But, the truth is, these events are anomalies. There are hundreds of Belizeans on Mexican highways everyday - and their trips pass without any adverse events.
And for this coming long weekend, those numbers will surge. The ambassador had some tips for safety and ease of travel:
Oscar Arnold, Belize Ambassador to Mexico
"We've been getting, we've been fielding a few calls from Belize's who intend to travel across the border into Mexico for the long weekend. We know it's one of the weekends where we have quite a volume of Belizeans traveling and crossing the border. The advice would be to ensure that you get your insurance for your vehicle that you're traveling with. Ensure that a family member or someone knows what area in Mexico you'll be visiting, especially if it's in Quintana Roo. We also advise everyone to try to purchase a chip, a Mexican chip, where you can have phone access, and you can also have internet access that you can keep in touch with people you're traveling with. If you're traveling in a convoy, maybe 2 or 3 vehicles or that you can also keep track or keep in contact with families back home. Insofar of what we know it is very safe to still travel within Quintana Roo. I know that there's quite a few people. I have family who will be traveling to Tulum and Playa as well, and I've given them the same advice. The state of Quintana Roo has also launched an app where you can download the app, you can create an account, and in there it has all the contact numbers for police, Guardia National, The green angels who help you along the road. If you have mechanical problems, you can always call them and let them know that you're in some distress and that you would need help. It also allows you to not commit. But if in the event you, you park, inadvertently park in a no parking zone, once they scan the QR code, it allows you two minor traffic infractions where they won't ticket you right away unless you have exhausted those two options then you may be faced with that ticket after."
"So that would be my advice to Belizeans traveling across the border, this weekend to make sure that they and their families are safe."
