran into the jungle. With no shoes, no flashlight. I was found a bit later sleeping about 100 yards in the jungle. I was dragged back to the van kicking and screaming. I fussed in the van. Back at the hotel, I stripped my clothes off, packed my things, and screamed at my SO for 4 hours about everything under the sun apparently. I tried for hours to get out of the hotel room. Again, naked. He did not let me. The next thing I know, it's morning. I was fine. He is not. The relationship is over. I have had a tox screen. It came back inconclusive because it was 72 hours after the event. I am going for a hair test in 3 weeks, because that is more accurate. I don't drink that much. I was drinking champagne and water. My partner keeps pointing out that there were 150 people at the wedding. Why was I singled out. And I have no answers. Please tell me I'm not crazy.
March 30, 2018
Name: Susy
In 2015, we went to Cabo San Lucas, our dream vacation. All went well, 2nd day, I had 3 drinks and ate some seafood, few hours later I was violently ill, following into next day. I didnt eat or drink anything 4th day at the resort. 4th evening, my boyfriend became very ill, I thought he was hung over, then I realized, seafood dinner and booze during the day. In the early morning, he was so ill, he spent hours in the bathroom, finally laid down around 4:30 am, suddenly couldn't breathe, gassping for air, I contacted the lobby reception to get a Doctor and Ambulance. Dr. showed up about 15 minutes later with 5 or 6 other people. By that time my boyfriends breathing was very shallow, skin looked bluish. Dr. Took his time administring CPR, electroshocks, then something was injected into his right thigh. I watched his finger monitor, 15 seconds after injection he died.
Nightmare, all was cleaned up so quickly, he was taken away, I was told routine autopsy that was mandatory. Second day after autopsy, Coronor told me it was asphyxsia followed by heart attack, his lung collapsed over his heart. How, I asked, he was fine hours prior.. No answer. It seems everyone dies from heart attack? At Police station, statement was taken from me, I was told not to blame anyone ! Funeral home wouldnt release his body unless they got payment immediately, They received guaranteed insurance documents of payment, but they said no. My love was cremated there due to cost and releasing his remains. Not by my choice, but his families. I brought his Ashes back to Canada. I went on a romatic vacation, came back from Hell.Three years later, I still have images of that nightmare. I miss his so much.
January 29, 2018
Name: Anonymous
My wife blacked out too after 2 drinks 2 weeks ago....i suspect the drug they are slipping into the drinks is called Rohypnol....the drug can be found with a special test within 72 hours in your blood or urine
January 27, 2018
Name: Karen
The following is a recount of the events that happened on the evening of December 28, 2017 at the Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda, Mayan Riveria, Mexico.
My daughter and I were booked at this all-inclusive resort from Dec.24-29 inclusive. On this particular day we had gone on an excursion to Tulum, Akumal beach and cenote snorkeling. After returning and cleaning up, we had dinner and then made our way to the beach bar where we had previously met up with other Canadian families with adult children similar in age to my daughter (22yrs). We had been hanging out with them most of the week. I was particularly tired this night, and after drinking my club soda (no alcohol) and visiting with our new friends I decided to call it a night. I asked 19yr old Ryan (Canadian) to walk her back to our room safely. He had done so on the previous couple of nights uneventful. I went to bed and was woken up shortly after 1am when my daughter returned to our room. Ryan looked in (we made eye contact) and he left.
At this point, I noticed my daughter was acting funny and I quickly discovered that she was unable to talk (slow motion) and had lost motor skills to walk. I helped her to bed, taking off her shorts and giving her a gravol and gastrolyte beverage. She literally passed out sitting up. I KNEW that she was not drunk by her actions. Very concerned, but grateful that she was now safe in bed next to me, I tucked her in. It took me a couple of hours to fall asleep (Garman Vivo Watch clocked). I woke up between 4:30-5am to the sound of the bathroom fan and the light. My daughter was no longer in her bed and I thought she had passed out on the bathroom floor. Upon inspection of the bathroom, she was gone and our room door was adjar. Panicked, I ran into the hall calling her name. I check each floor in our building calling out for her and then ran towards the pool area where I was approached by a security guard. After telling him what had happened he asked me to follow him to the guard desk in the next building over. He then made a call (in Spanish) that lasted about 5 minutes. After he was done he asked me if I spoke Spanish, to which I responded �no, very little�. He then instructed me to go back to our building and we proceeded down the path. Suddenly one of the shuttle carts flies up from behind us, passes us and the guard with me begins to run and jumps onto the back of the cart. It continues to speed up and takes off leaving me standing alone in the dark with absolutely no explanation. At this point, I began to run to our building, up the 4 flights of stairs to our floor. By the time I arrived (probably 5 mins), I see my daughter being held up by 2 guards coming down the hallway on our floor. There was also a strange man in behind her with another guard and he was peeping over her angerly as if to say �who�s taking my girl�. I ran and grabbed her and started back towar
ds our room, when the guard directed me to follow him. I say �no� and that I was going into our room and would deal with report in the morning. Just before entering our room, I turned around to ask how they found her so quickly . They had all disappeared except one guard. I asked him, and his response was� �No English�.
I got into the room and locked the door and started to get my daughter to bed when a knock at the door came. It was the security guard asking us to keep it down as neighbours were complaining. Upon waking, my daughter had absolutely no memory of any of the evenings events. She was horribly upset after finding out what had transpired. She ate breakfast and was not hung over. She could not remember anything from around midnight on. We went to the lobby to report it and before getting to the front desk we were approached by management. The man says to my daughter �so� how are you feeling today?� She then became upset and could not speak, so I said in a loud voice �my daughter was drugged and scooped up from her bed in the middle of the night!�. His response (in a much lower voice now) was �oh, that�s too bad�� �how many in your party?�� and finally �when do you go home?. There was no offer of support or assistance, or to call the police. Needless to say our last day there was spent huddled together and looking over our shoulders.
January 12, 2018
Name: Ricardo
So me and my girl stood at temptations in cancun . Very awesome hotel for adults . We went there for Newyears had a time of our lives January 4 was our departure date . But we got stuck in cancun because it snowed in Newyork very bad and there wasn�t flights until the 7th so we stay another 3 days our second night in the extended stay . The phone rang . Simone asked for somone and I said wrong number . Mind you we getting ready for dinner and the lounge at the hotel . So this guy caught my attention talking Spanish and I understand Spanish so he tells me That � this is a drug cartel alert and that they found a red car outside our hotel with gaualajara plates which is a dangerous town in Mexico. And that they�ll be searching everyone�s room to stay in the room . Then he asked me for my cell phone number and I told him I don�t have one then he aggressively said that�s bullshit to give him my number . So I gave to him , he called my phone then told me to put my girl on the hotel phone to talk to another guy . So this guy tells me not to leave the room and to put the TV on so he can know I�m there . My girl got scared and hung up the hotel phone then the guy that was speaking to her came to the phone where I�m speaking to the other guy like � why the F**k she hung up that he gonna gonna call back and if she don�t answer they was going to kill us . So at this point I was scared . I checked to see if anyone was outside and hung up the phone and we left the room and went to where everyone�s at . So it was safe nothing happened I actually had to upgrade my room cause I did not want to go back to that room . So the whole time we was scared . So we thought it was a prank call . But after that day i don�t if i was paranoid but I felt like we was being watch . So later that night we was in the jacuzzi with over 20 ppl there and a lady that works there came out of left field straight to me asking me what�s my room number , I got highly upset and asked her for what � she said to see if we saw a butler � a butler ? Wtf kinda of excuse it that . At that point I just wanted to get outta mexico as soon as possible . Then we checked out the 7th everything was fine . On the way to the airport we driving fine until the cab driver mentions that the cops been following him for a long time . So now we�re scared as hell . So I tell him to lose them , which he did . Made it to the airport fine and as soon as we touched down on US grounds I shedded a tear . Cause that was a crazy experience . And at that my father is Ecuadorian and I guess we all look alike . 6 months before I got there he got kidnapped in the beach of the grand oasis . With a gun to his head because the ppl that sell cigars and glasses at the beach are part of the hotel selling drugs . So they thought he was a cop or a informant . So they went threw his phone to see if he had pictures of his family and to see that he was just tourist . Been to cancun 14 times and the last two times were the worst experience. We had went on a guys trip and one night the cops followed us to our hotel and stopped the taxi in the front . And robbed him so they won�t robbed us . So basically he looked out after us . We won�t ever be returning to cancun ever again .Trump build that wall ! !
December 7, 2017
Name: Crystal and Brad
My husband and I and another couple went on a cruise in 2012 until I saw this story we always thought we we drugged. We got off the ship in Cozumel and had 1/2 of a drink and were at a restaurant by the beach. We had to be carried back to the ship we were all so violently ill throwing up and blacking out at times. After a half of a drink at 11am we passed out outside of the restaurant. There were 4 of us all at the same time. A employee of the restaurant grabbed me by the arm trying to pull me away from our group and broke my bracelet and scratched my arm. A man and his wife we got to know from the night before noticed something wasn�t right and got us back to the ship. Had they not noticed we would have NEVER made it back. For 12 hours I urinated all over myself and vomited profusely! The other couple was the same we all had to sleep it off. We woke up and it was night time I don�t know how we survived. This whole time it had to be tainted alcohol. We thought we had been drugged! This now makes so much sense!!!!�
November 7, 2017
Name: Vicky
My husband and I took an anniversary trip to Riviera Maya at the Iberostar paraiso beach. We are both regular drinkers, and know when we�ve had enough and when to stop. On our third day there we were relaxing by the pool, and decided to have some drinks at the swim up bar. Keep in mind we had already been there for 2 days, and had been having 6 plus drinks each through ought the day, drinking water in between and feeling completely fine. We were on our fifth margarita over the time span of 3 hours. We decided to finish our drink and then head to the beach. As we stepped out of the pool I completely blacked out. I have no recollection of going to the beach or even getting back to our room. All I know is we got back to our room and passed out for 5 hours, missing our dinner reservation. Our clothes were soaking wet and I started to remember that our room key had gone missing on the beach and we had to go to the lobby to get a new one. After that I can�t remember anything. My husband also blacked out as soon as we got out of the pool and also doesn�t remember how we got back to the room. He also doesn�t remember him puking but I do although it�s very fuzzy. At first we thought maybe we just drank too much, but that�s very unusual for us. We have both never gotten blacked out before and always know when we�ve hit our limit. We didn�t feel hung-over after, just very fuzzy and kind of dazed and tired, we slept for 11 hours that night. We both feel like something was done to our drink. After reading some of these stories we feel very lucky that nothing worse happened.
August 26, 2017
Name: Grace
We've been to Cancun for about 10 times and would like to share an incident that we witnessed while vacationing in December 2009 at Blue Bay Grand Esmeralda at Mayan Riviera. While hanging out at the pool one day, we heard a commotion and saw some people carrying a young woman (in her 20s) who passed out in the bathroom. At the time, everyone thought that she had just too much to drink. But after a couple of minutes, everyone noticed that she was turning blue so some of the guests started performing a CPR on her (there was a doctor and 3 Reg. Nurses there including our friend) and they all gathered around to help her. Just as she started getting some colors back on her face, the hotel staff forced everyone who was helping her to stop and pushed them away and wouldn't let anyone touch her and told them that it was the resort's policy to wait for the doctor/ambulance. The hotel guests who were trying to revive her were furious and kept telling the staff that she only had 6 minutes to live without oxygen in her brain. The staff were adamant to not let anyone near her. It took 40 minutes for the ambulance to get there and in those 40 long minutes, we literally saw her turned blue from her toes up to her face! It was so surreal, to witness someone lose her life while everyone just stood around and watched in disbelief! The ambulance took her lifeless body while her boyfriend and her friends sat there comforting each other. We were all upset and disturbed that I kept telling my husband, somebody has got to tell her parents what happened, how the staff just let her die and refused to help her! Tried to inquire about it that night and we were told that she had taken some prescription medication and mixed it with alcohol. We were still troubled by it that we ended up writing a letter to the upper management but I'm pretty sure that our letter ended up in the trash. Every now and then I'd think about that woman and wondered if her parents knew what really happened. It's maddening to read all of these stories here knowing that it happens more frequently all across the resorts and nothing is being done about it!
August 24, 2017
Name: Denny Smith
This happened too me as well as 2 male friends. Went to Secrets Silversands in Cancun to celebrate my wife turning 40. Reading the accounts on this website...they are all TOO REAL. Everyone says it was the alcohol, but NO! 3 grown men DO NOT black out at the exact same time with no recollection of time. I want to help.
August 24, 2017
Name: Gideon
I am so sorry for your loss I can't imagine your devastation. I know there is nothing I can say or do to make your son come back but I want to help you and any other family that has had a similar experience. I personally had an experience along with a number of individuals in a wedding party. Fortunately no was seriously hurt or injured. However, i felt like someone had poisoned me with alcohol. I am a social drinker and am very familiar with heavy drinking and I thought I was going to die after a night out where we didn't drink particularly much for the occasion. Maybe a few shots and some beers. Almost everyone I talked to blacked out and/or was seriously ill the next day. At one point during my flight home i considered asking to see a physician even if it meant grounding the plane on the way home. After hearing about Abbey Connor and your son Nolan I felt I should reach out in support in anyway i know how. I have refused to spend a dime with anything having to do with Mexico and have told everyone my story at the all inclusive resort El Dorado Royal by Karisma. I have not done anything beyond that and want to help in anyway i know how. -Sincerely, Gideon
August 23, 2017
Name: Tina
My significant other and I just got back from Mexico we stayed at the Allegro Playacar in Aug 2017. Upon arrival at 6pm we checked into our hotel and decided to head to the pool, my boyfriend ordered a fruity mixed drink and I asked for a Pina Colada and specifically asked for the Captain Morgan rum that was behind him, the bartender pulled out a bottle with sharpie marker written on and made my drink, I took a small sip and advised him that was not the Captain Morgan rum I requested and asked him what that was and he said it was rum, I handed it back to him and told him it tasted awful and ordered a can of beer instead, my boyfriend on the other hand finished his drink and had 1 more and we had a shot of tequila and decided to head to bed as we were up since 3am, my boyfriend has a tendency to talk in his sleep and I didn't think anything of it until he started acting very strange and turned over in a force and sliced his hand on their fresh cut glass top that covered a bedside table, neither one of us were aware how badly he was bleeding until we turned on the light and about this time security came to the door and that is when the nightmare began, the manager came to our room as well as the hotel security and we kept telling them that he cut his hand on their table, well they called the police on us and sent me to a separate hotel room which I was never told why we were being separated, the police came and wanted me to write a false report and have him thrown in jail and I refused and they then went to him and wanted him to write a false report and send me to jail and the whole time we kept stating to them he cut his hand on their tabletop. Finally, they let us get some rest I still had no idea what they did with him. The next morning the manager came to my room and told me I had 1 hour to leave the property, I told her we just got here last night and he cut his hand on your property and you are going to kick us out?! I asked for a refund and she refused. An hour later she came back and told me I could stay but he had to leave the property and I begged her to please let us stay, she then left again and returned and said we could stay but we would have to pay $200 for the blood damage which I thought was insane, she finally let me see my boyfriend and he didn't remember anything from the night before and his hand was still bleeding profusely, the manager then came to our room and said we could stay but they were taking away our all inclusive rights and I questioned as to why and she said because he cut himself, I asked if we would get a partial refund and she said no. For the next several days were followed, harassed and they would go through our room looking for alcohol when we were not there since we then opted to just stay off the property as much as possible to avoid them. Upon checkout they wanted to recharge me $200 for the damages that I was already forced to pay in cash, when I refused they called security who threatened to call the police, I just wanted to get back to the USA and let them charge my card and I have been trying to dispute it with Chase but they wont do anything. Stay away from the Allegro Playacar they spiked their so called rum and will take your money and bribe you...
August 22, 2017
Name: Trish
I was interested in the story I read on Facebook and after reading it I realized that I should most likely respond and ask if perhaps I could somehow tell my story or become involved in this plight!!! I am a single mom and hadn�t been on a vacation in over 14 years! In October of 2015 I decided it was time. I was dating a man at the time and he accompanied me on this trip! We used a friend to book it through a travel company and wanted something mid range in price yet still of high quality. We chose an all inclusive holiday at the Grand Sirenis in the Mayan Rivera. I cant complain about the staff or the environment or our accommodations as it was all seemingly very good. We had the typical entertainment features at any of the inclusives and enjoyed 3 a la carte menu dinners as well as the usual buffet style meals anytime daily. Drinks unlimited from any of the bars in the complex. During one of our final evenings there was a beach party disco and we decided to join in on it. My partner wasn�t into the dancing scene however there was another couple whom we had met during the plane ride and throughout many of the excursion meetings there so we started to talk to them. My partner and her husband stayed up at the bar area while we danced the night away to some loud salsa type music with lights etc. It was extremely hot and we were having fun. I had one drink before going to the beach party and my partner ordered me another drink while there from the beach bar. They were in red plastic cups like at any disposable party or for beer pong. I took mine with me to the dance floor. It was something called a funky monkey or chocolate munkey. I was dancing with several women at the dance floor and a very tall young man danced with me fairly close. The music was so loud I couldn�t hear what he was saying but just kept dancing. I was finishing my drinks and feeling hot so decided to come off the dance floor. I walked towards the outskirts of the floor and collapsed to the sand face down. I don�t remember anything after!!!!! I literally had 2 drinks!!!! My partner advised me he saw me and rushed over got a plastic chair and sat me in it having to support me in it as I was falling forward out of it. There�s no way I was that drunk he was surprised as was the other couple?!!! They called for the staff to get the golf cart to drive me back to my room and building. Thank god I wasn�t alone or who knows what could of happened??!!I maintained to this day until I read this article I was drugged!!! I have been drunk wasted pissed or whatever before this was not the case no way!!! I had 2 drinks even if they were pure alcohol no way in heck I was that way consuming 2. I blacked out!! Unconscious!!! didn�t know anything. The story from my partner was I entered the room fell to the floor and started to vomit non stop all-night long!! I layed in it unable to hold my head up! This continued all night long and I slept on the floor beside the toilet. I came to the next day unable to function at all. He helped me clean up and I layed in bed the entire day. I was unable to eat stay awake or recall what had happened. The last recollection I had was dancing! I wasted an entire day of my vacation in bed and the next day was my birthday!! I was unable to go for my birthday meal. The rest of the holiday I was barely able to eat stay awake or function. I knew it was something more than being drunk!! Upon my return home I started back to work and a few days later I had a issue with my bladder and kidneys. I started to urinate blood. I filled the toilet with blood it hurt I had pain and to this day and a visit to the emergency room and IV fluids it is unexplained>??!!! Again I am in full belief it was poison drugs or something in my drink from that nightmare in Mexico!!!! I�m convinced this is what happened to me and to all the others!!! I am scared and afraid for anyone and everyone especially the you ng adults going for cheaper vacations thinking this wont happen to them!! Trust me it can and it might!! I had my drink in my hand imagine if I was all alone and nobody around I could be one of those other stats !! dead assaulted or in jail omg!!! Please let me know what can and needs to be done to stop this crime!!! Sincerely and thankfully, Trish
August 22, 2017
Name: linda
My boyfriend and I went to Cabo a few years ago. On the weekend we visited the Cabo-Wabo Cantina for some dancing. The bartender gave me a free drink. After I finished it my boyfriend left me at the bar to go to the washroom. The bartender then handed my a bottle of Tequila and told me to take a drink from it. Shortly after my boyfriend returned and we stepped onto the dance floor to dance. He said I collapsed straight down to the ground completely out cold. He managed to get some help from some guys outside to get me into our rental car and got me back to our hotel. The next morning I woke with vomit in my hair and all across the bed and floor. I had no memory of anything after I stepped onto the dance floor. It turned out I had broken my foot when I collapsed. When I got home a few days later I looked up on the internet and came to the conclusion the I had been Roofied. At least I didn't get raped or murdered, but have always thought that that was the intention. After reading your site I will never go to Mexico again.
August 21, 2017
Name: Tina
My husband and I both experienced blackouts when vacationing in Cancun last April (2016). We stayed at the Barcelo Costa Cancun. We thought it was very strange that we blacked out (as we didn't have THAT much to drink), but we did blame it on being over served at the time. We checked in to the hotel around 1pm and had blacked out by 430pm. We both woke up in the room with no recollection as to how we made it back. We woke up around 930pm and my husband remembered a Mexican couple hanging out with us (which I then found photos on my phone to confirm this). It didn't make sense that a couple that didn't speak any English would want to hang out with two people that were "blackout" drunk. We had our valuables in the room safe and didn't notice anything missing. We were only in Cancun for the one night, so there wasn't much to take (which is why I don't believe anything worse happened to us). Until hearing recent stories about this happening to others, we didn't think more about it. Now understanding this happened to us as well, I want to share my story to help others be aware. Since the bartenders are pouring drinks from bottles behind the bar, there is very little you can do to protect yourself. I will most likely not stay at an all inclusive in Mexico ever again. It is so scary as these aren't seedy hotels!!! Even the nice, high end ones have terrible things happen at them!
August 21, 2017
Name: Mary Jo S
I have visited Mexico on yearly basis... to several locations. The "tainted alcohol" has always been openly discussed among U.S. travelers. Three years ago, six of us in our group were at the pool (El Cid Castillo - Mazatlan and also 4-5 star all inclusives thru ut Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen) and after having a few cocktails at the pool in the middle of the day became so disorientated, they couldn't find their rooms, were severely sick and did not recall the details the next day or to this date! We spent several hours with security scouring the beaches, facility and surroundings and eventually all three were located in the resort, one floor above ours and all three had to be returned to their rooms - each in a wheelchair, all accompanied w/ two security guards each! As with a foot injury the year before, you KNOW not to obtain medical treament in Mexico as you will be held until a specified amount is paid. Also in such a critical instance the staff we needed to deal with spoke / understood very little english! Beware of ALL alcohol in Mexico & medical staff as well!
August 21, 2017
Name: Kitt
I too experienced a blackout after drinking margaritas at the beach bar at the Platinum Yukatan Princess Resort in March 2016. I was speaking to another guest and that was the last thing I remember. I woke up 5 hours later in my hotel room. I have no memory of those 5 hours. My partner had walked me to the room and luckily no other crime was committed. It has always bothered me as I felt that I must have been drugged. I hadn't drank enough to blackout. It wasn't until I read these other stories that it clicked. Another friend of mine experienced something similar in 2015. Thank you for sharing these stories and for creating this website. I hope these victims find justice one day. Kitt
August 20, 2017
Name: Viviana
Thanks God this web site exists!! there's is no travel warnings talking about this. My brother passed away on vacation in Cancun, Mexico at a Resort and there's a huge possibility it was because of tainted alcohol, we are starting a prosecution process but we want tell his story to others in order to prevent more tourist deaths as Nolan and Victor. I really appreciate if I can tell our story on your web site.
August 19, 2017
Name: Martin
In January this year, (2017) had 1 glass of white wine along with 1 club soda to make a spritzer at Arcadia restaurant in Zihuatanejo. Afterwards I felt extremely 'foggy', like I had a brain-block. This fog lasted for about 5 days during which I did not drink any alcohol or take any medication except vitamin C. I DEFINITELY felt I was drugged. I have never felt like that before. To be safe, I advise buying your own wine/alcohol and make sure the seal/ cork/cap is not broken.
August 19, 2017
Name: Debra
I was robbed and kid napped on a vacation to Cozumel in 2002. It happened on the first day of the vacation. There was no flight leaving the island for 3 more days. I desperately wanted to leave but couldn't. Police took a report but nothing was done. My passport, ID and boarding pass for return flight were stolen. When I got to the airport and told them what happened they quietly waived me on with no ID, no questions asked. I didn't have docs for Customs. I told him what happened. He looked up at me and said "Welcome home." I finally felt safe. If you choose to vacation in Mexico you must be vigilant about everything you do. It doesn't happen to everyone but it does happen. It happened.
August 19, 2017
Name: Shelly
Please contact me. You guys are telling the truth. I just got back from Iberostar Grand Paraiso and was in fear of my life. Please tell Abby's parents she kept us safe and if it wasn't for her story we wouldn't be alive today.
August 18, 2017
Name: Michelle
We vacationed in April 2008 at Villa del Arco in Los Cabos. I believe my husband was drugged. The first day we were there we went to the beach. We both had 2 margaritas (very small sized plastic cups). After the second he said he didn't feel well and we returned to our room. He proceeded to blackout and vomit for about 12-18 hours. I thankfully was fine. (Even though I drank the same thing he did). I had no effects of alcohol, no buzz, etc. I have always thought he was drugged and hearing all these stories makes me think so even more. This has got to stop. We are lucky that he didn't suffer worse consequences and thank goodness I was ok to watch over him. We will not go back to Mexico.
August 18, 2017
Name: Christy
I visited Mexico in September 2008. Me and my fiance stayed at Palace Resort which is south of Cancun. It is now the Hard Rock Maya. It was a long flight from Louisville, KY I had an experience the very next day where I drank one drink while we were lounging by the lagoon and my arms went numb and then began to ache. The pain was so bad that I was in tears. I remember mentioning to my fiance how watered down that drink tasted. I had to finally seek out a doctor. Then I had to pay $300 just to see him. I can't remember what medication he gave me but rested the rest of the day in my room and it took me 2 days to feel better honestly. Looking back something wasn't right about that situation. I never ordered another drink while on that trip.
August 18, 2017
Name: Steve
This is the first time I have encountered your website. My son, Nick died as a result of medical negligence, unsafe conditions , and incompetence by Mexican staff, Drs. And authorities in Cancun. God bless your efforts. Steve
August 12, 2017
Name: Rinda
In March 2017, my best girlfriend and I went to Cancun for a few days, to the Grand Oasis Sens. One afternoon, we were hanging out in the pool and had a couple drinks (not more than 3). I stated to feel slightly tipsy, and the next thing I know, I am waking up in our hotel room 6 hours later. I have no memory of what happened during those 6 hours, but apparently, I fell backwards down a flight of about 15 concrete stairs. I had scrapes and bruises all over my body. I was in pain. NO memory of any of it. When I woke up, my friend was vomiting in the toilet. She remembered what had happened, but had no idea why she was so sick. We didn't drink very much to explain why we felt the way we did, and I definitely didn't drink enough to black out the way I did. THANK GOD I didn't get hurt worse than I did.
August 12, 2017
Name: Mary
This exact thing happened to my husband in dec 2014 including the extortion from hosptien. I drank only wine and was not affected. My husband went into seizures after 2 days there -minimal drinking of rum. Very scary.
August 12, 2017
Name: Silvia
I was walking the beach in Cancun one day in the middle of the day, when they were pulling a lifeless person from the water. I asked one of the guards (Spanish is my first language)if this happens often, and I was told that "no". So I inquired further and I said, "well, how many would you say a week?" and he replied "only about XX a week"!!!! (I forget, quite frankly the exact number he said, but to me it was staggering!) The trouble is apparently the rip tide of the East coast of Cancun. Add to this some drinking and you've got trouble. (And needless to say, if this would happen at night, the person(s) would not stand a chance of getting out of the water alive. Thank you for this site, I have certainly changed y future
August 9, 2017
Name: Mary
My husband I spent 9 nights at Live Aqua Cancun Mexico at the end of June 2015. We normally had drinks brought to us at the main pool by the same 2 waiters our entire stay. We would have a drink, then drink a bottle of water in between drinks, so we were not so drunk. One afternoon, I suggested we try the bar below the main pool with wooden swings suspended by thick ropes past the swim up bar. The bar area is shaded and the beach is only steps away. We had recently eaten. My husband and I both had on designer sunglasses. My husband had on his Apple watch and had his iPhone with him, which he carried in his hand, so of course he set it on the bar. I had on several gold necklaces, bracelets and rings. I am short, so my husband had to assist me getting on my swing before pulling himself up on his swing. Staying on these swings takes some real coordination. We ordered a drink and then another couple sat down next to us and started a conversation. The woman was from Columbia, but they claimed to live in the US. We ordered our second drinks and half way through drinking them, my husband noticed he felt weird and he was slurring his words during his conversation with the other husband. He said to me "Let's get out of here" and we went to the beach for some air. I made it about 2 feet, before I fell flat on my face in the sand. I enjoy beach vacations, but I am not a fan of having 1 grain of sand on me! I was covered in sand from head to toe. It was dusk by the time my husband could get me to stand back up to go back to our room!! I continued to be totally out of it for the rest of the night. Needless to say, we never went down to that bar ever again.
August 7, 2017
Name: Zach
I recently visited Playa Del Carmen. I was with my friend and I caught the bartender trying to slip something into our drinks at a bar. I believe it was near Coco Bongo. The bartender was in on the scam with a local couple that we had met about an hour beforehand. They work in teams, and I believe they intended on robbing us after they tried to drug us. Even though I was fairly intoxicated I could tell something was fishy, so I kept a close eye on the bartender. Everyone needs to watch bartenders closely when they make their drinks. And do not take drinks from strangers. Thanks, Zach
August 7, 2017
Name: Jim
I wanted to comment that I am convinced I was drugged in Feb 2010 at the Iberostar Pariaso Del Mar. It was our 2nd day at the resort. About 3 pm in the afternoon following moderate drinking with my wife, I found myself face down in the pool and helpless to get up. It took my wife and another man to get me up and out of the pool. I would have drowned without their help. Out of the pool, I could not walk without my wife's assistance. For the next 20 hrs, I was in a sickened state in bed and could not function. After that I was OK. We did not go to the management.
August 4, 2017
Name: jennifer
September 2014, my boyfriend and i went to Cancun. That very day, we started having drinks and by that night my borfirend hit me and then was later raped by 5 Arab men there across the yard from where our villa was. I'll never forget the local security detaining him and raping him. He is forever messed up and we are no longer together. They filmed this. And it was at the RIU grande peninsula resort. We were taken extreme advantage of. It was sickening. I truly believe all alcohol there is laced with some other drugs.
August 3, 2017
Name: Terry
I too was found dead in Cancun Mexico at the bottom of a pool March 21, 2015. It was my first full day at the 5 star resort and as a tequila drinker for 30 plus years I had just downed a shot of tequila prior to drowning.. I was shocked and very sadden to read about the loss of life! Perhaps this sheds light on my death experience and could explain what happened to my 2 brothers as well who were vacationing with me at the time. I was told back in Canada I must of had a sudden heart attack and without warning or pain I was killed instantly while swimming. Strange this that I'm a very strong swimmer, a power swimmer so much so when after death I met the 2 American paramedics who arrived on the scene that brought life back to this body, they had told me earlier that day they were joking calling me aqua-man. Strange too is both my 2 brothers have always claimed they were drugged !! They were playing a sport on the lawn and became suddenly ill, stoned and had to go to their rooms. They were incapacitated and at the time thought was perhaps somehow fertilizer used on the lawn got into their system. I'm a strong guy and literally checked out of the hospital intensive care unit about 16 hours after I had drowned dead for excessive of 5 minutes. That alone was a $14k invoice. It took me 2 months to recover and get my balance back. I'm still dealing with the effects today. Warm regards
August 2, 2017
Name: Meredith
I went to Cancun in May of 2016 then to Cozumel in August of 2016. In Cancun my mom and I stayed at the Marriott Cancun Resort. We have stayed in Cancun over 5 times and this time was strange. Maybe because I was more aware, but upon arrival I was ready to take a shot and get my vacay started. My dad had just passed away and my mom were getting away to reset and distress. I went to the bar that was located on the beach, underneath the balcony of the pool. I took a "tequila" shot... I told them whichever tequila. I remember I was instantly sick. Like, almost fainting. I told my mom I felt TERRIBLE and I had to go to the bathroom. Luckily, located right next to the bar. I've never felt so ill from a shot. It definitely had to been tainted. I don't know if I was "drugged" but i decided to not drink anymore for a few hrs. I'm a heavy drinker but for some reason I didn't drink much at this resort. It felt strange... and my mom and I slept ALOT. Went to bed at like 8 the first night. Which is strange. We also had a maid knock only once and just come right in. Luckily we had the door locked! and we told her we did not ask for cleaning that we already had someone clean our room. It was a very odd time of night. I feel like now, she was hoping we weren't in there, and was coming in as fast as possible. Thank goodness for the lock! --Also, when in Cozumel, I used an ATM that was in the downtown area where all the shops are and the ferry. When I was back in the US I had fraud multiple times the rest of the year! Never use ATMS... My boyfriend is Mexican and Spanish is his first language. IT was our first trip together. We rented a car, and I feel that we are incredibly lucky that nothing happened to us driving the island everyday. We did make it a point to be home before dark everyday! We stayed in an Air BNB and bought our own alcohol.
August 2, 2017
Name: Lauren
My then boyfriend and I went to Cancun in November of 2008. We have eerily similar stories to most people. We were drinking at bar outside, bar tender made special drink, some type of tequila, I believe. It started to rain and we were walking up to the hotel. That is the last thing we both remember. Woke up hours later vomiting into the toilet while on the bathroom floor. This is the only time in my life that I have ever blacked out. No idea to this day what actually happened or how we got back to our room. My question is- have you noticed anyone else who has similar stories also have severe health problems after? I personally began to have symptoms of follicular lymphoma a month later and my ex boyfriend said he has some weird health problems over the years. Wonder if it's connected or what actually happened that day.
August 1, 2017
Name: Zack
My wife and I stayed at Grand Oasis Cancun in November, 2014. Everything went fairly well except this one event that we feel we dodged a bullet!! I am a 25 year police officer in USA. I am in great shape, muscular, and intimidating and I take no bullshit from anyone. I give off that vibe. Anyway we were on the VIP beach lounges, and these 2 waiters working together kept bringing my wife "special drinks". My wife is not a big drinker due to a medical condition so she politely accepted and took a baby sip, told them how great it was, then when they weren't looking she would dump the drinks. I hated the Dos Equis Amber draft they served there as the only beer, so I had gone across the street from the resort to a store and stocked up on Corona Light in cans, and drank those exclusively the whole time. It began to rain at the VIP beach so we went up to our room. We were of course conscious and watching TV when there was a knock at the door. Before we could say "who is it" a young kid maybe 20, Mexican (duh), about 5'6" came barging in the room. I immediately jumped up and squared off with him and bellowed "WTF do you want!!" (I am a cop and have PTSD so no, not a nice guy when you surprise me). The kid made a lame excuse about the minibar and opened and closed our fridge and left. Pretty sure he was told we were F'ed up from drinks on the VIP beach and my wife would be ripe for the picking...WRONG. We are NOT going back to Mexico. Let Trump build that wall and keep the separation!!!
July 31, 2017
Name: Patrick
My girlfriend and I stayed at Secrets Maroma beach last July. After reading the articles about the young man who died I somehow came across this site. I read many comments and I realized that we too had been drugged. It was our first day there and at check in we were given a welcome margarita, it wasn't too long after that when we went to our room and passed out until 7 am the next morning, having no recollection of what happened. We never made it to dinner on our first night of vacation,. The first thing we joked when we woke up was "I think that we were drugged" Well after reading these comments, I have no doubt that that is exactly what happened. Thankfully we were not assaulted or robbed that we know of but neither one of us will ever be returning to Mexico. It's just not worth it.
July 29, 2017
Name: bill
65 yr old wife broken leg ! Surgery = 13 pins and a plate in her leg . Demanded cash of 22 k @ hospital - Driven in cab 30 miles . Was in hospital 3 days . We have a Mexican lawyer but not hopeful.
July 28, 2017
Name: Nic
Here is our story of what happened to my husband and I in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico January 5th 2016. We were traveling with a large group as this was an incentive trip for top sales at my husbands company he worked for at the time. Each year we did these trips, this was our second year going to a Mexican destination. My husbands company had done 3 of these trips and each time they worked with a travel agent through Apple (i believe) and stayed at Riu resorts. The prior year we went to Cancun and stayed at the newest of the Riu's at that time The Riu Palace Peninsula. As the property was newer, the place was like something out of a dream, beautiful, clean, and a very warm and welcoming staff. Our group spent each day at the swim up bar and there were zero incidences, sickness or crimes within our group and nothing else we had heard of during our stay. It was an amazing trip! When we then found out we were going to Cabo we were pumped and anticipating another fantastic vacation. We couldn't have been more wrong. We arrived to our hotel in Cabo, the Riu Sante Fe. I remember walking in the lobby looking around and all of us thinking we were being punked. The place was nothing like the Riu we had been at the year prior and for those with us that went on the first ever trip and stayed in a Riu in Jamaica they were in shock. It was dirty looking, the staff was rude and wanted nothing to do with us and shuttled us immediately to our travel agents rep, to begin our informational meeting. When our group was given our rooms we were all scattered around the resort which typically we go in a group and stay in similar areas. The rooms for each of us were to be king size bed suites with ocean views. My husband and I found our room, walked in and were speechless. It was horrible. There were two double or full sized beds not one queen. The room was dingy and stale and nothing like what we expected vs our last trip. Our Ocean view was an alley way with a sand hill and if you stuck your neck out and looked to the left you could see a part of the Ocean. Almost all of us had the wrong type of rooms, or issues with their rooms and we all met back down in the lobby. The staff was annoyed by us and repeatedly refused to move us into king suites claiming they were all taken and we would just have to deal with what we had. The only solution they offered us was that they would come in and push our beds together and put a styrofoam pad on top so our beds would stay pushed together. Also, they were adamant that we did indeed have ocean views as your could see the ocean from our balcony. It took them forever to come and fix our beds. My husband is 6'7" and his feet hung off the bed all week and it was horribly uncomfortable. We left our vacation with back problems and much, much more we didn't want to take home as souvenirs. We arrived late on the 4th and all decided to meet down at one of the 3 or 4 swim up bars on the property as soon as it opened the next day. We stopped and had breakfast which was so bad i could only manage a bagel and fruit as everything else just looked and tasted bad. Now I do have to mention that as we are from Wisconsin we are seasoned drinkers who know how to last through day drinking in the sun. I will also add that we both grew up on the water, have much experience with drinking out on the water and in the sun and how to do it without getting sick and or getting hurt. On that note we brought our own mugs with covers, the big thermal ones and had decided to stick with beer. I did notice at some point during the day my cover went missing for my cup. We spent the day with our group, heading back to our rooms a couple times to get more waters or grab a snack etc. We remember everything that happened that day until we both blacked out within about a minute or two of each other. We were with a large group as I said and as the group that we are with are all in sales, a very social group at that. My husband and I and our group encountered many different people that day chatting up with some more than others. I try to think if anyone stuck out to me as creepy or may have had cruel intentions etc but I just cant pinpoint one person. I had no concept of time that day but as we were with others they filled us in on our time line. I remember all of a sudden feeling weird and thought I should go sit down on the chair with our towels on it, and get out of the water. As I walked to the pool stairs, my legs just stopped working and I started swimming. I made it to the pool stairs, I grabbed the railing and I pulled myself up the railing with my arms somehow making it out of the pool. I remember not just stumbling to my chair but completely weaving, I guess you would call it and arriving at my chair. I remember seeing the tree in front of me and watching it turn black. That is the last thing I remember until much later in the night. When I blacked out I fell forward. Our chairs were along a line of bushes with Palm trees every four feet or so. My face hit the palm tree and I fell into the bushes out cold. My husband told me that right before I went to leave the pool that I got really mad at him and was starting to yell and visibly agitated. He was confused as we were laughing having fun and then I just switched. He thought maybe I was joking with him as nothing had happened to warrant my change in mood. He watched me closely as I left the pool. He saw me have trouble getting out of the pool and then saw me fall. My husband and a few of our friends rushed out of the water to come help me. When my husband climbed out of the pool, he too went down. Two of the biggest guys with us had to drape an arm around each of them and drag him to our room as his legs wouldn't work. I had someone else in our group holding me up and helping back. At the time we were being taken back to our room, I was informed that both my husband and I were saying things out of character and everyone assumed we were just loaded and didn't think twice. There were many comments from our friends that we both were totally with it and having fun joking around with everyone and then we both just went down. After getting us to our room, another couple who happened to be the only ones with a room by ours stayed with us in the room to make sure we both were in bed and then they left. We were both in our swimsuits in bed passed out and he shut and made sure the door was locked behind him. What happened after he left us there is something we will never really know, we can guess about forever but here is what we do know. My husband and I were alone in our room for about 2 hours. I recall being in and out of a state of conscieness where it was almost like a dream but I knew it wasn't. I couldn't see anything just black but I heard people talking even laughing at one point, definitely a woman's voice what seemed to be right next to me. I remember thinking, is that in our room or outside? After that, (around the 2 hour mark) the next thing either of us remembers is I am standing over him next to his side of the bed, he was laying face down naked..above the covers. I have no idea if I had clothes on or not but he was naked. I was filled with rage and he woke to me screaming at him like a crazy person accusing him of "f***ing" the Canadian chick. He got up and was staring at me with a confused look on his face and I proceeded to scream horrible things at him over and over screaming about the Canadian woman or women. I was violent and proceeded to flip a glass top table in our room which shattered and sliced my husbands legs and feet up. Now, again, I have had my times where I have been over-served and have done stupid things but one thing anyone who knows me will tell you I have never and will never be a mean drunk. I have never started a fight due to drinking or otherwise. I have definitely NEVER flipped a table or have done damage to property or a person. After I flipped the table, I ran out of our room and have no idea where I went or how long I was gone. My husband was still naked when I ran out of the room and he threw clothes on and came after me but I was no where to be found. He ran across the hotel to find our group in the dining hall eating dinner. I had been screaming that I wanted a divorce and wanted to get home to my children that I was leaving Cabo. (Another side note, my husband and I are happy. We don't threaten each other with divorce, ever). My husband remembers everything that happened after he woke to me screaming. He and our friends searched for me and one of our friends took my husband back to our room to see if I had made it back. My husband was disoriented, not drunk, not hungover just in this fog and scared shitless as I was missing and out of my mind. Here is what I remember. I was curled up in a corridor with every few feet or so there was a cutaway of the wall and i was sitting hugging my knees tucked into one of these. I remember a security guard being right there asking if I needed help. The next thing I remember I was back in our room, and my husband and our friend Ryan walked through the door. Ryan approached me very carefully while my husband who looked like he had seen a ghost waited by the door. Ryan was talking softly and approaching me cautiously, how you doing? Everything okay, we are all really worried about you. You gave us quite a scare. You should really stay here tonight and see how you feel in the morning, don't try to leave Cabo tonight. My husband was sobbing. After Ryan was done saying these things I responded with something like �What are you talking about?? Leaving Cabo, are you nuts?� Also, I was so confused as to why everyone was looking for me when I was clearly in our room. I remember them walking through the door but I don't remember anything else until we woke the next morning. I got up first and saw our room, it was trashed, glass and blood everywhere� I was so confused and scared and I was sore and hurting. I went into the bathroom and looked in the mirror and saw my face. I had a black eye, cuts under my eye, and all over my body. My right ear was full of crusted blood and my earrings were missing from that side as well. I felt disoriented and like I was in a fog or a daze�. My husband woke up and remembered everything after I woke him by standing over him screaming. He filled me in on the table flipping, what I saying and doing and that I ran off in the night by myself and scared the living shit out of him. He, unlike me remembers some things vaguely of our walk back to the room, getting to our room but no after our friends left us in the room until he woke later to me. memory from when he went down at the pool until I woke him in our room. He lost 3 ish hours and I lost 5 or 6. We sat in our room ashamed scared to tell the hotel about our table, again we were on a company trip. We had housekeeping come and told them that my husband tripped over the table in the night as he had bad cuts on his legs and feet. We made our way down to breakfast to find our friends and find out what the hell happened. We first found our closest friends and they proceeded to tell us about what happened at the pool and about taking us to our room. I was told by them that I owed another couple on our trip an apology right away esp. the wife who from what I later found out was ready to beat me up that night.. WHAT? What did I do or say? Well, on that walk from the pool to our hotel room where both myself and my husband were literally being dragged by our group I, was screaming that I was going to �f**** her husband tonight and was yelling it loudly , in front of my husband too but he had no idea what was going on he was half passed out. I have no idea why I would have said that, I don't know them like I know many others on that trip , he was newer to the company and not one bit attractive to me AT ALL. Now, on top of everything else, I have to go apologize to this woman who I didn't know well and thought this was me and my typical behavior and wanted to punch me. I was so confused by all of it. Also, after talking to our group we kept hearing this �we don�t know what happened to you two, one minute you were having fun, carrying on conversation and all of a sudden you both just went down�.The instant I woke up I just knew something horrible had happened to us in our room but no way to prove it. What was I going to do? EVERYONE thought we had just drank too much and I believed it at that time but was so confused. We drank beer, we have pictures of us in the pool moments before we both passed out and we both look normal, not even in a drunk state where either of us would be close to passing out. Everyone including my husband was like honey, you're day drinking in the Cabo sun and it kicked your butt. The thing is, I am no rookie to day drinking in sun and water and know with beer I'm fine. We drank water bottles throughout the day to stay hydrated� it just didn�t make sense. My husband and I left the resort that day to be alone, we were hurt, confused, tired, mortified. We took a water taxi into town and shopped and were completely melancholy and almost lifeless all day. I did not want to go back to that resort. When we did get back our room was cleaned, new table, it looked as if nothing had occurred at all. What I thought was strange was I broke an expensive piece of furniture and they never flinched or said we would be charged for it, it seemed very routine for them and I just thought that was weird, also with all the blood in our room no one asked if we were okay, checked with us, it was just weird. The earrings I had in that day were my diamond stud earrings from my husband, small little diamond studs, nothing showy or noticeable, but we decided to go to the tree and bushes where I fell to see if the earring was there. When we got there you could tell, barely, but you could tell where I had landed in the bushes. I got down on my hands and knees and looked for the diamond under the bushes. We did not find and diamond but at the same time my husband and I saw that within and inch ONE INCH of where I fell, there was a 2 foot tall thin metal pipe with a sharp top to it (most likely for the sprinkler system). In that moment I started sobbing as the reality hit me that I could have fallen and been impaled and not made it home to my kids! The rest of the trip was awful. We barely drank, we hid from the group, mostly because of how embarrassing this whole ordeal was as we are not a couple who fights in public or causes drama. I was awarded the �trophy� that year by my husbands boss as the biggest drunk of the trip. I was again mortified�all the while knowing in the back of my head and in my gut something worse had happened to us but again, who would believe me and would people think I was just trying to cover up being as �drunk� as they all assumed me to be. About two days after this had happened to us, another couple with our group had a very scary incident happen to them that is worth sharing. They were about to enter their room and a hotel employee, security guard I believe, ran up to them and was frantic and asking them to help, that there was a girl who needed medical assistance. He was frantic and pulling them away. They went with him and he led them to the girl who was on the ground with foam coming out of her mouth. They were pulled away from their room long enough that when they had gotten back their safe was open and all their jewelry, cash and other items stored were gone. Nothing else was touched only the safe. They ran back to where the girl had been and their was no trace of anyone and neither the girl or the security guard were spotted again. They went to file a report and had to fight to even get the incident documented were discounted and told nothing would be done for them. Too bad so sad basically. Finally on our last night my husband and I wanted to try to have one nice, romantic evening together and we dressed up went to dinner and stopped for a nightcap in the disco on the resort property. I had one frozen drink of some sort and my husband had two. We had an early morning and flight and went to bed shortly after we finished the drinks. I awoke around 5 am to the worst stomach cramps of my life, screaming out in agony and curled up on the bed unable to move. My husband helped me to the bathroom and I got sick over and over again. Both ends violently. By this time my husband started to get woozy as well but could function better than I. We had to travel back to the US that morning and I didn�t even know if I could dress myself, but there was no way I was staying in Cabo or at that resort another minute! On our travels that day I got sick countless times, on the planes, in the airports and on our drive home� it was the worst travel experience of my life. Both me and my husband were hospitalized upon returning home for one day with fluids being pumped into our system as we were both severely dehydrated and were told we had ecoli poisoning. Great way to end a nightmare of a trip. I don�t know if we did have ecoli, but my gut tells me we were again drugged or that time it was the tainted alcohol you keep hearing about. All in all, the resort, its staff and the whole experience was disgusting. I would never go back and will never go back to any all inclusive in Mexico. Period. After being home I ended up giving my sister the full disclosure of what had happened to us that day. She is and RN and looked at me halfway through my story and said �Nic, your guys were drugged�. It sent chills up my spine until that moment the thought hadn't crossed my mind, honestly. I was confused as to how Shane and I would both go down within a minute of each other and for many other reasons but being drugged was not on my radar at all. She explained before i even got into the other half of the story (i was just telling her about what happened at the pool when we both went down) exactly how a �date rape� drug works, the effects it has on you�there are variances and in that moment I knew she was right. We had been drugged. It hit me harder, as I'm 5�5� and 180 lbs and my husband is 6�7� and 300 lbs. I told her the rest of my story and she and I both were convinced that is exactly what happened. My husband didn't want to believe it at first. When I would tell him i heard people talking in our room and couldn't wake to see who it was, he told me it was most likely people outside our balcony or our room. I knew that wasn't it but again, who would have been in our room. Why was my husband butt naked above the covers of our bed and I had clothes on (I did have clothes on when my husband woke, he verified it as I couldn't remember) and WHY was I screaming at him about having sex with a Canadian? He kept assuring me that there were many Canadians in the pool that day, mostly women and I was just drunk and confused�well after the realization we were drugged he figured I was dreaming about him cheating on me as he was convinced no one had been in the room with us. Then the stories started to come out from others who had way too similar of experiences that we knew I was most likely correct. This was happening, it had happened to us and we were just shocked. I found this website and read others stories and talked to a local woman who had just been interviewed and in the news for a story very similar to ours. I am today convinced my gut was right and we were not alone in that room for those 2 hours. Something bad did happen to us and also that we will never know the truth. We are both healthy today thank God and made it safely back to the US and will never be visiting Mexico again.
July 28, 2017
Name: Billy
I've always wondered what happened to me while my wife and I were on our Honeymoon back in 2003 in Puerto Vallarta until seeing the recent reports about tainted alcohol. We were at the resorts outside bar for a few drinks for a quiet and relaxing evening. We had just met another couple sitting next to us which were also on their honeymoon. A few drinks in I told my wife I would be right back to use the restroom and walked away from the bar and that was the last thing I remember. My wife explained to me that she became worried after I hadn't returned for a while so she thought I just went back to the room for some reason. The other couple walked her back to our room to find a front door wide open and I was passed out on the bathroom floor. Nothing was taken or destroyed and didn't make sense. That day is the only day in my entire life that I have no recollection of what I had done.
July 27, 2017
Name: Jason Jackson
My wife and I went to Iberostar Del Mar Playa Paraiso in March of this year with another couple and we think this happened to us as well. We literally don't remember one of the days we were at the resort. We all woke up the next morning at the resort and all questioned what happened. We checked and nothing was stolen, but we knew something had to be in the drinks. When I just read the article about this resort having a death by drowning and then reading about tainted alcohol, it all made sense.
July 27, 2017
Name: Kathleen
Reading through these articles has brought tears to my eyes and a lot of emotions. On April 10, 2012 my husband died at a resort in Riviera Maya. At the resort there was a cliff jump into a pool. My husband jumped off the cliff as everyone else was doing and fractured his skull and drowned. I do not know exactly what really happened because the autopsy was very different in Mexico from the United States. I'll never forget how the resort made me feel. They never apologized and couldn't even look me in the eye. They had his body up on the cliff for hours while people vacationed below. They even opened up the cliff jump the next day while I was still there. After I left Mexico with my husband's body, they never once contacted me to apologize and send their condolences. I had to deal with the death of my husband and they just went on like nothing happened. Mexico is a disgusting & dirty country.
July 27, 2017
Name: Melva
Please post: I'm writing this in hopes that the personal observations I have made in my trip to Cancun (Playa de Carme) at Pricess Platinum Resorts may be able to help some of your citizens and my fellow travelers. On Tuesday April 18, 2017, at the Princess Yucat�n Platinum where I was a resident, I met with a young woman from Montreal and her companion, a male who resides in Toronto of Egyptian descent and spoke with them at length. They were set to return to Canada the following day and had been at Chich�n Itz� the previos day and we're very sunned and dehydrated. Whilst seated at the bar, I observed the bartender continuously bring them tequila and lines and was present when they both fell ill and requested that the hotel staff do something, which unfortunately, they refused to do and insisted that I pay $50 USD in cash, up front if I wished to have her see a medic. because I am fluent in Spanish, I further explained that I was a medic in the US military and could tell she was in need of medical attention. The staff merely wanted to wheel her to her room in her unconscious state and refused my pleas for help. They insisted that her "husband" could care for her, but he was no where around, as he had gone to vomit himself and was also incoherent. Though I insisted they would not allow me to attend to her and ultimately, since I would not depart from the hallway outside of their hotel room, I was arrested and then carted off, sans shoes nor clothing to the local Police station. At no time did they alert the US consulate that I had been detained and deprived of my liberty. Both Canadians were young, in their 20s and unable to speak for themselves in their inebriated state. I am appalled at the inaction of the hotel representatives and extremely concerned for the wellbeing of my fellow travelers. Please feel free to contact me, should you require additional details and information regarding this disturbing occurrence.
July 26, 2017
Name: Cate
Our wonderful family vacation was ruined by what we thought was excess drinking by our son when now we realize he ingested unregulated alcohol or was drugged. Our son arrived on Sunday and had no other alcohol but tequila shots on Monday. He blacked out and vomited uncontrollably for hours that turned into the next day. We sought medical care from Iberosar Par Del Mar multiple times to no avail. Finally they sent him to the hospital on Wednesday. The hospital did not want our health insurance card but our credit card. The cab that took him to the hospital waited for him and demanded $160 in cab fare. His treatment in Mexico was subpar but he seemed recover. His recovery was short lived and he flew back to the US and was hospitalized again with some serious issues. After multiple tests and medication, he did recover. We notified our credit card of the situation as well as our health insurance. Fortunately, his hospital stay in Mexico was covered. The Mexican hospital was very difficult to deal with but, they eventually gave in. Between the poor medical care provided by Iberostar, the hospital and the cab company, we would not be surprised if they aren't in cahoots with each other. By the grace of God, our son was able to recover. He was lucky to say the least. Our entire family drank alcohol but our one son almost suffered permanent damage due to poor quality alcohol or drugging. Please, let's find a way to stop this! No one's love one should be harmed while on vacation.
July 26, 2017
Name: Karen
In 1997 at a 5 star resort all inclusive in Cancun - Royal islander through Time share Interval International after arriving 2 hours prior, my husband became disoriented, sluggish, confused and appeared to be having an allergic reaction to something. This is a long story where I did sue the Resort and nothing became of it. My husband was in icu and probably due to the benedryl I forced down his throat is why he is alive today. It's a horror story I'd like to share!
July 26, 2017
Name: Patty
My son was on spring break in Cancun and he and his friend were getting ready to head to the airport. The bartender said have a drink before you leave. He became very ill, so ill that he could not get on the plane. They made his frat brothers go back to the US without him and took him to a hotel until the next day. He said there was something in his drink for sure.
July 26, 2017
Name: Molly
My girlfriends & I stayed @ Barcelo Huatulco years ago. While at the swim up bar we noticed our friend "Jane" was getting chummy with a Mexican couple. Before we know it she's trying to leave with them. We were sober, only sipping cocktails. She was extremely belligerent and cussing at us that she WAS leaving. We caused a huge scene and screamed for security. We pretty forcefully carried her to our room, burrito wrapped her in the bedspread, and left her on the floor for hours. When she finally awoke she had NO idea what had happened. As far as we know she only had one shot with them. I will never, ever go to Mexico again. Thank you for this site and sharing your story. I will share it!!
July 26, 2017
Name: CK
I had no idea of the amount of drugging/illegal alcohol use in Mexico. I've always known about the crime and felt safe enough to travel to Cancun/Playa del Carmen year after year. About 2 years ago I was at the GR Solaris with my boyfriend, we had traveled all day so he was tired so I decided to stay at the lobby bar while he went to the room to relax. I ended up having a few drinks with some people I had met earlier in the day. I woke up on a bench outside, I have no memory of how I got there and my phone and other belongings were stolen. When I came to (at 5am in the morning), I ran to the front desk in a panic and they were unwilling to help me and they said I passed out from drinking too much. I know for a fact that I had not had that much drink, but we did have a shot of tequila and some beer. I told them my phone and other belongings had been taken and I thought I was drugged, they insisted that I drank too much. I went to the room to find my boyfriend, he asked where I had been and I was embarrassed to tell him, they had me questioning myself if I really did pass out from drinking. I wish I had known how common this was at the resorts, I would have never stayed out without him by my side. I found the bartenders that had previously served me the night before, they all giggled and said they didn't know what happened to me or my things, I made them all show me their phones to makes sure they didn't have mine (by that time it was probably long gone anyway). I found some of the people I was with that night the next day and they all said I was fine the night before, had told them I was going to the bathroom but I never came back. I then went to the front desk again and asked for camera footage and was denied, said there was no cameras at the bar or in the lobby, which is hard to believe. This was the first day of a 9 day trip, so I was onguard the remainder of the trip, my heart goes out to those that were hurt or assaulted. I think it's safe to say that I most likely will not be traveling to Mexico any more.
July 26, 2017
Name: Tina
I was in Cancun for the second time when my son graduated in 2008. It was even worse being there at that time. They are so dishonest at the resorts charged our group large sums of money claiming we broke things in our rooms, which we didnt, and for room calls. They claimed I owed them $700 at checkout. One of the nightclubs offered free marijuana in the restrooms and the taxi cab driver offered us cocaine or marijuana for a price. My son was very sick from whatever he was served but was ok. We were repeated ripped off. Im so sorry for the people that lost loved ones there. I will never go back and would advise anyone to do the same. Its definitely not a place to bring your children.
July 26, 2017
Name: Susanne
In February, 2015, I blacked out and fell, breaking my collarbone, a toe, and badly bruising my knee, after having drinks on the dance floor at a Jamaican resort. My husband and I are convinced that someone put something in my drink(s). My husband (we'd been married 21 years at the time) said he'd never seen me act like that, and we found out hours later that another woman from our group was wandering the property at 4 a.m., not knowing where she was. We reported the incident to the manager who apologized but no other action was taken. I will suffer from issues with my shoulder, forever, and am working on recovering from social anxiety following this incident. I just want people to know that this dangerous situation is happening in places other than Mexico, and people need to be hyper-vigilant. Thank you.
July 25, 2017
Name: Delila
My husband was over served and I found him dead in the morning. I was not with him that evening and security called me to help get him up to the room in a wheelchair. I know his head had blood on it. When I woke in the morning he was blue and obviously been dead for awhile.
July 25, 2017
Name: Todd
After reading reports of tainted liquor and bartenders in mexico possibly drugging people I have a story from our vacation that i would w like to share with you and your readers. the story starts out with me and my wife searching online to find the best of the best all-inclusive resorts with nice accommodations, beautiful beach, good food. We both agree with the resort El dorado Maroma in Playa del Carmen, we choose the 7 night package for 2 at the tune of $5000 for the stay, needless to say we had high hopes at that price. We arrive at the resort in march 2017 and after getting settled in we decided to go to one of the swim up bars on site and get our vacation started off with a few drinks to relax from a hectic day of travel. after having 3 or 4 drinks i noticed my wife started acting intoxicated and becoming somewhat agitated, i never suspected anything was wrong at this point except for my wife mentioning that her drinks tasted bitter. I never really kept track of the time but it couldn't have been more than 20 to 30 minutes latter when my wife and her attitude became unbearable, along with her seeming super drunk, I became somewhat embarrassed of the situation, because a few people were starting to notice her behavior,so i left and went back to the room which had a balcony that overlooked the swim up bar and tried to keep an eye on her while at the same time wondering what i could have done to cause her being somewhat hostile towards me. while viewing her from the balcony she started floating on her back in the pool, this went on for so long that a person on the edge of the pool nearby tried to get her attention to no avail and then he turned to his buddy and said " Hey there's a dead girl in the pool" they laughed and went on. I still didn't know what was going on and didn't want to be embarrassed in public anymore so i called the front desk and told them i couldn't find my wife and asked them to find and bring her to the room.several minutes latter i recieved a call that they had located her but they needed me to come down to the bar area. When i arrived to the bar area, my wife had a bear hug on a tree and wouldn't let go,she was awake but not responding to me or anyone else talking to her ,after a couple of minutes i was able to free her arms from the tree and started walking with her back to our room when i was stopped by a person working for El dorado Maroma, i believe a concierge, and they said if this kept up they would call the police .With most people being afraid to be involved with the police in mexico .i went along with the concierge,which was a woman, when she suggested putting my wife in room 205 till possibly morning. at this point they made me feel like i was the problem and that my wife was afraid to be around me.It was maybe an hour or so after i had returned to my room by myself that i recieved another call that they needed my help in room 205 where they had placed my wife. I walked into room 205 to see my wife completely naked and very distraught on the bathroom floor, i couldn't understand what had happened, so i dressed her and together we went back to our room. The next morning my wife had no recollection of anything after the first 2 or 3 drinks at the swimup bar the previous day. We still to this day don't know if my wife was served bootleg liquor or drugged and sexually assaulted that night . I feel like a naive person to let something like this happen to someone i love but until i saw your website i thought the expensive all-inclusive resorts were safe
July 25, 2017
Name: Pamela
In November of 2010, I was wrapping up a two week stay, in Nuevo Mazatlan, MX...Pacific coast. The resort is rated as a 5 star; and, I had stayed there a few times previously. While my friends and I did venture out to restaurants, outside of the resort, most of my meals and drinks were consumed at the resort! The resort has a US water filtration system; and, while not 100% foolproof, better than many resorts! The day before I was due to return to the US (after two weeks) my friend and I had a "2 for 1 Happy Hour" peach margarita. When I took a drink, the taste was awful....the peach flavor was barely there. My friend said her drink was OK. I attributed the awful taste to the tequila...as I don't normally drink margaritas. I drank maybe 1/3 (at most) and gave up trying to acquire the awful taste. Within, an hour or so, I had to return to my room as my stomach was churning. Once, in my room...I thought lying down would help...wrong!! I became "sick as a dog" The vomiting and diarrhea that I had was non-stop. My friend stopped in to see how I was and called for the resort doctor. She came and gave me a shot and instructions to help stave off dehydration...during this time, as I headed to the bathroom....and fainted! The doctor told me that fainting was dangerous and took me to the clinic. I was kept there, overnight...with an IV...and was checked upon by the staff. Because I was in no condition to fly back to the US, I had to extend my room reservation (yes, I was charged - the resort knew I was sick and reduced the rate by about $30) Fortunately the airline did not charge me for the plane change. Many have told me that the ice was the culprit in my drink....the ice could not have melted enough to have caused the taste to be so bad....I have always felt that I had bad booze...reading some of the awful and deadly experiences many have had....I really am convinced my drink was the cause of my sudden onset illness. I know that I am fortunate to have had a relatively mild experience....but, the doctor did remark that fainting is a sign of dehydration and can cause heart issues! So, I have always counted myself as very lucky...another time or person may not have been so lucky! I wanted to share my experience since it seems like the majority of the stories related come from the Cancun and Cozumel area. The problems are all over. Thanks for the space to share my story.
July 25, 2017
Name: Miranda
Since finding your site a few months ago, I contemplated messaging you with my experience in Mexico as I wasn't sure if it was a case of drinking in the sun or something else. But after reading other peoples experiences, I am certain mine was a similar case.
I was vacationing in Riviera Maya at Grand Bahia Principe last fall when my boyfriend and I met a group of people that we were hanging out with by the pool. Everyone was drinking beers and enjoying themselves when (as I was told), one of them found me passed out, outside of the bathroom on the ground. I don't remember getting there, I don't remember how long I was out for, I don't even remember my boyfriend and the people we met, bringing me back to the room. The last thing I recall was wading in the pool with everyone, having a good time.
I am quite certain that I was drugged as my boyfriend said he brought me back to the hotel room and I was out cold for 7 hours, only waking up at 11:45pm to use the washroom.
During this trip, we were also in need of my bf to see a doctor as when he was swimming, he hurt his arm but after being told that it would be $200 USD just to see him, we decided against it.
We are quite lucky that our occurrences did not turn out deadly and my heart goes out to those that didn't have the same outcome.
July 25, 2017
Name: Matt
We have just returned from a trip to an all inclusive resort in Mexico, it was the Iberostar Perisio Del Mar in Riviera Maya. My wife and I were there with our two sons who are seventeen and nineteen. On our second night into the trip we left the beach at 4:00 p.m. to head back to our rooms to get ready for dinner. Our 19 year old said he was going to the pool for a little then would go back to the room to get ready. He was away from us for two hours. When he didn't return my wife and other son went to look for him and found him in the swim up bar pool and he appeared to be extremely drunk. On the other hand, the people he was with were not at all intoxicated in the slightest. They told my wife he can stay, just leave him. She had him get out of the pool and walked him back to the room. At first we chalked it up to nineteen and inexperienced at drinking. But as the next few hours went by we quickly realized that this was something possibly more. We contemplated ta king him to the hospital, but decided on sitting watch by his side all through the night instead, with the understanding that if things worsened we could always take him to the hospital. My son arrived back at the room at 6:00 pm and passed out almost immediately. A couple of hours later he began to throw up with his family at his side making sure he did not choke. At 3:00 am he woke up and tried to move around which was almost impossible due to him not being able to stand on his own very well, plus he was very combative which is not his normal self. We managed to get him back into bed, and he woke up at 6:00 am confused. At that time it seemed to have passed. At this time my son was able to communicate and had absolutely no recollection of the night before. After questioning him more he told us that he remembers around 5:00 p.m. a few people he had just met at the bar asked if he wanted to try a drink which included three separate parts. One being tequila, the second he wasn't sure of, and the third was tomato juice. After the third drink he could only remember a minute or two then said he woke up remembering nothing in between. He said it was like he just blinked. We are not na�ve parents and knew he was going to drink because of the legal age being 18 but the timing and being in that state for 12 hours didn't add up. One thing is that we had only left him at the pool for a short time, and he was completely fine when we left him. When we got him back to the room we also notice that his pupils were extremely dilated which we thought was strange. One other thing that raised concern was that the bartender and others were commenting on how expensive his camera looked to them. We did not think much more of it at the time until we got home and the news started to break about the resorts in Mexico with the alcohol. Now we firmly believe that my son was a victim, and that we were extremely lucky to have gone back to the pool when we did to get him. Please be aware if you plan on going to any of these resorts in Mexico!
July 25, 2017
Name: Sadie
I was in Cancun December 2016 as I didn't lose a family member I was def scared out of my mind. I found this site after I had booked but went any ways. But I was more prepared than before. I had my 3 young kids with us. We booked thru a popular . Com and when we arrived to our 5 star resort they would not honor the rate that was contracted. They told me I had to pay them $1,000. More a night. I frantically called who we booked thru and they talked to the resort management and they said too bad. Management stared us down and in a Scary way there was scary security staring us down near the entrance. The .com was trying to find me a different place to stay after faxing and pleading with them the rate they accepted from them and signed off on but the resort wouldn't let us leave or honor the price. It was late 3 kids but Now since I was pleading and crying and trying to hide my anger at times cuz of your site reading the horror stories I was now forced into paying them $2k for the night. So we stayed still forced to pay $2k for one night and I was on the phone the whole night trying to find a new place for in the morning plus I was freaking out. We did not eat or drink. Called my cc company bank account cards the whole Tammany loved ones at home. the next morning we went to leave and they said I owed an additional $600 dollars after begging and pleading and crying the management would not budge he just stared at me again I was like I don't have it please just let us leave security showed at the entrance again and I didn't said fine get me the hell out of here after paying I did not sign any of the hotel charge slips or the cc slips. 2.5 hours later they let up on making us miserable crying and held ransom. Yep 2.5 hours of going to the back coming back to the desk to talk to me then disappearing then no one knew what was going on . I did not yell or be rude.... I tried to be firm but I couldn't at times hold back my tears.... they were doing everything to extort us and intimidate us. The . Com compensated my entire stay from that resort and paid for my 6 days at our new resort. Apologized completely. There are no rules and to be honest the resorts can do what they want. They can be cruel and horrific and I will tell u if it wasn't for this site and these warnings I wouldn't of been prepared. I honestly didn't think it would happen to us but it did, but because I read these stories I did what I could to protect us from what could of. Because of this site I made sure my husband and I both had separate cc on us money in 2 separate bank accounts 2 separate debit cards, and my oldest son had an emergency card on him. We were able to enjoy our vacation and treated well at the next resort but I will tell u we proceeded very cautiously the next 7 days.
July 24, 2017
Name: Janet
After reading everyones stories I feel lucky that, even though I was violated a couple of times while living in Playa del Carmen, I feel very lucky that I just lost the property I bought & didn't loose my life! What I did loose was my 5 star residential resort house I was building just south of Playa...I couldn't figure out why no one was contacting me when I put it up for sale...after 4 real estate companies, & my own sign I finally printed I found out the developer had his employees steal all the For Sale signs!! Consequently I have lost a lot of $ and just walked away. They take your $ but NEVER let you get it back is what I experienced. This not only happened to me but all the other private owners they had sold a lot to. Their response is that they have that right!? I never want to go back to a greedy unsafe country.
July 24, 2017
Name: Anonymous
I was wondering if you all were involved with helping report this type of crime. I had a recent incident at the swim up bar "blue" at the Riviera Maya Excellence happen to me. I didn't know what it was, I thought it was my fault for drinking (I only had 3 drinks) but I blacked out. Luckily my bf was with me and didn't drink much (and is a big guy). He said I was asking to go to the hospital, crying, and in pain. I have never had that reaction and now I'm reading about others at swim up bars. I really want to help raise awareness.
July 24, 2017
Name: Lily
My husband and I went to Cancun- Isla Mujerres Feb 2017. I witnessed ( more than once) the ' seething hatred' of workers in the tourist trade/ grocery store workers etc. Btw- I am no snob or racist - In fact, I am visibly Italian. ( not that this should bear on anything) ((((Wake up people!))) YES, these folks HATE your guts! I met one older man who said he was an ' christo evangelisto' ( Christian Evangelical) He actually was genuine and kind. One only, folks..The smiles and pleasantries are to get your tip only. When will you realize this reality and visit- (support) the Hawaiian Isles instead? How about Canada in the summer time? Your dollar is strong there as well.
THINK - Adios Mexico!
July 24, 2017
Name: Greg
July 4th 2005 we went to mexico cruze. I bought alcohol off the street market,,and drank all of it next 3 days. came home and was in the hospital 20 days later, congestive heart failure. my doctor said alcohol poising.Today july 24th is my 12 anniversary, never drank again.
July 24, 2017
Name: Tony
Although my experience in Cancun is minor compared to some of these poor people, I would like to share my nightmare while in Cancun, Mexico. My wife and I planned our honeymoon in a place where we thought was safe and could get some sun and swim in the ocean. I had bought my wife a rather expensive diamond bracelet for a wedding present and she had other expensive jewelry. To be safe, we stored her jewelry, my watch, and cash in the hotel safety deposit box which was in a little room next to the front desk. Every day I would go down to get some cash. To get into the box my key and the hotel master key was needed. I knew exactly the physical location and the box number. A few days went by with no problems; I would go down and give my key to the hotel staff member and they would use their key and open the box. When I was done I would close the box and lock it with my key and theirs. One day I went down and gave him my key and he went to a different box. He opened the box and it was empty. I told him it was the wrong box. He said it wasn�t and said to look at the number on my key. I didn�t notice the previous day that when he gave me my key back that it wasn�t the right key!! After some arguing and me pointing to my box, I asked to see management. I explained everything and the manager said I had the key and this my box. After more arguing and threatening to call the police, which probably would do no good, the manager went and got a �master key� and opened the box I said was mine and there was all my money and jewelry. I had to describe the contents to verify the contents were mine. Shame on me for not checking the key number when he handed it back to me. The guy made a quick switch of keys. I�m not saying all of Mexico is corrupt but a large portion of it is. You have a country where the average wage is well below the poverty level and perhaps these hotel employees are getting desperate after seeing tourists living a life they could never have. Tourists beware when traveling to Mexico�By the way, my wife also got violently ill after a meal there. My days of a Mexican vacation are, unfortunately, over. Cancun area can be a wonderful place for a vacation.
July 24, 2017
Name: Kerry
Wanted to tell our story of our 18 year old sons injury and situation from this march. He was drugged or given tainted alcohol we searched the resort and my husband found him and his underage friend also out of it he became crazy and punched a window severing 5 tendons and was bleeding to death with the resort desk saying sorry and hanging up on us. A American nurse heard the commotion and helped up get him to the lobby and there an American doctor jumped in and demanded they take him by ambulance to the same hospiten hospital that keeps being referenced they demanded 4K cash or he could keep bleeding as far as they were concerned. They stitched him up after we paid up and left the next day. Mexico is beyond unsafe.
July 24, 2017
Name: Kristi
The same incident happened with me and my boyfriend back in 2015 when we was staying in Cancun as well I had a 2 drinks blacked out in the pool woke the next morning remembering nothing. We were also robbed of our passports and wallets during that time. We were also told there were no security cameras as well. You're more than welcome to contact me with you would like further details thank you
July 24, 2017
Name: Debbie Pefanis
I wanted to add to the horror stories about the Mexican Police. My brother-in-law was held for ransom at Cancun after he flew in on his company jet for their annual corporate meetings. This was the 10th year, and their crooked police found 1 SPENT shotgun shell in his golf bag that his 20 yr old son had thrown in. They immediately took him to jail. Fortunately, or unfortunately my BIL was the CEO of the oil company and was able pay-bribe- the police to get a private cell. And he had to arrange to pay for a security guard. They held him for this minor offense, until he paid $35K in ransom! My hair dresser and her husband rented a car in Cabo San Lucas and was stopped by the police for running a stop sign. They were on a highway. At gun point, the officer told them they could pay the ticket of $200, or go to jail. They paid the extortionist and returned the rental right then.
July 24, 2017
Name: Juli
Thank you so much for sharing all of these stories. In April of 2015 we went to the Riu Santa Fe in Cabo at the recommendation of several friends. My daughter and I were in the pool and my husband went to get us drinks. I had one drink and was passed out cold. I barely remember getting out of the pool and the next thing I remember was my husband trying to wake me up to go up to the room. He had already taken our daughter, who was also passed out after two drinks. For the next three days all I wanted to do was sleep. My daughter thought we had been drugged. My husband thought that the drinks he got were really intended for our daughter and her friend. In any case, I have vowed never to go back to that resort. And have told many people of our experience. To feel so helpless is the worst feeling.
July 24, 2017
Name: Regina
My husband and I went to San Jose del Cabo in March, 2017. We stayed at The Hyatt Zivas resort. During our stay, I drank the same alcohol drinks everyday. Last day there, after a few drinks by the pool, I woke up with my head down on an outdoor table, alone, with a man sitting across from me. He commented, with a worried look, that he was wondering if I was okay. I have no idea how long I was there, how I got there and I was embarrassed and just sat there, too afraid to get up in front of him. I was clearly intoxicated and eventually got the nerve to walk back to my room. I told my husband something was wrong and felt like I was drugged. I was very sick, vomiting violently for the next hour. I know something was wrong with my drinks. How do you report something like this when you know you would be looked at like you just drank too much. I shared story with my friend when I got home. She informed me the same had happened to her on a visit to Mexico. She's too became so drunk her husband had to carry her to room. The only thing that was different about my drink ordering was where and how I ordered. On this particular day, I ordered from waiter at the adult pool bar. Normally, I went to bar and got our drinks myself and observed them pouring drinks. Something is definitely not right and will never go back to Mexico.
July 24, 2017
Name: Kathy and Jeff
We went through a similar experience at the Cancun Iberastar. My wife was interviewed by the Milwaukee Sentinal. Google Kathy Daley and you can watch the story. We will do whatever we can to help. We are from Cedar Rapids Iowa. Why is the State Dept. not issuing a warning and why does the U.S. Embassy in Mexico not get involved?
July 24, 2017
Name: John
We got sick after drinking and eating in P.V. Mexico last Jan. Spent week in hospital in Mexico then more in Portland, Or. then 5 months in care centers in Portland and The Dalles, Or.
July 24, 2017
Name: Teresa
This happened to me and a young lady we had with us for our vacation. We also stayed at an Iberostar resort in Cozumel. We were both drinking at the pool bar and both passed out within minutes of each other. Both were transported by ambulance to a local hospital and my husband was told to bring cash. This scares me to think that we were not alone in this experience. I want to help get the word out. Please let me know what I can do to help.
July 24, 2017
Name: Guy
I think it back in 2005 or so when my wife and I went on a week vacation to Mexico. We had never been there before and was excited to go there. My wife had made arrangements with a 5 star Hotel at the Marival in Nuevo Vallarta with the agreement of listening to a spiel about buying their condos. After arriving there we had noticed that our room was way back in a dark hallway by the tennis courts and we asked for another room in which they gave us. Did not know that it was right above where they had a outdoor band setup because their regular place for music was being rebuilt. So our very first night we had a selection of 5 restaurants and decided to go for Mexican and we ordered two margaritas. My wife only had one and I had two and finished dinner and it was only around 7:00 Pm and we decided to go back to the room and fresh in up before going out that evening. We did not know what happened to us but we woke up on the bed completely clothed at around 2:30 AM and very sick and foggy headed and could not move or wanted to. We continued in this state for days and was not able to get up but to use the restroom. After 2 or 3 days of this we ordered crackers and 7up from room service. After the 3rd day of this I started seeing blue and purple flashes and my wife and I went to the front desk to ask for a hotel doctor which they told us where to go. After seeing what this doctor wanted money wise to look at us we decided not to proceed and went back to our room. By the 4th day we started trying to walk and get out a bit but I could only walk 30 yards and had to sit down as I was continuing to see flashes of colors and had a hard time breathing. We did tell the front desk that we had been very sick and while all this was going on the load music right outside our window was so load we could not even talk to each other and played every night until 2:00 AM. Finally the last 2days they gave us a much better room but had a attitude with us. I continued to see flashes of colors and felt bad for weeks after when we returned home. I have never been back and do not ever see us going.
July 24, 2017
Name: Steven
I went to Puerto Vallarta a few years ago. We stayed at one of the biggest resorts there. We didn't have much of an issue with drinks, etc. but the prices for massages and other services were more than here in the U.S. I had taken a good amount of cash with me so that I wouldn't have to use my credit card. I only used my credit card at ONE place, the Hertz Rent-a-car, and after I returned to the States, I had charges from a liquor store and a clothing store on my card. DO NOT USE A CREDIT CARD IN MEXICO!!!
July 24, 2017
Name: Betty
My husband and I took our 10 year old grandson on his first trip abroad. We went to Cancun in June 2017. My grandson and I came back with severe e-coli. I was medicated to relieve the pain.
July 23, 2017
Name: Dayan
Hi, I saw the article and I experienced something very similar in 2010.
I went to Cozumel on a cruise and while walking on the strip shops there was this shop where two guys were selling jewelry. Me and my friend went in and they offered "free gifts" which were cheap ankle jewelry. Soon after they offered "free drinks" and it was on a tequila bottle. Now, I never take anything from strangers but since my friend took it I was like whatever--I took one shot. We left the shop. After 3-5 minutes we started feeling funny. Numb feelings on hands, legs, around the face. I have never done drugs but my friend had and she told me that was a drugged drink. We walked to the nearby Mc Donalds, got waters, drank water real fast and induced vomit. I felt better after throwing up. I made sure I puked all of it until there was nothing left. It was a really weird experience. Thankfully we both made it out of Cozumel on time to catch the boat. If we hadn't puke I dont know what would had happened. Hope this helps somehow.
July 23, 2017
Name: Phil
For many years I've known there was a problem in Mexico with alcohol in drinks. I went to Mexico many years ago as a high school student with a church group. One particular day our tour went way long and we ran out of water. For a few hours we had nothing to drink, except a couple who drank the water and paid the price! We finally came across a stand serving lemonade. We were all so excited. I was one of the last to get mine and I was becoming suspicious that the drinks might be alcoholic because of kids were acting. I ordered one for me and my sister making sure that I told him no alcohol. I watched him closely but he hid the drinks for just a minute. Sure enough, as I drank mine, I could tell there was quite a lot of alcohol in my drink. Mind, no one in the group, except the leaders, were out of high school. Yet every one was served lemonade with alcohol.
July 23, 2017
Name: Jennifer
My husband and I just came back from secrets aura in Cozumel Mexico and we both noticed that something was very wrong with our drinks. They tasted wrong like they were using some watered down 'house' alcohol. We noticed that they save the empty bottles. And figured they filled them with something different. Scary and so sad.
July 23, 2017
Name: Jasmine Ruth
My heart goes out to you all. We just left Cabo San Lucas and had a fantastic time, with no issues thank goodness, however I wanted to comment on something I saw while there was a general disregard for human life or just care for life. We were at Breathless and I noticed a man passed out on the beach. It was very very hot out, he was face down, probably drunk but people were just walking by him. At first I thought he was just taking a nap, but after swimming in the pool for bout an hour I noticed he had not moved, still laying in the hot Cabo sun. I told two separate security guards who refused to do anything. I got the feeling that they wanted nothing to do with helping or checking on this man, because then they would be involved or have to help. We sat eating dinner with the man in our view, finally I urged my boyfriend to go check on him and offer him water. He responded but told my boyfriend away and confined to lay there. I keep thinking about it and how the resort staff was downright inhumane. Someone drunk, laying in the hot hot sun dehydrating for hours, heat stroke, etc. After reading all these stories, it's horrible, they treat people like stray dogs. I'm surprised to keep up tourism the police or security don't go more but it make me wonder if some of it is cultural.... "mind your own business." I think the best lesson that can go out to travelers is to not only watch out for yourself, but take care of your neighbors, if you see something, say something and if you need to, make a stink until someone responds.... you may save a life!
July 23, 2017
Name: Deidre
My brother was involved in a horrific accident in July 2014 at LeBalnc (All inclusive) resort in Cancun. He fell 4 stories - no explanation. We thought he may have been targeted and drugged. ONLY by the grace of GOD, he lived. These stories hit so close to home as a family member. I will NEVER go to Mexico ever again.
July 22, 2017
Name: Olivia
I just want to thank you for setting up this website. Me and my boyfriend vacationed at Grand Oasis Cancun, April 2017. We were drugged, robbed, and I believe I was assaulted. The stories coming from this website have allowed me to feel like I'm not crazy. It really helps to know that you're not alone. Thank you.
July 22, 2017
Name: Kim P
My husband and I stayed at the Royalton Hideaway May 2017. On our 5 th day of our vacation while at the pool bar our waiter brought us tequila shots. I have no recollection of events after drinking the tequila. I woke up about 6 hours later in our room feeling perfectly fine. My husband proceeded to tell me I passed out in the pool and was pulled out by hotel staff, placed in a wheelchair and brought back to our room. All he could remember was being afraid they were going to take me somewhere and he had to force them out of our room. He remembered I then became hysterical and was screaming at the top of my lungs. We both woke up around midnight, me with no memory of events and him with only bits and pieces. We suspected we had been drugged but after stumbling onto this article, we are convinced we were. We consider ourselves lucky because it could have had a tragic ending.
July 22, 2017
Name: Nancy
My two fifteen year old beautiful girls were lured away from our five star , guarded hotel by two Hispanic guys pretending to be hotel guests. They were taken to a nightclub off premise without my knowledge. When hours had go by with no assistance from the hotel I stood on a chair in the middle of the lobby and addressed everyone in the room and told them I needed help and that the girls were missing and I wouldn't shut up until a team of armed guards went looking for them. They found them within an hour....I don't believe I would have ever seen those girls again if I had not made a huge scene in the lobby.
July 22, 2017
Name: Beverly
My husband also died suddenly in a pool that was no more than 4 feet deep and he was not drinking he was found dead in the pool.
July 22, 2017
Name: Diane Lionberger
I think it has been happening for a long time. In 2006 my husband and I and friends were on a cruise. We got off the ship in Cabo San Lucus and eventually had lunch on the beach at a beach restaurant. My friends husband and I are large and our spouses are normal size. My friends husband and I had the same chicken dish and right after eating we both started feeling really funny. My friend realized something was not right and they got us back to the ship really fast and we were very sick the rest of the day. Our spouses never got sick. It was not food poisoning, it was some sort of drug! And none of us drink so it was not in a drink, it was in our food!! Maybe what saved us is our size. People need to be aware of where they get their food as well as drinks Very scary to think what could have happened!
July 22, 2017
Name: Allison
A couple of years ago, my husband and I stayed at the Grand Solmar resort lands end in Cabo. We were at the pool bar for happy hour. I had 2 margaritas and Jell-O shots were brought out. My husband and I each had one. Shortly after, I remember leaving the pool and trying to get back to my room. I had to lean against the wall because I could barely stand. My husband found me lying in our bathroom. I had been sick. I have no recollection of how I got in my room. Nothing was taken. My husband had a similar experience. He left shortly after I did and was violently ill before he even got back to the room. He had some lapses of memory. We both had the 2 margaritas and a Jell-O shot. After reading these stories, I feel very lucky. It could have been much worse. I don't know if we were slipped something in the shots or bad alcohol.
July 22, 2017
Name: Anonymous
Reading all these stories has brought so many memories that have confirmed a fear we had. My boyfriend and I went to Live Aqua on June 2016. I decided to go to Live Aqua because it is known for great service and a luxury resort. I thought I would be safe there. It was our third day at the resort and around one we decided to move to the small swim up bar pool because the main pool's water was super hot. I ordered a mixed frozen drink and my boyfriend was drinking beer which they poured from a tab into a plastic cup. Im not a big drinker and usually my drinks melt so I usually just drink half of it and I think that's what saved me because I would go to the actual bar and watch my drink being made. We were swimming and the bartender just brought my husband a third beer without asking for it when he wasn't even done with the beer he had in his hand but the bartender didn't bring me anything. I thought that's great service but at the same time I thought it was odd he didn't bring me a refill. About 20-30 minutes later my boyfriend was acting real strange like he was upset/mad which was weird. He didn't look drunk but I thought maybe he was which I knew was impossible from 3 beers. I finally convinced him to go to the room to have him lay down and sleep it off. On our walk back to the room I kept thinking how strange he was acting that it wasn't him. When we arrive to the room the scariest thing of my life happened. He starting hitting me for no reason. Punches to my face were first and I blocked some with my hands. I tried to run to the restroom to lock myself but he grabbed me by the hair and hit my head against the wall. He dragged me to the bed and kept hitting me. I finally made a run to the restroom and locked myself. From the restroom I could see out in the room so I watched as he just layed in bed and fell asleep. I stayed in the bathroom because I was terrified to come out. I had bruises all over my arms, a broken finger, a black eye, bruises on my face. I couldn't believe what had just halppened and I couldn't explain why. I ended up falling asleep on the bathroom floor because I remember my body being in so much pain and my head felt as it was throbbing. I woke up when I heard a knock in the restroom and he was asking me if I was okay. He sounded normal. He was very concerned and very sweet. I opened the door with so much fear but to my surprise he was shocked that I had bruises. He said he didn't remember anything after the drink. He didn't remember us walking to the room or that he hit me. He said he felt weird as if he was drugged. He said he knew his body and that 3 beers would not get him drunk and also the feeling he had now was not a feeling of alcohol. He said he felt as if he was drugged and he kept telling me. I was in defense and didn't believe him. He told me he would never hurt me and he was deeply sorry and couldn't believe he had done that. We stayed in the room that day and the following day as I didn't feel well. He stayed with me and took care of me. I wasn't afraid of him but I just couldn't believe he didn't remember anything. We went down 2 days later down to the pool and beach area and he only ordered a sealed can of beer and I would get my drink myself but it felt very strange being there. We talked about that day and to try and put pieces together but all he can remember is taking that drink and that was it. We even left his belonging at the pool which was still there the next day. We don't understand the reason behind it. Why would it be just him and not both of us? We played that day back over and I can tell you he was not drunk. He was acting just really really strange and now I wonder if I wouldn't have brought him up to the room what else could've happened. As I read the comments I read a story of a similar story as mine from Mag. I couldn't believe it. My boyfriend was right he was drugged. I just thought that didn't happens in a 5 star resort when you are paying a lot of money to be "safe n the resort". That day has changed my life forever.
July 22, 2017
Name: Charlette
After reading all these articles it all seems clear now... I am a victim too. My experience happened at the Hard Rock in Cancun on March 1,2017. I thought I got a little to reckless on spring break the first week of March 2017 and was sent home from my resort less than 24hrs after arriving. Something about this trip didn't feel right to me the moment I woke up at my CT home to get ready for the airport. I had anxiety about flying alone so I made sure to prepare properly by eating a well rounded breakfast at the airport and went about my flying with no alcoholic beverages. When I arrived in mexico I had a time of finding my prepaid shuttle and wouldn't settle for any of the creepy cab drivers as I am a 23 year old white female alone in Cancun at this point. I finally find my shuttle and make it to the resort. Hotel security already had their eye out for me the moment I got there because my plane came in late and my friends at the resort were starting to panic wondering where I was alerting the staff to watch for me. Once I arrived all my friends went to the dinner the resort had set up for us while I ran to get dressed and settled in my room. After that I proceeded to the roof top dinner where I had a couple drinks maybe 3 at most that the bartender was calling "Slime" we were all getting "Slimed" on spring break. My friends and I thought it was great and never thought twice about it. From dinner we went back to our rooms for a little to hang out and then later went to the bar. I did one shot with all my friends and my best friend can vouche that I was not drunk and was actually playing the mom of the group passing out capped bottled waters to my friends and carrying around 2 for myself. So if I was so hydrated how could I possibly black out? Well from there we went to the "Club" which there were minimal people, and I only had one drink in this area the whole night while we danced and sweat all the previous alcohol out of our system. I went back to my room with my room mate my best friend tucked me in and they both left the room again. This is where everything falls apart. I do not recall getting back out of bed, I don't know how I ended up outside my room, I was wearing no pants, no underwear, nothing but a small tank top. When I came to I was being approached my 2 male security guards yelling at me to come down stairs with them, they refused to get me a towel to cover myself with. They finally brought me down to the guest counter where I still did not understand how this was all happening The gentleman gave me a room key and sent me back to my room. When I woke up in the morning I was called down my hotel management to tell me I had 30 mins to get my belongs and get off their property or they would call the police. They charged me a $200 fee and did not refund my weeks stay, also forcing me to purchase a new flight home with no where to stay. They offered me little explanation as to why I was being kicked out. They said I woke other guests by knocking on their doors late at night. The only thought I have is I was knocking on doors seeking help from whoever was removing my clothing while I was blacked out in the hallway. I've had my fair share of times being blacked out drunk in the USA and I've never had this kind of feeling or expereince. They made me feel ashamed when I didn't know what to be ashamed for. Something didn't sit right with me given all of this, to top it off on my way home I found traces of blood in my underwear as if something more had happened to me that I didn't know about. I was too afraid to investigate it further for fear of what I may have found out. I guess as unfortunate as it is for all of us, I'm happy to know I'm not alone. That night will always bother me because I will never know the true extent of what happened in my life that night.
July 21, 2017
Name: Joshua
I was raped in playa del carmen in May while getting a massage at a world-class resort. I was sedated, but woke up during it. the practitioner then restrained me and administered another inhalent to knock me out and continue
July 21, 2017
Name: Allison
My husband and I were drugged in Cabo San Lucas in 2015, and I almost died.
July 21, 2017
Name: Tammy
Similar incident that happened to me . It's like I blacked out . I stil don't remember to this day.
July 21, 2017
Name: Nancy M
I was drugged at the Hideaway @Royalton Riviera Cancun the last day of our trip. My husband & I ordered a gin & tonic from the bartender at the the check out center. I was handed my drink by the bartender. We were given black & white twisted paper straws. I thought it was odd as we had plastic straws all week, but we both had the same straws so I really didn't anything together. I took 1 sip of that drink which had a salty taste to it, and I have no memory of the next 4 hours of my life. Don't remember seeing other Miley members, having conversations with people, going to lunch, being transported to the airport, going through customs or checking in at the airline counter. I woke up in the airport, 10 minutes before our flight was to board and thought I had just taken a nap, didn't feel sick, no headache, nothing. My husband sensed something was off and kept me close, but did say I left the check in line to use the restroom. I don't know how I found a bathroom as I have no recollection of any of it. After we got back to our home I started to piece together the day, and realized there was something very wrong. I can't tell how thankful I am to have been one of the " lucky" ones who only blacked out for 4 hours, my heart goes out to the families who have suffered the loss of a loved one. God Bless. I will tell everyone I know not to travel to Mexico. You think you are safe on property, but are you really?
July 21, 2017
Name: Brad M
After reading the article on USA Today, I thought I'd visit and share my experience(s) with Mexico. My first unpleasant experience in Mexico was in Cancun circa 1999 when our rental car was broken into at the Cancun Wal-Mart/Sams Club parking lot. They took everything in there, including my father�s day bag that had all of our travel papers and info. We lost our plane tickets and passports in addition to a bunch of personal property like cameras, CDs, music players, clothing. In order to get our passport back we had to go hours away to a police station that would type up letters explaining what had happened (which is supposedly what the US consulate needed). They hand-typed 7 identical documents for every person on a 1960's typewriter (didn't even have a photo copier) and charged us for each sheet they had to type. My second experience was more awful. We were basically robbed by a police lieutenant on our way to the airport. We had been pulled over for the first time a few days before the second time for "speeding" but I was not really speeding and I in fact had a radar detector in my car to attempt to avoid the extortion attempts, which didn't work because they don't actually run your speed (I wasn't speeding either time anyway). So having been extorted once already and foolishly paying the motorcycle police officer (they hold your license ransom) approx. $40, we were pulled over again. I knew it was a shake-down when they were being really sketchy about being stopped across from a big hotel, so they ordered us down the street, more out of view. I made the mistake of mentioning that we were on the way to the airport, to which they took full advantage. They demanded payment after taking my license and ordered me out of the car. I told them that I had to American cash on me (which was true), and that I only had pesos, which amounted to about $12-$15. This was of course not good enough, and that it was going to cost me several hundred dollars. At about this point my wife exited our rental car in tears, pleading with them that we had a plane to catch and to take what I offered and/or let us go. So in desperation, I figured that I had something valuable that he would want so I offered my watch, which was an atomic Citizen chronograph that retails at about $850 (I paid much less but pretty much got it at cost). The evil cop was asking me it was as nice as a Fossil watch. Lucky for me, he took the offer and didn�t notice that I had scratched the glass on it, so I took a bit of comfort in knowing, even though he was an idiot, he would have thought HE was taken by getting a scratched watch. He gave me my license back and him and his partner (there were two cops this time) smirked as they went back. I told him, probably foolishly, that this kind of thing makes people not want to come here ever. I have since vowed that I will NEVER go back to Mexico and will always go out of my way to not let them get another dollar from me, which includes purchasing products made in Mexico.
I have since learned that the right way to handle something like this is to just tell them to give you the ticket. As long as you have time to go down to the police station, which would be the norm, to pay the measly fine (and look it up if you can), that the fines are usually about $10-$20 (given of course that they don�t rob you at the police station). Another thing to do is make copies of your license and try to give them a photocopy at first or tell them your license is at the hotel �you think,� and if they start getting crazy about you not having it on you, only then brandish the real thing. Better yet� AVOID MEXICO! I�m not sorry to say the following, which has been my experience� There is a culture of corruption and dishonesty there.
July 21, 2017
Name: anonymous
My story while on a Spring Break trip this March in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, sounds very similar to other stories on this site. After reading through all of these I wish I had seen them before I went on this horrible trip. While staying at the Iberostar resort in Playa Del Carmen I believe I was drugged. Waking up in a random place with no recollection of anything or anyone around to help. This was not like being drunk, this was complete unconsciousness. I thank god every single day that I made it through that night alive. After seeing the story of the young woman who passed away at the Iberostar in January of this year I found this site and pray that these stories catch the attention of the whole world so people will stop traveling to this country, and the innocent lives lost deserve justice. It's crazy how her death happened in January, but it's just now reaching national headlines. I spent a week at the same resort in March and heard nothing of any incidents, not even from any fellow tourists. I'm so very saddened to see all of these stories.
July 20, 2017
Name: John
I just wanted to mention that I have been to Mexico several times, both as a youth and as an adult. I have been robbed, or my parents have been robbed on every single visit without exception. On my honeymoon my wife and I woke up to someone going through our suitcases in our locked hotel room. That was at Capitan Lafitte right around Playa del Carma, Cozumel, and Xcaret. Bottom line: we will never visit Mexico again. That was our last vacation. And that was in 1994. I hope these poor victims achieve the peace in heaven that was denied them on earth. May God have mercy on their souls.
July 20, 2017
Name: Colleen
My husband and I were on our honeymoon in Cancun in December 2016. We were offered the "special drink" and I wasn't particularly found of the taste so I did not drink mine. Less than 30 minutes later my husband was throwing up on the bathroom floor, incoherent. I was approached by "security guards" and told I may not be by his side in the men's bathroom and to come with them. We had been there 6 days and had not seen a security guard prior to that moment. I was being pulled away from my husband, when another guest at the hotel stepped in. At that moment I went into fight or flight and got us to the airport, not with ease. If you would like further details, please contact me.
July 20, 2017
Name: Jonathan B.
I was extorted 400 dollars by a mexican "landlord" who tried to start beating me like I was a plantation slave. He punched me in the face once, and I sent him to the hospital, but then his sleaze-bag lawyer said I had to pay his medical costs, which were clearly inflated. Then, coming back to the US, I was attacked by a gang of 6 aggressive panhandler thugs in Juarez. After that, I was attacked by homeland security border guards, who demanded docility, and who were angered when they found my concealed body armor. So I defended myself against them--a hispanic grand jury indicted me, and a hispanic El Paso judge made a felon out of me--all for going to mexico, because I fell in love with a girl. Now my life is ruined; can't go to medical school, can't cross the border, can't get a job. The mexicans are scum of the earth. I was almost killed by a mexican army thug with a machine gun at a corrupt interior checkpoint between Chihuahua city, and El Paso. He threat ened me. We were also pulled over, right outside of Juarez, by police who didn't have uniforms or badges, but who used their guns as badges. We were just supposed to automatically respect men in a car with guns. Fuck that run-down, dirt-bag country.
July 20, 2017
Name: Jennifer
While on our family vacation with our three daughters at Secrets Playa Mujeres in May 2016, one of my daughter's was drugged at the pool bar, taken to her room, and sexually assaulted. Her fiance walked in on the assault and caught the man red handed. The resort handled it well while we were in Mexico, especially after hearing about some of the stories on this site, but once we returned stateside, the resort and AM Resorts (the parent company) could have cared less. Until reading about other's experiences, we thought this was an isolated incident. It can happen to you, no matter if you're with your parents, or if you think you've done everything right. Thank you for this site and for bringing awareness to the dark side of traveling to Cancun.
July 20, 2017
Name: Mags
After reading the report on the young woman from Wisconsin dying this past January, and that her parents and brother suspect that both the young woman, Abbey, and her brother Andrew had been drugged, I came upon this website and decided it was time to share what happened to my husband and I just a little over a month ago in June of 2017. My husband and I decided to have a very small wedding and instead, take a fabulous and exotic trip for our honeymoon. We were married on June 10, 2017 and arrived at the Sandos Playacar all inclusive resort 2 days later on June 12, 2017. We had done an extensive amount of research on the area and different resorts...and ultimately decided on the Sandos Playacar because of its beautiful beach and also because it was located in the gated community of Playacar, just a hop away from Playa Del Carmen. The first day was heaven...we checked into our wonderful suite in our Hacienda...and then came the second day. We were tricked into an almost 3 hour long presentation, which we were told originally was just a "welcome breakfast" and a "tour of the resort". After that and A LOT of frustration, we went back to the room, changed, and debated on whether to go to the beach or the adults only section with the swim up bar. We decided on the swim up bar...and how I wish we could go back and just go straight to the beach. We arrived at the swim up bar and ordered two shots of tequila a piece and a beer. We drank our tequila and sipped on our beers as we started talking to a couple from Argentina. They seemed so nice and informed us that some friends of theirs, staying in the adults only section, had the safe in their room stolen. The safe that had both of their passports and all of their cash. All the while I noticed that the bartender at the swim up bar was eyeing me...smiling at me and I could not deny the instinctive feeling I got from him...which was creepy. Very creepy. As we were talking to the couple from Argentina, the bartender came up to my husband and I. He smiled and pointed at us and said enthusiastically-"You want another shot!" Being only the second day of our honeymoon...of course we wanted another shot! My husband and I drink our fair share and we both know our limits so I knew that another shot would be perfectly fine...but I ignored my gut instinct that I got from the bartender and accepted. It was both mine and my husbands first time out of the USA period and looking back I wish we would have been more aware. I remember the bartender going around the bar, and suddenly he was out of sight. I thought it was odd at the time, but shrugged it off and kept having a good time. He finally came back around with two tequila shots...he sat one in front of me and one in front of my husband...mine was in a different shot glass than my husbands and different from the shot glasses in which we had the previous 2. I remember noticing but shrugging it off and they sat there for a few minutes. I started talking to a woman from Texas who was sitting beside my husband to his left. I swam from his side to the right and to his left, and continued our conversation. A few minutes later, my husband and I took the 3rd tequila shot. I took the one meant for him and he took the one meant for me. Within 20 minutes, I noticed my husband acting very, very strangely. After about 25 minutes of his strange behaviour, I started feeling exhausted and fatigued from the sun and heat. I am of Irish descent and have not only very, very fair skin but also get sun poisoning and exhaustion from the sun very easily. I tried my hardest for 20 minutes to get my husband to come back to the suite with me. Normally, as soon as my husband knew I wasn't feeling well, he would do absolutely whatever he needed to to get me feeling comfortable and well again. He refused. After 20 minutes of trying, I finally got so frustrated and fed up I left by myself to go to our room. The whole walk to the room I was thinking to myself how bizarre my husband was acting and feeling bad that I left him...but I knew I needed to lie down. I got back to the room and fell asleep almost immediately. I awoke about 2 hours later to my husband entering the suite. He stood over me and yelled, "Why did you leave me there?!" I reminded him that I had tried my best to get him to come with me before I came to the room. He then, to my shock and horror, started beating me. This was not my husband. This was not the man I had been with for three years and loved with all of my heart. My husband, in his right state of mind, is the kindest, most gentle and sweet man I know. He hit me-I don't know how many times. At least twice on the face, then my arms came up in defense, taking most of the beating. At some point, he threw me off the bed and onto the hard tile floor. His hands went around my throat...choking me and I knew I was going to die. He squeezed and squeezed and all along, in my mind, I was thinking-"I am going to die. This is not my husband. What has happened?" My very life flashed before my eyes and suddenly I started losing consciousness...and then I found the will and strength to fight. I pushed him off of me for just a moment. Then he grabbed me by my hair and hit my head against the tile floor as hard as he could...twice. I bit his hand and it gave me just enough time and space to rear my legs back to my chest and kick. I kicked him as hard as I could and he went flying off of me. I ran out of the suite-naked except for the bathing suit bottoms I had on. As soon as I ran out of the suite I yelled help...and almost immediately, three security guards came rushing up the steps of the hacienda and into our suite. I ran to the back of the hacienda and jumped into the hot tub(after realizing my nakedness)-which every hacienda there has, along with a private pool. I was in absolute shock. I had never, in my 28 years, ever had anything like that happen to me.
A very kind security guard brought me a robe and questioned me about what happened. I told him that I knew, in my heart, that my husband had been drugged. I knew that he had not that much to drink when I left and he was acting bizarrely then. The man then told me to thank one of the other security guards-that he had saved my husband from drowning in the pool. (One of the reasons that the story of the young woman from Wisconsin chilled me so). I was escorted back into the suite and got some things and my husband was passed out cold. I had never seen him like that in 3 years and we have done a fair share of drinking in our time together. I was taken to another room. I eventually fell asleep and woke up before dawn. I decided to call the suite in which my husband was still asleep. He answered the phone and actually sounded like himself. As soon as he heard my voice, he said, with worry, "Where are you?! I woke up and didn't know how I got here and didn't know where you were and I have been scared to death!"(my cell had no service in Mexico and the wifi at the resort was terrible) I told him about what happened and he started sobbing and expressing not only how sorry he was but that the last thing he remembered was talking to the couple from Argentina. My husband came and got me and we went back to our suite. We were supposed to go on an excursion to Mayan ruins that day and had to postpone because of my injuries. I had a broken finger, a black eye...bruises all over my arms, legs and neck and two cracked ribs. And my husband was in a fog for days after. I know my husband was drugged...beyond a shadow of a doubt. I know that whatever he had been drugged with-which I feel confident was meant for me-caused a night of horror for us both...along with the days and weeks that followed. This was confirmed the day we left Mexico. As my husband was checking out of the resort, I decided to go to one of the "premium bars", for which we had exclusive passes(because we were staying in a suite in a hacienda). I ordered 2 mojitos...my husband and I had been very, very paranoid and cautious about what we drank after the incident at the swim up bar, but I decided to get a drink. as the bartender is making our drinks, a familiar looking man walks behind the bar. Asking strange questions such as "You go to the swim up bar?"...then says, "You are honeymooner! Oh yes. I remember you. Where is your husband?" he then laughed and once again I got an intuitive feeling that something wasn't right with this guy. The bartender gave me the mojitos and as I was walking back into the lobby it hit me. That was the bartender who served us at the swim up bar. I was mid sip when I realized and immediately spit it back out into the cup. I looked back towards the bar and the bartender from the swim up bar was staring and laughing at me. I felt so sick and preyed upon and vulnerable. My husband came rushing over from across the lobby and said, "That was the bartender. The one who drugged me and tried to drug you. He was staring in my direction." We both turned around and as soon as the slime ball realized we knew, he ran off and out of sight. A great deal of our honeymoon was ruined. More importantly-my husband and I both almost lost our lives. I feel lucky that we are both alive today. While my bruises and injuries have healed(though my finger that was broken and ribs that were cracked still hurt from time to time), my memory from that night is still with me. My husband still has no memory of that night-just my account of what happened. He didn't feel right for days after. And is still beating himself up for what happened on that horrible night. Anyone traveling to that area...be aware! Be vigilant! Predators are looking constantly for people whom they believe to be easy targets. This horrific experience has not discouraged me from travelling in the future...but it has made me feel more aware and wise. I just feel blessed to be alive and well today!
July 20, 2017
Name: James
I thought I had been drugged at a Cancun resort last year. I had been drinking and went to the bar, where they played "rap" music, with my Bose headphones(yes they really cancel noise) and had some more Tequila shots and beer while listening to my country/rock tunes. I asked the manager if he had any Willie Nelson when appeared to be annoyed at my headphones. I had another shot or two with my beer and went to my room. I had trouble getting out of bed the next day and told my wife that I felt drugged. I was a regular Tequila shots and beer drinker and had been to this same resort at least 5 times before. I was 60 years old. My wife now believes me after seeing this report(http://www.wfaa.com/news/health/resorts-in-mexico-suspected-of-drugging-tourists/458170922). Been to Mexico many times to different resorts, even remote fishing trips. Never a problem. I choose not to name the resort because there are people there I adore and don't believe they would wish any harm to me or my wife. Thanks for letting me share. I'll be watching closely what is poured into my glass.
July 20, 2017
Name: Michelle
I was vacationing in Cancun in 1995, the cab driver passed my hotel, The Cosa Maya and I jumped out of the Nissan Sentra at the second red light, why did he stop for a red light while kidnapping me? That was very dumb, but lucky for me.
July 14, 2017
Name: Texas
We were just in Mexico, on July 7th. We stayed at the Royal Play Del Carmen. I went to the swim up bar and retrieved a drink for myself and one for my wife. The last thing I remember was taking a sip of my drink. I then woke up with an I.V. in my arm with no ideal of what had happened to me. Thank god the other couple with us was in the medical field. I was drugged, and embarrassed once told how out of it I was. We had been to Mexico before and never had any issues, but this time was different. Many of these stories begin with meeting someone from another State or Country. Well mine is no different I met a man and women who stated they were from Australia. whats weird now that I attempt to rack my brain for other possible clues how this happened to me. I realized neither one of them spoke with an Australian accent either. That's really all I actually remember.
July 14, 2017
Name: Anonymous
I also have a story and with to remain anonymous. When I was a young woman in the early 90's, I used to go to Mexico frequently to have fun. During the course of my travels to Cancun, I made friends with people. One of them was a man named Juan Delfin, who used to work at the large, popular marina that gave tours to tourists. Long story short, we eventually got married. That's when the horror began. We moved to Playa del Carmen, and I was very aware of the police corruption, etc. My well behaved and loving fiance turned into a drug addicted, alcoholic playboy. He "went job hunting" in the morning, and came back stoned and with love bites on his neck. He became violent,breaking my nose with a closed punch, terrorizing me for money, stealing my things and selling them as well as robbing me,for money. I called the police, who were drunk and corrupt. One attempted to help, but was all hands as he drove me to our apartment, where Juan was threatening to kill my pets. The cop did threaten Juan badly that he was scared of being arrested. The police left, and he then threatened to kill me, drawing a knife. I moved into a friends place the next morning when he went out "looking for jobs" all day. I flew home to the US as soon as a flight was available. I was there for nearly a year, and had to save money in order to go home. In that time, I met other young foreign /US women who were being used and abused, cheated on and abandoned for weeks as their husbands and boyfriends went out "looking for money". I've heard endless stories of tactics used by bandits to rob tourists of money. There's many who hang out at airports, looking to be "of assistance". Some team up with taxi drivers, who are in with the police on certain scams. Fill the taxi full of tourists then the cop stops the taxi down the street. The "ticket" is expensive and the driver can't pay it, so he asks the passengers to all chip in to pay it. Scam. I saw cops just stop cars and ask for money for no reason..or threaten to give them a ticket. Anything not nailed outside people's homes and apartments was stolen, including cable tv, water, pets, whatever. Dogs were stolen and their owners paid ransom money to get them returned. Keep your purebred animals far from Mexico, or they WILL be stolen. In Puerto Vallarta, which I'd visited before meeting my ex-husband, had lots of pickpockets and thieves. Men were following me, eying my camera, so I jumped in a taxi and left. Kids will sell you Chicklets gum and others pick your pockets as you're distracted.. watch out going up into the mountains alone in a car. Hide jewelry, money, look poor. We were followed by police in a pickup truck, but having been warned, we looked poor so they left us alone. Twenty plus years later, I was reading Mexican newspapers on the web, and there was my ex-husband, busted for scamming/living off of women in Isla Mujeres. The police say he's a known drunk and womanizer, preying on women with his charm, good looks, offering to take them on snorkeling or sightseeing tours. I love Mexico, the good people are kind and hospitable, family-oriented and hard-working. The bad are evil to the core. Don't drive after dark, or you set yourself up to be robbed and/or killed (I saw news if this when there) by banditos. It's like the "wild west", in my opinion. Life doesn't mean anything, you can't trust police and emergency medical help is useless. I felt safe in the tourist areas, but made a point not to put myself in harms way. A woman was killed )after partying all night with two Mexican men on the beach) in a place I'd loved to go snorkeling, not far from the Blue Parrot bar, a remote part of beach back then. Most deaths don't even make the news. They don't want to scare away tourists, as their economy depends on them. I loved the nature and good people of this beautiful country, but don't go there anymore. If you go, be vigilant and stick to common tourist areas. Accept no drinks that you haven't ordered and seen made with your own wyes. Lock your room at night. Don't leave anything of value on the beach. If you do, they will be stolen, especially passports and cameras. I've seen the victims frantically look for their stuff.A new passport means a bus trip to Merida, to their US Consulate. Oh, one other thing..the US Consulate was no help at all to me in time of emergency. Uselrss. And, they don't interfere in the enforcement of laws of Mexico, I was told this by the consulate worker herself. So, you're pretty much on your own.
July 12, 2017
Name: jesse
I can relate to the original story where the brother and sister went for a swim and the female died and her brother survived his bump in the head while desending towards the bottom of the pool....about 20 yrs ago my wife and i went to a little beach hotel/bar/restaurant about 40 miles from san diego into mexico because my wife won a 2 night 3 day stay there. like the couple with their parents said; we checked in about 3 p.m. on a friday; quickly settled into our hotel room then decided to have a cold one at the bar.. we both had 1 and a half margarita glasses of their booze...they were tasty and cold but, within 20 mins. my wife went to the restroom and did not come out for awhile; so i went to investigate and she was almost pasted out on the toilet bowl with diareah and vastly drunk...i took her to the hotel room and she lay in bed for 24 hrs and could not eat and kept vomiting....my story is.....mexican bartenders always make margaritas many times stronger for gringos ...tourist....knowing that we basically have money to blow and they love to take advantage of us. you have to watch the prices of drinks also...my wife and i finally returned to san diego after she could only eat crackers from the restaurant....I am a mexican/american and my wife is white, so i speak spanish fluently so i always watch out to make sure no mexican from mexico tries to take advantage of gringos. bottomline is: if you have 5 shots or 5 margaritas in mexico at a bar....unless you are a lush....you will not be able to drive, swim, function, eat and if your tolerance for straight alcohol is low...you will surely dye in mexico or any latin country where this drink is pushed heavyly....so tourist, beware....we never went back to anypart of mexico again and now with all the crime, cartels....beheadings...forget it....
April 15, 2017
Name: CJ
My fiancee died September 17, 2015 under care of Riu Santa Fe, Cabo San Lucas doctor. He suffered shortness of breath due to sleep apnea. Dr. assumed it was heart attack, no oxygen mask was given, only CPR, paddles, then injected epinephrine into his thigh, 15 seconds later after injection my fiancee pulse stopped. Doctor refused to continue to resuscitate. On the medical report Doctor said my fiancee died of asphyxia followed by heart attack and that he had no pulse when he arrived to hotel room. He 100% lied !!! Autopsy Dr. told me his lung collapsed over his heart, caused asphyxia?? My loved one died on our engagement vacation, my soul mate. My best friend of 27 years. Nineteen months later, I have nightmares of that day he died and seen him cut up like a rag doll sewn bank together, then cremated, requested by his family from Poland. We are both Canadian citizens, of Ontario. I wish I could attach photo, but site does not have option. One day, we have so much fun, 10 hrs later, Tragedy, grieving. Please post to this website.
April 13, 2017
Name: Veronica
In Spring 2008, I was drugged and sexually assaulted by the bartender at the Riu Santa Fe in Cabos. My trip began at one resort for a girls' trip to celebrate a 40th birthday. I then moved to a different resort, taking advantage of a couple of spa days before my husband arrived for a special vow renewal. I actually carried a whistle with me and had introduced myself to security beforehand, naively thinking I was being wise. I made friends with 4 or 5 people from Canada and enjoyed drinks in the Sports Bar. I remember seeing double and thinking I have to leave here and go to my room. I left my barstool. There was a brief moment of lucidity when I somehow thought I was kissing my husband and then saw the bartender Caesar face. This happened in a bathroom stall of a restroom nearest the bar. I remember trying to fight him off (I had scratches on my hands and fingers) and I won't talk about the gory details of the aftermath pain of the assault. I vomited and was very ill and generally not well for more than 24 hours. I decided, however, that if I told my husband that he could end up in Mexican jail. I could never predict what he'd do, but did not want to worsen the situation. I had my annual GYN appt. within 4 weeks of the trip and informed my doctor while sobbing. She tested for diseases and encouraged me to tell my husband, which I did that day. I have always regretted that I did not act to report that man to save other women; but I do know I overall was in no shape to advocate for myself. Reading about the corrupt police though seems like it would've been futile. I STILL cry occasionally about it. When my daughters are old enough - they will be told so they can protect themselves. I now know that Mexico is the #1 maker of the date-rape drug rohypnol (sp?). Looking for more info about a local girl that died in Mexico recently is what brought me to this page. I am utterly nauseous reading all of these tragedies. My sympathy to all. I wish parents at the high school that allow these kids to go to Mexico would wisen up.
March 21, 2017
Name: Joh
I was recently in cancun and extorted by the police. yes it doesn't compare to the horror stories here but i just want to add that nobody should assume these are exaggerations. Cancun is a corrupt place and if you arent native you will be taken advantage of, or hurt or killed.
February 11, 2017
Name: Nancy
Hi there, I came across your site after witnessing a frightening death today on the beach. I was walking and saw a crowd of people in front of the Grand Oasis hotel. I thought they were playing a game, but I got closer and saw they were all standing around a dead body. He was 20-30 years old, had blood on his mouth, and was just laying out there in the open. I saw his girlfriend sobbing. It was so heartbreaking.
Police arrived later, put a sheet over his body, and that was the last I saw. I couldn't figure out what happened, and I can't find any stories about this online. But it was today (2/11 around 5PM). Since he was on the beach, I assume it was due to waves or rocks? I wish I could offer more details.
I'm so sorry for your loss, it seems like this is a pattern with that hotel
December 15. 2016
Name: Susanne
Just returned from my vacation to Cancun where I found myself in a gunshot at Cancuns party zone. Found your website and I think it might be interesting for you. Here's the only news I found on the internet. http://www.theyucatantimes.com/2016/11/cancun-hotel-zone-rocked-with-fatal-gunfire/ I was inside Mandala Night Club as the gunshot happend. Luckily I could hide there with other guests. After the shots there were many policemen and military, but nobody came in to ask if we were okay. Informed the travel agency the next day, but get no further information what had happend. Like "Don't ask, don't tell".
Greetings from Germany,
August 15, 2016
Name: cris
My name is Cris and my family and I stood at iberoster punta mita August of this year 2016. I was extremely sadden when an asian man in his 50's suddenly drowned and hotel staff denied it. It's quite disturbing that hotels do not mention how serious the waves can become. They do not always change their flag colors, and even if they do, new vacationers are not aware of this. I believe lifeguards should use binoculars and have a working defibrillator to prevent horrific accidents like this one. The man was dead for some time since his skin color was purple. I wanted to reach out to the family but the hotel refused to give me info.
One other piece of information i wish to share is that my sons phone was stolen along with his friends. Cash and clothes were too, while seated near the beach late at night.
I brought it up to management and boy did they lie. They lied about there not being cameras and blaming it on vacationers. I am so disappointed and disgusted. I am mexican american and i treat every employee well,I also tip well and i believe this is part of the reason they didn't mess with us after i told them that i believed security and management were a part of the theft. After reading your stories and going through my own experience i definitely will not be returning to Puerto Vallerta. I really saw the difference how people from Huatulco, Oaxaca are more humbled than at Punta Mita. There are many great people from all over mexico, yet some do resent Gringos, so becareful and go with large groups and if possible with spanish speaking people. I pray for everyone's safety and apologize for the wrong doing and pain that the evil mexican criminals have caused. God Bless us!
June 6, 2016
Name: NeverReturning
At least 3 people were hit by a massive wave on the beach at Pueblo Bonito Resort Sunset Beach yesterday afternoon 6/15/2016.
All died. One was pulled from the water and was unable to be resuscitated. No lifeguards, security, or emergency assistance came.
Two bodies were left in the water because it was too dangerous and rough to rescue them. The resort went about business as usual immediately afterward here has been no mention of the situation in local or international news.. If a vacation package is so cheap it sounds too good to be true, consider that it just might cost you your life.
May 19, 2016
Name: Mark
Hello, I just stumbled across your page while looking for any updates to a drowning that occurred while my wife and I were in Cancun on, I believe May 12th.
The story is quite different than what the news is reporting. Myself and another tourist did 99% of the CPR. The lifeguards didn't contribute much after we got him out of the water and as many other stories go down there, the paramedics took a half hour to arrive. We performed CPR the entire 30 minutes, but the paramedics did almost none after they got there. The whole story is ugly and, I feel like an ass for saying this after being unable to save him right in front of his wife, but it ruined our vacation and our favorite vacation spot. I can fill you in on the rest if you want. Thank you, Mark
April 13, 2016
Name: Deb
I am a 60 year old
single woman who has worked and traveled inside and outside the
US for years. In 2014 myself and my daughter all went to Cancun
over Xmas. We always stay at 4 or 5 star resorts wherever we go.
My daughter and myself both came down with something so much
more violent than food poisoning. I have experienced food
poisoning and this was not food poisoning. I recovered faster
than she did and the day we were to fly home I could walk. She
was in a wheelchair. I prayed they would let us on the return
flight to Houston. My daughter had begged me to stay one more
night in Cancun. She could not fathom getting on a plane or let
alone getting out of the bathtub where she was laying. Something
told me to get her up and carry her to the wheelchair and get
her back to the states. She cried and cried. Thru the grace of
God I managed to get her to the airport. The United flight
attendant took one look at her in the wheelchair and started to
refuse us boarding. Bu t my eyes met hers and I said please let
us on. She did. She knew as well as I knew. We made it to
Houston and friends drove us home as I was unable to. Two years
have passed and as all things in life memories fade. I booked a
solo trip to Cancun and tomorrow was my fly day. Was being the
correct term. Somehow while surfing the net to look at day trips
from Cancun I came across your article. Every thought and every
fear we went thru on our last trip to Cancun came back. I had a
nagging gut feeling about this trip for a couple of weeks. You
know that little voice telling you no don't do this. That pit of
your stomach feeling that something is wrong. Now I see our last
trip very clearly. I see a beautiful 17 year old granddaughter
with her beautiful young mom and I see myself. I see three women
at a beautiful resort with no flashy jewelry but staying in an
expensive suite. A trained watching person with access to hotel
information could have picked us out like fish in a barrel.
Everything from our purses to how we carried ourselves. The
plan did not work. I found the strength to get us out of that
country and I wanted to say thank you for your article. Reading
the other people experiences was like a light going off in my
mind. I cancelled my trip and I won't ever go back. God bless
October 4, 2015
Name: VERONICA
We arrived to a nice hotel and room was great and comfortable for our family of six,2 adults 4 children. September 26- Oct 3. On our last day Friday Oct 2nd my husband and 3 of my teenage boys decided to take them to the disco area where they had some food and my husband had a few drinks. upon paying their bill total of $ 27.00 dollars. The waiter wanted an " extra" tip and my husband gave him a few more dollars. Big mistake in opening his wallet, it was then that my husband and children were forced into an adjacent alley next to one of the open clubs they said it was security that forced them to the alley where my husband was told he needed to withdraw all his money or our kids were going to get killed it was then that POLICE officers got involved, BUT NOT TO HELP BUT TO ROB my husband, they removed 700.00 cash from his pocket took all 3 of my sons Gshock watches and hats. After the officers and security took my husband to the ATM the machine would not give him money since we give our banks a heads up of our planned trip and will not allow large sums of money to be withdrawn for security purposes. It was then that my children and husband endured a brutal beating because of the inability to give them money. At this point the police would show my husband my son getting strangled and bloody till unconscious as people watched. it was then that 2 of my sons ran, one was kidnapped by a security and taken down the street and beat in a cab. He luckily escaped and ran to the RIU PALACE where he asked for help and that hotel told him to leave and get off the property. My younger 15 year old son got on a bus and went back to the Royal Caribbean where we were staying. He asked for help and they ignored his pleas for help that his brothers and father were hurt and beat by police. It was then that somehow my husband and other son that was brutally beat ended up in a taxi back to the hotel. My Kidnapped son was found running down kukulcan blvd when a taxi stopped and asked him if he needed a ride he said yes and that his mom will pay for the taxi. Now this is where besides being extremely distraught and hurt over seeing my sons and hubby a bloody mess. The people especially JULIO that works in the hotel lobby called me to my room that my boys and hubby has 2 taxis outside waiting for payment, they charged me 50 dollars, he didn't mention that the boys and hubby were critically injured and bleeding profusely instead he wanted the taxis to get paid. When i entered the lobby to pay he NEVER OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE OR FIRST AID OF ANY KIND, HE DIDN'T ASK IF THEY WERE OK. MY GOD THIS GUY DIDN'T CARE ONE BIT OF INJURED HUMAN BEINGS!!! IM an ICU nurse and i rendered aid to my family whatever I can do of course I was very worried of a traumatic brain injury and wanted to take them to the hospital and they were scared to go. The next day i told the Hotel manager MR. CHI about he incident he said he would "talk to JULIO" I got a feeling he was never spoken to cause the next day it was business as usual for him. I asked him for towels because they were bloody and nobody brought them. The only thing he offered was to accompany me in my rental car to the embassy to report the incident. That was it a "IM SORRY" STAY AWAY IF YOU GET INJURED THERE WILL BE NOBODY TO HELP, YOU WILL BE STUCK IN CANCUN IF YOU USE AN EMERGENCY ROOM UNTIL YOU PAY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR TREATMENT. THANK GOD WERE HOME. We got on the plane the next day after reporting the incident. The doctor that did a visual inspection of the injuries was so scared he begged us not to tell on him that he documented the visual injuries out of fear of being killed by the police. We went to Kaiser straight off the place directly to the ER where everybody had a concussion, broken ribs and my husband a broken spine. IM not a new Mexico traveler we go often to Cancun, just never expected anything to happen like this and Yet have the ROYAL CARIBBEAN IGNORE OUR PLEAS FOR HELP STAY AWAY. In the meantime I will be caring for my family making sure for a quick recovery and will for sure return for prosecution on these savages.
August 18, 2015
Name: Melisa
I was recently a guest at the Hard Rock Riveria Maya Resort. On the morning of August 16 one of the hotel employees entered my room and started rubbing my feet while I was asleep. I kicked and yelled for him to get out. He said that the door to the room had been open. I went to the front desk to report the incident where I was told by the manager of the hotel that I was mistaken and that it could have been any one in my room. They provided security at the door of my room where I immediately packed my things and asked to leave the resort.
The hotel employee later approached me and said he could explain. He said he was there for my luggage and he didn�t want any issues. Another manager of the hotel showed up later and said that the hotel employee accessed my room with a key card at 5:27am. My ride to the airport was at 11am. I never requested help with my luggage. If I was going to request help with my luggage, it would have been much closer to the departure time.
They way this was handled was so upsetting. A hotel employee should never ever enter a guests room. I am sickened by the way I was treated by the management staff. It is disgusting that this was swept under the rug, how it was made to be ok that an employee entered my room and was rubbing my feet in the middle of the night. From your biography, I see you have a family and would in no way want to jeopardize their safety at one of your resorts. I realize how important your online reviews are to your business. I feel this is important for you to know how the employee behaved and how I was treated on your property.
June 10, 2015
Name: Russ
My spouse and daughter are in Mexico at the Iberostar Paraiso Maya celebrating our daughter's high school graduation. Last night my wife was drugged at the pool bar. She blacked out, became violently ill. She was talking to a man "from South America" who claimed to be there with his wife and family. His wife even showed up briefly at one point. When I checked your website I read the story posted January 31 from a couple who stayed at this same resort. The story is hauntingly familiar. It is important to note that this happens all too often. We would strongly urge anyone to avoid traveling to Mexico even to the resorts which are suppose to be safe if you sty within the resort. That is simple not true. This is not a safe place travel and this resort in particular must be avoided
April 19, 2015
Name: Cheryl
My girlfriend and I were drugged and assaulted in jan 2015 at riu tequila after a day in playa del carmen . Working with hotel on investigation but they are hiding videotapes. This man from Texas should be investigated and arrested. If we had photos/videotapes from hotel, other women would be warned!!
January 31, 2015
Name: Anonymous
My husband and I stayed at Iberostar Paraiso Maya from 1-26-15 until 1-30-15. We are over cautious people, we travel safe. I have never worn jewelry, we don't carry cash when we travel, we don't over drink or cause a scene. How could this have happened to us?
I will describe ourselves we have been married 13 plus years, we travel to Mexico every year to celebrate our wedding anniversary, we have five children, we are from the Mid West, I am in my 30's and my husband in his 40's, we are no stranger to alcohol not saying we are lushes, but we do go out for cocktails or even "downtown" every now and then, even celebrating many milestones in Las Vegas. We have drinks all summer long in the hot sun boating on the weekends, we do not use any type of illegal drugs, we are college educated, upper middle class, and we only stay at 5 star resorts.
I wanted you to know a little about us prior to me telling you what happened to us, I want you to know we are not the spring break crowd that goes to Mexico or the couple that never drinks and the sun gets to them. We are just like many of you, normal everyday United states citizens who choose to vacation in Mexico due to convenience and price. We booked this trip two weeks prior to taking it, we are busy with kids, work and life and we did not want our annual anniversary trip to pass by never taken. So we scheduled it in between weekends of children's sporting events. We always book thru Apple Vacations (Amstar) and we have always used a travel agent.
The trip started out like any trip, we arrived at the hotel, went to lunch, the beach, had a Bahama Mamba or two, went to our room dressed up and went to dinner. After dinner we went shopping in the shopping center at the resort, had a coffee and a crepe, purchased "shark tooth" necklaces for our sons and "Sea Shell" necklaces for our daughters, and finally after a long day of traveling went to bed around 8 pm. The next morning we woke up early, took a walk on the beach, ate breakfast, changed into our swimsuits and laid out towels to "save our chairs" on the beach and by the pool. We went back and forth between 8-10 am between the pool and beach, see I love the beach and watching the ocean but my husband loves the pool.
After much back and forth he gave me my way, even after noticing the peddlers on the beach, but I of course insisted it was safe we were at the resort beach, there were people and kids everywhere. From 10am to 1 pm we laid watching the ocean, the beach bar opened at ten, my husband had three tap beers ordered directly from the beach bar, I had two Mohito's again ordered at the beach bar. At about 1 pm a couple from the resort made small talk with us, they mentioned they had four daughters and were from Oregon, she had just turned the big 50. She was a hairdresser and he worked for the electric company. We chatted with this couple, for about thirty minutes and had another drink, again from the beach bar. I remember standing there talking, thinking "I needed to use the restroom", and looking up at the sky and seeing big spots of black. In my lifetime, I have never went unconscious, I have never blacked out, but somehow I knew at this moment this was happening to me. I remember excusing myself to the people I was speaking to and walking over to my husband and telling him something was wrong and we needed to go. And then just like that Nothing, it went black......
I recall my body on a cold tile floor viciously vomiting, in and out of what has to be consciousness, I remember the bottom of the shower and the water hitting my head. I remember thinking I must be dying, and feeling as if I could not get out of whatever state of mind I was in, I had never known this and I was scared. I felt a fear I have never known, but then that feeling would go away to nothing and then fear again and more vomiting. It was like the nightmare you have and you keep waiting to wake up from, I remember thinking how could I let this happen to me , where am I. And then just like that I woke up as quickly and abruptly as I had went out, my husband had jumped up from the bed screaming...... "oh my god"..... "what happened to us"....... "my hand is broke"....... "we had to of been drugged"....... "we lost time"...... "where is our stuff"........ "get up we have to get up" it was 6:30 we lost five hours of time.
Groggy I tried to get up but could not I was able to move to the couch and sobbed, I felt as if I had just been terrorized but did not know how and by who. My husband ran down to the beach to find our stuff and look for the couple we had been talking with earlier. Our stuff was there, but he recognized no one we had seen hours earlier.
We spent the night comparing what we remembered, we both loose
memory at the same point, the moment where I knew I was going to
black out. We have no memory of how we got to our room, who was
with us, why we lost consciousness. We relived the days events
trying to figure out at what point we went wrong or by who we
were targeted. I had remember my husband mentioning the peddlers
several times that day concerned that they kept starring at us,
I also recall the couple who made small talk with us happened to
be drinking the same things we were, the bartenders never seemed
quite happy, and not once since the moment we arrived did I see
anyone from security, in fact it seemed odd that anyone could
walk from the beach up to the hotel, now looking back anything
could seem out of place.
My husband went to the concierge and told her what happened and that we had to of been drugged she insisted she has never heard of that before, but she would send in housekeeping. He showed her his hand, it was clearly broken, she explained that we could go to the medical center but we would have to bring cash. We searched all of our belongings everything was in tact, any valuables had been locked in our safe, however there was one thing missing that we never found and that was our room key. I will never forget the sounds of the housekeeper cleaning up the vomit in our room, I laid covered up but so cold on the couch crying, not wanting her to see me, ashamed of whatever just happened. We were guilt stricken, I knew we came close to something evil, we were grateful to be alive, but filled with fear not knowing who did this to us.
We stayed in the room all night and slept, the next day we were like zombies completely numb, my husbands right hand was unusable. We called out travel agent who contacted Apple (Amstar) so we could report what happened. Amstar's response was to bring cash and go to the medical center for his hand and would never acknowledge the accusations of being drugged. We anxiously awaited for the moment we would board our plane and hit US soil to have that feeling of safety in our own country, we felt unsafe and as if we were a liability for this resort. We returned home and my husband went to the hospital his hand is broke, the doctor said the only way to cause a break like his was to have hit someone or something very hard making a fist.
I write this not to scare you but as a warning, this just happened to us days ago, it was horrific and hard to mentally process, this should not happen to anyone. We did not feel safe calling the Mexico Police and the hotel and Apple (Amstar) ignored any accusations of being drugged. The scary part is when something happens to you in another country you are not safe, there was no one to tell and no one would listen. We took precautions, to ensure our safety and we assumed that the five star resort we stayed with had all guests safety as a top priority. I assumed that traveling with a company like Apple (Amstar) we were safe but sadly we were not.
January 31,
Name: Becky
Hello a friend i travelled with told me about this site after we had issues at our resort. I can honestly say I wouldn't have gone if knew of these stories! My husband and his friend and fellow traveler both received some sort of poisoning at the resort's restaurant while dining together with our group. At first we attributed it to food poising but in hind sight it was way worse than it should have been. In fact we have been home now for a week and both men are still suffering from stomach issues. Their symptoms (happened within 15 min of each other) was projectile vomiting, severe stomach cramping w non stop 24 hr diarrhea, high fever w chills. As a RN with 20 yrs ED experience i have never witnessed anything quite like it for simple food poisoning or travelers diarrhea and was very concerned. When we reported it to hotel they acted concerned and called a clinic that told us we needed to take them to hospital. I refused and essentially took it upon myself to constantly monitor them and treat with over counter aid. thankfully they were grown, healthy men and they recovered. It scares the hell out of me to think what would happen if a small child or elderly person had contradicted this. Looking for answers as what type of pathogen this could be? Nothing I have looked up has a diagnosis that fits this?? This was a 5 start 6 apple resort! Also afterwards we remembered that my husbands friend argued a little with waiter over the table. It was set for 8 and we had reservation for 10. Only mentioning this because of the other stories... Please help if you have any information.
January 2, 2015
Name: Mark
I figure I better post this in case I disappear or it costs me a lot of money before I leave Cancun, Mexico. I booked a studio apartment in Cancun through Airbnb for November 4 for $440 cdn plus $100 booking fee. As planned the caretaker picked me up at the airport for 350 pesos and took me to the apartment. Everything just went downhill from there. The first two weeks were a nightmare. There was a lot not mentioned in the ad and a few things left out. I thought I was getting mosquito bites in the studio apartment after the first week. Turns out after examining the bed it was full of bed bug evidence(s). I think I even saw one jump off of the sheets. My body was full of bites. Feasting on my blood every night while I slept on what was suppose to be a queen size bed was only a twin size. When I complained to the owner, she said I must have brought them with me. NOT! I just hope I don't take them with me.
One night the caretaker decided to shut off the power for no reason. I demanded he turn it back on which he did. The hot water was a problem cause I had to figure out how to turn on the hot water tank. Then I was expected to split the cost of the propane which I wasn't told about before. The ant problem was disgusting. They walked across the sink and bathroom and left their tiny poop everywhere. The caretaker did a poor job when asked to clean it and made me feel bad for mentioning it. The ad mentioned a kitchen with fridge, microwave, stove, dishes.....wrong again. No microwave, no coffee machine, no pans and one fork, spoon and knife. I was extremely difficult to cook on the single burner hot plate and easy to burn what you tried to cook. The caretaker decided to do some home renovations on his bathroom. So he started hammering out the concrete wall to make an opening. After a day of this and further dust and noise he final finished this project. But no, he wasn't finished doing home renovations. He decided to do his bedroom too right outside my front door. So there was hammering, an electric sander going for hours on end and all the dust covering everything and the stink of paint. Then there was the internet problem. It was so slow that I couldn't stream anything without it stopping and starting every minute or so. Or there wasn't any service at all. I was only getting about 13mbs some days. When I asked the owner to move the modem to the back of the house to get better reception, her excuse was that it was too difficult to do that. The owner told me that the apartment would be cleaned before I came. Not. When I found the bed bugs I also check the very stained mattress on the one side and a very more stained surface on the underside. When I told the owner about this she said that she replaced it 6 months ago. I thought what street corner did you pick it up. And was it new-used I thought? The bed sheets were not washed, nor the floor or bathroom shower. So I decided to get out of there ASAP. I looked on line for a new place and found shared accommodations with a few Mexican locals. While waiting to meet my new roommates, I took my dog for a walk. That�s when bad went to worse. While in the park my dog got hit by a man on a scooter when my dog crossed the street. And he was off lease at the time. It is the law in the city to have your dog on leach. Not in reality though with stray dogs and other owners not having them on leach. Fortunately, my dog was fine but the man�s new scooter had a few scratches on it and he had some scratches on his leg and arm. I felt bad and responsible. I thought I could just walk away but went over to this gentleman and try to work things out. He was clearly upset with what happened. I couldn�t speak good Spanish and he couldn�t speak good English. So he called a friend to come help with interpreting. So we waited for his friend to arrive. In the mean time he calmed down a bit and realized that it was an accident. His friend arrived and blamed me for the whole thing. He was threatening to call the police if I didn�t get his moped fixed. We decided to drive over to the dealership to see if they could fix it. It was closed. So, we returned to my old place and I dropped off my dog and went over to the bank machine to give him $5000 pesos for the repairs. I went and took out my limit of $4400 pesos and gave it to him. I got his name and telephone number and agreed to meet up at the dealership the next day at 11am to settle things. So I went to the studio apartment and packed my stuff and moved to the new place that night as planned. My new roommate with his car drove all my things to the new place. I explained to them what just happened and they said I never should have given him any money in the first place. That�s when I got scared. Knowing how corrupt police are here in Mexico and on top of that a Mexican citizen blaming me for the accident. I thought I�d avoid any more trouble and not show up at the dealership.
A couple of days later I got an email through Airbnb that the owner of the old place complained and was accusing me damages to the studio apartment for $1000 which I knew was non-sense. I left the place better than when I came. I never complained back through Airbnb after the 72 hour deadline and cancelled my booking. Not demanding any compensation though I only was there for two weeks and not the full month. I also found out also from that email that the police came with the owner of the scooter to charge me the next day. For what reason, I have no idea. They took the caretaker to the police station accusing him of harboring a fugitive. He was let go. Whether or not I will be charged when I try to leave Cancun Airport remains to be seen but it is most worrisome and disconcerting to have this experience here. I thought about going to the police in Cancun to find out if there are charges but knowing how corrupt they are I thought it wouldn�t be wise to do so. Two things I have learned here. You are guilty until proven innocent. When something goes wrong you are to blame.
Sept 22, 2014
Name: John
Canadian man allegedly killed defending his sick bedridden father's home during the recent looting in Cabo. Peter was just visiting from Canada to provide care and help for his sick father. Why can we not get any news. The Belleville, Ontario man's name is Peter Berthelotte.
Sept 22, 2014
Name: Jasmine
February 15, 2004 my father was shot execution style and murdered in Hotel Margaritas in Cancun, He was of course a Hell's Angel. I want people to be aware these people will kill their own and not think twice the same goes for them.
Sept 9, 2014
Name: Anthony
Dec. 2004 John Klein, my travel companion was followed by a dancers companion and was tossed over the very stairs that lead to our front door so 40' above. He was robbed of $2,400.00 while the incident went semi investigated ! I dealt with the consulate and the incident was reported into the local press in, Puerto Vallarta for your verification as well as documentation I have from the trip and consulate herself.
Thank you, Anthony
July 9, 2014
Name: Chellie
I'd like to tell you about my experience and another experience that a friend had. I visited Mexico years ago. I traveled to Mexico City first and then Acapulco. In Acapulco me and my friend, both female, were at the bar in the hotel. All of a sudden we were surrounded by Federale's. A man at the bar put his arm around me and told me not to say a word. I watched the men at the bar give money and watches and then the Federales left. It really shook us and we were grateful that the men in the hotel looked out for us. At that time customs was performed in Mexico City so after we left Acapulco we landed in Mexico City. We were ordered off the plan and there were 20 armed Federales. We got off the plane and I had left my carry on bag on the plane that contained my passport. They were very angry with me and I was escorted back on the plane to get it and I saw the Federales going through all of the luggage on the plane. I was shaken and just kept my head down and grabbed my bag and exited the plane. I told my friend and thought that they could plant anything in our bags and was do glad when we touched back down on US soil.
Last year a friend went to Mexico and was thrown into jail for allegedly arguing with the hotel clerk. He was i jail for nearly a month until his family was able to pay off lawyers.
Also I had a cousin who became ill in Mexico in a boating accident and was taken to the hospital and died. Bystanders said he was not severely injured so we could not understand how he died. His father was a lawyer and we believe he was flashing money around. His parents paid tens of thousands of dollars for his care and to fly his body back to the US.
I will never travel to Mexico again and do not think people truly understand the risks.
May 9, 2014
Name: Travis
My story had no tragic ending, but it very easily could have. I recently traveled to Cancun on my honeymoon between April, 26th and May 3rd 2014. We stayed at the GR Solaris (Sister hotel to the Royal Solaris) Our second day there me and my wife were drugged. The last memory we both have is sitting by the pool-side bar at about 5pm, we both then awoke in our rooms at 1am that next morning. Neither of us have even the slightest memory of what transpired between that time. We were shaken, because you never think anything like this will happen to you, luckily neither of us showed signs of assault and nothing was missing from our room. A previous trip to the same resort two years prior (almost to the day) I saved a young Mexican girl from drowning as she was being pulled under by the tide. Holding her in my arms it was all I could do just to keep both of our heads above the water, it took nearly 10 minutes before the Life Guard on duty casually strolled down the beach and render his own aid. Mexico is dangerous, even if you stay in the resorts.
March 14, 2014
Name: Mr. Anonymous
I want to remain anonymous simply because I travel to Mexico frequently. I am in love - Dating a European who lives in Cancun with her Mexican child. We both are divorced, dating for 2 years. Simply, we recently stayed at a "4 star rating" "adult only" resort, in Cancun. We stayed at much more expensive, "cleaner" hotels prior to this trip with only great experiences in both food and service. I was born and raised in New York so I am no fool - no push over and clearly see when things are wrong. My girlfriend was drugged. Period. Zero doubt in my mind. Either GHB or "roofies". From a glass of water served by the staff. We are very confident that glass of water was not in the hands of any other. I'm not giving all the details of what happened -- the story is too long. I did not call the police. I was very close to calling EMT, however, as she was nearly losing consciousness. I knew calling police was useless - we are in Mexico and I had no eye witness of which staff member actually handed her the water. Note: ask your self a question WHY bottled water cannot be purchased at this place? They say it's "bottled water" in a glass - but that can't be trusted - obviously. I know from my college years the smallest amount of GHB in excess can kill a person so I was extremely worried and scared. She could not open her eyes, could not stop crying, vomiting, and wanting to pass out. I slapped her in her rear in an attempt to get her out of this drugged state. Yelling into her face... Telling her she had been drugged ... And to stay with me talking ... Walking around the room. I did this for nearly 4-5 hours before I felt the drug in her system was wearing off enough that she could speak to me normally. Drinking normal water - eating French fries. She was finally able to Answer my questions about what she remembers. Her memory was like a black out right after she drank the glass of "ice water". Thank God I did not drink it with her.... Maybe one of us floating in a pool. She could not open her eyes for nearly 4 hours. They were swollen. Bloodshot. Even at times rolling back into her head. But she stayed awake and with me. She came around finally -- thanks to God I feel. I know it sounds stupid or risky not to have called EMT but I'm sorry - I have little trust in what remedies they could have performed under the circumstance. I had little trust in the system because I have been reading these sites for months knowing I was going to Mexico to visit her. I was already very cautious. We are together very cautious. It helps when she speaks Mexican and Engligh too. We have always been very careful and this happened to us. At 3AM and with her stable in our room, I went downstairs and advised the hotel manager on duty what happened in private. I also explained that in my attempt to drag her up to the room my "all inclusive" wrist braclet was torn from my wrist by accident. I asked him if his hotel guests have ever been drugged. He said "it has been known to happen". He stated "it's no different here then in the US when reporting something like this " - my gut told me that was nonsense. He asked "why did I not report it to the authorities" - my gut also told me it would be useless. I expressed that too. I asked for replacement braclet - they charged me $50. They had ZERO compassion. I was curious why my replaced braclet was a different color then the first. I read on this site another person having a similar experience with a replaced braclet with a different color. We laid low - finished our trip - and one day later got the hell out of there. With knowing I disclosed our nightmare to the manager, not ONE person asked us about our experience... Nothing. They had ZERO concern. My advice -- if you have to go to Cancun - it worth the extra money for the 5 star places. It's obvious the more exclusive hotels are far more guest friendly and in my opinion safer. Maybe just vacation in St Thomas, Bahamas, or Puerto Rico or Key West people! I love my girl. I will be going back to see her often. I am, we are ...going to be far far far more careful then we already were. My goal is to eventually get her out of this unsafe place where people are NOT held accountable. I feel sorry for the honest Mexicans .. And resorts that work hard to provide good service for vacationers. I truly believe we cannot generalize that most Mexicsns hate foreigners or we are targeted. I have meet good honest people too in my times there. However, the few, and maybe more then few rotten apples, corrupt individuals; know exactly what they can and cannot get away with. It's unsafe - period - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Many years before this place gets to US safety standards, if ever. Be very careful.
March 15, 2014
Name: Mr. Anonymous
I want to remain anonymous simply because I travel to Mexico frequently. I am in love - Dating a European who lives in Cancun with her Mexican child. We both are divorced, dating for 2 years. Simply, we recently stayed at a "4 star rating" "adult only" resort, in Cancun. We stayed at much more expensive, "cleaner" hotels prior to this trip with only great experiences in both food and service. I was born and raised in New York so I am no fool - no push over and clearly see when things are wrong. My girlfriend was drugged. Period. Zero doubt in my mind. Either GHB or "roofies". From a glass of water served by the staff. We are very confident that glass of water was not in the hands of any other. I'm not giving all the details of what happened -- the story is too long. I did not call the police. I was very close to calling EMT, however, as she was nearly losing consciousness. I knew calling police was useless - we are in Mexico and I had no eye witness of which staff member actually handed her the water. Note: ask yourself a question WHY bottled water cannot be purchased at this place? They say it's "bottled water" in a glass - but that can't be trusted - obviously. I know from my college years the smallest amount of GHB in excess can kill a person so I was extremely worried and scared. She could not open her eyes, could not stop crying, vomiting, and wanting to pass out. I slapped her in her rear in an attempt to get her out of this drugged state. Yelling into her face... Telling her she had been drugged ... And to stay with me talking ... Walking around the room. I did this for nearly 4-5 hours before I felt the drug in her system was wearing off enough that she could speak to me normally. Drinking normal water - eating French fries. She was finally able to Answer my questions about what she remembers. Her memory was like a black out right after she drank the glass of "ice water". Thank God I did not drink it with her.... Maybe one of us floating in a pool. She could not open her eyes for nearly 4 hours. They were swollen. Bloodshot. Even at times rolling back into her head. But she stayed awake and with me. She came around finally -- thanks to God I feel. I know it sounds stupid or risky not to have called EMT but I'm sorry - I have little trust in what remedies they could have performed under the circumstance. I had little trust in the system because I have been reading these sites for months knowing I was going to Mexico to visit her. I was already very cautious. We are together very cautious. It helps when she speaks Mexican and English too. We have always been very careful and this happened to us. At 3AM and with her stable in our room, I went downstairs and advised the hotel manager on duty what happened in private. I also explained that in my attempt to drag her up to the room my "all inclusive" wrist bracelet was torn from my wrist by accident. I asked him if his hotel guests have ever been drugged. He said "it has been known to happen". He stated "it's no different here than in the US when reporting something like this " - my gut told me that was nonsense. He asked "why did I not report it to the authorities" - my gut also told me it would be useless. I expressed that too. I asked for replacement bracelet - they charged me $50. They had ZERO compassion. I was curious why my replaced bracelet was a different color then the first. I read on this site another person having a similar experience with a replaced bracelet with a different color. We laid low - finished our trip - and one day later got the hell out of there. With knowing I disclosed our nightmare to the manager, not ONE person asked us about our experience... Nothing. They had ZERO concern. My advice -- if you have to go to Cancun - it worth the extra money for the 5 star places. It's obvious the more exclusive hotels are far more guest friendly and in my opinion safer. Maybe just vacation in St Thomas, Bahamas, or Puerto Rico or Key West people! I love my girl. I will be going back to see her often. I am, we are ...going to be far far far more careful then we already were. My goal is to eventually get her out of this unsafe place where people are NOT held accountable. I feel sorry for the honest Mexicans .. And resorts that work hard to provide good service for vacationers. I truly believe we cannot generalize that most Mexicans hate foreigners or we are targeted. I have meet good honest people too in my times there. However, the few, and maybe more than few rotten apples, corrupt individuals; know exactly what they can and cannot get away with. It's unsafe - period - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Many years before this place gets to US safety standards, if ever. Be very careful.
March 4, 2014
Name: Ann Knight
January, 2014 my husband was seriously injured in a surfing accident.
Fortunately, a foreigner tourist who had knowledge of CPR got my husband out of the water and brought him back to life with CPR. He was driven by ambulance to Todos Santos then to La Paz (where they did not have sufficient equipment to identify his injury). Instead of driving him straight to Los Cabos, they took him back to Todos Santos where the ignorant doctor sat him up in bed and declared there was nothing seriously wrong with him. (He had a spinal cord injury....he should have been stabilized the whole time!) Then the doctor on 2nd thought said that maybe he should go to San Jose Del Cabo for further evaluation. So at dusk we went for a 4th ambulance ride to One World/Saint Lukes Hospital in San Jose Del Cabo. (Mind you, none of these ambulances have seat belt and it's a very rough ride for a spinal cord
victim.) We arrive at the hospital and they take the necessary measures to find out what was wrong and clear enough, he had a C2/C3 fracture. Initially the hospital staff said they would need to stabilize him and he would need to stay there at the hospital for four days. They also told me that I wouldn't be able to get an air evacuation flight out until Tuesday and that weekends in Mexico were "damage control". Anyway, during my husband's stabilization period, I got approached by the staff several times that they would need my credit card in advance for their services - to the tune of tens of thousands of dollars. The following day, I was told by their medical team that my husband was getting worse and that they would have to do an operation in Cabo San Lucas. I immediately got on the phone with a family friend/neurosurgeon who highly advised against this treatment plan. He even spoke to the Mexican doctor on the phone and it was quite evident that the Mexican doctor was upset because the knowledgeable neurosurgeon from the United States disagreed with the Mexico prognosis. At that moment I knew I could not wait a minute longer. I immediately began calling air ambulance companies from Tijuana and the United States. I was given quotes from $18K to $25K to get him out of there that very night. While I was on the phone, there was a man who had been lurking around Saint Lukes and he knew I was trying to coordinate a Medical Evacuation flight. Suddenly, this man Adrian tells me that he can get me a flight that night if I come up with $30K! I freaked out. I don't have that kind of money. It was harassment, it was unethical and I told them we don't treat people like that in our country even if they are illegal! You must allow my husband to go. I was so angry that I charged off to employ another service provider and he comes back to tell me that we can leave that night if I come up with $15,500. Even then, I didn't have that kind of money because One World/Saint Lukes Hospital, Mario and his staff held us hostage for all the money we had the previous day!
Long story short, I had to borrow money from a family member to get my husband out that night. In addition to giving them $15,500 - I was harassed into signing over billing rights to my insurance company to them.
Conveniently, when I left the hospital they handed over the outrageous 20 page bill for Saint Lukes but conveniently left out the paperwork for the air ambulance. The air ambulance company told me they would be billing Blue Shield $30K (which I still thought was too much......but we were desperate!) So, we took one last ambulance ride to the Mexican airport and as they were loading my ravaged husband into the plane (who was calling out in Spanish......"let's go, let's go"), I was sitting in the ambulance because I was freezing (I still had my clothes on from the beach from the day before) and the pilot and ambulance drivers and their helpers were all posing for photos in front of the plane and taking pictures with their I-phones - all the while my husband is screaming in pain in the back of the plane! It was insanity. Fast forward: After a month stay at Sharp Hospital in San Diego my husband is still fighting the effects of the injury. I am grateful he is alive and we made it back to California. The after-effects of the One World/Saint Luke Hospital experience aren't over; the brutal harassment of their staff over money and the rip off air-evacuation company is long lasting. It has only just begun because I just recently found out this sketchy ambulance company is trying to bill my insurance for $300K - not $30K and when I contacted Mario about this, he told me he was not aware!
This is simply not true. It was Mario and his henchmen that set this whole thing up. They are all in cahoots and grease each other's palms. If you don't believe me, read more about this hospital on Trip Advisor or the internet. They are notoriously crooked and there isn't much anyone can do about it. It is even purported that Mario is a slow pay to his own doctors and that is why there is such a big turn-over of doctors in his hospital. My
advice: get medical air-evacuation insurance (always)!
And lastly, I would like to mention -- it is a well known fact to long time Baja residents and gringo publications that One World/Saint Lukes is not an honest organization. This does not stop any of these rags from accepting advertising from them. It's pretty difficult to expose the crusty underbelly of the medical system in San Jose Del Cabo if they are paying you off.
When going to
Mexico don't be concerned about the cartel, banditos or cops
wanting a little mordita, be vigilant about what YOU are going
to do if you ever get injured in Los Cabos. Have a plan and if
you should ever need a doctor quickly, I suggest going to the
veterinarian in Todos Santos.....he's smart, quick and
March 2, 2014
Name: Raychelo
I wish I had seen
all of your stories before I went to the Oasis Grand Tulum,
Mexico! I have been trying to get some type of compensation from
my travel agent for me my husbands nightmare trip. I feel
relieved which is terrible to hear that a lot of people on this
forum were ignored, pushed aside or treated like they didn't
matter in serious circumstances! I know were in another country
but if this is how you conduct business I want no part of it!!
It is disgusting and immoral that anyone be treated like nothing
when they are hurt or dying! SICK DO NOT GO HERE WE ARE ALIVE
LUCKILY but the people at the GRAND OASIS TULUM are totally
incapable of running a business of any kind!!!!
February 18,
Name: Jennie
I'm contacting you
in regards to an incident that occurred at the Barcelo Palace
Deluxe February 17, 2014 in the morning hours (between 9-11am
local time). There was what appeared to be a child who drowned
in one of the pools and a guest (or parent) had to perform CPR
and scream and run around for a lifeguard. It took minutes for
any lifeguard to appear, and they stood around while this man
performed CPR. I was informed not to go closer, and am hoping
that everything turned out okay for the child and their family
who was in hysterics. I haven't been able to stop my mind from
coming back to this since it happened, and am praying the person
is okay after being surrounded by hotel personnel and being
taken away. After reading about all of the horror stories
surrounding travel to Mexico, I am extremely hesitant to go
back. Yes, everywhere has its fair share of crime and
negligence, but it seems to be much higher here and brushed
under the carpet.
February 15,
Name: Gerri
I posted about 6
years ago about my husband and I being drugged at Dreams Cancun.
The inhumane treatment at their hospital and I am amazed to read
about all the similar occurrences that have happened to people
over the years. When will Americans get it? Mexico is a very
DANGEROUS country.
December 30, 2013
Name: Janine
We just returned
from a Carnival cruise leaving on Dec 22nd out of Long Beach.
While on our Puerto Vallarta stop, Near Lapallapa, a 7 year old
riding on the back of an 18 year olds Banana boat, jet ski died.
We were there when medics arrived. We heard from a family
member that the victim�s mother was going up to them to spash
them and something terribly wrong happened. They were fellow
cruise passengers. I looked on this site but could not find
anything. All I know is they were from California. It happened
on December 26th 2013. I heard the mom Was flying back with
body. The rest of the family and extended family took the cruise
ship back. So sad. She had 1 older sister and two brothers.
Grandma, and Aunt and Uncle where there as well. I am looking
for more info as we are so upset for the family.
December 25, 2013
Name: Martine
I want to report a
death and a huge miscarriage of justice which happened on a
overcrowded catamaran trip in the hope I can trace the lady in
questions friends as only 1 of them knew how hard we fought to
save her friend while crew members looked on none were trained
in CPR it was a disgrace
October 21,
Name: Ron
We arrived at puerto aventuras, Cancun on 20 September for a week stay which was to include my daughter's wedding on the beach. On Monday the 21st, my daughter noticed she was missing about $170 from her safe. She called security and they came up to her room to investigate. They said no one has access, but by Friday they would give her the results of the investigation. Since we got there, we found that you could drink many of the cocktails without getting drunk, which was fine with us, as we are not big partiers. On Wednesday, the 24th, a few of us were at the swing bar at aprox.1030am, which is located right next to the water, swings (hence the name), great views etc. My wife had less than 1 drink, didn't feel well and retreated to the room. My sister, her boyfriend and myself stayed and had a lunch of paella and burgers. Her boyfriend left to take a nap before the wedding which was scheduled at 5pm. It was aprox 2pm when my sister said we should finish our drinks and head back to the rooms to rest before the wedding. This is where it all went blurry! Next thing you know, I am on the shower floor puking my guts out! My sister is in the exact same predicament.
From what we
pieced together, my wife and daughter happened to look down from
the balcony to see me being ushered/carried by 2 security men,
one being head of security, and my sister in a wheel chair. They
then ran down stairs and met up with us in the lobby. They took
us to our rooms and that's when I came to in the shower.
Needless to say, I missed walking my daughter down the aisle!
The next morning, I wake up feeling great! No headache, upset
stomach or anything that is associated with tying one on. This
leads to even more confusion that I am feeling. I just don't
understand how it all happened? That was the worse than any
hangover! Losing time when the last thing you remember being
sober and planning to leave after you finish your drink. On
Friday, the security investigation was closed and the findings
given to my daughter and her husband. No one had access and they
must have misplaced the money but, the resort would do something
"nice". The head of security then asked, " by the way, how is
your father? I know he didn't make the ceremony." I had a total
of 5 drinks over 6 hours and like I said before, the drinks
aren't very strong. My sister and I went from sober to unable to
walk exactly at the same time? What are those odds? I think
October 14,
Name: Maria
My friend and I
had a horrific vacation in Playa Del Carmen in Mexico, September
29, 2013-October 6, 2013. Please advise since Expedia, JetBlue,
Viva Wyndham Maya or the travel insurance I purchased refuse to
even hear me out fully. We were constantly lied to our faces,
when they realized my friend speaks Spanish they would walk away
or turn their backs to us. Since our return back to US, I have
not returned to work due to my doctor's orders and my friend had
emergency surgery to remove an organ due to infection sustained
in Mexico. The insurance company disputes our claim since the
workers at the hotel and JetBlue lied about what we said.
Please help - lost money and our jobs are in jeopardy!
October 8, 2013
Name: Anonymous
After reading the
stories here, I realize how fortunate my husband and I are. We
were in Cancun last week, we rented a car and drove to Xplor
Park near Xel-ha. We took route 307 the entire way to the
park--it was morning so light outside. On the return trip, it
starting raining very hard, due to the outskirts of Hurricane
Karen. We missed the turn to the Hotel Zone in Cancun. We were
driving slow due to rain and being lost. We were flagged by the
police. Not knowing any of the warnings/rules, we stopped for
the police. We were intimidated and robbed. Had we known some of
the items we know now, we wouldn't have rented a car--probably
wouldn't have gone to Cancun. I have been to Mexico many times
and this is the first time I've experienced a situation like
this. My husband and I both are still experiencing issues
related to the intimidation and harassment. Please rethink your
vacation ideas before booking a trip to Mexico.
October 5, 2013
Name: Henry
Hi my mum Julia
Howard was murdered in the moon palace hotel cancun in 2009. No
one seems to care I hope may be you can. The pain of my MUMS
murder will never go. But if I could find out what happened it
would help. Henry eldest son of Julia Howard
September 20, 2013
Name: Jennifer
I visited the
Yucatan in 2002 for 10 days of remote whitewater rafting and had
the best time of my life, the people in the villages were
gracious and kind (I brought a bag full of "gifts" with me for
the families and children), the whitewater was wonderful, the
travel was hard, but to be expected for whitewater locations.
We stayed in small local hotels, very modest. Local militia
stopped us several times, always out of nowhere on remote roads,
they searched our vans and our guides gave them money and we
went on our way. We used local guides along with their US
partner. It was the trip of a lifetime. I love Mexico, I love
the people, it's so sad to hear of these horror stories. I did
take a few precautions, visited a travel doctor and got
medications before my trip (just in case) and I went to the
extra expense of buying travel insurance, including medical and
repatriation insurance (in case I was kidnapped). I'm saddened
that Mexico is getting such a bad reputation, it's a great place
with lovely people, but it seems the crime rate has risen
drastically over the last 10 years. It's too bad because Mexico
needs the $ from tourism.
August 28, 2013
Name: Helen
My 17 year old son
just returned from visiting Cancun Mexico. I allowed him to go
with his friend and his mom and dad. On his return he informs me
that at 5 am he was awoken by 2 security guards banging on the
door demanding he had stolen a fire extinguisher my son denied
this and they ransacked his room made him empty his pockets and
took 50.00 of the 52.00 he had. After reading all the horrible
events on this site I can only conclude that if my son had not
been compliant or tried in any way to fight of being robbed he
would have been another balcony story that the Mexicans would
have reported as a suicide. Thank God my son made it home alive.
He stayed at the Grand Oasis Cancun August 2013
August 26, 2013
Name: Tracie H
Here is the story of my long awaited Mexican vacation....
My 2 girlfriends
and I stayed at the Riu Yucatan last Feb 2012 for 9 nights.
It has taken me this long to actually put my review up, but I really wanted to warn people about the Riu Yucatan and the Riu in general. We are all in our 40's, happily married and vacation frequently with and without our spouses. They could not make this trip due to work. I have stayed in Playacar 10 times usually staying at the Iberostar chains. We decided to stay at the Riu Yucatan because after a lot of research we found they do not use latex in the kitchen or housekeeping, as my friend has a deadly latex allergy. We had a great time up until the last day. The hotel was clean and the food was good. The beach is perfect and the pool was also great and very big. The entertainment team was fun and not pushy at all. Daniel was fun and always had a smile on his face and friendly to everyone. We had a problem with one of the entertainment guys when we took the hotel excursion to Coco Bongos in Playa del Carmen. He showed up at Coco Bongos after his shift at the hotel. He was not with our group, but hung around and got very drunk and obnoxious. He proceeded to tell us how he resents the guests at the hotel and hates always having to be nice to people. He made it clear to our group that he was on his night off and not being nice, so don't try talking to him.
So, back to the last day/night. We were having a good time at the beach party and pool games. Around 4pm, I realized I needed to have a nap before dinner, as I had been having some extra cocktails and feeling the effects being in the sun all day. My girlfriends walked me back to our room, tucked me into bed and left the room to go back to the beach to get all our beach stuff and hand in the towels since we were leaving at 8am the next morning.
The next thing I knew, I woke up and the male maid was over top of me, and I was being sexually assaulted. I screamed, he backed up and started speaking in Spanish and then ran out of the room. Our room was his last room to clean that day, and he must have been in the hall when my friends walked me back. Needless to say, I was in shock, alternating between crying and screaming.
My friends came back into the room approx 15 minutes later and found me in that state. My one friend ran out and tried to get help. She came back with a security guard who spoke no English, so she left again and came back with the Riu director, Julian Joubert, and the head of security. My friends thought they were downplaying the whole incident and were not taking us seriously. Mr. Joubert spoke very good english, so it's not like they couldn't understand us. They refused to call the police, saying we needed to take a taxi to the police station ourselves and file a report. I told them that it was our male maid who did this to me. We could not believe they would not call the police or offer any kind of assistance. Here I was, curled up into a ball on the bed crying, having just woke up to our maid sexually assaulting me and they were telling us we needed to take a cab to the police station. About 25 minutes later, we were in a cab to the police station in Playa del Carmen. No representative from the hotel came with us to act as an interpreter or offer any assistance at all. We were taken to the Tourista police station in downtown Playa. I filled out a form stating what happened and the woman behind the desk told us we needed to go to the Ministerio Publico, another police station we were told, but it was actually the prosecutor's office. It is here where I would have to fill out a report to see if there was actually a 'crime' committed and have a 'medical exam'.
Long story shortened, we were at the Ministerio Publico for over 3 hours and could not get an official report filed. They had an officer come in who was to act as an interpreter who unofficially wrote out in Spanish exactly what happened. By this time, and getting the run around we left without filling out an official police report. We were treated terrible by the staff there, IGNORED. The police officer was kind and could not help us with what we needed to do. He was not what we would consider an interpreter, he spoke broken english. At one time a man came in who was very shady looking and stated he was 'the doctor' and needed to do an exam on me. We really didn't know what was going on as we had no guidance. In hindsight, we should have called the Canadian consulate who would have guided me through the entire legal process. (I found this out after I got home and contacted the foreign affairs department in Ottawa.) The next morning at 8am, before we left the resort, we met with the director of the Riu Yucatan, Mr. Julian Joubert, in his office. We again went over what happened and he asked us if we wanted to ID the maid, as they had him in the head of security's office. I agreed. He was escorted to the office and absolutely, I identified him as the man who sexually assaulted me and he was our room maid. Mr. Joubert assured me he would be in contact with me over the next few days to let me know the process of the charges. He also told me the only person who would have had a key to our room was him, the maid and the housekeeping supervisor, which was a woman. The Riu still uses big keys instead of swipe cards.
After I went home, I tried multiple times to contact Mr. Joubert, but he would not answer any of my emails or calls. I did receive an email from the Riu head office in Spain, after many many emails, basically saying it was my word against his, and I had to prove the accusations and they could not believe one of their employees would do such a thing. I was also in regular contact with the foreign affairs dept. in Ottawa. Although, they were very nice, they could not legally do anything. They sent me a list of lawyers in Playa del Carmen and Cancun but I could not afford to hire a lawyer here, let alone in Mexico. He said I could press charges but would need a Mexican lawyer. The Canadian consulate in Playa del Carmen even got involved and went to the Ministerio Publico to get a copy of the translated facts of what happened. They had no record of me or what happened. The Riu would not tell me if he was still working there. They told me since I did not lay any charges against him that they could not do anything. So I believe he is still there.I think now that I was very lucky. I was lucky I was not strangled and killed, or removed from my room and end up being sold to traffickers. WhenI got home and went to the sexual assault treatment center, she handed me a pamphlet and told me that this actually happens.
Please be aware and don't ever think that anything bad cannot happen to you just because you are on vacation. It happens, and it is very devastating.
August 20, 2013
Name: Cara Colantuono
My best friend died just like Nolan Webster on Aug 10th 2013 at Oasis in Cancun Mexico
July 26, 2013
Name: Alexandra
I was horrified yesterday by a promotion bid by the http://www.sectur.gob.mx/ called #MexicoFiendly.I am a close friend of a Canadian that was kidnapped in Mexico last march, we found the car and the dog etc..since then, another Canadian vanished and we are in contact with his family as well for support and spread awareness about the reality of this country...I�m sending you Marc s link in hope you can post his story on your website. we are also creating a map of the disappearances occurring in Mexico...If there is anything a can do for you ,please let me know .I�ve already tweeted your page and posted it on Facebook .I believe what you are doing is vital Best regards Alexandra D Adam http://marc-menard.com/index.php/en/ and the second Canadian ,John lioudakis http://helpfindjohnlioudakis.com/
July 3, 2013
Name: Alison
This is the link to the article about my friends death, showing just how unprepared and unprofessional the Mexican hotel and medical staff were. Just thought people should now this before travelling, maybe if Camila and her family knew she would still be alive today.
July 2, 2013
Name: Juan
I think me and my girl were roofied at the Grand Oasis on a recent trip to Cancun. We were in the swim up bar by the pool around 3pm and don't remember anything. My girlfriend woke up in our room around 11pm and woke up in a Mexican jail. When we arrived back to the hotel, the manager told us that we had 30 mins to leave and treated us like criminals. We still don't know what happened nor anyone gave us a reason what happened.
June 23, 2013
Name: Carmen
In May 2013 my bf fell from fourth floor of Bahia hotel in Cabo San Lucas. Hotel called for ambulance and he was taken to the one world by St. Luke hospital. He had severe injuries and we were told they could not do life saving surgery without credit card payment. Eventually they did surgery then demanded 50000 dollars before they would medically release him for air evac. So many more details. I wrote story on tripadvisor under horrific Cabo trip. Hotel was shady about situation hospital extortionists. Gringo gazette did article but the directors statement plagiarized from tripadvisor comments. Notified editor she sweeps under rug. Please contact me so I can help get the message out there that people need an emergency plan when traveling out of the country. We of course will never return
June 18, 2013
Name: Denis Janveau
I've been on a traveling sabbatical since February first, 2013. I first went to Corozal Belize for 3 months and decided to take a bus to Playa Del Carmen at the end of April. While in Belize, I was warned to stay away from Belize city, even the local people are afraid to go there. Other than having to face beggars and seeing the results of extreme poverty, things went fairly well.
When I first arrived in Mexico, it seemed fairly safe. One thing I noticed is the growing resentment and anger toward white people (gringos). When going into local shops to purchase daily necessities, the local people often glare at you with what appears to be extreme hatred. To put it bluntly, they look at you like they want to kill you. I realize this may seem like an extreme statement, but this is not my first experience in Mexico and I can tell you that things have changed for the worst. When I was 16 years old, I hitched-hiked all throughout Mexico for 4 months. This was an incredible experience, the people were so kind and helpful, it blew me away. This was back 82-83.
I am currently living in Playa Del Carmen. My accommodations are like that of most Mexicans. I live in the outskirts of town in an apartment building. My rent is roughly $200 a month, which includes furniture and utilities. The price is right, but the atmosphere is not what I expected. The Mexican are not very friendly, when I attempted to introduce myself to some of my neighbors, they were extremely rude, saying things like, "what do you want?", "what are you doing here?"...
Sure they have large supermarkets, which looks very American, but the way they treat gringos is surprising. Often when I go the supermarket to purchase groceries and supplies, I get treated very poorly by the cashiers when attempting to pay for my items. Often they refuse to accept the money saying they have no change for a 500 pesos note (a value of approximately $45 at present), or they give you two or three handfuls of coins for change. One time the cashier refused to give me a bag for my groceries. These annoyances by themselves do not make for a life threatening situation, but it tells you a lot about how the Mexicans feel about the Gringos (white people). Actions speak louder than words.
The general atmosphere of the local people in Playa Del Carmen, is one of resentment and anger. You don't have to look very far to find it, it will find you. It makes for a very unpleasant experience.
When I heard about the latest murder in Playa Del Carmen, I was surprised. about 4 weeks ago, a retired Canadian police officer was stabbed to death in her home. She was a lady in her 60's. I was even more surprised that nobody seemed to be aware of it. Heck I lived here when it happened and I didn't know about it, until a family member in Canada informed me of the tragic death. When I inquired about it here in Playa, I was bluntly told by a Mexican that she must have done something to deserve it. That's when I started researching on the Internet and I found your website. I've been here almost two months and I'm planning on leaving within the next couple of weeks. I was originally planning on staying another 3 months, but I am feeling increasingly uneasy about staying here. When the local people are rude and obnoxious, that's one thing, but when people are being murdered, that's a completely different issue. What concerns me is that the locals look at you with such hatred and anger, it makes you wonder if it is just a matter of time until they act on their feelings. It's one thing to have people look at you like they want to kill you, it is an entirely different thing when you realize that white people are being killed here and the locals are acting on their emotions about foreigners.
In my opinion, even if nothing happens to you during your stay in Mexico, the experience is not going to be pleasant. Some of the people are nice, but it doesn't make-up for all the times when people glare at you like they want to kill you. It can make you feel uneasy, not what most people are looking for while on vacation.
There's a growing resentment against white people all over the world. I believe that it might be because of the media (movies and sitcoms) portraying people in the western world as being wealthy. In the movies everyone lives in big houses, drives expensive cars, and live well. The people in poor countries see this and think that we are all rich and they resent the fact they have to live the way they do, while we gringos have it all.
Stay away from Mexico!
May 31, 2013
Name: Michael
Drinks are spiked and that is not even news, but If you want first hand testimony I have that too. Females and males ending in rape.......
Better to just say I have spent the last 7 years finding answers to many questions, we should talk.
May 31, 2013
Name: Michael
My wife Mexican my son 9 months old was being treated for a common cold Intubated for money done wrong causing damage revived and responsive massive head trauma with
no reason MURDERED
in the hospital to cover the ugly mistakes. SAME doctor who
signs the death certificate also signs the autopsy. I have
documentation from the hospital and testimony from a person who
used to work for them....
May 16, 2012
Name: Brittany
I am writing this letter to try and explain to you the unforgettable experience that I had while traveling to Oasis Cancun Resort in Cancun, Mexico. (Booking Number: 59826845) Unfortunately, our experience was life changing and is something that myself and my friends will never forget. After all of our friends separated to get ready for dinner, we all met at our meeting place and noticed that my boyfriend Doug Jones had not returned and had taken longer than expected to return. Doug was nowhere to be found. I asked my friends if they had seen him, and they stated that they had seen him speaking with people in the resort but had not seen him since. I had been told that he had been seen talking to security by the pool bar and that was the last time they had seen him. I immediately went down to front desk to question his whereabouts and the lady told me that he had been removed off the property until 11pm because he had come to front desk in a frantic state and was being "rude". At this time I couldn't believe that a resort could put their guests lives in jeopardy by sending them onto the streets of Mexico among the public alone. After hours of searching we went back to the hotel and approached front desk to get some answers. After being spoken to very rudely we all went to security to get them to radio the other security around the hotel. They had no intentions of helping me and spoke Spanish to each other and were smiling; unusual reaction for a security guard being asked for help. The group then decided we should go to the police station to make a missing persons report. After coming back to the hotel we decided we should go back on the paths we had already been on just in case we forgot to look somewhere. We then continued looking around and once again went back to the hotel to see if anyone had any more information. We decided to call the hospital to make sure that he wasn't there. There was no one there at that time with his description. Just as we were leaving the hotel room I looked down the hall and saw him coming towards me. When I saw him I was so overwhelmed with emotion and I couldn't believe he was back and safe... so I thought. As he got closer he was white as a ghost and crying. I began asking him where he was and if he was alright, to which he replied saying "he never thought he was going to see me again and that they tried to kill him". Not once during my search for him, did it ever cross my mind that he was being tormented. He was being escorted by a hotel "staff member" in regular clothing who looked the age of 15-20, he hardly spoke any English but got hotel security to tell us we had 5 minutes to come up with the $118 to pay for a new bracelet or he would be escorted off the property again. Our group walked downstairs with him as he began telling us his side of the story. As he was explaining what happened I couldn't believe what I was hearing. He told me that him and our were walking back from the Grand Oasis and they were approached by security. After taking them separately they demanded his money, which he said he wasn't going to give them. They then held Doug's head underwater for several seconds and then re asked him if he was ready to give the money up. Doug said that he felt like he almost had to breath in and that he had never held his breath for that long. Immediately after they let him up for air he began crying for his life. At this point Doug realized his life was in jeopardy and gave them all that he had ($130 USD). A hotel guest saw what was happening to him ran back to get help but by the time people went to investigate they were gone. At this time he then ran to front desk to explain to them what happened. Being in fear of his life and in a panic from what just happened he tried to explain his. Front desk told him that he was being disruptive and he had to get off the property until 11pm. After paying the $118 via credit card for the new bracelet (to return into the hotel ). We noticed that it was white not orange like everyone else's. We then asked what the different colour meant, front desk said that he had lost his privileges and his was on a zero tolerance punishment from now on (the second day into the trip). So that meant that he wasn't able to drink or have any complaints towards him. The same man that originally escorted Doug to the hotel room kept trying to get Doug to leave him with towards the first floor. A few friends and I told him that he wasn't going anywhere without us. At this point we were done dealing with the hotel and went up into our rooms. For the next two days we stayed in the hotel room and only left for meals when we were with all our friends. Every time we walked past security our hearts sank and we wondered if he was part of it. Two other guys went missing and we kept feeling like we were re-living what happened. We were in fear of what was happening to the missing persons and I knew completely how his friends felt. Two other people went missing on the trip. One brutally beaten by the police and the other one I don�t know if they found him. This wasn�t even the only problem.
May 1, 2013
Name: Ann
It has been
several years since our last trip to Mexico but, we will never
visit anywhere in Mexico again. We stayed at the Four Seasons
in Punta Mita for a corporate retreat. The hotel is beautiful
and the staff was wonderful. The second day of our trip my
husband got sick. They have a doctor on site. We visited the
physician who spoke limited English and we explained that my
husband is allergic to penicillin. He gave us an antibiotic
with the packaging in Spanish and said to come back if his
condition worsened. I felt uneasy not being able to read the
packaging. My husband is in the medical industry so we called
back to the states and had a doctor friend look up the product
to see if it was safe for his allergy. It was penicillin and
could have killed him if he had taken it. We decided to use the
olden day approach and had him take shots of tequila to kill the
bacteria and get some rest. If you get sick in Mexico...
BEWARE of what they prescribe for you u. We thought we were
safe because we were at a high end resort with medical staff on
site. Not so. The drive from the Puerto Vallarta airport was
interesting as we crossed a bridge with armed military that all
wore masks and the road winds through the jungle. We attended
one business function off the resort where we were picked up in
black SUV'S driven 5 minutes in to town escorted into the
restaurant and had security stationed on the beach outside the
patio we were dining on, and driven back to the hotel. We
decided not to leave the hotel property for the remainder of our
stay. The night before we flew home the swine flu epidemic
broke out. The news stated that they were going to close the
P.V. airport. We were a little apprehensive when we departed
the hotel the next morning as to how we would get back home and
was our health at risk. We were surprised when we were picked
up in a black SUV, bullet proof windows with one armed driver
and an armed bodyguard in the back seat. It was a corporate
security detail to get us safely to the airport. Half way to
the airport in the jungle where the road is narrow and only one
car at a time can get through we suddenly see a pickup truck
filled with three men in the back fly out of the jungle right in
front of our car and a second truck come out of the jungle
behind our car. They boxed our car in. We had nowhere to go.
At that moment we knew they were trying to kidnap us or worse.
We thank God that he provided us with our driver as he saved our
lives!!! He kept driving faster pushing the truck in front of
us. He finally saw a chance and he took it by speeding up
driving up sideways on a jungle hill and narrowly bringing the
car back down in front of the lead truck. The angels had to
have helped keep the SUV from rolling over. He never slowed
down until we got to the airport. We are so grateful that these
security men were not corrupt. Come to find out the issues do
not arise with going to the resorts in this area but when you
leave the resort gates and try to return to the airport. If you
still want to go, make sure you take proper precautions with
hotel transportation and off site excursions.
April 15, 2013
Name: Paulette
We traveled to Cancun in January 2013 and stayed at the Great Parnassus with a large group of people. My aunt and friend and myself as well as our 13 year old and 8 year old daughters decided to go find the farmer's market. We asked an employee at our hotel what bus to get on and he told the bus driver where to take us. Needless to say, the bus driver (who spoke no English) took us to a farmer's market far away from the one that most tourists go visit and since this was our first trip to Cancun, we didn't know any differently until we got back and told our story. The farmer's market we went to was far away from the hotel zone (the one you actually want to visit is right in the center of the hotel zone). It was located in a run-down area of the city and since we were inadequately prepared for where we were, we got on the wrong bus to go home. We asked the bus driver if the bus took us back to the Great Parnassus several times and he replied "yes yes" However, a after riding on the bus for 35 minutes and everyone else on the bus had exited, we found ourselves in a horrible section of Cancun. Our bus driver pulled over into an alleyway where a guy in a lawn chair got on his cell phone and climbed aboard our bus. At that point, I completely had a panic attack and asked why we were stopped. Neither the bus driver or the cell phone guy could say why, just kept saying it would only be a few more minutes. The longer we stayed there, the more upset I became and finally marched up to the front of the bus and demanded that my husband had us on my gps on my iphone and wondered why we were so far away from our hotel and was going to be contacting the police. At that point, the cell phone guy climbed back on the bus and then told the bus driver to just go. I have no idea why the bus pulled over into an alleyway and I have no idea why we were stopped for such a long time (it seemed like forever but was probably only like 10 minutes). We later came to find out that we were in Old Cancun. It ended up taking us almost two hours to return back to our hotel. I would recommend not leaving the resort whatsoever if you visit Cancun or if you do, you better know EXACTLY where you are going before you climb on board any public transportation. I still believe a guardian angel was watching over my friends and family and myself that day. I still have nightmares that they may have taken my daughter or myself and what could have become of us.
April 10, 2013
Name: Tracy
my son is staying at the sandos caracol resort and spa I have just received a call saying he has been spiked and his iphone stolen does anyone know who to report this too?
April 4, 2013
Name: Johnny
Wow, your site has really opened my eyes to things that I would have probably overlooked. I am on vacation in Mexico now and came on your site after having issues out here with individuals trying to lure me away to unfamiliar locations, security at hotel following me around, people asking me specific questions about myself, etc.
I decided to do a little research and I think that you have just saved my life and my families. If I had known this information prior to my trip I would have already cancelled it. I attempted to leave immediately after I read your site, but the supposed "insurance" coverage plan for my trip would only do so with a doctor�s note. There is no way I'm going to see a doctor here after reading all of your information.
I also made careful observations in my hotel after reading your site. My balcony was not safe, the railings were poorly screwed onto the wall with incorrect size bolts, the room has no fire sprinkler systems in case of fire, there is no emergency stairwell for exits, and on and on. I was frightened to even open the door or answer the phone in my room at all. I also cancelled all of my planned trips with diving and jet ski's as I read of all the malfunctions in equipment and deaths from jet ski incidents out here. I cannot thank you enough for saving my life. I am so glad that you have put this effort forward, because you are saving lives of others whether you know it or not.
I simply can't wait to get home safely and I am being extremely careful about everything until my flight. I am now aware that people here are scoping out victims from afar. I wouldn't have known this without reading your site. Instead of being watched, I am scanning the area myself and I clearly notice people who are sitting and waiting for their next victim. Thank you for doing what you do with this site.
March 18, 2013
Name: Lina
My daughter just returned this past Saturday from a Spring Break trip at the Oasis Cancun! She was told that a girl staying at the hotel was missing. It was being kept quiet but the girl's friends were walking around with her picture all week asking if anyone had seen her. And groups of kids were seen crying in the lobby. She was not in my daughters group but heard a rumor that she might have been from Canada but not sure how true that is. Haven't been able to find any information about if she was found or not. So sick over this! Have you heard anything about it!
March 18, 2013
Name: Tish
Hi, I just came across your web site and wanted to say it's about time someone shared Mexico stories. I lived and worked in Cabo for 3 years from 1990 to 93 and of course have my own stories. But, the reason I'm writing you is I heard a friend of mine was murdered in the desert in Cabo late 90's or early 2000 and cannot find any information about it (which is normal in Mexico). If you have any ideas on how to find out what happened, could you please let me know? His name was Wolfgang Buss and he sold timeshares in Cabo for years. Thanks for any help.
Warm Regards, Tish
March 10, 2013
Name: Brittany
I just came back
from the oasis Cancun , where it was the worst week of my life !
On Saturday march 2nd around 6pm my boyfriend was taken by
security for interrupting a show , he was then robbed and had
his held under water in the pool for several seconds ! They
stole 130 dollars from him . I searched for him in the streets
of Mexico for 6 hours. Security of the hotel were all in on what
had happened to him and they all had different stories. The
hotel staff told me that he was "rude" to the staff so he was
kicked off the resort until 11 pm . After finding him and seeing
my 6 foot 3 , 250 pound boyfriend in tears of fear , I lost it !
This was the second day of our trip and we lived with fear for
the remanding 5 days
March 2, 2013
Name: Tina
I am desperate to
find a gentlemen from Holland that stayed at Sandos Caracol Eco
resort & spa in the Riviera Maya February 24/25, 2013. He was
travelling with a group of men. He is the only person who can
account for my daughter between 4:30-5:00 am the morning of
February 25, 2013.
January 25, 2013
Name: Anonymous
My husband and I arrived at our hotel in Playa Del Carmen on January 12, 2013. We were very much looking forward to this vacation together. We have never been to Mexico before, but we do travel on an annual basis. I was very concerned a year ago about traveling to Mexico given all the bad publicity.
The resort was beautiful! We arrived at approx 1130hrs (Mexico time), had a drink at the bar, had some lunch, took a walk and then settled into our room by about 1600hrs. We then made our way down to the pool bar and socialized with some tourists. In retrospect, I now realize that wearing my wedding rings and talking to the other tourists about our professions may have been one of the reasons we were targeted. At approx 1800hrs, a new bartender arrived at the pool bar. I was at this point coherent and sober. The bartender seemed a bit shady. He pored tequila shots for the couple beside us. There were 2 young men socializing with my husband at the time. They very well could have been of Mexican origin. The bartender prepared "purple shooters" for both my husband and I. We did not ask for them, but did drink them. They were in no way strong, but rather they tasted like watered down Kool-Aid. At this point, I left the bar (call it intuition) and went in the pool for a swim. Within 20 minutes, I felt disoriented, paranoid, confused, and upset. I ended up falling in the pool in the shallow end and sustained injuries to both my neck and the soft palate at the back of my throat. I can remember attempting to go up to the room, but the details are difficult to remember at this point. The next thing I know is another tourist was asking if she could help me, so I asked her to stay with me. The next thing I remember is the manager in my room opening up the safe and handing me my passport. I did not have the code for the safe, as my husband had locked our belongings up when we checked into our room! I believe that the only reason that we were not robbed was because this tourist was by my side, and I was coherent enough to understand what was going on. I asked to see the doctor in the hotel, as my throat was swelling up due to the fall in the pool (the straw in my drink scratched the back of my throat when I fell.) I was stating that I didn't feel right and that something was wrong. I was teary and terrified. Finally, my husband who is 43 years old came up to the room.
He is a large tall man who has never experienced a blackout or become disoriented or "off balance" when drinking. Both he and I had only 2-3 drinks each in total since 1230 that afternoon. I expressed concern about my husband as well as myself. The staff became aggressive and told me that I must go to the hospital. I told them that I did not feel comfortable going in a cab to a strange hospital alone. They told me I had no choice and removed my bracelet. My husband does not recall these events which is unusual given that I am half his size, so I assume that he received a larger dose of whatever drug was slipped into our drinks. (I highly suspect Rohypnol given our symptoms) Neither my husband nor I have ever experienced these symptoms in our lives. We both recall "images" throughout that night, but are unable to put all the pieces of the story together. My recollection of the events seem to be clearer than his.
I reluctantly went to the hospital and was admitted for 2 days. I received heavy doses of antibiotics which I feel was appropriate given my blood work and CT scan results. There were no toxicology screens ordered. In the meantime, my husband was at the hotel and does not recall me going to the hospital. This would be about the time in which the illegal substances given would have peaked. The staff asked him to leave, but demanded $200.00 for a cracked door in our room which had obviously been repaired previously. He refused, and demanded that the police be called. I asked for the police to be called earlier in the room, and again they refused. The staff once again refused to contact the police. My husband attempted to call the hospital where I was but they reported that I left, which was not the case. I was admitted to the medical unit after being seen in emergency. My husband could not find me, and the texts that I was sending him could not be sent. He made his way to the Holiday Inn, stayed there for the night and left on a flight home the next day. He contacted the police, as he was under the impression that I was "missing".
I would like to support you in any way I can to help get the message across to fellow Canadian and US travelers that this is a significant and serious problem which must be addressed. In no way did we receive any help or support from the police or staff at the resort. Although we were victims, we were made to feel like "criminals". I am angry, as I am quite aware that giving an individual these type of "date rape" drugs such as GHB, or Rohypnol in the wrong doses can quite quickly and easily kill someone. I have contacted Transat vacations, as well as the Canadian/Mexican Embassy.
The Embassy was kind enough to send me a list of lawyers to contact. I think they missed my point! I am quite capable of retaining a lawyer on my own!!!!
I am so frustrated and extremely angry. Do we need to start sending our own police to these resorts to provide protection to fellow Canadian and US Citizens? Perhaps all we can do is continue to warn travelers of the dangers involved in Mexico? It's not only the young adults who are "partying" be targeted as I once thought....we are all potential victims! I am a health care professional with a number of years of experience.
Although this was a terrible experience, we are lucky to be alive! I am sharing our story to raise awareness for potential travelers from the US and Canada. My heart goes out to those individuals who have lost their loved ones while on vacation.
Finally, I
question the professional organizations that the nurses,
physicians, and EMT's report to in Mexico. According to the many
stories and accounts that I have read from health care
professionals from the US and Canada, their assessments,
critical thinking skills, and interventions for individuals with
vital signs are poor, unethical, and criminal!! I'm not sure how
they are able to get up each morning and look at themselves in
the mirror.
January 24, 2013\
Name: Nicole
I visited the Temptation Resort in Cancun Mexico Jan 16-Jan 21 and what happened there is the most horrific thing anyone should ever have to go through. On Saturday Jan 19th after a beautiful day at the beach and pool I decide imp getting a little cold so I tell my friend lets go to the room, she was still enjoying herself in the pool with people and said she wanted to stay I argued not wanting to leave her but she stayed. About an hour later I'm asleep in the room when someone is banging on my door, I get up abruptly and open the door to security and staff saying come with them. I leave with them asking what's going on and they tell me nothing, the take me to the pool area and there are people down there and I see a body wrapped up next to the pool. I'm not thinking anything concerning me as we continue to walk. We get to the bar area of the pool and they tell me my friend had drown in the pool. I don't believe this I think they are lying to me, I'm hysterical, screaming and crying at this point still saying no she didn't drown. I then go over to the body because I'm in shock and still don't believe what they are telling me and I pull back the sheet to see my friend lying there cold and lifeless, I fell to the ground. I was screaming and crying. The hotel staff immediately picked me up and proceeded to take me to the lobby area. I had no clue what was going on, I was in shock screaming and crying and staff were just pulling me all different ways not telling me what happened or answering any of my questions. I am immediately put on the phone with the US consulate and to be honest the conversation at that point was a blur. After the call they take me to our room and when we get to the room there are supposed police all over our room going through things and not allowing me in. As I stood there not knowing what was going on they started walking out one by one and one of the police had our passports in a bag. I got scared they told me to go in my room and collect some of my belongings quickly. I tried to ask why I could not stay in my room and where was I going and they said to another room. They are rushing me so I throw as much as I can into my suitcase and proceed to follow them to another room in the resort. During this whole period I'm asking questions over and over and nobody would tell me anything. The only security I had was an amazing English couple who refused to leave my side and a guy I had met when we got there. They were arguing with the hotel staff because they were being so mean to me and I didn't do anything but just lose my friend.
So know I'm in a new room and the staff is so disrespectful that they put me in a room right above the party bar that stays open till 5am, so they went down and complained about where they put me considering the circumstances.
So they moved me to another room. I was still in shock, panic attacks, crying not knowing anything. The hotel people would not tell me nothing.
The English couple stayed with me and I just couldn't calm down I was hysterical, how can you calm down when this happens. I finally pass out from crying and get up the next morning hoping what happen was just a dream. It wasn't a dream it really happened. I go down to the front desk to find out what's going on, what happened, where are our passports, can I go home.
Nobody would answer anything I didn't have any money, no passport, not all of my belongings and my friend was dead. They then tell me I cannot get my passport back until the police get my statement, so I ask when will that be and they said well its Sunday and things move slow here so I'm not sure.
They tell me to go relax in my room and when they get more information they will contact me. I go back to my room because I don't want to be anywhere else or around anyone and call the US consulate to find out what is going on and if they have info. I continue to call the consulate every 30 minutes for info and nothing. At this point I had no clue when I was going home, still had no information on anything that happened. I was out of my mind, scared. Finally on my 20th call to the consulate they tell me I can go to the lobby at 6 and security and staff will take me to my old room to collect mine and my friends belongings and that my passport should be in there. In the mean time my guy friend was at my door with a woman. I didn't want to talk to anyone but he was admit about me opening the door. I let them and she told me she was one of the women who performed CPR on my friend and that she had to talk to me about what happened. What I heard next broke my heart even more. She told me that my friend was dancing around 10 minutes earlier and then the bartender just sped away to the pool and they pulled my friend out. This woman who was certified in CPR from the US and a nurse from Canada started CPR on my friend. She then told me that my friend was gurgling so they turned her to the side to get out the water and they continued to do this. Then the EMT came and told them to get up. Both women swore to me that they both checked her pulse and she had one. She was still alive! She could have been saved! The EMT came with nothing but the clothes on his back and stood there for a few minutes and then put his head to her chest and pronounced her dead. They let her die! They did nothing to help her, this could of been prevented. My heart fell to the floor as she was telling me this, we both start sobbing. She tells me that she wanted me to know and get her info to give to her family that something needs to be done and that she gave her her last rights. I hugged her and thanked her for trying and being brave to come and tell me this. At this time it's close to 6 when I can get escorted to my room like I'm a criminal to get my things. Four people take me to my room and watch me collect our things and give me my passport. They do inventory on my friends belongings and then take everything to my new room. At this point the consulate told me I would be leaving the next day to go home. Everything seemed so weird to me. While being in my room after this happened I did a lot of research on Mexico and this happens a lot. The EMT's never come with anything and let people die.
WTF is going on here. These are vacation spots and you telling me they just let people die? And normally when something like this happens the other party usually gets detained for a few days and has to make a statement.Funny thing the police never came back, never took my statement and it was shocking to everyone how quickly they were getting me out. At this point I just want to get home and be safe, I was to be leaving in the morning. I never left the room that day and woke the next morning to check out and go home. I went to go check out and they had no record of me and my friend even staying there anymore. All of the paperwork and proof of us being there was gone. They ripped a piece of paper said sign and go. They really want no record of what happened or me being there. This happens all the time in Mexico and things much worse. They don't want people to know what happens because it's a vacation destination. I hope someone reads this on trip advisor and every other site I put this on, people need to know that in Mexico its money for them if you die there and that this is very common.
January 19, 2013
Name: Amy
Someone posted a comment about a death of a woman who fell off of a balcony at the dreams resort in Puerto Vallarta on January 11th, 2013. My friend passed away in Puerto Vallarta on that same day. I'm looking for answers and I believe these two incidents might be related. I just want to know what happened to my friend--can the person who wrote that comment be able to give any descriptions of what she looked like? Or any other information?
January 18, 2013
Name: Marco
my brother lived in pv for this past year, never visited, lived nor knew anything about this type of travesty. he had told me that he wanted to leave this paradise only because he worked in the timeshare/tourism business and started to see shady things and planned to be back in California this past December! he never had a chance, he would tell me of bartenders doing this, and the tourism companies would also be involved in the kidnappings of people they knew had money. the timeshares business is what finally got him kidnapped by the Nayarit police whom were collecting for the bigger guys which I choose not to mention. The owner who is a Canadian knew of this, that he would be kidnapped and as a matter of fact had info that would make her make a call to have him killed... I have allot of information on the players and has been reported to the authorities in Nayarit but they chose not to help. the pgr is also aware of this and the Mexican consulate. I know that my brother was doing his job ,but people are dispensable and this needs to stop. Canada has an investigation going on with the Mexican government but I don�t know who to contact. after searching for months I come to find out that my brothers killer was his friend on Facebook and knew every move we were doing. and for whatever reason would give the police this info. they were working with one another and because we were causing all this attention to my brother! they killed him 3 weeks after they kidnapped him and he was in custody at the time....finally the chief told us that we should of stopped knowing too much and we mi9ght have found him alive.. we finally got his body back in a bad condition. he was assassinated....I need to talk to someone..
January 17, 2013
Name: Dale
I have been coming to Puerto Penasco for years and eventually moved here. The beaches are amazing. I will not be coming back due to the crooked cops. I was driving during the day with my mother. Just like with all of the previous posts, I was pulled over. I give the police no reason to pull me over every time I am here and I have never had a problem. I don't drink and I obey all of the laws. I was on a dirt road driving out to Las Conchas. They pulled me over and said that I was driving the wrong way and told me to "follow them." I politely declined. He took his machine gun off from his shoulder and told me to give him my wallet. He took all the money out and gave it back. They think they are making money, but they are losing it. Because people like me will not be back. And my elderly mother was beyond scared.
January 16, 2013
Name: Gerry
Message: January 12th 2013, Massachusetts Man dies from balcony fall. Ruled suicide by authorities, after visiting restaurant with girlfriend. Mark was also friends with one of the two women who drowned the week before from Massachusetts. He had voiced concerns of taking the trip days before the incident. Had only just arrived in Cancun the day before.
December 19,
Name: donna
My co-worker found out on her son's Facebook page that he was dead. Someone in Mexico posted his picture. His parents contacted Mexico authorities and were told his body had been cremated. He was a volunteer English teacher. What can they do?
November 25, 2012
Name: David
I need help, my brother has been kidnapped, going on the 3rd week. and no one is doing anything don�t know who to trust in Mexico. I need your help and advice. Please.
November 8, 2012
Name: Dee
I am currently in a situation, my brother is in Amerimed he was drugged at his hotel and taken to this hospital. The only information we can get is they need money to continue his medical care. When we were first contacted they explained he was having seizures they were performing CPR and he was unconscious. When I felt it was possibly a scam I told them I didn�t know they information to retrieve the money to send. Miraculously my brother was conscious and able to speak with me. Our phone call was monitored and limited to basic information. I have contacted Mr. Gilbert at the consulates in Merida. I can�t seem to get any help does anyone know of a contact that was more helpful.
November 8, 2012
Name: Dee
I emailed earlier
today asking for help with my brother. I just saw the important
message regarding drinks being spiked that is what has happened
to my brother. He is in Amerimed hospital and they do not want
to discharge him. I am going to try and expedite my passport
through a company and go there to get him. Is there any other
information you can offer to better protect myself when I
January 12, 2013
Name: Deb
I just returned
from vacation in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Yesterday (friday
the 11), a woman at our resort went over a balcony at 5:30 pm.
She landed on a walk way and was killed. my travel mate saw
part of the fall which was from the 8th-10th floor from an
elevator area balcony. It was at Dreams Resort & Day Spa.
What seems strange to us is that the incident was totally
'resolved' within 2 hours of it happening with almost all
the guests at the resort oblivious thatcanything had happened.
Police didnt appear to question anyone and the hotel staff said
nothing. The area was shut off to people for the two hours.
Since we got home today, there just doesnt seem to be any
information what so ever and the way it was handled, just doesnt
sit right with us. From what we say, she was an American or
Canadian woman. Any idea where the info on it might be? It
was certainly a terrible event, but just the fact that the
resort appeared to just quickly get it cleaned up, seems more
December 28, 2012
Name: Alfredo
In October 2008 i was a victim of a shooting in Rosarito Mexico one person died and 2 of us survive being wounded by bullets of A-K47s i lost my right leg in that shooting, it's very sad to know my country is not a safe place to go anymore. I'm Hispanic and i felt the unlikeness of Americans i feel really bad that that situation my own country has brought us too. Please not all of us are the same persons. Mexico is suffering from the same predators and corrupted cops.
December 11, 2012
Name: BRENDA
I was slipped a spiked shot at the Carnival cruise peir Cozumel.
Thank god my
husband did not take it as he pretty near carried me to the
ship. I have no memory from the shot till 6 hours later at all.
beware don't go to Mexico ,with all the beautiful places to go
why go where it is not safe. This was in broad daylight
November 10, 2012
Name: quillow
I was
tortured in a home invasion in baja mx k73. This incident has
forever changed my life. I know have posted and am so very
elated that I found this site.
October 20, 2012
Name: Anonymous
Hi, I'm trying to find the family of a
young man who died at the Gran Bahia Principe Coba resort on or
around February 27, 2012. He went into distress at the resort's
swim-up pool bar at approximately 12:00 p.m. and died shortly
after. He appeared to be around 22 years old, seemed to be of
European origin, had a physical disability (he had a leg brace)
and his father spoke very little to no English and had
difficulty communicating with those around him. A Canadian nurse and two off-duty
paramedics, one from Ohio and the other from Canada, tried to
help the victim after he was taken out of the pool. If you have
any information about the victim, please get in touch with this
site's administrators because I am anxious to contact the
victim's family. Thank you
October 6, 2012
Name: Robert
I was robbed
yesterday 10/5/2012 at 8 AM in Tijuana by the police. I just
want to let you guys know I posted all the details on
Tripadvisor and my post was removed within hours. I have lost
some trust in Tripadvisor. I sent a message to my local
Congressman about the bill. Thank you for your site. I have
family in Tijuana and corruption is a way of life there. The
police released me after I told them I was a US Marine. I am a
veteran but I still have that military look. They ended up
dropping me by the border after they took $50 or so in pesos.
September 19, 2012
Name: Laura
My partner and I
both had plastic surgery at Perfection Clinic and almost died.
My partner and I were held hostage by the clinic and prevented
us from receiving proper medical attention. My partner
contacted the American consulate who finally got us out. I spent
8 days in a real hospital and had two blood transfusions. The
Perfection clinic also hurt my back in surgery and now I have an
herniated disc. Perfection fooled me an experienced RN and they
fooled my partner a Chiropractic physician. None of the
websites Perfection uses to promote their clinic will of course
put my real review online. This place is DANGEROUS!
August 26, 2012
Name: Patricia
I expect you have
already heard of the incident, but if not, I refer you to look
up (easily goggled) the details of my husband, Chris Kahr's
murder during a home invasion in Ajijic on Nov. 29, 2011. I am
not really interested in giving a first-hand report, but feel
sure you must have read of it.
August 12, 2012
Name: Matthew
Hi there, I was researching for a friend who lost his Mom in Mexico in 2010, and found the death mentioned under MVA press section. Is there any chance this Scott person could be reached? Maybe backtracked via email? The son of the survivor of Ms. Sharon Wallace is a good friend of mine, and is still grieving over this loss, as he cannot get resolve. Thank you for anything you can do. Best regards, Matt.
August 5, 2012
Name: Renee
A friend of mine who worked at the Oasis Grand Cancun was approached by narcos and told to lure three Canadian female tourists to a specific site away from the hotel zone, where they could be kidnapped. Even though he said he didn't want to get involved, they said he didn't have a choice. He knew that the situation could prove deadly for the girls and stalled, and made up excuses until the girls checked out of the hotel. The narcos watched my friend, following him home, where three men beat him severely. He told his employer at the hotel and he was promptly fired. Because he "snitched" he was targeted to be killed. He left the city. The Canadian girls never knew how close they came to being victims. Please warn travelers of this danger.
August 4, 2012
Name: Steve B
Here is my Mexico
story in a nutshell. I planned a 1 month stay vacation in
Puebla to visit a friend that is a native there whom I had met
through a study abroad program at my University in the U.S.
several years ago. We stayed in touch and talked almost weekly
via the internet. Knowing the area, he looked around at
apartments and recommended one in a safe, secure location, fully
furnished with all utilities included. Total cost = $320 for
the month. Not a bad deal! I was extremely surprised at the
quality of the place, the furniture and how well it was
maintained/cleaned. Superfast internet (Comparable if not
better then my internet speed in the U.S. was also included) -
To continue with my story, over about a 2 week period I became
quite familiar with the surroundings, got comfortable taking the
bus around town and walking to various plazas, restaurants,
etc. One afternoon while my close friend was away at work, I
ventured out to the local plaza to pick up a few items at the
mercado (this place was similar concept as a walgreens but this
one was about 5 times the size as a typical walgreens)-It was
middle of the day, around 5PM and I walked there being sure to
take the main roads where there is plenty of traffic and tons of
people out and about walking around. Well, I got to the plaza,
I was thirsty and saw a mediocre looking bar/lounge wedged in
between a few stores (Think strip mall concept), and decided to
stop in for a cold cerveza and check out the establishment
(Later to find out it was quite a sketchy place) - Shortly after
sitting down, I was approached by 2 individuals (appeared to be
natives but was able to speak some English) - They mentioned
something along the lines of "You�re not from around here are
you?" (Being Caucasian and born in the U.S. I obviously stood
out) - I could tell something wasn't right with their demeanor
and became a little concerned. Now here is where things get
crazy. Next thing I know, it�s dark out, I'm outside, I feel
pain but don�t know from where. I can't see, blurry vision,
stumbling around, somehow there happened to be a policia vehicle
driving through an unfamiliar parking lot I happened to be in
(They drive with their red/blue lights on at night in marked
squads so you can pick them out if you need help), I somehow
made my way to the vehicle, fell while attempting and crawled
to the passenger door of the police car and started slamming my
hand against it. Darkness...I come to in an ambulance
momentarily, just enough time for me to look out the back and
front windows to see us racing full speed through the streets
with a police escort (Police lights and sirens 2 squad cars
behind us, 2 in front)..dizzy and blackness. Come to again in a
hospital. Dr tells me I'm in really bad shape and if I have
family contact info incase I don't make it. Can't talk,
enormous amounts of pain all over my body. Well long story
short, I went from the parking lot and was raced to the nearest
hospital which happened to be a Military Hospital (Which is very
rare since normally Mexican Military personnel only are allowed
to enter as it is highly guarded.) I was somewhat stabilized and
then transferred to a private hospital (Just so happened to be
the best quality yet MOST EXPENSIVE Private hospital in all of
Puebla) - I have no recollection of being at the military
hospital by the way but this is what I was told later. All sorts
of tests were done, I was in and out of consciousness for some
12-13 hours. Turns out the popular rophynolol/date rape drug
was found in my bloodstream and I somehow had a BAC level of
over .30! My body was shaking uncontrollably, and they told me
they couldn�t give me any more pain medicine or anything because
they had maxed out (even gave extra) the dosages on several
major meds through IV. I eventually started coming out of a fog
but come to find myself bruised, sore all over, my wallet
missing, along with my watch and cell phone yet I somehow
maintained possession of my passport (Thank god). Federal
detectives showed up and questioned me for all hours repeatedly
asking me the same questions and all I could say was "I honestly
don't know what happened. I couldn't remember a thing." I was
able to call my friend who came immediately and stayed with me
through the night/early morning and got to hear my agonizing
moans.. As hours ticked by which seemed like days I came to
realize that this might cost quite a bit and I don�t have a
wallet on me.. Here's why I�m writing this. I discovered it was
going to be quite pricy (is all I was told..none of the
staff/doctors/nurses seemed to be able to give me even a remote
estimate except "A lot"..well now having made a prior trip to a
private clinic earlier in the week for a little food poisoning
incident (another story) and spending only the USD equivalent of
around $200, I thought a lot was going to be somewhat
affordable. Boy was I wrong. I made it clear to the doctor that
I could probably only afford the 1 night because I had no money
on me or credit cards and would have to borrow some from my
friend, he said he thought it was a really bad idea (Which it
was, as I was still shaking uncontrollably, in immense pain,
couldn't hold a pen, and was diagnosed with immense inflammation
of the stomach, esophagus, gall bladder, etc (Pretty much entire
GI tract) - however he reluctantly agreed to later in the
evening if I promised to take all the meds he prescribed and
return if it became non-tolerable. He even gave me his personal
cell phone # and said to call any hour of the night if there was
an emergency (Which I thought was quite nice). I know he was
against discharging me, and he had good right to be but
apparently he knew what was coming next..THE BILL. Ok, all in
all I spent a little under 24 hours in the hospital..I had a CT
and X-ray done. The bill came out to roughly $5000 USD! I
freaked out Ok, I�m sick as he**, still shaking, throwing up,
terrible anxiety and come to find out they won't let you leave
until you pay IN FULL. How the hell am I supposed to come up
with $5000 with no wallet, in a foreign country at 10PM at night
when a wire transfer or such is impossible, if put on a Credit
card they have to physically swipe it (Sorry, no one can call it
in to help you out), and the best part is that if I stay past
11:30PM, they charge me another $5000 for a 2nd night! Wow
thanks guys, 1.5 hours to come up with $5K or it doubles to $10K
and I�m held hostage at the hospital. (I've since read there are
some legalities behind this but in Mexico they don't fear
lawsuits and these specific laws against this are rarely
enforced) Add on that every major area is incredibly secure with
armed security at the major entrances on hidden earpiece type
radios controlling access to all the patient areas (Kind of
blows the idea of simply running out!) - Well thank god my
friend was able to get his parents to rocket across the city in
time to slap down $5K in hidden cash they had in their house,
which to me is a miracle considering the average PAY in Mexico
is $4.60 A DAY NOT HOUR..(Yes go ahead look it up) - So I was
free to go, and the detectives made sure to remind me that these
people had my wallet (which conveniently had the place I was
staying at written on a piece of paper within) and that they may
come to my home address.. Well thanks to spike the anxiety level
a bit higher guys.. Anyway, contacted the US Embassy in Mexico,
they were able to place me in a temporary housing unit for 3
days (While I recovered enough to cut my trip short and make an
emergency flight out of the country. Keep in mind at this point
I was still shaking, had a handful of meds I had to take every 4
hours and was probably on the brink of death..After the pain
became tolerable, the body shaking subsided, the nausea toned
down I was able to change my itinerary and had the hospital fax
the airline my discharge report that allowed me a reduced fare
for emergency evacuation back to the U.S., where I could
actually use my medical insurance (yep you guessed again, no
foreign insurance accepted at private hospitals in Mexico) to
get follow up care with my GI tract issue. Take this story with
sincere thought and please people, be careful no matter how safe
you think the area is, what time of day it is, how many people
are around, etc. If you�re a gringo (which is pretty easy to
point out unless you�re of another ethnic descent than
Caucasian, or you just have a really dark tan), you really need
to watch yourself. And again, be careful with healthcare.. why
they chose to take me to the most expensive hospital in Mexico
while I'm unconscious and unable to discuss it with them is
beyond me (Sarcasm, but also probably because I was literally on
the brink of death). So watch out for those healthcare costs,
be careful but most importantly be street smart and enjoy your
time. The country is beautiful with a ton of history!
July 16, 2012
Name: Hang
We came across
your website and were impressed at how you pursued big
institutions fearlessly and advocated for justice even for
underdogs. We're hoping that you'll be able to advise us after
reading our letter. I took my office staff and their spouses to
Cancun, Mexico March 14, 2012 for a business retreat to
celebrate many wonderful things: one wedding, 65th and 50th
employees' birthdays, another's loyalty to the office of over 35
years, etc. We were all so excited because in essence we were
an extended family and enjoy each other's company. The trip was
purchased through Expedia and since the website didn't
accommodate more than 6 passengers at a single time I booked the
trip with an Expedia representative through their group
vacations. We arrived in Mexico late evening and all spent
the evening having dinner together and commenting how magical
this trip was to all of us and how lucky we were to experience
this all together. Before saying our good nights, we agreed to
meet up for brunch the next morning. After our meal, some of us
went out to the beach to enjoy the majestic scenery. That's
when in a blink of an eye our lives were turned upside down.
Three of my assistants' spouses were standing in thigh deep
water chit-chatting about each other's work when one of them was
taken out to sea. Words cannot describe the 30 minutes or so
for a lifeguard to finally manage to reach Steve and then not
have the ability to rescue him. In fact, one of our travel
companions, Dave, swam out and reached Steve first. Resort
patrons including myself were screaming at the staff to get a
jet ski and after what seemed like an eternity they finally
flagged down a jet ski from a nearby rental company.
We finally got Steve to shore and fortunately there was a vacationing doctor and myself, a dentist, trying our best to perform CPR. This whole time we had begged for an ambulance and it took over 45 minutes to arrive. I've never ever sent food back even when the dish was incorrect. I've never filed any complaints. I've never sued anyone. The reason I'm writing to you is that what happened after the tragedy prompted me to become passionate and make a difference for future travelers. Accidents happen. This was not the first and unfortunately will not be the last. I want desperately to expose the abandonment, negligence, and falsification Expedia.com and their partnering companies displayed as well as the loopholes and inhumaneness in which Expedia, Virgin America, and their travel protection insurance partner BerkelyCare creates to avoid chipping into their bottom line. I realize this is a "David vs. Goliath" case but if we continue to sweep deception under the rug then the vicious cycle will continue. The purpose is try to make these corporations accountable for their actions if not to save another tourist but to make the process more humane for the surviving loved ones. To make short of things, the rest of us were on the phone with Expedia and in conjunction with Virgin America, our airline provider via Expedia vacation package, for over 20 hours (Verizon and hotel phone logs will confirm) of which 99.9% of it was on hold. When we did get an actual human representative everyone went through their robotic protocol and we were told "nothing we can do" over and over. Here we were in a foreign country experiencing a surreal hell in paradise trying to figure out the hows, whys, whens, and whats and instead of assisting us in time of need we get answers after hours of waiting like "ok, we can book you for a ticket but for first class fees". This isn't a case of a flu and cancellation of a trip. This was an actual customer's death during the vacation. We basically did everything we could ourselves to get as many of us as possible back to the states so that Angie could tell her two sons and family members that their father passed away on their first trip alone together. We managed to get Steve's body back home the same day with Angie so that family members could receive him at LAX. It's been months of grieving and agony. During this tragedy everyone asked whether or not I had purchased Expedia Travel Protection and I had purchased the insurance for all 14 of us travelling but was told in Mexico via an Expedia representative that it was only for pre-trip protection which I believed. An acquaintance of Angie mentioned that this was not true. I logged on the internet and found out that what the representative told us was false. In fact, there is coverage for a variety of trip interruptions, accidents and even accidental death insurance. I contacted BerkelyCare and the first representative I spoke to questioned why Expedia representatives didn't just tell us to call BerkelyCare. Donna stated that they would have helped us through the whole process and taken care of everything including getting us back home, medical emergencies, processing and bringing Steve back home to the states. I was shocked. My patient had arrived and not wanting for them to wait I ask Donna if I could call her back and initiate the necessary documents. She replied that when I called back any representative would be able to assist me. Again, trusting that was the case I called back a few hours later and as an illustration of the anguish these companies continue to subject, the second representative stated that their policy does not consider us "travel companions" because we were on different itineraries. I stated that the trip was booked using Expedia group vacations and the representative stated they "have nothing to do with Expedia". Contacted Expedia and after hours on the phone and speaking to 4 different offshore representatives finally spoke to a representative in corporate and she admitted that the booking Expedia agent made a mistake but ultimately BerkelyCare is the insurer, etc. I've omitted important details to keep the letter brief. Why offer travel insurance for customer's to purchase if it isn't honored? Why didn't Expedia direct us to call BerkelyCare during the initial request for help in Mexico? Why doesn't Expedia have a protocol including having a direct line for situations that involve death to assist their customers? Why were we placed on hold for literally 2-4 hours, redirected, disconnected, redialed again to experience the same hell? Why were we directed to call Virgin America, their affiliate, directly who requested a faxed death certificate to just assist us in paying "first class tickets" to get back to states when we tried to explain that we were at the Mexican police station getting interrogated for the last 4 hours to relive the nightmare and coerced to sign off that it was an accident before they would release the body for processing and the agents adamantly insisting "well, we can't help you without the death certificate"? Why would a travel company need a death certificate to book us flights? How about when we originally book the trip? Did we need death certificates then? Why shoo us to the side when we showed up at the airport literally and figuratively begging to get cancelled seats and the employees shuffling us to stand off the side for over 2 hours while they accommodated Stevie Wonder and his entourage of 15 never giving us an update or letting us know our status for possible seats? Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to review our story. I understand big corporations like Expedia have extensive legal staff and almost bullet proof contracts. However, if we as citizens allow "Goliath" to continue to squash "David" especially in cases where a life is lost then we are no better than willing bystanders. We felt like part of a Dali painting watching someone we cared about flailing their arms and hands for help and slowly drowning right in front of us. This was not some alcohol or drug imbued accident. We are still recovering from the heartbreak. We want to bring accountability and public awareness and for Expedia.com and their affiliates to realize that we were treated worse than criminals. At least criminals have rights and are provided public assistance.
Kindest Regards,
July 4, 2012
Name: nick
My wife and I have traveled all over Mexico. You don t have a problem until you do have a problem. Then it morphs big time. I contracted swine flu there in 2010. This disease was rampant but no warning as given to travelers. From reading other posts I am glad I just shelled out the extra $ to get out of that country to get care in the us. I still suffer the respiratory effects of that illness.
June 29, 2012
Name: pin
My daughter, son-in-law and two small grandchildren just returned from a holiday in Riviera Maya - June 2012. They both worked overtime to afford the vacation and really needed a rest. They loved the resort they were on, the beach and then decided to rent a car and drive to Cancun.
Big mistake. My son-in-law could pass for a Mexican as he has dark hair and skin. My daughter is blonde and blue eyed. My son-in-law was driving the rental car and was going to make a turn and saw a sign saying it was prohibited..so proceeded straight. A police officer beckoned them over, said he was giving them a ticket. He said they would have to pay it at the downtown Cancun police station, or to him. He named a price and my family didn't have that. He lowered the price to 500 pesos and said pay me. They reluctantly gave the money (as they knew they were dealing with corruption), and my daughter said let's get out of here. Let's go back to the resort. She was so upset and frustrated and started to cry. The police officer looked at her and was stunned. "Why are you crying" he asked. My daughter said, "how am I to feed my children. I don't have lots of money." The police officer said, "stop crying..here is your money..go, go."
Then they went to the gas station to get some fuel and the attendants try to rip them off of 300 pesos of gasoline, but my daughter was in the back seat of the car and could see the amount of gas pumped. Her husband called them on this theft and they begrudgingly gave them the amount of gas they had paid for ( and showed negative attitude).
What a terrible and frightening experience for my family. They loved the beach, weather, resort and then it was spoiled by that. My husband and myself and family are totally turned off with Mexico. We went to Mazatlan 12 years ago and totally enjoyed ourselves. We did not stay on a resort, we mingled with the locals and rented a car and felt safe 100% of the time. What is happening to Mexico? I feel terrible for the citizens of that country as this is their home.
June 25, 2012
Name: Jeff
We are in a
contract for a timeshare in Cabo. We have asked to get out of
it because of the violence. They say there is no violence. We
have only used it one time and continued to pay. We have stopped
paying now (they have gotten a lot of money from us for
nothing).We are being taken to collections but it seems unfair
to pay for something that we cannot use. Do you know of anything
that we can do? Very concerned and I will not take my wife or
family there.
May 28, 2012
Name: Ginger B.
In late March 2012 I was in Puerto Vallarta at a five star property called Villa La Estansia. I am a travel agent and this was my sixth time to Mexico. I was there for work and travelling alone so clearly I stood out by myself at all inclusive. My last day there I went to the bar for a few drinks before my shuttle came since I really hadn't had a chance to enjoy myself. I went from enjoying my second drink to waking up ten hours later in a hotel room that wasn't mine with absolutely no recollection of anything in between. The entire experience was terrifying and the staff claimed I drank too much. Needless to say, there was a medical bill involved although I was refused blood and urine tests. I knew I was drugged from the second I woke up so I'm not sure what tests they billed me for! I still don't know what happened that day but there was definitely a cover up, from the resort staff to the people hosting me from Tourism Mexico. Don't believe them when they tell you someone just "got drunk". Since I've returned, our agency has had clients experience the same thing... People get drugged everywhere but what is scary about Mexico is how quickly they will turn the victim into the "guilty party". Often it's the bartender (I'm pretty sure it was in my case) so I don't know how you're meant to protect yourself.
May 27, 2012
Name: MWL
I am american and
have lived with my mexican husband in Tijuana for 14 yrs. Since
after I married him, thinking he was a nice guy, I taught him
english. he has been abusive to me, hurting, choking me,
etc...but right now I am going to send you my info, in case he
kills me. I am partially disabled woman age 50. He works in San
Diego yet I have no access to enough money to leave him and no
way to leave or divorce. I am being terrorized more the older I
get. Just last night he slammed my face very hard into the door.
Today I left my bedroom to use the bathroom and he became angry
again and tried to push me out of the bathroom slamming the door
in my face. Right now I have 2 black eyes w/hematomas. He will
not leave nor give me the means to leave. He says it is my fault
that he beats me. I met him in 1997 at which time we lived in
the US and he did not abuse me until I married him. Now I am
trapped at his mercy, of which he has none, I have begged him on
my hands and knees to please stop hurting me, but he drinks and
comes home and does. He buys what is needed for the home, but I
have no access to any of his 5 bank accounts. Please help me
what can I do? I don't speak spanish or I would have a
restraining order to protect myself. I cross the border for
work, and have nowhere in the US to go for safety. My mother is
too old to help me and the people here hate me, they do nothing
when I cry out for help. Please pray for me that I don't end up
like Nolan. Thank you so much for this website, but they need to
have help here for americans. I married him under CA law then he
moved me here so I could not get help or access to any of "His"
money. He is working under the table and makes money, but won't
give me a divorce. I feel kidnapped. 15 years soon, I am afraid
I will die here.
April 2 2012
Name: Tim G.
My cousin, Robbie Hill, age 53 died 2 days ago at a pool in Cozumel in 3 feet of water. They pulled the plug in him WHILE STILL ALIVE after 3 hours without telling or consulting with ANY FAMILY MEMBERS. His wife left the hospital for 20 mins and when she got back the ventilator was turned off and husband dead. Now having trouble getting him and wife out of Mexico.
March 21 2012
Name: Nicole
On Monday march 19th Wendell Flemister and his youngest son were swimming at the beach in front of the ritz Carlton resort in cancun. Apparently they were caught in a rip current and Wendell was unable to fight it. He was pulled in by the resort "lifeguard" who began to Perform CPR incorrectly and water continued to pour from his mouth. Wendell died that day as they waited 30 minutes for an ambulance and left behind 2 sons, a wife, a brother and sister and both of his parents. Please don't take your family to Mexico!!! They care nothing for us gringos
March 11 2012
Name: Concerned Traveler
We read in the local Cancun newspapers in Jan 2012 of a death of Paul Biteb of New York from a balcony fall at the Riu, wondering why no news in the states about this.
March 6, 2012
2011 in Zihuatanego, Mexico man pulled a gun on my wife and relieved her of her purse. Not realizing he had a gun I took after him and ran him out of gas to the point he dropped the purse. I stopped and picked it up, he stopped, said something in spanish, pulled the gun from his pants, aimed and fired. We were 20 feet apart; luckily he was a bad shot and missed. The shooter took off again; the police did nothing. This happened 100 yards from the Intrawest compound in a very good area of Zihu where there was a guard. There are many of these events that never get recorded. Be careful in Mexico. Better to avoid it completely.
March 6, 2012
Name: Angela
I took a cruise with 8 family members that ended in Acapulco. The city was filthy, the airport had no AC and the staff and security at the airport had such utter contempt for our group of 1000 Americans and Canadians that the hate was palpable while we spent 4 hours in the airport being virtually accosted by the security agents, the searches were degrading and appalling. each bag was opened, dumped on a table in front of onlookers and riffled through by agents. The staff and security people were, mean, rude intimidating and outright frightening. No information was offered and very little English was spoken. After 3 hours in a line no longer than 100 feet then another hour and a half going through more security checks we boarded our plane to Dallas. When the airplane wheels left the ground nearly three hours later than our scheduled departure everyone on board clapped and shouted hooray! The consensus on our plane by the 300 or so passengers was that we would not be returning to Mexico, ever, and we would warn all people we knew not to travel in Mexico. Of course most connections were missed once we arrived in Dallas. Watch your facebook pages. The Domestic US has beautiful tourist sites like the Florida Keys and many cities by the sea and ocean. Europe is also beautiful. There is no need to travel in Mexico. Thank God for the USA!
Name: Diane
After reading about the recent advisory to "Not Travel to Mexico, and their Resorts" I feel I must cancel our 2011 Senior Spring Break Trip, organized by a local tour agency. The past and the most recent news from Cancun, Mexico absolutely scares me to death! I will not put my daughter and myself in harms way...With State and Federal agencies warning to "not" vacation in Mexico broadcast on CNN and Fox, why would they allow travel agencies to continue booking Senior trips and flights to Mexico. I asked my travel agency several questions about our safety, and her reply was this, "the murders are taking place a thousand miles away from our "Lock down resort" and not worry"...she sent a message letting me know the cancellation policy was in force!! I did not even mention about not continuing our trip, set for March 19, 2011. Profit over security, how sad! What are your suggestions? I need answers...apparently I've lost 3,000 dollars to this agency, who is placing our children and parents in harms way. Please advise. My contact number and email enclosed.
March 3, 2012
Name: missy
I have just come back from being in cancun for 2 weeks with my mother, I�m 35, and a medic on Alberta oil rigs. While at an all inclusive hotel I was drugged, I went out to meet a gf at the hotel bar and I don�t even remember leaving my hotel room to meet her that night, my mom would�ve never let me leave the room if she thought I was drunk, as I had had 2 drinks with dinner ,...I saw the girl the fallowing day and she said we talked for about 30 mins and I never drank anything there, and a few days later a couple called me over to see how I was doing as they met me that night as well...I don�t even rem talking with them , they said I never drank with them either. I was found by security at 11:45 pm swimming in the ocean in front of our beach naked !...they could not find my clothes or purse anywhere...I filled a complaint with the hotel and still have the records, but they did nothing about it. I�m just very glad that a decent security guy found me and wrapped a towel around me and took me to my room, I could�ve been raped or killed or drowned feb 2 2012
March 3, 2012
Name: Aurora
The following tale should be a word of caution on Mexican private medical clinics. In August 2008 my mother, a Mexican citizen, fell ill and was taken to Hospital Merlos, a private clinic in Colonia El Caracol, in Mexico City. She controlled the family assets. My brother, Ernesto Arrioja Juarez, conspired with medical and nursing staff to kidnap her from the hospital. He and his wife Lilia Garcia Luna wanted to take her to their home to exercise control over her and become universal inheritors of the family assets. I realized the plot and interfered with it. On the fourth night I had been by my mother's bedside, my brother brought a number of people in the hospital after visit hours, including what seemed to be a Public Notary legal team. Medical staff was about to inject my mother with a non-identified intravenous drug when I realized that there was a plot going on and I was alone, at the mercy of this crowd. I fled. I took a plane back home that same night. I must have been an element in the plot, because nothing else happened that night, other than my brother and his wife were extremely upset by my leaving. My mother died in that clinic three weeks later. The death report was signed by the internal medicine specialist, who I believe was helping my brother to subdue our mother. I believe that at least one of the several reported causes of death, multiple pulmonary stroke, cannot be confirmed without an autopsy: to my knowledge, there wasn't one. My advice to travelers is: don't go to Mexico, if you can avoid it. Hospitals are not safe, neither private nor public. A sick or injured person is in a very vulnerable position and one cannot know when medical attention may be required. Do not take chances with your life. As for reporting to the police, the lawyer who was going to help me get legal custody of my mother during her sickness urged me not to do it as I was on my way to the police station. After my mother's death, another lawyer recommended me the same. Both lawyers advised that the police would simply reversed the charges to accuse me of the crimes I wanted to denounce. That is another reason not to go to Mexico: the police will not only not help you in case of need, but they shall extort you and even attack or beat you up. I hope that readers will heed my story and keep safe.
February 22, 2012
Name: Shelley
I just got home last night from P.V. Was in a house on the beach at the north end of Sayulita around 11AM on Wednes when a couple from Minnesota came to the house next door where others in our wedding group were staying. They were being mugged and the guy got shot right through the torso. This happened right beside the house on a trail to the beach. I went down a while later and by then the cops were there and the guy was loaded into the ambulance. This helped me decide to come home 2 days early.
January 18, 2012
Name: Gineen
I am writing to see if you would have any resources or recommendations to aid in finding Justice for SGT. Joseph Bitet. He was killed in Cancun on Jan 7th of this year at the Riu Cancun the sister hotel to where he was staying. Police have been of no assistance to us in this investigation. They clam he was alone and fell from the 5th floor (window in the stair well) but from security videos just released he was with another unknown person. Joey and this other man met in the lobby of the hotel and after speaking for a few minutes entered the elevator together. 7 minutes later another person ran into the lobby to report seeing someone fall. We are still trying to obtain the names of the people who witnessed his fall which the hotel and police will not give to us or his family. We are also trying to find out who this Mystery person is and why they were not questioned. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also if you have any recommendations on private investigators we would appreciate it.
January 15, 2012
Name: Debbie
I am writing to
you today in regards to my friend who was murdered in Cancun
last weekend. United States Marine Sgt.Joseph Bitet was killed
following �mysterious circumstances� in Mexico last weekend. I
have just come home from burying my friend and I keep saying,
"Why isn't anyone doing anything to find out what happened to
him?" Perhaps you could help me. My friend was the most amazing
soldier, son, brother, citizen and friend. There are no words to
explain what the loss of Joey has done to his family, his
friends, fellow soldiers, all of Hauppauge and everyone that has
ever come in contact with him. Isn't it our duty as Americans to
protect our soldiers the way they have protected us? He risked
his life on the front lines in Iraq twice for our country. I
feel that it is our obligation to honor him and find the people
responsible for his death. If this had happened here, in
America, there would have been an investigation and the story
would have been front page news. Please, please honor my friend
and get the word out. Mexico is not a safe place for Americans.
And the people or person responsible for the treatment and death
of Sgt. Joseph Bitet need to be punished for what they did. We
all pray that Joey is resting in peace, but none of us will ever
rest not knowing what really happened in those few minutes. I
hope that you will keep the Bitet family and all of us that knew
and loved him in your prayers and please don�t stop
investigating and getting the word out until justice is served.
December 21, 2011
Name: Sharyn
just returned from Playa Del Carmen with my family. I was involved at the scene of an accident involving head trauma on Dec 18th 2011. Because of the stories I read on your site I was able to help the family know what to expect. It was just like everyone said no one helped and the first thing they asked for was a credit card. the last I heard he was moved from Playa del Carmen to a trauma unit in Cancun for emergency surgery, the family was hoping to airlift him to Miami to receive proper care. i would like to share my story.
December 12, 2011
Name: G H
It has been over two years, yet seems like yesterday when my husband and I were drugged on the resort "Dreams,Cancun" To this day we question motive,?robbery, ? messing with an American. Either way it was traumatic, especially as an RN to be held virtually hostage by the Hospiten Cancun. Their medical system lacks empathy and wants money, tourists beware!!! Don't go there, there are too many beautiful places to go, Mexico is out to profit from tourists, good or bad...
October 11, 2011
Name: Patricia
Hello, I would contact someone to help me find evidences of my daughter's death, which occurred on September 9, 2010, at the Hotel Riu Caribe, his name was Giannina Di Roberto, thanks.
September 20, 2011
Name: michelle
MY Boyfriend was
killed by a date rape drug from this past weekend. a man
followed him to his hotel suite and sent a text message to their
buddies to come to the room slipped my boyfriend the drug. they
made him have sex with a 16 yr old girl and then his kidneys
failed and he died today.DO NOT GO TO MEXCIAN VACATION RESORTS
August 22, 2011
Name: Pete
Message: NEVER CUT CORNERS OR DEVIATE WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY ABROAD
My Name is Pete, a
Canadian Citizen, and I have been travelling to Puebla Mexico
since 2006. The purpose of my trip was to visit my wife and
daughter as I go through the sponsorship process. I did not stay
at resort. It has been my 12th visit to date and I never had a
problem until my recent visit there. As the old saying has it,
never say never. On my last few days there, my wife and I
decided to spend some time together without any kids around.
So, we left our daughter at home with one of my wife's sisters.
We went out to watch a movie on July 30/2011, the movie finished
approximately 11:20pm Mexican time. Since, it was late, I was
saying to my wife that we should take a taxi which there was a
lot of them parked in front of the movie theatre at that time.
She said that she want to walk for a bit and talk about life,
our daughter, and immigration. So, I said ok and we did not take
those taxis. After talking until 12:00 something in the morning
of July 31, we decided to head home. We hailed a cab from the
street which is considered a no no in Mexico. I guess we were
not thinking straight at that time. We both got into the cab and
the driver started to drive us home from what we both believed.
So, my wife and I continued talking a bit. When we noticed that
the driver was not taking us home, it was already too late. The
driver drove us to unfamiliar place and that is where three guys
jumped into the taxi. One was in the front and the other two was
on either side of my wife and I. They placed what felt and
looked like baseball caps and made us bow our heads so that we
cannot see them. My wife tried to fight back and one of them
punched her in the face and the other told me to do something
but I did not understand what they were asking me to do because
they were speaking in Spanish and I do not understand the
language that well. So, I was punched in the stomach for that.
My wife cried out and told them that I am not from here and I do
not speak and understand Spanish. One of the low lives, started
speaking English to me. He said that if we do not want to get
hurt, we should do everything that they told us to do. Since, we
were outnumbered and we did not know if they had a weapon, we
felt like we had no choice but, to compiled. The one that was on
wife said told her to take off her jacket and put her arms
around him so that it does not raise any suspicion to the
outside world. Original, the guy that was on her side was
thinking of sexually assaulting her but, the one that was on my
side said "we do not have time for this, we just came for the
money and the valuables" according to what my wife told me
because they were speaking Spanish at that time. They
began to go through all the stuff that we had on us, they took
our cell phones, money, credit cards, my digital camera, and
more. We were also told that we needed to surrender our pin
numbers to our cards in order to be released. My wife and I
prayed all the way though that we were going to get through this
for our daughter. Anything that we had on us is replaceable.
This was all happening as the driver drove us to another unknown
location. When we got there, they made us exit the taxi on
either side. They brought us together and quickly grabbed their
caps off our heads and ran away.. We stood there for a minute to
thank god that we lived through this ordeal and then we started
to find ways to get home since at that time we had no money.
We ended up getting some change from a local Mexican who was
having a party nearby. We tried to call the local police and
they told us that since we could not gave them any info that
could identify the criminals, and that we were not seriously
hurt, there was no need for them to come. We end up walking to
a store called Oxxo, and we called another taxi but, this time
we followed protocol. The protocol in Mexico is never take a
taxi on the street, always call from a registered number in the
phonebook or in designated areas. As you can see, we did not
follow this rule when my wife and I tried to get home after the
movie. When calling from registered taxi number, you will always
get a unit number from the dispatcher on which taxi is coming to
pick you up. If that number is not correct or does not show up
on the taxi that comes for you then, it is advised that you do
not take it. When we finally got home after that incident,
one of her brother's was there waiting to pay for the taxi. The
next day, we went to file the police report at the local
reporting office in Puebla. I was told that since, I do not
speak Spanish and that they do not have an official translator
there than, they could not take my statement. So, I was asked
to wait outside while my wife gave her statement. I felt that
they did not treat me professional because I was a foreigner.
What really made me starting thinking about the corruption in
Mexico was when my wife finished her statement and she asked the
official for a copy of that report. The official originally
stated that she could not give her a copy since it is something
that has to be requested a few days later. So, my wife and I
waited a few days. She then, went to the office again and was
told to come back to speak to a supervisor to try to get the
report in another few days more. She did that and was given the
answer, we are not allowed to give this report out at this
present time. I did some research and I found out that if the
incident involved local Mexicans than, the reporting centre
would have no problems giving out the report. But, since I was
not a local, they felt that if the word gets out that another
Canadian had troubles in Mexico, it would hurt the tourism
sector. It is sad to say that even though money seem like it
rules the world, Mexico would put money over safety in a heart
beat. I really believe that this statement is not just a Mexican
issue but, a world issue. However, my wife after almost three
weeks and a lot of work, she was finally given the police
report. Again, the moral of this story is never cut corners or
deviate when it comes to safety abroad especially when you are
in Mexico.
August 10, 2011
Name: Katie (alias)
I have been to
Oaxaca, Mexico in May 2010 my experience was positive, I
traveled alone as a woman in my mid-twenties. Cozumel, in
January 2011 was a family vacation, my experience was positive.
Cozumel is safe and friendly (although it is expensive). April
2011 I flew to Cancun with my boyfriend in pursuit of Chetumal.
(Chetumal being the border of Belize and Mexico). The Cancun
airport was corrupt and very scary. We thought we would have a
free shuttle to the hotel (a advertised by traveladvisor.com)
but that was not the case. All taxis cost a minimum 60 pesos to
travel a very short distance (less than 2 miles). If I had to
do it over I would have taken the bus out of the Cancun airport
and got off at a random spot to take a taxi the reminder of the
way to the hotel. I can honestly say, I felt on-edge for the 12
hours spent in Cancun and somewhat afraid. I would not feel
comfortable traveling to Cancun alone. I felt much safer in the
non-tourist city of Chetumal which we spent 8 days in. Chetumal
people were friendly and did not hustle us for money.
July 31, 2011
Name: cindy
My mother could not be released from hospital because we had to pay $11,000 for 12 hrs of being in hospital. They did not care that we had a plane ready to airlift her.
July 29, 2011
Name: Tracey
I live in
Allentown, PA. I have a story about Mexican hospitals holding
American citizens for payment with or without care. My
grandmother is currently in Florida after an ordeal with the
Mexican federal government, whom, wouldn�t release her after a
one night stay after a stroke, unless they received $11 grand.
They did not provide her with further care, due to her insurance
and there was no doctor on the premises that night. she left our
resort after my sister�s wedding in an ambulance due to what
they said was a stroke or brain aneurism. They held my father
hostage and made the ambulance turn around on the way to the
plane, unless they had all the proper credit cards. They had
over 10 armed gun men standing in front of the ambulance and
would not release her. At this time my mother and uncle were
inside as she was puking and convulsing. They could see the
plane they purchased for close to $20 grand to get her out of
the country but then turned around, even after payment. Finally
after getting their $11 grand, they let her leave. This after
they told my family the night before it would only be $6 grand
and that they were all paid up until she left in the morning.
After they knew she was leaving the next day, they stopped
treatment and just monitored her. They would only let my mother
see her every 4 hours, one at a time, and not after 8 pm. They
did not care if she lived or died, and even after payment, of
more than they asked, they held her still just to show who was
boss. They then held my father at the hospital, who was flying
home, with armed feds surrounding him right until his flight was
ready to take off. Luckily after they left their commander they
let him rush to get to the front of the line to check in to
sprint to board. There are still American citizens in this
hospital whom do not have the proper insurance and cannot pay,
left to die. They come from vacations, work, or wherever and if
they cannot pay, they do not leave. My mom said there was a man
there whom was expecting to die because of no payment. They stop
treatment and contact no one. Thank god, my family could pay or
my grandmother would still be there, and would probably not
survive. She is now in Tampa, FL at the hospital prepped for
surgery for her brain aneurism to relieve the blood pressure. My
grandfather is also a United States Marine. This happened this
weekend. I cannot get any news stations to cover
this story to warn anyone.
July 3, 2011
Name: Jeonne
Please help July
2-6 2011 its Sunday July 3rd 2011 and my 21 yr daughter went to
Cancun Mexico with her cousin 23yrs old through Priceline and
they haven�t handled there trip or hotel accommodations fairly
now on sun. the 3rd of July they r in Cancun no place to stay
and worse Priceline won�t help them and took all of their money
from their credit card!!
June 29, 2011
Name: Greg
I returned from Acapulco early June. We were twice victims of a police shakedown -- 10 minutes apart. We were driving a rental car on the downtown strip, and an officer on foot signaled a police car to pull us over. He demanded money from us. We were just driving in a traffic jam with all other cars going 10 mph! We insisted to go the police station or for him to give us a ticket but he won't give the license back -- he got his $20 after ten minutes. At some point, we just wanted to get out of there and gave in to corruption. Ten minutes later, another police car pulled us over an attempted the same. Out of money, we were much more aggressive -- and he let us go. I reached out to the US Consulate, who of course is all too familiar with this story. We are grateful to be physically unharmed unlike so many stories on this site. Based on this common experience and the stories here, my family will never go back to any part of Mexico. Please continue to get these stories heard.
June 13, 2011
Name: Andre
Just came back from the Maya Riviera after a 7 night vacation. Everything was nice and dandy until I got a grain of sand in my eye. Couldn�t see it so I went to see the doctor on the resort. He was rude, told me to give him $60 cash or no prescription for "infection". Basically he told me to ef off. Later that day I was able to take out the grain of sand with the help of my girlfriend. Doctors on resorts don't care about the well being of tourists and just want money. Also a woman got too drunk and started vomiting badly. Someone called the ambulance and I asked one of the EMT's how much it costs just for them to have come: $550 cash. If something as insignificant as a grain of sand in my eyes did not receive the proper treatment from a Mexican doctor, what would happen if I was to have a more serious accident. Mexico is too shady i will never go back.
May 17, 2011
Name: Stephanie
I wanted to bring to your attention that Martin David Lewis is another person found dead in Cabo San Jose on April 26th or 27th! I'm Corey Lewis' mother ..he is Marty's Son ! there were a couple articles that were made available to me when I went on the Baja Nomad forum (this is the link to that thread...and asked for anyone who might have heard any news down there to assist me with some links to these articles!
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=52641&page=1 )
Not sure you are aware of this controversial death ? the Death Certificate said nothing about the actual cause of death the box for 'undetermined' (loose translation) was marked. It was alleged in these articles that he committed suicide by 'slitting his own throat' ? that is all the info we have to date on this incident ...no Report from the investigation or autopsy has been forthcoming so far! we have made numerous inquiries through to consulate for more info but so far we get the "Manana" treatment!! thought this might be of interest to you as you seem to be interested in creating some positive action where the victims are concerned. maybe you have some suggestions for my son and i as you have had experience in these other deaths! any suggestions and info would be very much appreciated! thank you in advance for your consideration and concern in these matters!
May 6, 2011
Name: Jake
Message: It was a success...I have put Bill Taylor in contact after 3 years with Thomas.. thanks for sending my email to him...Jake
May 1, 2011
Name: Tomas and Pat
Message: Just a short note to thank you and express our sincere appreciation for what you do--and all you've done in our case specifically. The "tip" you received turned out to be legitimate and the man who responded (we're still in touch) knew Bill personally and passed along our phone number to him. He's alive but not well as it turns out. He's coming back to Canada in about a week and we hope he calls us. We have many friends in common and he's sure to contact one of us, who will then alert the rest of us about where he is staying. The point is--thanks to your Website and the work you do--we were able to verify he's still alive and we were able to establish contact. You've provided an invaluable service, and have put a lot of people's mind at ease. If it would be of any help to you, feel free to use and quote any part of this e-mail on your Website as you see fit. If you'd like a more succinct and direct quote about your service and how you've helped us just let me know and I'd be more than please to compose something for you. Thanks again, for "being there" for us. It made all the difference.
April 25, 2011
Name: jake
Message: Hi, I've been reading your site for quite awhile and thank you for what you're doing by giving voice to those whose lives have been lost. Keep going, please. I read the following: We are trying to find our long-time and good friend WILLIAM (BILL) TAYLOR. He's a 65-70 years old white male, about 5'9" to 5'10" with brown hair. He is/was a Canadian citizen. Neither his children, us, or any of his good friends have heard from him in over 2 years--and he used to call quite frequently. He's literally dropped off the face of the earth. Please advise me of any news you may have or suggest a logical, effective way to contact what authorities who might know about him. BILL TAYLOR was last seen working as a Timeshare salesman in the Cancun-Plays del Carmen area.
We're desperate to
find him. Thank you in advance. I SAW BILL 50 DAYS
April 10, 2011
Name: Janet
Message: Hi I found this site and looking for anyone that had a similar incident like myself. I am in the process of putting in a lawsuit against the hotel that we stayed at Feb 6 2011 for negligence. My husband was in the shower and he or myself didn�t know but there was no caulking at the bottom of the shower door. So when I walked in the bathroom it was full of water and I went flying. I was taken to the hospital in Mayan Riviera. I dislocated my ankle and broke 3 bones. I had to have surgery there as the doctor would not let me leave the country as I was at risk for blood clots. I live in Canada. Has anyone experienced and had success in putting in a lawsuit in Mexico. Thanks hope to hear back
April 8, 2011
Name: Eileen
On 3/23/2011, my brother was on the Carnival cruise with two
other people, during their spring break. The cruise ship
docked at Cabo San Lucas in Mexico, their first port and a local
was advertising Lover's beach. They then went on the taxi boat
and arrived at Lover's Beach and walked across the island to the
other side, and unknowingly, it was referred as "Divorce Beach".
The people from the taxi boat did not warn them that the other
side of the beach would be dangerous. My brother was standing in
the water with 2 others. They were barely knee deep and were
swept by the waves. The waves were very strong. My brother and
his 2 friends were swept in the ocean. the 2 friends were
fortunate to have the waves bring them back to shore; however,
my brother was pulled farther into the ocean. The Mexican Navy
sent two divers in roughly 5-10 minutes later. They searched for
since then and as of today, 4/07/11, his body is still not
found. The beaches in Cabo are very deceiving and well known for
their rogue waves and undertows. Even getting your feet wet can
lead to being swept into the ocean. Warning signs are small and
not as visible. Be very careful of the beaches here.
March 30, 2011
Name: Mary
My relative and her husband of one day flew to Cancun Mexico to
go on their honeymoon. They and another couple were picked up
at the airport by a van. There were either no seat belts or no
one wore them. On their way back to the hotel, the van flipped
over. The other couple were instantly killed. My relative (the
bride) was stuck in the car but her husband was thrown out of
the car and was immediately killed. My husband is an Illinois
attorney did an investigation at the request of the family. He
spent the last three years to find out who owned the van and
attempted to get the police reports, and cooperation to bring a
wrongful death claim against the travel company who booked the
travel and the driver etc. After three years of delays and
denials of responsibility, he was finally able to get
compensation for the widow and for her loss and expenses. It
has been a nightmare to get some kind of closure and justice for
the family.
March 29, 2011
Name: Lisa
Message: The Drowning Pool
I am grateful to
have found this site. While my husband and I returned safe and
sound from our recent Cancun vacation, a man staying at the Gran
Melia, did not. This man drowned in front of 100's of guests, on
a sunny Sunday afternoon in March. The Gran Melia had no less
than four life guards on duty diligently patrolling the beach.
Red flags were up, beach closed, yet people were still in the
water. The lifeguards response was immediate. They did all they
could to save this man's life; except for allowing people to be
in the water with red flag conditions. Cancun's beach are not
safe. Natural beach erosion has eaten away the beach and carved
craters along the water's edge. These craters form unnatural rip
tides and deadly currents, from which even the strongest swimmer
cannot extricate himself.
Mexico will continue to kill their tourists unless they fill in the beach. We will never return to Cancun. The waters of Cancun are a Drowning Pool.
March 28, 2011
Name: Roseann
Message: Good morning, I was the one that wrote that e-mail, we were at a beautiful resort In Playa del Carmen, my husband had a heart attack not much help from hotel ..... took him to hospital was told he needed to go to Cancun for surgery After 3300.00 and two payments for ambulance of 350.00 & 550.00.I was told I had to wait for paperwork over 45 minutes made two payments over the phone to Cancun hospital 8000.00 & 6000.00 only to find out they didn't start surgery until I got there and gave them another 8000.00 ........Long story short we Left paying them over 60,000.00 and a Air Ambulance 16,000.00 to get out of the country, he was not able to fly to Boston the doctors recommended Miami or Texas. CASH or CREDIT cards only........They only except Blue Cross BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Threatening me DAILY for more money or they will move him to a clinic. When we (my son flew in) got back to the hospital after checking out The Security Guards took our luggage until we paid & waited again (with the ambulance waiting) over a hour, for the paperwork.... !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 28, 2011
Name: Denise
Message: I am very sorry for your loss, but not surprised at the lack of medical treatment and response time. I have been going to Cancun since '87 and have been witness to a few situations. About 6 years ago we had stayed at the RIU in Cancun and witnessed a 14 year old pulled out of the water. There were no waves, we were across from Isla, so we are not sure what happened. My friend who is a nurse performed CPR on him. It took the ambulance at least 25 minutes to get there. He was seizing the moment he got out of the water and was blue. My friend and another did CPR the whole time. The "EMT"'s didn't know what they were doing when they finally did arrive, we were 3 nurses. We were leaving that day so we never knew what happened to him. The plane ride home was very quiet for us. I searched web sites, called the RIU, and called The American Consulate in Mexico, who admitted they knew nothing of this, even two weeks after. The boy was 14 and we think from Texas. We also had heard of 2 situations the last time our family went. Again a 14 yr old was swept away by the under current and never found. We didn't let our children in the ocean without their dad, before we heard this because it was very strong, but then never let them after, at all. I am a poor swimmer, so unless it's docile I won't go in on the ocean side. We also heard of a boy drowning in a pool in April 09. Another time my husband was very ill with a respiratory infection and needed breathing treatments and steroids. The hotel DR at the Royal Sands would not give more than 3 a day. He really needed back to back. Finally they wanted him to go the hospital, I refused because I knew they wouldn't know what to do and never let us leave the country without selling our soul. I went to the pharmacy and bought him massive steroids, ABX, plus insisted the Dr give him an IM injection of steroids. Now I bring a first aid kit, epipens, nebulizer, IV start kit, just in case. Luckily y I am a nurse and educated on the "Mexican"
health care
system. It's a shame because it is a beautiful country that I
have 25 year old memories of. My deepest sympathy to all who
have lost a loved one.
March 26, 2011
Name: Lisa
Message: On 3/17/11 a 53 year old man drowned right in front of the JW Marriott Cancun Resort and Spa.
My daughter and her friend were boogie boarding and were able to save the life of 3 people including a 60 (approx.) man, a woman and her son by bringing them back to shore on their boogie boards. They indicated that they could not get out of the swells and current. Had it not been for the 14 year old girls they would not have made it.
Unfortunately, one other man in their group did not make it. He was pulled from the water but the DELAY in the arrival of the ambulance, with lifesaving medications, probably prevented this man from living. It took over 30 minutes for Cancun emergency personal to arrive on the scene. Thank God for the two US emergency room doctors who were at the resort and helped the lifeguard perform CPR.
For the amount of money that a typical family spends while on vacation in Cancun at these beautiful resorts, the hotels should be DEMANDING that the Mexican government have customary and adequate emergency response systems in place. Otherwise, I feel that it is the resort's responsibility to pull together to provide this necessary service to their valued hotel guests.
Until this incident happened, I only thought that crime was the prevailing issue in Mexico. After reading about other's medical tragedies experienced in Mexico I realized that this is a HUGE issue that seems to be ignored. Emergency services must be improved overall, not just for tourists, but the resorts must do something to protect the visitors vacationing in Mexico. Until something is done, we will NEVER visit Mexico again. My family's life is too precious to me to put us in a situation knowing that the Mexican's have little regard for tourist's lives...only tourism income generated is of value.
PS - the hotel did tell me, when I asked, that the 53 year old did die. There was nothing reported in the papers to our knowledge.
March 25, 2011
Name: Susan
Message: We have a timeshare at the Royal Solaris. We were there in May of 2006. They were doing construction on the elevators at that time and we were appalled at how they left the shaft only covered with 3 pieces of plywood hinged together at the end of a work day and anyone could walk behind it as they did not even move it close to the wall. I reported to the front desk on the carib side that this was appalling. I now read what happened. I am so sorry. They do not care about such things. It comes from above. The people that we see are scared to death of losing jobs and getting blackballed.
March 19, 2011
Name: Hilary
Message: I'm currently on vacation in Cancun and a man died on the beach on March 17 after drowning right in front of the JW Marriott. They pulled him from the water and he had a pulse for the first 10 minutes. Unfortunately, the hotel staff seemed to have no plan to handle the situation. They performed CPR on the beach for at least 25 minutes before an ambulance even showed up. And when they came, they got stuck on the road because it was too narrow to navigate. I've looked online for the story but can't find it anywhere. I was pulled from the water the day before by the lifeguards and I'm a very strong swimmer. Amazing that they aren't more on the lookout and/or aren't more prepared to handle water emergencies.
March 11, 2011
Name: Dani
Message: Thanks so much for posting your stories. Last year we purchased a timeshare at the Mayan Resort. The resort is gorgeous however the country itself does have many problems. This we decided to trade our timeshare and use it in the U.S. Last year we took our 3 year old son who repeatedly vomited while there from almost everything he drank and ate. In the middle of the night he fell out of bed and hit his head on the dresser. I checked him every 20 minutes for any signs of concussion and dreaded if I would have had to take him to any Mexican ER for fear they would harm him. Luckily he was okay and we had a safe trip, but these stories have made me realize now how much danger we were close to. The Mexican Cartel has also added another ingredient of danger to this country and I would hope that all Americans would take caution while there. Thanks for sharing your stories and I cannot imagine the pain you have felt for you loss.
March 6, 2011
Name: Angela
Message: I took a cruise with 8 family members that ended in Acapulco. The city was filthy, the airport had no AC and the staff and security at the airport had such utter contempt for our group of 1000 Americans and Canadians that the hate was palpable while we spent 4 hours in the airport being virtually accosted by the security agents, the searches were degrading and appalling. each bag was opened, dumped on a table in front of onlookers and riffled through by agents. The staff and security people were, mean, rude intimidating and outright frightening. No information was offered and very little English was spoken. After 3 hours in a line no longer than 100 feet then another hour and a half going through more security checks we boarded our plane to Dallas. When the airplane wheels left the ground nearly three hours later than our scheduled departure everyone on board clapped and shouted hooray! The consensus on our plane by the 300 or so passengers was that we would not be returning to Mexico, ever, and we would warn all people we knew not to travel in Mexico. Of course most connections were missed once we arrived in Dallas. Watch your facebook pages. The Domestic US has beautiful tourist sites like the Florida Keys and many cities by the sea and ocean. Europe is also beautiful. There is no need to travel in Mexico. Thank God for the USA!
February 23, 2011
Name: Lynn
Message: I went to Xel-Ha a few years back and noticed there was zero security/lifeguards at this beautiful Lagoon. I wonder why this is and who owns this facility ? State run or privately owned? It's a beautiful place but very dangerous.
January 31, 2011
Name: Rebecca
Message: I returned from Mexico one day last week and was glad to get out alive. The person I was visiting had been kidnapped by a cartel group who forced him to drive them around for hours while they delivered drugs. They just wanted to use his vehicle, and he, fortunately, was released the next morning. I also heard a story from a student there about how the drug cartel had surrounded his high school a few months ago and there was apparently some shooting. I heard of another young girl who was kidnapped and held hostage for several months before being freed. The police are corrupt and the drug cartels rule. Anyone living there from the U.S. will receive arbitrary electric bills of thousands of dollars for a month. It is extortion. Many, many businesses are closed because the drug lords have extorted them so much they can't afford to have a business. If you're going to travel, take provisions for stopping to use the restroom by the road, since you will have a hard time finding a store or gas station still open. Last week the missionary lady had been killed. I am so sorry for their family. The drug cartels will set up roadblocks that look like military checkpoints and rob or shoot you. That is how she was murdered. You are NOT safe in Mexico. Beware.
January 29, 2011
Name: GLYNN
Message: I'm an Australian who was robbed in Cancun-then jailed by Police for making a complaint then robbed by Police again whilst in custody. Mexico is a dodgy place and I would never go there again. Your sight was referred by an American Lawyer friend of mine who suggested I "share" my experience with you. A much safer option is to bypass Mexico and go to Cuba-great people, very safe and no drugs-plus the cops are cool..
Name: Lee
January 26, 2011
My husband and I were always very aware of the risks of visiting Mexico. I have no desire to EVER go there. I don't care how beautiful that place is. I will NEVER visit Mexico. Aside from sickness and poverty, the corruption is unbelievable. A friend of mine drove his motorcycle from Canada to Brazil and the worst place he had to go through was Mexico. He was also made to pay the policia or they were going to take the license plate off of his bike and not let him leave. Not my cup of tea thank you. My heart goes out to all of the families on this website. My condolences for your loss. What you've done with this website is amazing.
Name: Michael
January 26, 2011
30 miles south of the San Ysidro boarder (San Diego) along the coast in a restaurant, while waiting for her meal, my friend was interrupted when the cook exited the kitchen with his hands up followed by a bandito pointing a gun. This is a local, seedy restaurant/bar, and there were half dozen patrons at the bar and a few more at the restaurant tables. The gunman ordered everyone on the ground and demanded money. One of the regulars at the bar, drunkenly refused. The gunman fired a round into the ceiling and another at the cook, striking him in the leg. My friend stayed down as ordered, emptied her purse. The bandito gathered his booty and left through the front door. My friend went to the window to try and identify the vehicle only to find that the police were parked outside, their car backed in, obviously offering protection to the bandito.
Name: Alan
January 26, 2011
After living in Baja-cabo for 17 years we finally had enough and left in 2005.
We lived in an upscale gated and guarded community. Over the years we had many incidents; such as police demanding bribes for payment of fines- many of which were contrived accusations such as not fully stopping at a stop sign or asking us to step out of the car and then claiming we did not have our seat belt fastened. ( Lots of trucks driving around with locals in the pickup box - obviously no seat belts here.)
The Deputy Immigration minister had his two bodyguards point their guns at us and demanded payment for an accident he caused. The final straw was an accident where ING-Mexico Insurance laughed at us and said you don't really expect you are going to collect even though our guests had paid the $22 per day for full insurance on their rental vehicle. The accident was awful, but the medical care was atrocious. The ambulances first took them to a field hospital in Todod Santos where the doctor tried to insert an IV when he had blood on his hands from a different patient. The Clinica Especilades in San Lucas charged huge sums for unreadable x-rays which had to be redone the following day when all 5 had been flown out to hospitals in the USA; all 5 people had infections in the sutures and were lucky to get out for proper treatment before gangrene set in. Even though the paperwork showed Full insurance coverage - the ambulance and hospital would not allow the 5 patients to leave until the $5,500 bill had been paid in cash.
Name: Shelley
January 26, 2011
In 2008 my daughter and I had tickets to fly in AeroCalifornia to Mazatlan. A week before we were due to leave I just happened to see a story about how AeroCalifornia was suspended by the Mexican government. I searched and called quite a few number before I finally got someone who told me that there was no way we were getting our money back and no way to get transferred to another flight. The Mexican government was no help. There is no protection. It wasn't a crime per se, but coupled with the fact that the drug cartels run that country, I have made a decision that me or mine will probably never visit Mexico again. It's too bad because the resort people were nice, but the fact is that we do not feel safe. We used to leave the resort all the time, but I don't even want to stay at the resorts now.
Name: Laura
January 26, 2011
My story is nowhere near as horrific as the ones posted on this website, however, it was a bad experience and one, along with all the others I hear about people "falling" off their balconies, that keeps me from travelling to Mexico.
My experience occurred in 1986. I am a (Canadian) female and was travelling with a female. We were in Mexico City at the time. We had been sightseeing and were waiting for a taxi to take us back to our hotel. Some people at the bus stop advised us to "just take a bus" and told us what particular bus would take us where we were wanting to go.
Well, apparently this is an organized set up. Once we got on the bus, some locals separated my friend and I and proceeded to "distract" us by grabbing at our ankles while they took a knife and slit our purses and stole everything; our wallets, ID, credit cards, tourist card, my new camera. It left us with virtually nothing.
We told the bus driver and he appeared not to understand us. We got off the bus and went to a traffic cop directing traffic and he told us to go to the Canadian consulate. He didn't take our names, investigate, nothing.
Luckily for us the consulate was close by. Long story short, our consulate escorted us back to our hotel, gave us some funds to live on until we flew home.
We then had to fly to Puerto Vallarta (already planned) where we had to get a new tourist card in order to get home from the Consulate there. It was just after the Canadian from Calgary was killed in the night club in Puerto Vallarta.
The Consulate told us that we wouldn't believe what goes on in Mexico that never gets out into the press. He told us about a tourist that was killed somehow in the ocean recently and that was also not in the press.
Along with getting sick, having my luggage ransacked and some of it stolen, and this story, I will never travel to Mexico again.....and this was in 1986!!!!
Name: Laurie
January 25, 2011
I just read your info. on MSN and thought I'd add a little. So sorry for your loss......I do love the Caribbean side of Mexico and have been 3 times to the Mayan Riviera. The last time we went we took our 5 kids with us and had a great time. I just wanted to mention the complaint we had of the hotel medical staff. 2 of our children, 13 and 15 years old had never been in that kind of climate before and as teens they don't want parents putting on their sun screen. Later, on the second evening we were there, the 2 kids were crying from the sunburns they got and because it was so late we couldn't purchase any aloe or sunburn relief medicine. I phoned the front desk and asked if the medic could get us some and they told us to wait until the pharmacy opened in the morning. How ridiculous in a resort like that to not have anything for our kids. It was the Bahia Principe Tulum, so if you are going there be sure to bring everything with you.
Name: Rosemary
January 25, 2011
My story seems insignificant to so many others. However I wish to add my advisory for anyone travelling to Mexico, especially the Maya Riviera. Six years ago, my daughter and I stayed at a 5-star resort in the area. While on vacation we visited a close by "water attraction". My daughter got severely sunburned and was quite ill. We went to a so-called clinic on site to see a doctor and had to wait forever for one to come. Even though it was obvious what was wrong, he kept pretending he didn't understand the word "BURN", "needs IV fluids". I had to take her by taxi (which is very dangerous in Mexico) to a hospital-that I had to look up - the Dr. refused to give us any information. Once there imagine our surprise to find the same Dr. pulling up to the hospital behind us. All of a sudden he appeared to know English and insisted we go with him. Fortunately we were able to be seen quickly by an American Dr. who treated my daughter expertly. Obviously, this Mexican Dr. ( and who knows if he was) was trying to cover his ass. My daughter was in bed for 5 days at our hotel. Medical care is terrible in Mexico. PLEASE make sure you know the name of a facility near where you are staying that has American or Canadian (I am Cdn.) medical personnel. It could have been a lot worse. Better still-travel to another country! God bless you for your work.
Name: Russ
January 25, 2011
I am a retired airline employee & have been travelling to Mexico since the 70's . In 2007 I had an experience at the Royal Playa Del Carmen that I will never forget. On eve 3 of our stay housekeeping scattered red rose petals all over the room. My wife came out of the shower and promptly slipped and struck her head on the smooth marble floor , she was unconscious and bleeding badly. I scooped her onto the bed and began 1st aid as I called the front desk for an ambulance. After 20 minutes 2 security guards showed up empty handed and wrestled me away from my unconscious wife and accused me of beating her. Only after another 10 minutes did a maid show up with a 1st aid kit and a "doctor?" The hotel staff kept saying you both are drunk , that is why she slipped. We don't drink , at all!!They charged me $1000 US for the substandard care and wouldn't let us leave the resort until we paid up. I paid $6500 for the week not including air. Money does not seem to be a predeterminer of good care, it just means they think you are a bigger "mark" I tried to submit this story to traveladviser.com but they refused to accept it , personally I think they may be in the hip pocket of the travel industry. It�s a dirty business , I ought to know (better)
Name: Corina
January 25, 2011
We had travelled to a resort outside of Cancun's in Mexico in 2009 and as soon as we came off the plane and entered the airport my husband and I felt like victims. We had lived in Italy for over 1 year and also visited Spain for a period of time a few years ago and know a bit about the Spanish and Italian culture. We "Canadians" were just walking wallets there and that is how we felt in Mexico as well. During our time on the resort the staff at the reception was exceptionally rude! We felt like sitting ducks and I would NEVER go back to Mexico especially not with our children! We saved up our money and travelled to Maui last year and it was wonderful!!!! We felt safer because we are fluent in English and do not need anyone to babysit us and perhaps leading us down a wrong path!
Name: Tomas
January 23, 2011
Hi, I've been reading your site for quite awhile and thank you for what you're doing by giving voice to those whose lives have been lost. Keep going, please.
We are trying to find our long-time and good friend WILLIAM (BILL) TAYLOR. He's a 65-70 years old white male, about 5'9" to 5'10" with brown hair. He is/was a Canadian citizen. Neither his children, us, or any of his good friends have heard from him in over 2 years--and he used to call quite frequently. He's literally dropped off the face of the earth.
Please advise me of any news you may have or suggest a logical, effective way to contact what authorities who might know about him. BILL TAYLOR was last seen working as a Timeshare salesman in the Cancun-Plays del Carmen area.
We're desperate to find him. Thank you in advance.
Name: Tom
January 5, 2011
I was victim of a time share scam and was surfing for info about Mexico. My problem is trivial compared to what I have read here. Still hundreds (thousands) of American Citizens are swindled by Mexican Timeshare bandits. There is much information on the web about this. Check out www.mexicotimesharefraud.info
Name: m.
December 26, 2010
Mexican police can arrest you for anything, even for not having a passport. anyway, i spent 3 days in a mexican jail somewhere on the yucatan peninsula and was beat half naked by the cops. i had no money and after being let free after 3 days i had the unfortunate incident of being hit by a truck. one month in a very shabby mexican hospital. the officials did not contact my family for weeks after finally doing so, my uncle came down and paid the hefty bill and brought me back. all this and i lost my mind. if you can imagine. treatment was terrible not even amateur but cruel. but i am lucky to be alive and cannot return to mexico for 10 years. and glad for that. i had spent many months in mexico before that as a volunteer and loved the country but now my heart is broke cause i have seen another side of mexico that is so ugly. so be warned. you can end up in a jail cell for nothing but be cool if you do go!
Name: MJ
December 14, 2010
Hello I wanted to report a crime in Puerto Morelos. The link below tells most of the story. Basically, I was attending a benefit for �Castaway Kids� at a place called Cantina Habenero. My husband was with me but got sick and left at 10:30pm(he had fever and diarrhea), I left at 11:15ish after bands and benefit had ended. Walked about 1 block out of Cantina and turned down a dirt road (20 feet long) that leads back to the hotel. I was brutally assaulted by a dishwasher that followed me out of the bar. He tackled me and there was a struggle, eventually he has me in a very painful choke hold with a knife blade at my throat. He wanted �sex���now I am 41yrs old and this kid turned out to be 16 yrs old. Eventually I got away (somehow-luckily) and ran beach way up to our room. My husband went back to cantina and found assailant I described, owner held him until I came back and positively identified him, we all walked � block to police station and went to Cancun, he was held and my passport t copied, we were told to come back next day. By this time the kid confessed and his weapon (and my mace that he grabbed from me) was recovered. I had no official interpreter in the police station (a bartender from Cantina was translating), gave statement and went through sex abuse exam. All this to find out the next day that the assailant was released back into the community. If you would like more details on this case I am happy to provide them. Most details are on the Lonely Planet forum link.
1- I have traveled the area over 15x in the past several years, and I feel the �tourist targeted� violence is definitely on the rise, seeping down the coast from Cancun. I do not feel the US public is aware of the increasing violence.
2- I had very bad experience on tripadvisor.com after I returned to US. I wrote to ask for address of cantina so I could send thank you to those who helped me. After a bunch of hassling and �blaming� the victim was then posted. I was threatened by email by owner of Cantina Habenero to remove any posts or he would post more slander and lies about me! This website paints a picture of NO problems�..one guy said it was OK to walk on the beach alone after dark as a woman�EEEKKKK! This is a dangerous bogus site at least for info on the Yucatan area.
Please contact me
if you want details or any more information.
Name: Amy
December 10, 2010
I think you should try to get in touch with the family of Mickey Goodwin in Texas.. he drowned at some Caribe resort in mexico Tuesday. My friend was there.. and told me there were NOT red flags... there was not a lifeguard on the beach. The sky did get dark, but there was no one there... once he went under�.......... �but he was drinking so maybe not in the best state of mind" but THAT is precisely why medical staff and lifeguards should be present... I will see if my girlfriend who was there would be willing to speak to you... if so I will refill this form with her info. Sorry to be so shady and anonymous....�
Name: nathaniel
November 24, 2010
This country is
horrible me and my wife along with her mother and father,
sister. stayed at a top resort long story short her dad became
ill like he was having a heart attack i was told by the so
called hotel doctor it will be 40 minutes before he can come so
we called an ambulance the whole medical system is corrupt well
they charged us 400 for the ambulance ride and 4000 for the
treatment and they refused to take the iv out my father in laws
arm until i paid they will never see my black ass again i took
the next plane smoking out that hell hole of a country and i
will never return if i want sunshine Will stay in the states
Name: bill
November 18, 2010
I just got back from Guadalajara and it was very dangerous. I felt like my life was in danger all the time, especially on the roads and highway (to lake chapala). I got robbed by police that said i was drinking on the street when the bar offered me to go outside with it. I had to pay them. My room got robbed and i got pick pocketed. I�m 40, a rough looking person (so to speak) and well traveled. Never in my life have i had such a bad experience. I have traveled Mexico many times, and gotten robbed by the police at least 3 times before, and stopped by them at least 6 times before - but this was the worse they just don�t care. I left feeling like this -people with nothing, that have nothing to lose -- and they get desperate. If you want to be around that -- go. Of course it�s the minority of people there as so many people are wonderful --- but your skin color = money and that = problems sometimes.
Name: Lisa
November 15, 2010
My husband and I
contracted ameobic dysentary at the Iberostar Pariaso del Mar on
November 10th. The resort and corporate office refuse to speak
with us and keep telling us to "send the e-mails". We are both
still ill and were hospitalized when we returned to the US. My
husband was hospitalized in Cancun and could not see a doctor
till a $2,500 retainer was given. This was our honeymoon and it
turned into a nightmare.
Name: Anonymous
November 16, 2010
We were only truly warned by our government about other parts of Mexico never the Riviera . All the reports point to Cancun as an area where young students should be careful.
Name: Todd
October 28, 2010
I am hoping to enlist someones help with an accident I was involved in at a Resort in Playa del Carmen. The injury was caused by falling off of an inflatable water slide that was placed in only 3' of water. This resulted in a broken leg and 2 complicated surgeries. I may never be able to walk normally again. Whats worse is that the resort refused me medical attention. I had to fly back to the states (approx. 8 hours) with the injury not attended to which resulted in furthering the injury. Thank you for any assistance.
Name: Margaret
October 11, 2010
Please add the death of Loranzo Madrid - 10/12/00 & serious injury to Joseph Rangel after being lost at & stranded on the deserted island, Guardian Angel Island, without food or water. These men were provided with an unlicensed guide while they were deep sea fishing in the Sea of Cortez. The booking agency & owner of the boat was The Sea of Cortez Sport Fishing, the ship was the Celia Angelina. Joe Rangel has & will continue to do TV show telling his story about this horrific experience. He has appeared on Investigation Discovery Channel "Escaped" in 2008 & a new show will air in December or January 2010 on the Animal Planet program "I Shouldn't Be Alive". Again the Mexican authorities conducted an incompetent search - and for my husband they provided incompetent medical care. One thing I did as Joe's wife was file a complaint as a private citizen with the NAFTA Sectariat & a Nafta Investigation & Laws suit was filed against the fishing company & Captain of the fishing boat, also we filed a law suit in the US Federal Court & won. Americans need to know their first action needs to be a letter to the Sectary of State, requesting that the Sectary of State asked the President of the US to intervene for you, be sure to state what happen then state the request for the president�s intervention & what you want from his intervention. Make sure the letter is sent, signed receipt requested, you want to create a verifiable paper trail. Then send an email to the NAFTA SECTARIAT and request to file a complaint as an individual. Then once a month write your senators, and congressman and request the progress with your request & if a case has been opened? What you are seeking is to have an american ambassador (usually out of Texas) assigned to your case. You can also contact your local FBI office and request that they investigate your incident. I would like to volunteer with a group that wants to petition our government to refuse all financial aide to Mexico until they at the bare minimum provide emergency medical aid to american citizens and provide standards for the respectful treatment of our citizens that have passed away. Also a definition of how our citizens are interrogated. My husband, Joe, was interrogated for hours by the DA of San Philepe when he had sugar levels over 250, a temp of 103 deg, a sever infection & cellulites on both legs, 13 blood clots in his legs and stomach, and a bleeding ulcer, just to name a few of his medical ailments.
Name: luis
September 13, 2010
I just got back from cancun where the 19 old year old girl fell from the 6th floor balcony in rui caribe., my friend was on the balcony on the phone and heard her falling and landing on the side walk. at first we thought some one was fighting but it was her boyfriend screaming and some other people trying to help, but she was just bleeding to much. prayer goes to her family.
Name: Guy
August 9, 2010
Hi, unfortunately I am the son of one of the victims listed on your site. I am writing you because we also put up a web site, www.mexinada.com. There is also a link to your site o it. If you want to put with her death notice, it would be much appreciated. Also, a little correction, the date of her death was Sept. 17, not 13.
Another interesting fact is her killer was a fugitive from the USA who killed his own mom 7 weeks before killing mine.
Although the angle of our site might be a bit different, I think we all pursue the same purpose.
Thank you for reading this,
Name: Terri
July 2, 2010
This week my friend and I are in Cozumel on vacation. During his 2nd day of diving, a man on the boat died while diving. This poor man in his 40's was there with his daughter age 17 taking her for her first open water dive.
There was nothing anyone could really do for him. He was a very experienced diver as my friend had talked to him on the boat on the way to the dive site. They aren't sure if he had a heart attack or some other problem as he dropped his weight belt and mask and surfaced too rapidly. This caused a pulmonary embolism that killed him. The dive shop did everything they could, performed CPR, etc. but this one wasn't meant to be. Two other Americans on the trip took the girl back to their hotel until her mother was able to get here. Such a sad situation.
Name: Scott
July 1, 2010
On June 19th, 2010, while in Puerto
Vallarta with my family, a woman was electrocuted and died from
cardiac arrest, after stepping on a decorative light. She and
her husband were coming up from the beach when the event
happened. My family and I watched in horror as people attempted
to do CPR. The Hotel, which was not mentioned in the PV,MEX
newspaper, refused to give guests newspapers the next day.
After EMS left with the woman, who supposedly lives in GA, two
maint. Personnel ran to repair or remove the light before civil
protection arrived. I had heard that "The Villa Group" who owns
the hotel, is headquartered in CA. I believe a cover-up may be
in the works by the hotel.. I witnessed the whole thing and
hope to somehow help this gentleman whose wife needlessly lost
her life.
Name: Paula
May 3, 2010
I am a Canadian citizen who has just returned from the Riviera Maya. I searched for days to find a site dealing with crime and cover-up in Mexico. My husband and I feel very lucky to have escaped with our lives. Our story I'm sure is not unique but we still feel we have been caught up in a bad dream. I would just like the opportunity to warn others that feel they are free from worry at a 5 star resort. I know that I'm not American but Canadians and Americans have always been the closest of neighbors and relatives. I will gladly recall our recent horror if it can be of help to anyone. I am going to contact our foreign affairs dept. to report what happened. Unfortunately since returning on Sun April 28 my body is suffering effects of our misadventure. Thank you for speaking out and providing this forum .I will be sure to forward it to all my fellow citizens before they consider Mexican travel.
Name: Mike
April 21, 2010
June 17 1988 My Brother was shot and killed while being robbed near Puerto Vallarta. Police stopped and tried to implicate his girl friend which is absurd. Finally the consulate "said" a man had been arrested.
Name: Stacy
April 9, 2010
My cousin's husband passed away tragically
last week on a snorkeling excursion in Cozumel. The tour company
is a locally operated business contracted by a major cruise line
and took out tourists for a snorkeling trip. Her husband did not
return afterward and was not even missed by the tour managers
despite three "guides" hired for safety reasons. The tour
company returned to shore, arguing with his wife for 30-40
minutes that all were accounted for. They also refused to search
for him, denying he was missing until a local passerby took
mercy on the wife and kayaked out into the ocean only to find
his body floating in the ocean. He was then recovered and cpr
attempted after this lengthy delay. An American physician on the
trip refused to do CPR due to "liability risk". Our relative was
pronounced dead in f4ront of his children after CPR failed.
While his death was attributed to a heart attack who knows if he
might have been saved were it not for the negligent tour
company. And how can a major cruise operator contract a dive
operator that is irresponsible and negligent enough to not only
leave a tourist who was 100 yds out in the ocean but also argue
that he did not exist and refuse a search? Can they not do a
headcount? Later, local authorities attempted to charge his wife
$5000 to ship the body which she was never even allowed to see.
She was then stranded in Mexico with her children for days since
they did not have passports. Most important- NEVER LEAVE THIS
REQUIREMENTS. It is almost impossible to reenter the US in any
timely manner in the event of an accident or illness. I can only
compliment the cruise line and US consulate on their efforts yet
I believe that tourists are deceived about the risks in Mexican
Name: Sherri
April 8, 2010
I lived in Playa Del Carmen for six months
back in 1993. Some of my new friends worked at the hotels in
Cancun and Cozumel. They would have drinks at night talking
about how they "lost" (died) about 10-15 tourists a week in
Cancun. Deadly tides with different colored warning flags every
20 feet (clue). The most dangerous activities are para sailing
accidents, jet skis and driving. Rape is almost legal in Mexico.
I was almost raped walking on the beach at sunset in Playa. When
my new Mexican friends found out they said I was very lucky to
have escaped and that many woman got raped walking or running on
that part of the beach one cove up from the hotels. Men hide in
the trees waiting. The police would raid the town once a month
and lock up people on bogus drug charges - but the locals know
when they are coming. After the taxi driver dropped me off at
the airport he asked for double what we had agreed upon. I said
no but gave him a nice tip. He slammed the trunk down ma d with
half my luggage still in it and drove off. I've traveled all
over the world but I will not go back to Mexico.
Name: Charles
April 5, 2010
Our daughter, Amanda was killed on March 16, 2004 in Cancun, Mexico. She was hit by a City bus. The bus driver failed to stop after hitting Amanda on the main Cancun highway until passengers forced him to pull over several blocks later.
Name: Cheryl
April 4, 2010
I believed I just responded to you at a cbs site, where you wrote in about the assault on Zeke Rucker in Cancun. I am going to contact the Rutgers parent association to ask them to get out the word. The news media have not covered this story to any great extent, and I will try to contact them also. Have you tried contacting the parent organizations of different schools? I'm sure the parents of the young man who is in the hospital now, wishes they had read your website also. Also, no one is reporting the name of the hotel, which is Tucancun.
Name: Amanda
April 1, 2010
I�m trying to find out name and address of a 14yr old girl I did CPR on at a beach at Casamagna Marriott Puerto Vallarta. She was driving a Jet Ski and had a fatal accident. I think she was staying at hotel next door. I heard she
passed away and I just need some closure��a name, address and where she is from. I appreciate any help in matter. What I know is that the accident happened on March 27th. They brought her up on the beach at the hotel I was staying in which was the Casamagna Marriott in Puerto Vallarta by the marina. We heard she was staying next door to the Marriott but we don�t know the name of the hotel. She was 14 years old and her name was Morgan. I think she might have been from California but I�m not sure. She was taken to the Amrimed hospital first and then transferred to I believe the CQM. I just feel very unsettled about the incident. It took the ambulance 35 minutes to respond and they were only two blocks away. When they did arrive they had NO oxygen or any equipment to work on her with. It was so traumatic for her Dad who was there in shock screaming for his little girl. I did what I could, but it just wasn�t enough. My only thoughts were at least they don�t have to say their little girl died on the beach in Mexico because she did make it to the hospital. I�m not sure what, if anything, will settle me down emotionally but it�s worth trying.
Name: Jeffrey
March 31, 2010
We deeply appreciated your
website that warn everyone for the jeopardize our safety to go
to the unsafe destination of Mexico. I traveled over 100
countries, including Mexico. Mexico is definitely not a desire
place to go. I had a bad experience in anti-gringo territory in
the past and I was lucky to survive today. I was nearly robbed
and knifed-attack by a warm-hearted smiling thug who wanted my
money after I generously paid him for a taxi ride. I quickly
backed off when the merciless thug suddenly attacked me with his
big buck knife. I quickly ran and jumped over the restaurant
counter to protect myself. Several witnesses were there at the
restaurant rest stop and someone called the police and the thug
hid his knife. The police arrived at the site and they
questioned me, but not thug. First time, they did not believed
me what I said because the restaurant manager and the thug lied
to police that there was no knifed attack and the police did not
find any weapon on the body search. I demanded the police to
search the thug's car and the police found the knife from the
car. The police let me free, but they took me to the bus
station while the police briefly questioned and freed the thug
and somehow, the police were paid by the thug. I was shaken,
but I was unhurt. Earlier, that thug was planned to stop in the
middle of nowhere on the road, but I paid him extra and so, he
continued to drive to the restaurant rest area. If I did not
pay him and/or argue with him, then I would be dead and my body
would be dump in a remote forest location. Mexico has numerous
corruptions, especially for law enforcements, unscrupulous
tourist workers and government officials who often let drug
runners and criminals to roam and prey on innocent people by
bribery. Just recently, ten youngsters were brutally maimed and
murdered by drug gangs with throwing grenades near Durango,
Mexico. How could Mexico drug lords dare to kill innocent
children by throwing grenades and heavy machine gunning on them
while corrupted police and crooked soldiers were bribed and
silenced by drug lord gangs and criminals?! There are
unscrupulous people anywhere in Mexico from restaurateurs to
taxi drivers, including prostitutes, who want your money,
especially for their favorite target: white gringos because they
believed that gringos are wealthy. Also, they often spiked date
rape drugs into innocent women's beverages and that led to rape
and murder. Fallings from the balcony were often crime- related
involvement by pushing people off from the balcony in order to
cover up and show a lack of crime evidence - crooked police did
not do anything about these unsolved crimes. Criminals and drug
lord gangs often got away from the corrupted justice and crooked
police. Mexican people had been indoctrinated by huge
anti-gringos propaganda schooling media that led them to
prejudice toward gringos, especially white skinned people
because of a long historical animosity between US and Mexico,
especially after the fall of Alamo. These situations annoyed us
terribly because we do not want to travel in a fear and anxious
in the violent and dangerous country of Mexico that could ruin
our pleasurable vacation. We suggest you to avoid Mexico at all
cost and go to a safer and pleasure place to visit in a much
farther south such as the beautiful country of Chile. Please
do not be fool yourself by trusting their warm-hearted and
smiling Mexican faces - We are serious about this - NO JOKE!
The old die-hard ruthless flamboyant Mexican bandits still live
on to roam and terrorize innocent Mexicans and gringos in wild
Name: Dan
March 23, 2010
I returned from my university "Reading
Break" in Cancun last February 2010. At the hotel I was staying
at: 3 separate girls were raped by taxi drivers, an American was
struck by a Mexican on a motorcycle and was then put in hospital
for 3 days and then released only to be jailed for a night until
police could figure out what happened, my friend's hotel room
was ransacked and their suit case locks cut in order to steal
items, I personally had several items stolen from room, my other
friend was in a taxi that did not want to pull over for the
police and was chased-with sirens and lights going-for several
blocks before the police gave up, I went to several clubs like
Senior Frogs in which their was no supervision of any kind
regarding women being fondled and accosted while screaming for
the guys to stop as well people nearly drowning in the lagoon
water slide after going down 4 at a time. Cancun is beautiful
but also has a very dark side and NO girl should ever be with
out a male escort at night time. BTW the hotel was a 4 star.
Name: Diane
February 25, 2010
I am deeply sorry to the families who were treated unjustly. It isn't fair that these families continue to suffer when the resorts responsible for these deaths are still making so much money and luring US citizens. I came across this website because I was trying to find websites to publish my story. Trip Advisor and Orbitz refused to publish anything that can possibly hurt their business partner's profits.
On October 22nd 2009, my husband and I booked a 7 day all-inclusive vacation to Cancun through Orbitz.com. We stayed at Excellence Playa Mujeres, Cancun room 5403, which was a two-level unit with polished marble staircase leading up to a 2nd floor deck with swimming pool. On the 26th of October, I slipped on the staircase due to wet floor and shoes stacked on the staircase by housekeeping. This fall resulted in a broken ankle (fracture on both the tibia and fibula). My husband and I quickly got into a taxi cab and went straight to the emergency room where x-rays were taken and the ankle was set and I was put in a cast to support my broken bones. The doctor advised me to have the surgery within 12 hours after the injury otherwise it will cause pulmonary embolism and thrombosis; both can lead to death. I did not have the surgery in Mexico and opted to go back home to Los Angeles for surgery. We then had to take a taxi cab back to the hotel to arrange an emergency flight back to Los Angeles and the earliest flight we could get was in the morning.
After a painful sold out flight on coach, I went straight to the emergency room at UCLA Med Center for surgery and had a 6� plate and 8 screws drilled in my bones. I was off work for 2 and � months and I�m now back to work but can only work part time because I�m still in constant pain as the recovery for this kind of injury is extensive. I was informed by my Orthopedic Surgeon that I will never have 100% use of my left leg, but I continue to go to physical therapy to build the muscle and strength I�ve lost.
I was injured because of this hotel's negligence but they did nothing to help us. No ambulance was called and no accommodations done. In fact we were downgraded to another room when we got back from the ER. We're terribly shocked with the way this hotel treated us after paying a lot of money to stay there.
Name: Pete
February 22, 2010
Asian man drowns at J.W.Marriott Cancun
02/20/2010. 3 Asian men in ocean @ Marriott beach. 2 men
survived riptide without assistance. By the time a lifeguard
got to 3rd man it had been at least 20 minutes. Finally rental
jetski was sent to get him but was face down in water. Seemed
like a vacationer that attempted CPR. It took at least 1/2 hour
for paramedics to arrive. Police show up well after that. Key
points Marriott had yellow flags out, not red. I spoke with 3
people on the beach telling them to put up the red flags and 1
at the front desk after this tragedy but nothing happened until
3:00 when I spoke with the lifeguard that was far more visible
than in previous days. I asked the lifeguard if the water was
safe he replied yes. I told him about the man that drowned
earlier in the day and he replied "It's because he was Chinese
and they are stupid". He finally put out the red flags after our
conversation. 1 lifeguard for 3 people is not a plan that I
would expect from a high end US Hotel Company and I think that
if they had lifeguards as they do in the US this man would be
alive today. These men were on a corporate rewards vacation for
a Global company called Terradata. I'm sure they spoke English
and were very educated. I feel the hotel could have done a
better job notifying the guests of the dangers that involve
powerful riptides and undertows. I experienced them first hand
with my 11 year old son and wife. My wife had me grab my son and
use the rope to get out of the water. My son could have never
gotten out on his own and we were only about 10' from shore. No
lifeguard was insight that day. I am disgusted that Marriott is
a multi-billion dollar American company and should have at least
3 lifeguards per adjoining hotels a total of 6. The lifeguard
only had a small floating devise, no surfboard, boat or jetski.
The ocean in Cancun is very dangerous. This is being ignored for
the almighty dollar.
Name: Mark
February 4, 2010
This is a written description of the events that took place on Monday morning, January 25, 2010 around 2:10 am during my stay at The Hotel Abbey in Puerto Vallarta
Name: Janice
December 13, 2009
I lost my son just over 2 years ago, whom u have posted on your website (Chris Morin Since my son's passing it truly has been hell as far as trying to get help, or answers from the government or any other organizations here for some kind of logical answer as to why my son is not alive today. Everything I have found I have found myself through lots of pain and heart ache. I have taken a bit of a break right now as sometimes it becomes overwhelming to think anymore and the holidays are also approaching. I also have a daughter whom asked me to please leave things alone for now at least till her wedding is over in April 2010 as she says she needs her mother. My son did not fall off a balcony and a lot of his death was covered up by the Mexican Authorities. I, as his mother promised to try my best for get answers even though it will not bring him back. I am stuck and confused as to what my next step should be? My heart goes out to you and your family and everyone that has lost someone in this place of death. This website that u have created for your son has helped me a lot as the pain I feel I know u feel. Families should not have to go through this heartache...Life is hard enough. Thanks and hope to hear from you.
Name: Yasi
November 22, 2009
My boyfriend Dana was murdered in Zihuantanejo, Mexico on Friday, the 13th of November, 2009. He was robbed in broad daylight...probably for his watch, which was the only thing not recovered. He was found on the pier - with the fishermen & the sea that he loved his whole life - and suffered/died of blunt force trauma to the head. He was found unconscious by ....someone...and taken to the clinic. the only thing he had on him was his phone. The EMTs called all the numbers and finally got through to his closest friends and his parents. They ordered a medi vac for him but he died of a cardiac arrest on the tarmac. The police are covering it up, saying he was dizzy and fell. I received an email from him at 11am and by 2pm his family & friends were contacted, advising that he was in a coma. Where he was found is a very busy spot, right outside the harbor master's office, on a busy fishing pier. There are people there all day and through most of the night. The police won't investigate because it would hurt tourism. We will never see the people who murdered him be brought to justice. We will never have closure. He was only 39 years old.
Name: Joe
November 21, 2009
I was in Cabo San Lucas this past March (2009) and went out for a walk to a sunset point- on a ridge above the Pacific. As I was standing atop the ridge photographing the sunset I noticed two police vehicles drive to where my vehicle was parked, about 1/4 mile down a trail. They had 2 "police" at the vehicle and four others walked up the trail, I met them on the way down. They had drawn guns and told me to put my hands up and they frisked me. I showed them I was simply taking sunset pictures and they proceeded to say they were arresting me for drug possession (I had no drugs). They would not let me leave unless I paid the "fine" on the spot- otherwise I was going to be taken to jail. They told me they wanted my camera- I said "no". I speak a little Spanish (which helps a great deal) so I ended up coughing up $60 to them in an extortion payment. I then chided them for what they were doing and told them I hoped that the dinero would keep them drunk for a couple of days. They laughed but then one of them was upset at me talking back, and he redrew his gun and walked back towards me in my vehicle, asking me if I had "a problem", and I drove away (quickly). What happened to me was scary, fortunately my wife/kids were not with me, they were downtown having innocent fun. I had some excellent interaction with locals there otherwise, including in remote areas finding hiking routes over the spectacular inland mountains, but the police are evil and corrupt. They are not really police, in civil terms, they are an extortion force and peddle for themselves and their gangs. I love the extraordinary natural environment and the people in Mexico, but, alas, their police and drug gangs are pure evil, it's a spectacular problem and one that will severely effect peace and civil society throughout the Americas for a very long time to come.
November 12, 2009
Though my experiences in Mexico were nowhere near as tragic as others have experienced, I think they are relevant and worth mentioning. Please feel free to use them as you see fit.
Several years back I was in Cancun and went on a group snorkeling excursion. It was not well supervised and as a result - I got caught in a current or riptide of some sort. I was carried FAR away from the rest of the group, being carried out to sea, and I was convinced I was going to die that day. I flagged down a passing ship and yelled for help... no one on board made any effort to assist. The tourists simply yelled for me to "float on my back". Somehow I managed to get back to the group boat - exhausted but I lived.
Another time I was picked up by 2 policemen at night and extorted from. I had been walking back to the hotel from Senor Frogs and they told me to get into the car. I didn't speak Spanish so I did what I was told. They drove to the middle of no-where and told me that if I gave them $300 there would be no problem. I never carry that much cash with me so they took the 40.00 I had and left me to find my own way back to Cancun. I packed my bags and left for the airport.
I will never set foot in Mexico again. The corruption is epidemic. When even the police are on the take, you can't be assured of any level of safety.
Name: Paris
September 29, 2009
My friend's son recently drowned in a swimming pool at a resort in Acapulco Mexico. What are his legal options and best course of action?
September 13, 2009
Name: Kathryn
I'd like to offer my condolences on your terrible loss, and those of the other families. I've been living in Mexico for 3 months with my young son, and have already experienced a pool with dangerous suction, that caused me pain, and would definitely have trapped my son's hand or foot. My boyfriend, son, and I have also been robbed, and laughed at by the police. We have traveled extensively on all seven continents and are not marshmallows, but our worst experience of all of these places has been Mexico. I am an attorney with degrees from Dartmouth and Columbia Law, and would like to do something to help. I think that if people research Mexican vacations on Amazon and find a book about these risks and the callous indifference of the Mexican officials, it might have a substantial impact. I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether collecting these stories in book form, as well as reports on US/Mexican policies, and recommendations for change, might be helpful. Best regards
Name: Victoria
June 20, 2009
A group of 10 of
us just traveled to Cabo in May. We have traveled to Mexico
several times...I'm always somewhat uncomfortable there. I am
fair and always get stared at and stink eye. We were at the
marina, had lunch (I had a beer and 1 margarita) and after we
were done my husband and friends husband were off negotiating
for a boat for deep sea fishing while my friend and I were
headed to the flea market with the remaining 6 (all young
people, our kids and their friends, in their 20's). My friend
and I turned around to look and no one was behind us. Thinking
that we had just gotten too far ahead, we stopped at Hooters to
have a beer and wait. My friend went to the bathroom and our
beers came, mine was opened. I didn't think anything of
it...but that's the last I remembered of the day. I do remember
walking back to find the rest of the party, and everything else
was reported to me by our party. I have NO recollection of
events. I was drugged either at Margaretville or Hooters (my
money is on Hooters). I don't know what the motive was - either
I was being set up, or just ran into a couple of haters. I am
very fortunate that I had enough people there who were looking
out for me and made it back safely. In retrospect...I am
FURIOUS!! I am one of the lucky ones, but I will never push my
luck again! Mexico will never get my tourism dollar or anyone I
can talk out of traveling there again! My heart goes out to all
of those who were not so lucky.
Name: Cheryl
June 3, 2009
My husband died in Puerto Vallarta on 03/20/09 3 hours after arriving on vacation. He was in the ocean w/our 12 y/o son. He was in excellent health, a physician, and a strong swimmer. The events following his "drowning" could fill a book from "no lifeguard on the beach", the hotel manager saying not to perform CPR "under the circumstances", no lifejackets for children at this particular resort, the next day "2 lifeguards on the beach w/binocular", the floating trampoline which my husband and son were swimming to "moved almost in to the shore", no access for the ambulance, the nightmare at the hospital, followed by the police station, and in general just dealing w/the Mexican government. We had been to Mexico many times, however, will probably never return.
Name: Eric
June 2, 2009
My son age 43 drowned April 13 in the ocean. He was there with his wife and child. He was a straight as arrow family man, no drinks etc.
I speculate that he was caught in the under tow. No Life Guards, no warnings about the dangers. No warnings by the seller of the package, on check in or at any other time. My daughter in law was told that in a few weeks leading up to April 13 6 drownings took place and my son was number 7.I am 80 and John was my only son. My grief is indescribable. Please write or call. I am trying to get a law suit going. Not for money but to tell the world about the deception practiced by Mexican hotel operators.
Hope to hear from
Name: Tina
March 26, 2009
My sister was in a scooter accident in cozumel in december 2008.
It has been a nightmare! She died 12/29/08. She also didn't recieve medical care and we had to pay outrageous medical bills in order to have her brought back to the states. We could not get any help from the us consulate agent.
We paid $24,000 to air care just to have go get Janice and bring her back to the states. We feel your pain and I'm so very sorry for your lose as well.
Please contact me
if possible.
Name: stephania
March 27, 2009
Hello My family and I visited the Riviera Mya this past week
(3/14-3/24). We had problems with the overall help from the
people employed at the hotel from the beginning until the
morning we checked out. One night after returning from a trip to
Tulum my father had a heart attack. I am so fortunate to say
that my father is alive and I'm very sorry to hear about all of
the losses of all of the people on the webpage, but my father
could've been one of those people. The hotel doctor arrived and
had no idea what was going on, my sister was actually holding an
IV in my fathers arm while the doctor was scrambling around. He
was taken by ambulance to one hospital, then to another in order
to see the cardiologist. My fathers heart attack lasted hours
and he could've died if my family didn't produce 20,000 US
dollars in order for him to be catheterized. When my step mom
asked why they weren't helping him they simply gave her a blank
look and didn't care to do anything for him until they got the
deposit. My father's life was worth exactly $20,000 to these
people. Again, I am so grateful that my dad is alive but this is
no way for anyone to be treated, not in any country in the
world. We asked for help from the employers at the resort and
recieved none in order to get to my father who was an hour and a
half away.
Name: Cheryl
April 29, 2009
My husband died on March 20, 2009, at the Dreams Villamagna Nueva Vallarta area of Puerto Vallarta while swimming in the ocean with our 12 y/o son. There was no lifeguard on duty that day, and the raft had been moved way out into the ocean to swim out to. The waves were quite large and coming from all directions. There were many heroic people there that day, however, he did not survive. We have yet to receive the autopsy report.
The day after,
there was a lifeguard on the beach with binoculars watching the
raft that had been moved quite close to the shore. The
frustration comes with being in a foreign country where no one
speaks English. Any paperwork I have is in Spanish including
the police report and death certificate which is incorrect with
cause of death stating he was under water for 6 hours. I am not
sure we will ever know how he died.
Name: allison
Date: 3/24/09
Purpose: Report Death/Crime
I heard you on Howard Stern today and made me think of what happened to my son in Mexico. Nothing as bad as yours, and I will say up front that I am heartbroken for your loss of your son. My son went to Mexico for a spring break vacation and was a college student so he was drinking in a bar. He doesn't know if he was slipped something in his drink but when he woke up he was missing the very expensive ($1500) watch that he was wearing and the cash out of his pockets. The next day he was away from the resort and walking down a street to meet friends at a beach when he was stopped by the police who said they were arresting him for urinating in public. He said he hadn't even left the resort. They insisted and were hauling him off to jail. They told him that the beach he was going to had college kids urinating there the day before and they were going to assume it was him. The only way he could get out was to pay the fine up front. They brought him back to his hotel where he had his last $300 cash that he gave to the police. There was no paperwork, so I am just assuming that crooked mexican cops took his cash.
This seems trivial
to report but I am reporting it because if you can't trust the
officials and the police, then who can you trust?
Name: jeana
A group of 36 people were vacationing in Puerto Penasco (Rocky Point) Mexico. We had towed our trailers down there to an RV park on the beach. On May 5th, we were robbed. They stole everything that was not bolted down. There was suppose to be a security guard on duty, however, he was nowhere to be found when we were being robbed. I spoke to the RV park owner, and he said it was common for robberies, and that it was most likely organized crime (gangs) ripping off tourists.
I would be very careful if you are traveling to Mexico, and if you are going to go in an RV, make sure everything is locked or inside during the night.
Also, I would carry some mace in your RV incase someone tries to get inside.
Name: Jill
On April 10, 1990 I was in Palenque with 9 friends. It's a long story that I won't go into, but the 10 of us went to the ruins to see the sunrise, which we were told was beautiful. We felt safe because we were in a large group, some of them Mexican. On the road, as we were walking there, 4 soldiers with guns stopped and separated us. I was raped at gunpoint by one of them. I filed a report with the local tourist office and police, who arrested him. I stayed an extra week to file my statement and go through their process, but I was never asked to return for a trial. I was told never to return to that area, as his family would find out and kill me. After, I was told by the US Consulate that he was put in jail for 10 years. Whether it is true, or whether he served the sentence I do not know.
Name: Angela
Thank you all so much for making the huge effort to get this site up and running. My heart absolutely breaks for your family and the all of the others who are also suffering from such senseless tragedies. Jan. 22 is the two year anniversary of my own personal Mexican nightmare. I have not yet submitted my story to this or any other website other than to warn bloggers on Trip Advisor's site.....not the place to actually try to get the truth out, as they quickly yank any "offensive" material. I have been trying very hard to move on with my life since being raped by an entertainment manager at the Golden Parnassus Hotel in 2007. The feeling that there is still something more that I could be doing to warn people, about Mexican tourism, is still nagging at me. I have already dealt for two years with the "justice system", and even with assistance from the FBI, the Consulate, the State Dept., the Mexican Consulate, the governor of Quintana Roo, and every other possible source I could think of, our case against this serial rapist was dismissed, appealed, and dismissed again. I have not gone public with my story primarily because I live in a very small town (2,000) in which everyone knows everyone else and I don't wish to subject my family or myself to that kind of scrutiny. My children are still young. Having said this, I am still determined that there is something that I must do to make a difference. I am one of those people who still believes that one person can be an agent for change. This letter has rambled on long enough I guess. What I would like to know is whether or not you have ever done any billboards advertising your website. What other kinds of publicity have you used to get the word out about M.V.A.? Do you have vinyl clings to put on vehicles? Personally, I am a big fan of the T-shirt as a form of advertisement. In Feb.people from my hometown will be vacationing at the very hotel where I was raped...and know all but one of these couples fairly well. The thought of being quiet and just letting this go is enough to make me crazy. I thought that when our appeal was rejected that I would be able to put it to rest, but I just can't yet. Think I have a little more fight left in me. Some things are just so wrong that it's harder to walk away than to stand up to it and fight. I suspect that you can relate to how I feel. Please let me know how you are spreading the word about your website and if I could work with you to inform people in my part of the States.
Thanks for taking the time to read this....hope it made some sense.
Name: Geraldine
My husband and I went to Cancun, Dreams Resort in November 2008 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. Even though we were supposed to be safe on our resort we were drugged. Him more than I. He experienced severe neurological changes and needed to go to the hospital. The first crime against us was when the hotel confiscated a pill fragment he threw up and never sent it to the hospital, they put it in their safe after taking a picture of it. The second crime was when I needed to pay $5000.00 up front on my credit card before my husband would be treated. The treating "physician" Dr. Abrajhan at the Hospiten Cancun threatened me by stating "You need to remember you are not in your own country", when I started to question my husband's care and our bill. From what I have read on this website we were very lucky. I feel horrified still over what happened to us I can only imagine how others feel. I would like Mexico to actually be considered a terrorist country toward us Americans. I think Americans only go because they don't know any better. I know we did not when we planned our trip. There has to be something said when ATM machines get filled with 4 armed guards holding machine guns.
Name: Kevin
Our family went on a cruise that stopped in Cozumel. I went into town by cab and decided to walk back to the dock alone in broad daylight. On a lonely stretch of road a truck carrying 5-6 men passed me several times.
Each pass slower than the previous. They then stopped ahead of me and waited for me. As I approached they began speaking to me in Spanish. I didn't understand until they showed several handguns that I was being robbed. Even as cabs and busses drove by with other passengers from the cruise ship. They drove off and I stood in the street to stop the next bus which "allowed" me to board as a result of my circumstances. I had no ID, no boarding card, nothing! The cruise line assisted with getting me back on the ship and advised me to avoid reporting the matter because it would not result in any arrests. I insisted on reporting the incident and the local police arrived to question me. I was threatened with arrest, I was told I would be held in jail and the ship would leave without me. They accused me of buying drugs and that was the reason I was robbed. They wanted a blood sample to prove their point. I decided to follow the advice of the cruise personnel and drop my request for a report. If you go on a cruise that stops in Mexico, stay on the ship. Mexico is a very dangerous and lawless country that I will never step foot into again.
Name: Rae-Lyn
Two weeks ago tomorrow I witnessed a man drown at the RIU Playacar in Playa Del Carmen. I have not slept more than two hours a night since. I have many issues with this event that I need to share with you before I am able to let this go.
There are many "lifeguards" sitting on top of towers pretending to know something about life saving in this area. Be warned. THEY DO NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LIFESAVING. The "lifeguard" swam out to "rescue" the man that was struggling in the water without ANY life saving device--even though there are at least four that I could count on the beach. Not surprisingly the rescue was unsuccessful in waves as tall as my house with a dimwit with no life ring as the rescuer.
There were red flags out that day--danger these flags mean stay out of the water. DANGER DANGER!!!
The man that drown was a 73 year old man who should not have been swimming in the big waves and likely got on the wrong side of the sandbags meant to keep the beach from eroding) I never saw how he got to the wrong side of the sandbags only that he could not get back to the shallow side.
Many tourists attempted to help the initial rescuer while his boss from the playacar stood on the beach and watched. (with a little radio in his hand) He never got a backboard...got an airway...got a defibrillator. put towels down to lay the man on when they brought him in from the ocean, (let me guess--they've never seen anyone drown here before...)
When we finally did get the man to the beach the Riu staff were useless. The lifeguard wanted to simply turn him on his side and pat his back. The man was lifeless, pulse less not to mention entirely blue. We initiated CPR. It took RIU over ten minutes before we had a venti mask. They NEVER HAD an airway or bagger. They got us a backboard after we had been doing CPR for 15 minutes already. The ambulance arrived after at LEAST 25 minutes. The ambulance driver never assessed the pt at all. She pronounced him dead without ever glancing at him. The management of RIU was more interested with removing the nuisance than with trying to save his life. I am horrified. I feel absolutely ill. I have never felt so helpless and frustrated.
I felt there were many things that contributed to the untimely death of this man.
1)Sandbags--many times throughout our stay at PDC we saw people stranded on the "wrong" side of the sandbags--I'll bet there has been an increase in deaths from drowning in the area since the placement of the sandbags--we will likely never know as these things are not publicized.
2) Rescuer without any rescue aid and from my vantage point no rescue knowledge--I was shocked to realize that the RIU employee initially assisting me with this man had seemingly no knowledge of CPR. Three other nurses and a doctor and a firefighter (all tourists) attempted to resuscitate this man for 25 minutes.
3)No equipment to aid in his rescue: no airways,ambubag, backboard or an AED--it is 2009 people!!!
5)The ambulance took aver 25 minutes to arrive and even then carried faulty equipment and untrained ambulance attendants.
I still feel awful for leaving this man's wife in the hands of that cold heartless ambulance attendant and the guy with the radio from RIU. I can only pray for her and her family.
Travel safely with your families and be aware that you are on your own in Playa Del Carmen!
Name: Mary
In March of 2004 I accepted a position as a registered nurse for Club Med Ixtapa. This is a family vacation resort and I have experience both in level one trauma and pediatrics. It was an ideal vacation and work setting as I had previously worked as a camp nurse with my children. I loved taking care of the children, and even escorted others to the hospital in town for emergencies That was how I met many people including some from the American embassy.
It was a beautiful setting and in time one of my coworkers and her mom joined me as well as my acupuncturist and his daughter for family vacations. I was excited as my daughter and grandchildren were scheduled to arrive for the vacation of their life in late July.
Unfortunately the idealistic vacation spot became a place of terror, and I hid out for 10 days in fear of my life until Club Med sent me home without a job, medical insurance, and no support of me or cooperation with the local police and or the American embassy.
In late June, upon returning to my room, a coworker and two partners had been waiting for me. I was drugged, dragged from my room and taken to a guest room where I was raped and sodomized. I was found the next morning dressed in scanty clothes that were not my own. I was frightened and the whole nightmare came back to me in small increments and flashbacks over the next few weeks.
The guard and front desk person who found me assisted me to privacy and clothing. My room was found open with everything as I had left it. Someone had access to my room. I reported the crime to my boss and the human resource person from Florida Club Med contacted me via phone & set up a therapist to call me. She told me to carry bug spray. The ER Dr apologized and sent me home with one prescription. I knew as a trauma nurse much more needed to be done. I was given a new room and continued to work. My room was announced by a front desk person so anyone could now have access. I ran into the rapist twice on the paths leading from the infirmary to my room. I wasn't sure of the identity of the other two and lived in fear.
I asked about reporting it to the police and all the support was withdrawn from me. I called the embassy and they sent a representative to meet me and escort me to the police. The interpreter thanked me as he knew of other cases of this rapist but the club med employees were to scared to report it as they were afraid they would lose their job. After that co workers told me of other incidences on site and at a local bar. The police talked of a serial rapist. I talked with my supervisor and asked why I was being treated this way and he said that I was so strong, emotionally and physically how could this have happened to me. I explained that I was drugged, and he stated that the last girl remembered what had happened to her. I began to wonder why the nurse I replaced had left so abruptly.
As I was leaving for the airport, I was told to sign papers written in Spanish in order to get my flight and money that was held. Upon my return to the US a former employee asked to see the papers as he know I had been forced to resign, and would be with out any support from this company. The US Embassy stayed in contact with me and Club Med. Club Med stated they had a suspect in December but then refused to divulge the information to them or the police.
I have worked with the Mexican Embassy here in the US, and have flown back to Ixtapa to make more statements. As far as I know the rapist are still at large. The one I identified was the head landscaper and had keys to all the rooms as he was part of the maintenance department. Knowing I was not the first I would like to let others know of the dangers. I am 5 foot tall and celebrated my 50th birthday after this event. Club Med hires many young naive talented persons and their parents also need to be aware along with vacationers of not only the possibility of danger but how unprotected the victim is afterward. The police interpreter was aware of other employees this had happened to as well as many of my co workers. I wish I had been warned and hope that this can help in preventing future victims.
Name: Josie
Hello, I am a French Canadian from Canada. I was in Mexico in 2007 and I had been there to study a master program.
I have been a victim of the crime and corruption. I was a master student who in the university was victim of scandalous practices. They told me upon my arrival that the master program had changed, that I could not graduate and I stayed thinking they would arrange the situation. After 5 months and completing at least a degree, when I complained to the Canadian embassy, THEY FAILED MY DEGREE AND MY COURSES....Even after giving me an official degree. I spend more then 20 000 dollars to study there and I had to go home...and had wasted 9 months of being mistreated and complete ignorance of my situation.
YES, Mexico is a wonderful and extremely beautiful place but hey...they are simply not ready to meet the standards of first world countries. Lies and complete ignorance is what you get if you get in trouble.
PLEASE BE CAREFUL....do not spend your money there until real measures are taken to have them respect the foreigners who really love Mexico but in complete innocence go there having no clue what horror they can get into.
It is sooo sad because some Mexicans are really wonderful and many of us really like Mexicans but they on the other hand...do not like us...but love our money. Regards,
Name: Mary
While working as a nurse in Ixtapa Mexico at Club Med Ixtapa , I was drugged and raped. I was employed at a family resort and took care of many children including embassy workers. When the company I was working for realized I went to the US Embassy and police they let me go. After this happening I was told of many other instances on this property and in town that this had occurred. Co workers , My supervisor, the interpreter at the police station thanked me as it had been going on and people were afraid to report this. The police thought there was a serial rapist. I identified 1 of the three & have been back to Mexico to work with the police, worked with both US& Mexican embassy here in Portland OR. The company I worked for is trying to evade any responsibility and many families continue to frequent this resort. It has never been published and I would like to warn others of the dangers awaiting them.
Name: Fran
My Son Sean went
to Riviera Maya Mexico on July with his bride on their
honeymoon. He died on July 19th 2008 while snorkeling of either
a heart attack or drowning. We do not know for sure and are
still waiting for a full autopsy report from Mexico. My son was
only 38 years old and leaves not only his wife but 3 sons and 3
grandchildren. We are devastated. Our local news KMTV in Omaha
Nebraska did a story on Sean.Sean had an Echo Cardiogram just a
year and a half before this and they said his heart was fine but
he did have high blood pressure
Name: Erin
I also lost a
loved one to some strange incident in mexico my brother Sean
Palma was on his honeymoon at Riviera de Maya and died while
snorkeling. They say a heart attack was the reason, but I don't
feel that is true he was only 38. My family wants answers and we
don't seem to be getting any. It is so frustrating. I feel if he
had not gone snorkeling that afternoon he would still be alive
to be with all of us. We need people to be aware how easily
things can happen.
Name: Ivonne
I just want to start off by saying... what you guys have managed to do for Nolan's legacy is amazing. I knew Nolan... went to school with him and I know that what you guys have done he would of respected and loved so much.
The reason for my e-mail is to report something that happened to a friend.
It happened this year around Spring Break. It was senior year... we were all getting ready to graduate. My friend from told me in advance she was going to Cancun for Spring Break and I was already hesitant. Then she informed me she was staying at the Oasis Resort and I nearly lost it. I begged her not to go, pleaded with her and showed her this website and explained Nolan's story... how Nolan was taken so young.
She told me she would be careful. Nothing would happen to her or anyone she was going with because they would be at a resort. I reminded her just because you are in a resort, doesn't mean you are safe. She asked me to go along with her. I choose not to go with her because of everything that has happened and that I believe the conditions in Mexico for tourist can improve immensely.
The day before she left I reminded her about Nolan. Don't drink anything that has not been open by you yourself... be careful for the bartenders and etc. When she got back from Cancun she seemed different. I asked her how it was and I was glad she was okay. At that moment she broke down in tears. She relayed what had happened right in the resort three days into their stay.
She said they had an amazing time and just kicking back and relaxing and doing what regular kids did on spring break. On the third night, they met up with other students they knew who were also at Cancun but at a different resort. At the end of the night all the girls decided to go back to the resort except for one, who decided to stay with their friends and get dropped off later. Later on in the night, Michelle* was dropped off at the resort and was making her way up to the room. Michelle* told me she thought she was safe because she was at the hotel. Little did anyone know that you had to worry about the hotel workers.
She was raped making her way to her room by one of the hotel workers. No one heard her scream... no one came to her rescue. After this whole ordeal, she returned back to her room when one of the girls saw her and proceeded to ask her questions. It finally came out that she was raped on the resort grounds by an employee. They immediately informed the Resort authorities and instead of an investigation. She was questioned but nothing came out of it. They were moved to another hotel. No justice has been handed down to this man who violated her. I know you would much rather heard it from her. But she has suppressed it and refuses to even talk about it, like it never happened. I just want you to know that Oasis Resort is still letting things like this happen.
Name: Rebecca
hello and first let me say how sorry I am for your loss, reading the story about your son makes me feel ever so glad that I am still alive to share my story. my name is Rebecca and I am an almost 40 year old wife and mother. may of 2007 I traveled to cancun with my niece on a trip she had won in a contest for renewing the lease on her apartment at college. on our 3rd night there I was brutally raped, beaten and left for dead by a security guard. but I lived and have spent the last year trying to search out other victims of violent crime in Mexico. I am working on a website for victims of rape and / or violent crime while in Mexico and would like to speak with you more about this. please email me and I will share more of my story with you for your sight and would love to share some of your stuff on mine. the more people who hear about this the better, because the travel people are never going to warn you about what really goes on south of the border. thanks for your time and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Name: Darcy
I was in Mexico and I was in my hotel and drugged and raped not just by one person but 2. I am appalled at the way that the Mexican police and hotel that I stayed at treated me. Unbelievable that is all I can say I am appalled that we go there thinking it is a safe place when in fact it is not. Murder and people dieing when they don't have to because people are not trained in CPR just kills me! I am so sadden by the stories that I have read my heart goes out to you and your family. My biggest regret is that this trip was about my son. Him and I where supposed to reconnect. He has the memory of his mother being raped I am 41 this happened in March of 2007 in the hotel in which I stayed the RUI Caribe. Nice huh. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with your family and that I appreciate this web site good for you for letting people know about what can happen there it is truly a third world country!
Name: Justin
I went to Mexico, and stayed at the same resort. I can't even remember what year I went, because it was that bad. it wasn't even a vacation. I got treated poorly by everyone I encountered in that terrible country! From staff at the Oasis, to cab drivers, and everyone else. The day I got there is the day I wanted to leave. I came back 10 plbs lighter, looking terrible, and people where wondering what was wrong. What was wrong, is that is a horrible place to go. DO NOT GO THERE! you are putting your life at risk. To Nolan, Live In The Sky, everybody misses you. To the Websters, I am Deeply sorry for your loss. May time Heal!
Name: janet
Relative fell from 4 story bldg in Cancun Mexico about 2 weeks ago and need info on his condition, prognosis...Family needs $30,000 to get him out of there via medical transport and can't get any info..pls help..thanks
Name: Pierce
My wife and I left Baja after 8 years of running both a bar and grill and a real estate and development business in Mulege north of Loreto , BCS. While we had gotten used to the bribes required of all levels of government,We will ill prepared for the attempt at jailing us because of a conflict with another realtor in Mulege( a mexican national). We got out just in time as phoney charges and BS just about had me spending 2 years in jail awaiting charges which would never come to fruition. I was informed by a cop I knew that I would was to be killed in jail awaiting trial . We are back in the USA and have left all land and property which has had every level of government employee trying to gain ownership by any means possible.
Please do not retire in Mexico,visit Mexico, or invest in Mexico. The vast majority of people there think that all americans are to be fleeced and that any land they sell will come back to them someday. We will never return and are willing to give up what is ours just to be safe.
Name: Darlene
My name is Darlene and I just lost my soul and heart in Mexico.
My husband Ron fell off a two story
balgony. I would like to tell my story but not sure how to
submit it to you.
Name: Vickie
My dad passed away april 26, 2008. He was with my step mom and their best friends vacationing in cancun. They had arrived the day before.
He fell from a second story balcony that was only 36 inches tall. My 3 year old niece who will never see her papa again is 36 in tall. Apparently that is standard in Mexico. There is nothing we can do about it. After the accident my step mom and the couple that went with them were not able to get a flight until the following week. They were treated like royalty the entire time they were there. I was very suprised to hear how good everyone was to them! While they were there one of the employees came to their room to check on them and told them that his toddler son had died not long ago from falling off the balcony. A toddler, is that not a big enough sign that maybe the rails need to be higher?! This tragedy could have easily been prevented!
Name: Ken
I was arrested in Cancun Mexico at 11AM in the Cartier Store for not paying a bribe. I had purchased about 4k at the store and a 'guarda' demanded 200$, I said no. I was detained and thrown into a truck by the Policia Qintana Roo to the horror of the Cartier Store staff, one of whom called the Canadian Embassy. I was beaten with various metal object for 6 hours while never having been told anything. I was then told '1800 por preedom' i gave them all I had, 1600USD and they let me go. They later followed me back to my hotel(Hyatt Caribe Cancun) and tried to get more money - or worse. I did receive some help from the Canadian Consulate and from the Cartier Store. I need facial reconstructive surgery to repair damage from being struck by a gun. You think the Mexican justice system is 'just'? I thank G-d I escaped alive. Do NOT go to Mexico, just dont.
Name: Paul
10 years ago i was mugged, drugged, and held hostage for 5 hours in a cab while on business in Mexico City. That country is a dump.
Name: alex
as a former longtime resident of san diego californa i have visited baja and mainland mexico on hundreds of times. i have many good mexican friends who live in tijuana and other parts of the country. years ago,when i first met my mexican friends and started visiting the country on a regular basis i mentioned that one of my american friends and i had come to tijuana just the two of us to drink and have fun. they became visibly upset and told us that we had no idea of the danger we had exposed ourselves to. we could very easily have been beaten robbed kidnapped or killed. we were shocked it seemed safe to us. i thought they were overly concerned. on subequent trips without my local friends as guides, i fell asleep on a resort beach and was awoken by men who beat and robbed me, leaving me pouring blood from my head, they even took my shoes.once, i was sitting in a bar and had the police walk in demanding to seach me, they "found" a large bag of powder drugs in my pocket(i dont use drugs)enough to keep me in a mexican jail for decades, they demanded a bribe, being nice enough to drive me to the atm when my meager pocket money didnt satisfy.mostly they don�t even bother to plant anything they just take your money from your wallet after search. my mexican friends tell me that the extortion/bribe from the police is $20 usd from a local mexican and $60-$100 usd for a tourist or american. i love the country and have had some great times there, but it is EXTREMLY DANGEROUS. i would tell people that if the local people don�t feel safe in their own city then you are definitly very much at risk. it is not a place for a relaxing vacation.if you must go dress in beat up work clothes and dont carry much cash make sure small bills.never be alone at any time.dont get drunk and be aware of everything surrounding you always and trust no one.
Name: Chris
ive been to cancun twice and i saw the exact same thing happen. me and my friends were walking the beach after leaving the clubs and saw a group of people standing around someone on the ground. story was, a kid was in the ocean and went under. a us marine that was there vacationing, pulled the kid out of the water and starting giving him cpr. while he was doing that the federales showed up and put their guns to the marine and told him to stop giving cpr and let the kid die. i couldnt sleep all week after seeing that. the way that country is run is terrifying. down there if you have health insurance, you wear a bracelett that shows it, if you dont have that bracelett on, they just assume watch you die. we all made sure those braceletts never came off when we were there. i will never go to mexico again.
Name: Deborah
I went on an "educational tour" to Mexico in July, 2001. There were maybe 20 young teenagers and 7 or 8 adults. We traveled from Mexico City to Cancun in ten days. A lot of it was shady and uncomfortable, but we stayed with the group and were relatively safe.
We all moaned and groaned when we were told that our flight left at something like 5:30AM out of Cancun - We all had to be up and dressed by 4 AM. Fortunately for us, we made it. The day after we returned I read a very small newspaper article that later that same day, two people had died on the very runway we took off from - their plane had malfunctioined, and the passengers were not allowed to leave the plane. Two people died of heat stroke in the plane on the tarmac. I will never go back to Mexico.
Name: Flo
Have you thought about encouraging Primetime, 20/20, or one of those type shows to consider doing an investigative piece on this issue in order to raise awareness. I have traveled to Mexico and other vacation resorts in other countries on many occasions and you're absolutely correct the way things are handled are not at all what we are accustomed to in the U.S.
Years ago while on vacation in Hualtulco, Mexico there was a fire in the hotel in which we were staying. We all stood outside anxiously awaiting the arrival of the fire department and were shocked to see that their fire department amounted to a mini van with a few guys inside with what amounted to water backpacks (like "super soaker toys") on their backs. There were no firetrucks, large equiptment, fire hoses,etc. like we have here. I'm sure there are countless stories and the American people should be more aware and educated about such risks when considering travel to Mexico and other areas.
Name: Joanne
My heart goes out to you and your family. I just returned from the Grand Oasis Hotel in Cancun, told my coworker of my ordeal and she told me about Nolan. I have just left horrible reviews on several websites about the hotel. My friend was very sick and they left her laying on the cold lobby floor for over an hour - no one would help her at all.
Name: joe
i too use to travel to cancun for fun as a young man in the early 1990's. it has always been a lawless and unsafe place for anyone who has some bad luck and bad timing. they will not lift a finger to help. i have witnessed dead bodies being carried away on stretcher during drinking parties and the body lay in wait for hours and hours with a napkin over the face until the party eneded. The oasis is well known and popular with young teenagers. it is a risk , a very big risk.
Name: Joren
People need to be more aware that the police extort visitors (and locals). In Cancun in 1995 I was walking home from a bar with a Mexican friend and the police pulled us over, frisked us, and told us to get in the car. They then drove around the more rural areas of Cancun and accused us of being gay and demanded hundreds of dollars. If we complied there would be no problem. They could have shot us and left us for dead and no one would have known. I eventually gave them most of the cash I had ($40 US) and they let us go. I will NEVER go back to Mexico and in the years since, realize just how lucky I was.
Name: Kim
Hi, I just wanted to say that I was there at the Oasis Hotel in Cancun when Nolan's tragic death happened. What happened haunted me for weeks and I think it could have been avoided, after reading his parents' story. I was walking nearby the pool right after the incident but didn't really see anything except for all the people surrounding him at the time. my boyfriend went over to see if they needed help and when he came back he just told me to keep walking without looking. They didn't seem like they needed help I guess and he said the guy looked really bad. Anyway, we walked by that pool again a few hours later and yes the body was still there. And it was laid down on a plastic beach chair with a white sheet over it, not even covering the whole body. I panicked. I don't get why they would leave him there for all to see. That was HIGHLY disrespectuf to him, his girlfriend and family but also to the other hotel guests. The hotel didn't even bother closing down the pool out of safety and respect the day after. I simply want to send all my sympathy and empathy also to his family.
Name: Sandi
Wish I had a website like this in 2005/2006. Perhaps you should have everyone post their stories. This is an email that I sent to ALL my friends alerting them about our mishap in Cancun 2005/2006.
We just got back from Cancun and yes the hotel, Riu Palace Las Americas, was beautiful (we would definitely recommend this hotel and would stay at another RIU hotel elsewhere). The weather was fabulous BUT the only thing that was lousy were the corrupt cops. Anthony, was leaving a nightclub one night and was hailing a cab (right outside the club). Instead a police cruiser pulled over and ordered him into the cruiser. They went through his pockets and robbed him of his money. They only got $20.00 (but this really shook all of us up.) They asked him where he was staying and dropped him off a block away. I thought that this kind of thing only happened in the movies, i.e. Traffic. We were all shocked. Thank god he�s okay. I kept thinking, what if Cassie was with him, what would they do then? She was really tired and declined to go out that night. It seems that they can do whatever they want to whomever. After talking to other vacationers in Cancun and doing a lot of research on the net, police corruption is an everyday occurrence and it's a wide scale problem along the "Mexican Riviera " especially if you rent a car. The police will pull you over and demand you pay a so-called fine or put you in jail. I wish I had known this a head of time before making my decision to vacation there. I�m just getting the word out to my friends and family so that you can make an educated decision as to whether or not you want to vacation there in the future.
Name: Sybil
We too had a similiar situation when my husband has hit in the chest by a Wave Runner at Club Cascadas in Carbo San Lucas, Mexico. The restort did nothing and my husband almost died on the beach. He had fractured a number of ribs and was in shock. A medical student on the beach was the only help we got. After 30 minutes and no help arriving, I ran up to the resort office screaming at them in an attempt to find out why help had not arrived. Finally a ex-police chief told me of a good doctor to call. The doctor drove to the resort, loaded my husband in his Volkswagon bug and drove him to his office. That was a wakeup call for us. I can't believe there are actually people from the U.S. that want to retire in Mexico.
Name: Susan
I felt it was my obligation to contact you after I saw Nolan's story last night on Fox 25 News Boston. I stayed at that very hotel a few years back and believe I had a close call with potential tragedy. I was injured at their facility but luckily was not in a life threatening situation. I suffered a sprained ankle after falling off a step in one of the bars that was not properly marked like the other areas in the hotel with simailar construction. My travel friend was the only helpful person there. She demanded they find me crutches, an ace bandage and get me to an elevator because I could not walk and we were on the second floor. They told us they didn't have one and promptly put me in a wheelchair and carried me IN the wheelchair UP to my room. It was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen. My friend and I took pictures of the step where I fell and the other identical steps that were marked with bright paint. No one ever checked on us and when she asked about a Doctor, they said it was 100.00 just to see an American Doctor. I felt the need to share my story with someone. I am not sure if this is the right place to do so but I felt the need to share this story.
Name: Cathy
My girlfriend and I went to Cancun for her
50th birthday last year. We stayed at the Royal Islander,
which was right next to the Oasis. We sat at the pool bar on Tuesday, and
ordered a drink, neither my girlfriend nor I remember getting out of
the pool or how we got to our room. (This was after having one drink, and
we're 50, not in our 20's). I woke up several hours later in my room. Thank the
good Lord. My hands were tingling and I vomited all night, I was unable to
function until 2 in the afternoon and went down to report it to the manager,
which he said happens all the time. But to this day I don't know what
happened or if we were drugged. But I thank God that we are here to talk about
Name: Nicole
I saw Nolan's mother and girlfriend on Fox 25 this morning
and it was heartbreaking... I myself went to Cancun in April of 01' and had an awful time. I was horribly sick and a doctor came after 4 hours and told me that I was fine when in reality I had a severe case of strep and also could not talk fo 31/2 weeks! Plus he charged me $200 USD to be there. Also our hotel rooms were robbed of everything. To top it all off one of my classmates that was there with us got dragged into a back room at a club and was repeatedly raped and beaten. I was terrifed and so were my parents. We were going to sue the hotel and instead they gave us a few free nights hotel stay. My parents were scared for my life down there. I think that cases like this should be shown to kids in school and also to their parents about what can really happen down there. My prayers go out to all of the victim's families on this site.
Name: chris
On March 3, 2007 my mother was on vacation with my dad. My mom was a 12 year cancer survivor who was very thin and frail, not leading the best quality of life, but she loved to live. She took the vacation through apple, and stayed right outside cancun. On march 5, i received a phone call from my dad that i needed to wire 2 thousand dollars to him immediately. my mom was experiencing chest pain and they refused to treat without money. i did this, and they still asked for more money once they realized more testing was needed. I was told she had pneumonia and would be fine. i woke up the morning of march 6 to a phone call instructing me to come home from school right away. I knew she was dead. because the asked for money at every turn, they failed to realize she had a PE and it killed her early on the morning of March 6th. I will never leave this country. apple vacations was helpful, but nobody else was. ambulances, forget it, they wanted money too. I'm sorry about your son, and i know it's a senseless death. it hurts that legally, we have no options.thanks for making this a prominent issue
Name: Cathy
My girlfriend and I went to Cancun for her 50th birthday last year. We stayed at the Royal Islander, which was right next to the Oasis. We sat at the pool bar on Tuesday, and ordered a drink, neither my girlfriend nor I remember getting out of the pool or how we got to our room. (This was after having one drink, and we're 50, not in our 20's). I woke up several hours later in my room. Thank the good Lord. My hands were tingling and I vomited all night, I was unable to function until 2 in the afternoon and went down to report it to the manager, which he said happens all the time. But to this day I don't know what happened or if we were drugged. But I thank God that we are here to talk about it.
Name: Joan
My younger brother; in 1987 was also found dead in a fountain at his hotel in Cancun, Mexico. He was 26 years old. My heart goes out to all of these people and memories of flood my heart and mind when I think of that year and the 4 years that I investigated his death that followed.
Name: Jim
About 15 years ago, my girlfriend and I went to Cancun for a vacation. She got food poisoning from eating seafood. She was very, very sick. It took the hotel staff several hours to locate a doctor and at that she was only a nurse. The nurse(doctor) was several hotels away. By the time my girlfriend got treated, 8 hours had lapsed. We spent the remaining 4 days of our 7 day vacation in the hotel room. For an area that probably depends on tourism for income, they don't seem to care very much for the tourists. I'll NEVER go to Mexico again.
Name: alyssa
I saw your story on the news this evening and it sounded so familiar. In spring 1992 a group of us went to Cancun on spring break and stayed at the Hyatt Hotel. One afternoon a young man who we all befriended while there, jumped off the edge of the pool and hit his head. It was a couple of minutes before anyone realized what had happened, but as soon as we saw him floating, everyone started screaming. Nobody from the hotel did a thing. The bartender in the pool bar continued to serve drinks. We had to run to get some help. Some kids pulled him out of the pool and he was so swollen and blue. One of the girls that was a lifeguard back home started CPR on him, but still no one from the hotel even came over until a good 15 minutes had past. Mind you we were all 17 and 18 at the time. It wasnt until 45 minutes passed when an "ambulance" arrived. They did not have a stretcher so they actually picked him up onto a lounge chair and used belts to strap him down. So me friends of his went to the hospital with him and the next day told us the disgusting place it was. They stated there was an actual drain in the room he was in, like a drain you would see in the shower. The doctors told the friends he had a concussion, but he would be ok. From what I remember, they flew him to Texas 2 days later and he died within a day. He had severe brain damage and brain swelling that was caused by not so much the accident itself, but the inaction. It was a horrifying scene to see and has stayed with me all these years. Your story is heartbreaking and my thoughts go out to your family. My group was from Melrose, MA if I remember correctly the boy was from Milton, MA. I dont remember his name, but the story just sounded so familiar. Continue your work in memory of your son, there is no reason for people to vacation in Mexico, it is a different world and not one where safety is a priority. Your family is in my thougts.
Name: AP
Please let your readers know that not only can you not trust mexican authorities you can not trust american hotel personnel. my son was in Acapulco over spring break when a fire broke out in his hotel.
Thankfully for us he had not arrived yet, but when I called the best western , mexico connection office, I was told that all students had been relocated to other hotels. I found out later when my son returned that no had been relocated, cots were set up everywhere for displaced students, my son was able to get into his room because he was fortunate enough to have booked his trip through an agent who does lots of business in mexico. however when he entered his room the door was off the hinges and not able to be locked.
Name: Renee
Hi, This is a very interesting site. I've been going to the Puerto Vallarta area for about 20 years now, and bought an apartment in Bucerias in 2001. Anyways, about 10 years ago, I went to PV for a week and was walking on the beach one day. Even though it was in the summer, there were a fair number of people on the beach and in the beach restaurants. All of a sudden a man was walking next to me, matching my steps. (I grew up in sort of an inner-city area of Chicago, so this was a big red flag.) All of a sudden, he pivoted around so that he was facing me and walking backwards. He said "I know you!" and I said "I don't think so." Then he told me that he was my taxi driver from the airport to my hotel. I told him that I remembered my driver and that it wasn't him and I told him to get lost. All I could think of was that he was going to offer me a private tour of the city which would include a trip to his house where a bunch of his friends would be waiting.
Name: anne
my friend is frantic & i'm writing on her behalf..her son called her on 3/14th from acapulco, said he was beaten badly, asked her to cancell cr cards etc...meanwhile she never heard back from him, which is extremely weird, in addition her mother died and she's holding off on the funeral..do you have any information that would be helpful to her.jails in acapolco, investigators..etc..that i could give to her or her daughter. thank you for your website and many blessings to you....anne
Name: Melody
Our son, Lovell Keith Adams Jr, better know as "JR" was killed on March 18, 2005 at the age of 17 while vacationing in a resort area between Cancun Mexico and Playa Del Carmen. He was struck and killed instantly by a speeding car with no car lights on while trying to cross a dark busy highway with family and friends. The coward who brutally killed JR got out of his car and ran! Supposedly, he turned himself in the next day and was released SCOTT FREE with not even a slap on the wrist. What he did receive was a pat on the back by the Playa Del Carmen Police Dept. [for being such an upstanding citizen?] and in their official statement the police declared that he had done nothing wrong! Commander Perez actually had the audacity to commend the person that murdered JR saying this sort of killing happens often and usually the killer doesn't turn themselves in. In the conclusion of his report, Commander Perez declared that JR was the cause of his own death. We found out very quickly that Hit and Run incidents are not illegal in Mexico. According to the Mexican government, it is simply OK to kill people, even unsuspecting tourists as they cross a street [or sun bath on a beach). Never mind that speeding cars shouldn't be on a beach in the first place...to the Mexican government, that's OK!
The bribery and corruption there is OUT OF CONTROL! We are asking anyone who is planning on going to Mexico for vacation or for any reason to please do your research before going or contact JR's parents to get first hand information on the nightmare we went through just trying to get our precious son's body home.