In view of headlines about violence along the U.S. border, many people are wondering about the safety of visiting Mexico. Keep in mind that Mexico is a big and diverse country, so violence along the U.S. border towns won't have any effect on your vacation in Loreto any more than violence in Miami would affect people in Chicago. Most of the violence that has taken place recently is due to conflicts between drug cartels and the Mexican authorities. As a tourist in southern Baja, 700 miles south of the border, you can have a tranquil, relaxing vacation so long as you use the normal precautions you would in any other vacation spot. Hundreds of Americans and Canadians who visited Loreto this past winter and spring were enjoying their vacations with no hassles or problems.