Latin American Southern Cone Programs - Middlebury College

Safety in Mexico
Neither Guadalajara nor Xalapa are particularly dangerous cities. However, as cities, they have their
share of petty crime and robbery. There are some things to be aware of while living in Mexico which
will improve your chances of avoiding dangerous situations and some tips for staying safe while
traveling.
Keep an eye out for one another. It is safer to go out at night in groups of two or three. It is
not advisable to be in areas of the city which are not well lit or with few people in the streets.
Violent crime against students is not common; however, you should be aware of your
surroundings at all times.
Keep your wallet and important documents in the front pocket of your pants or in the
internal pockets of backpacks or purses. Watch how Mexicans carry their backpacks and
purses in crowded areas or busses and emulate them.
In Guadalajara and Xalapa the traffic is the most dangerous thing that students encounter on
a daily basis. Be alert when crossing the street or stepping on/off the bus. Drivers do not
respect the rights of pedestrians.
If you become the target of a robbery or pickpocket, DO NOT RESIST. Your safety is
more important than your money/computer/iPod.
Travel tips
For your wellbeing, you must inform Della when you travel outside your city
(Guadalajara or Xalapa).
Always travel in the daytime.
Take the bus or fly, but you may not rent a car during the program. Not being aware of
local traffic culture, the high rate of traffic accidents and unfamiliarity with how to deal with
army checkpoints can put you at greater risk of encountering a dangerous situation.
Middlebury students are prohibited from visiting the following locations during the program:
The state of Chihuahua
The state of Tamaulipas
The state of Sinaloa
The city of Tijuana, Baja California
The city of Nogales, Sonora
All border towns along the Texas border
All border towns along the Guatemala border
Middlebury students must meet with Della before traveling to Mexico City or the state of
Michoacán during the program to discuss specific travel plans and safety precautions. For
Guadalajara students, this means an in person meeting, for Xalapa students a phone call.
This list may change without prior notice at any time during the semester.
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