02 Jun Home Sweet Home

Many Canadians are taking their vacations inside the country for any number of reasons.  Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort is located in the town of Parksville, B.C.  Sunrise Ridge is a Fractional Residence development overlooking the Strait of Georgia and Rathtrevor Beach,  We are

Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort

in the process of selling the remainder of our current inventory of  1, 2, and 3 bedroom vacation condominiums at very attractive prices.  Pre-sales of the next phase are scheduled for later in 2012.

The following is taken directly from the website of the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada website on Jan. 10, 2012…….

Canadians travelling to Mexico should exercise a high degree of caution due to a deteriorating security situation in many parts of the country. While most major tourist areas have not been affected by the extreme levels of violence in the northern border region, it is highly advisable to travel to Mexico by air (please refer to our official warning for the Mexico-United States border). High levels of criminal activity, as well as occasional demonstrations and protests, remain a concern throughout the country.

Presidential elections are scheduled for July 1, 2012. In the period leading up to and during the elections, Canadians are advised to remain vigilant, avoid large crowds and demonstrations, exercise caution, follow the advice of local authorities, and monitor local media.

Demonstrations and protests regularly occur in large cities. Canadians should avoid large gatherings and demonstrations, which could erupt into violent incidents at any time. Participation in political demonstrations by foreigners is prohibited and may result in detention, expulsion, and the denial of future entry into Mexico. The city of Oaxaca has recently experienced violence and roadblocks related to demonstrations.

Warnings on swimming conditions posted on beaches should be taken seriously. Many beaches are not supervised or do not offer warnings. When in doubt, consult hotel staff.

You should ensure the recreational activities you choose are covered by your travel insurance or by a local insurance policy. Ensure sporting and aquatic equipment is safe and in good condition, especially for scuba diving. Many operators do not conduct regular safety checks. There have been cases of Canadians who have been involved in accidents where operators demanded compensation in excess of the value of the damage caused to the vehicle or equipment.

Exercise caution when standing close to balcony railings, as deaths and injuries have resulted from falls. Height standards for balcony railings in Mexico can be considerably lower than those in Canada.

Crime is commonplace. Arrest and detention rates are low and contribute to high levels of criminality.

Theft – including armed robbery, purse snatching, and pickpocketing – occurs frequently in Mexico. Visitors should be aware of their surroundings at all times while travelling throughout the country, even in areas normally considered safe, and should take precautions to secure their belongings and minimize their attractiveness as a target for thieves. Dress down, avoid wearing or carrying expensive jewellery, and carry only small amounts of cash. Keep your luggage secure at all times. In resort areas, leave your passport and valuables in your hotel safe, not in your hotel room or on the beach while you are swimming.

There have been reports of foreigners being targeted in assault and robbery incidents, which are sometimes violent. Victims have been followed after exchanging or withdrawing money at airports, currency exchange bureaus, and automated banking machines (ABMs). It is therefore recommended that travellers avoid withdrawing or exchanging money in the public areas of the airport. Should you need to do so, small and only absolutely necessary financial transactions should be done before exiting the customs area.

You should withdraw or exchange money at ABMs or exchange bureaus (casas de cambio) during daylight hours only, and inside shops and malls rather than on the street. Always conceal the keypad when entering your PIN, even if nobody else is around. Keep your credit card in sight when paying for goods and services.

Assault

Incidents of assault and sexual aggression against foreigners have been reported. In some cases, hotel employees, taxi drivers, and security personnel have been implicated. Avoid walking after dark, especially alone, and avoid deserted or under-populated areas. You should only frequent bars and nightclubs as part of a group and avoid separating from the group. In cases of sexual assault, police authorities will require a medical examination.

Be careful accepting food, drinks, invitations, or rides from strangers or recent acquaintances. Avoid leaving your food and drinks unattended in bars and restaurants. There have been cases of travellers being robbed or assaulted after being drugged. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption, as this can make you a more vulnerable target for criminals.

Kidnappings

Kidnappings, particularly express kidnappings, occur frequently in large urban areas. The most common practice involves thieves working in cooperation with, or posing as, taxi drivers. The thieves force victims to withdraw money from ABMs with their debit or credit cards in exchange for their release. Avoid hailing taxis on the street and instead call a reputable taxi company or use the taxi service from the hotel.

Kidnappers target both the wealthy and middle class. Foreigners are not specifically targeted but may be perceived as being wealthy.

Scams

Criminals posing as police officers have approached tourists and asked for their passports or for foreign currency. There have also been cases of legitimate police officers extorting money from tourists or arresting tourists for minor offences or traffic violations. If this occurs, you should not hand over your money or your passport. Instead, you should ask for the officer’s name, badge number, and patrol car number, the location of the arrest, and the written fine payable at a later date. Should you feel the fine cannot be justified, proceed to the nearest Agencia del Ministerio Público and Tourism Office to file a complaint.

Avoid divulging personal information to strangers either in person or over the phone. Virtual kidnapping by telephone is a common practice in Mexico. Should you receive a call from someone demanding payment for the release of an arrested or kidnapped family member, remain calm, note the phone number of the person calling, hang up, and report the call to local police. Scam artists have also gathered information on luggage tags in hotel lobbies and later convinced guests to give them their contact information in Canada. Afterwards, they have called parents of travelling Canadians to report that their child has been detained or hospitalized and have requested that money be wired to Mexico. If this occurs, parents or friends should request the name and number of the caller and contact the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa (toll‑free within Canada at 1-800-387-3124 or from Mexico at 001‑800-514-0129).

WOW…. although much of Mexico is relatively safe, shouldn’t warnings like these make a vacation inside Canada a serious consideration. If relaxation is one of the prime attractions of a vacation, consider the security, safety and awesome natural wonders of the area surrounding Sunrise Ridge Waterfront Resort.