**UPDATE in State Dept Warnings***Mexico All-Inclusives Whaaaaaat??????

[sweetpee_1993]

So now the state department has included a blurb about alcohol in their security warnings for travel to Mexico. Still doesn't sound entirely conclusive but interesting all the same.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html

 

[maria's_mommy]

I'm assuming you jest? **giggles** Seriously. Never been to Milwaukee. Or anywhere near it. But I get you. My parents who live in a small, rural Alabama town watch the local news out of the nearest big city and the way they talk the only reason to ever go to that city is if you wanted to get murdered or robbed. I asked why they feel that way. "It's on the news every day. People robbed, shot, murdered. That city is so dangerous." I live in the Houston area. There's long lists of those things here daily yet we function just fine. Definitely not naive. I like to think I'm not overly sensitive to it the way my poor folks

They talking about Montgomery? It's terrible!

 

[Cackyschmackers]

So now the state department has included a blurb about alcohol in their security warnings for travel to Mexico. Still doesn't sound entirely conclusive but interesting all the same.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html

Interesting that alcohol blurb made it in there. But there were no travel warnings to Quintana Roo, which is the area in question. Hmmm

 

[cruiser21]

I've seen the stories on a number of news sources. It seems to be getting a lot of attention now.

 

[DLgal]

So now the state department has included a blurb about alcohol in their security warnings for travel to Mexico. Still doesn't sound entirely conclusive but interesting all the same.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html

Yep. Now it's not just heresay.

Of course the resorts are not going to admit to this or take blame. This is "inside job" type stuff. I'm guessing the Iberostar company is totally in the dark that this is a problem at their resorts. The Mexican government openly admits that bootleg/unsafe liquor is a problem.

Good job to the newspaper who brought this story into the spotlight.

 

[hanscarlet]

Yup I saw this last week and now it's making MSM, saw it covered on CNN and Fox this morning. This is a real shame because Mexico really relies on tourists and now this is really going to hurt them. We had a blast at our all inclusive Moon Palace back in 2005. I would go there again but yep these stories are really alarming.

 

[JsMom2]

The State Department has not put out a Travel Warning to Mexico. You can check their website at travel.state.gov.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

The State Department has not put out a Travel Warning to Mexico. You can check their website at travel.state.gov.

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html

If you open the Safety & Security tab then scroll down to Alcohol:

Alcohol: There have been allegations that consumption of tainted or substandard alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.

It seems pretty carefully worded. It doesn't come out and say "This is a problem". It's more implied. Since the initial article went mainstream last week apparently many more people have stepped forward with similar stories. It's enough that now our government agency that makes warnings & recommendations for travel to other countries found it noteworthy.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

Like I've mentioned, hubby & I had been planning to go to either Playa Mujeres or Isla Mujeres next fall for our 25th anniversary to swim with whale sharks. We've been watching all this and other things closely. I'll be honest, at this point we're pretty sure we won't go to Mexico. Even if we don't see reports specific to where we want to go, we'd be watching our backs more than usual. How much fun is it to not feel like we can relax and be watching over our shoulders every second? This is not going to be good for their tourism. I'm hoping it's something they can address. If that's possible.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

State Department is not telling citizens not to go to Mexico. They are telling them that if they go, to be aware and cautious when drinking alcohol.

 

[DLgal]

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/mexico.html

If you open the Safety & Security tab then scroll down to Alcohol:

Alcohol: There have been allegations that consumption of tainted or substandard alcohol has resulted in illness or blacking out. If you choose to drink alcohol, it is important to do so in moderation and to stop and seek medical attention if you begin to feel ill.

It seems pretty carefully worded. It doesn't come out and say "This is a problem". It's more implied. Since the initial article went mainstream last week apparently many more people have stepped forward with similar stories. It's enough that now our government agency that makes warnings & recommendations for travel to other countries found it noteworthy.

It IS a problem. A 2015 review by the Mexican Tax authority found that 43% of the alcohol consumed in the country was produced illegally, and contains methanol and grain alcohol, both of which are dangerous to consume.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

Like I've mentioned, hubby & I had been planning to go to either Playa Mujeres or Isla Mujeres next fall for our 25th anniversary to swim with whale sharks. We've been watching all this and other things closely. I'll be honest, at this point we're pretty sure we won't go to Mexico. Even if we don't see reports specific to where we want to go, we'd be watching our backs more than usual. How much fun is it to not feel like we can relax and be watching over our shoulders every second? This is not going to be good for their tourism. I'm hoping it's something they can address. If that's possible.

That's a shame bc Isla Mujeres is a very nice quaint island away from the hub bub of Cancun. Our friends even went and brought their 2 yr old. But I understand being better safe than sorry. That's why I am not interested in the Rivera Maya region.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

It IS a problem. A 2015 review by the Mexican Tax authority found that 43% of the alcohol consumed in the country was produced illegally, and contains methanol and grain alcohol, both of which are dangerous to consume.

I'm forever the skeptic. Or maybe I'm giving more credit where it's not due. My question is: what purpose would a tax authority have for even looking into illegal alcohol? Is it because those bottles were untaxed? Untaxed alcohol would be alcohol traded without claim, right? Sonit could just be undeclared bottles that are the same as any other, just not claimed. Or taxed. No doubt someone is tampering with some. But how much of that 43% is truly tainted & how much is just untaxed? Like in our country we have agencies that monitor for health reasons. It's not just tax. We have ATF, etc. trying to keep everyone legit. Who is doing that job in Mexico? The tax collector??? These are my questions.

Also, since all this came to light I've been searching for more info but can't seem to turn up much at all. It's interesting. Maybe it's a newer problem just now coming to light.

I'll tell you, though, we are thinking we should er to the side of caution. Over-caution. Sometimes the consequences are bad enough you just don't even take the chance. So in October when I have a port day in Cozumel & my friends & I were planning an all-inclusive beach day...we are looking at alternatives that don't involve drinking alcohol. Hubby & I are reconsidering our dedicated anniversary trip next fall & looking at other ideas - like Hawaii or Tokyo. Just the doubt. It does have an impact.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

That's a shame bc Isla Mujeres is a very nice quaint island away from the hub bub of Cancun. Our friends even went and brought their 2 yr old. But I understand being better safe than sorry. That's why I am not interested in the Rivera Maya region.

We're both pretty sad about it. We aren't saying never. Just not right now or the near future. We'll be watching, though. It's on our bucket list.

 

[DLgal]

I'm forever the skeptic. Or maybe I'm giving more credit where it's not due. My question is: what purpose would a tax authority have for even looking into illegal alcohol? Is it because those bottles were untaxed? Untaxed alcohol would be alcohol traded without claim, right? Sonit could just be undeclared bottles that are the same as any other, just not claimed. Or taxed. No doubt someone is tampering with some. But how much of that 43% is truly tainted & how much is just untaxed? Like in our country we have agencies that monitor for health reasons. It's not just tax. We have ATF, etc. trying to keep everyone legit. Who is doing that job in Mexico? The tax collector??? These are my questions.

Also, since all this came to light I've been searching for more info but can't seem to turn up much at all. It's interesting. Maybe it's a newer problem just now coming to light.

I'll tell you, though, we are thinking we should er to the side of caution. Over-caution. Sometimes the consequences are bad enough you just don't even take the chance. So in October when I have a port day in Cozumel & my friends & I were planning an all-inclusive beach day...we are looking at alternatives that don't involve drinking alcohol. Hubby & I are reconsidering our dedicated anniversary trip next fall & looking at other ideas - like Hawaii or Tokyo. Just the doubt. It does have an impact.

What I read said "Over the past 7 years, more than 1.4 million gallons of bootleg liquor has been seized from hotels and bars, some of which was infused with grain alcohol or methanol,both of which can be dangerous."

Yes, their tax official monitor and regulate alcohol sales, just like our government does here. Illegally produced liquor is done to skirt tax laws. The dangerous additions lower the production costs. It's like watering down drinks to increase profit.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

What I read said "Over the past 7 years, more than 1.4 million gallons of bootleg liquor has been seized from hotels and bars, some of which was infused with grain alcohol or methanol,both of which can be dangerous."

Yes, their tax official monitor and regulate alcohol sales, just like our government does here. Illegally produced liquor is done to skirt tax laws. The dangerous additions lower the production costs. It's like watering down drinks to increase profit.

Well there's a little more gravity than I was giving it. Our decision to be more cautious & avoid drinking looks like the right call to make.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

State Department is not telling citizens not to go to Mexico. They are telling them that if they go, to be aware and cautious when drinking alcohol.

Exactly. I personally would rather go somewhere that I can let my hair down, have some drinks as part of my all-inclusive experience, and feel safe doing it. Makes the all-inclusive offerings a lot less of a value if you aren't going to drink at all.

 

[DLgal]

State Department is not telling citizens not to go to Mexico. They are telling them that if they go, to be aware and cautious when drinking alcohol.

The issue seems to be, though, that these people who were victimized THOUGHT they were drinking responsibly. Some reportedly only had one drink! If the alcohol is tampered with, or has ethanol in it, one drink could make you black out or end up seriously sick. There is really no way to know WHAT you are drinking if you order something that doesn't show up in a sealed, single serve beverage container (like a can or bottle).

 

[mhconley]

The travel magazines are picking it up...

http://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-tips/travel-warnings/travel-warning-tainted-alcohol-mexico?

Martin

 

[o&smom]

Fake news.

It has been on Good Morning America multiple times in the last week. Will not keep us from going to Mexico. We go with our two children every other year and love our time there. I guess we are lucky that we only order "virgin" drinks...will probably continue that and enjoy our time there,