Is it true?

Someone I work with said that when she cruised to Costa Maya a few years ago there were armed guards/soldiers at the port. Is this true? Is safety an issue? Why is this needed?

Hubby will be going on an excursion to the ruins that I can't do because of mobility limitations. Now I am not sure I will be comfortable being off the ship by myself.

We went to Costa Maya in May of 2006 and can't say that I remember any armed guards.

Yes, you will most likely see Mexican Army or Navy at roadside checkpoints and maybe along the beach. They are good thing, for your protection and the their country. Yes, they too have problems with illegals entering their country, drug and gun control.

By the way - did you notice the armed escort your ship may get leaving a US port? These are differnt times and differnt counties handle their security using differnt government agencies.

The area is very safe - just be aware like you would anywhere you travel.

Not only Army guys with AK47's at the port but as you rounded the final bend on the way to Mahuhaul beach there was a guard post with a army man also with a AK47 machine gun. But yes it is safe and is our favorite port........Love Costa Maya;)

Someone I work with said that when she cruised to Costa Maya a few years ago there were armed guards/soldiers at the port. Is this true? Is safety an issue? Why is this needed?

 

Hubby will be going on an excursion to the ruins that I can't do because of mobility limitations. Now I am not sure I will be comfortable being off the ship by myself.

I always feel safer when I see armed guards. It's a lot better than unarmed guards or no guards at all.

You will see armed guards but do not worry. I approached a pair to take a picture at my beach club (Pez Quadro) and they were quite nice. Do not worry a bit.

I cannot speak for Costa Maya, but did drive to Cancun and can tell you that a strong guard presence is a way of life in Mexico. Every toll booth had at least one AK carrying guard, and every state line had a military checkpoint nearby. I've even seen these guards guarding a bank and standing on corners in a shopping district! I have never felt uncomfortable about it or around them.

Federal Police, kinda like the State Police in your state.

We saw them in Belize and Roatan too... So it is not the only place.

I always feel safer when I see armed guards. It's a lot better than unarmed guards or no guards at all.

Nita

Someone I work with said that when she cruised to Costa Maya a few years ago there were armed guards/soldiers at the port. Is this true? Is safety an issue? Why is this needed?

 

Hubby will be going on an excursion to the ruins that I can't do because of mobility limitations. Now I am not sure I will be comfortable being off the ship by myself.

You will be completely safe in Costa Maya. It is basically a cruise ship resort that is completely enclosed within the port area. You will be very safe walking around on your own. Outside the port entrance there will be plenty of armed policeman. They are also in the town of Mahahual. I'm not sure exactly what Majahual will be like once it is rebuilt, but I also felt very safe there. As with all ports town that I have visited, if you just stay in the well travelled areas you shouldn't have any problems. I assume the police presence is there to assure the safety of the tourist.

Thanks everyone for your responses. I feel much better now.

...

As long as they are in sight you are safe. I no longer worry when I see guards with machine guns standing around. I do behave myself.....

 

Nita

As they say, an armed society is a polite society.

The guys in the black uniforms are in the Mexican Navy. The building on the corner as you round the corner off the highway towards Maja was the Naval station. Hurricane Dean leveled their quarters. They're there to make sure illegal aliens from Belize or drug runs from Belize don't make it onto their shores.

I think you'll be just fine. I also wanted to chime in that there were plenty of armed men on the pier at Cozumel as well.

Not AK47 weapons, more likely.

Heckler & Koch G3 7.62 assault rifle, made under Heckler & Koch licence

FX-05 Mexican made assault rifle 5.56x45mm NATO round

HK21E 7.62 machine gun. Made under license from Heckler & Koch

MK 19 grenade launcher 40 mm .

Beretta 92 Service Pistol.

M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and FN Minimi.

M-2 machine gun 12.7 mm .

No matter where you go in the caribbean you are likely to see armed guards. We could not dock in Cozumel until the US Coast Guard Cutter docked. Sometimes I wondered at the strong military presence but they are always very nice and not threatening. So go and enjoy the extra protection!!

Here are picture's from our cruise in 2007.

Armed Guards patrolling the water...

View from the ship....

Armed guards on the pier... and they were quite friendly.

They are there for everyones protection. ;)

Usually pretty easy on the eyes also. Love a man in any uniform :D

Not AK47 weapons, more likely.

Heckler & Koch G3 7.62 assault rifle, made under Heckler & Koch licence

FX-05 Mexican made assault rifle 5.56x45mm NATO round

HK21E 7.62 machine gun. Made under license from Heckler & Koch

MK 19 grenade launcher 40 mm .

Beretta 92 Service Pistol.

M249 Squad Automatic Weapon and FN Minimi.

M-2 machine gun 12.7 mm .

Thanks Carib,

I was thinking the same thing. I have an AK 47 and I didn't see anything like it in any of the ports that we have visited. Most that I saw were in the H&K and AR class, but they all will get the job done when used properly.;)

Has anyone been to New York City after 9/11, they too have armed Military personnel on the streets. This is a way of life now. ;)

Yes they are on the pier. But felt safe in Costa Maya and did not see

any issues.

I noticed them as we were leaving the pier area about a mile out when we were headed out for our tour to go to the Mayan ruins. They were guarding what seemed like another road. It was a little unnerving. I work with a woman who went on the same exhursion (paid thru Carnival) saw the guards from the bus - and freaked. (She's 50's) she won't cruise again. She thought the whole experience was unsafe. While my son was 9 at the time - I was unsettled but knew that was the reality of traveling and had a great time. He saw them too and didn't think about it.

I was there last year. I heard that you don't want to leave the gated area. The port is like they drop you off in a market with a very nice pool and swimup bar. But as for venturing out of the gates - i heard it wasn't recommended. So I didn't take the chance when i was there. You should be fine in the area they drop you off at though - no worries.

I noticed them as we were leaving the pier area about a mile out when we were headed out for our tour to go to the Mayan ruins. They were guarding what seemed like another road. It was a little unnerving. I work with a woman who went on the same exhursion (paid thru Carnival) saw the guards from the bus - and freaked. (She's 50's) she won't cruise again. She thought the whole experience was unsafe. While my son was 9 at the time - I was unsettled but knew that was the reality of traveling and had a great time. He saw them too and didn't think about it.

This was a military check point. You find these throughout Quinana Roo Mexico. Because of the proximity to Belize they are usually checking for drugs. I live in southern California and we have several check points between San Diego and Las Vegas. I have to wonder would your co-worker freak making that drive also?