Best City in Mexico

[MicWayWal]

I am looking for a photographic adventure. I am interested in a unique, interesting, colorful, relatively safe, urban area in Mexico to photograph for a few days. There are thousands of cities out there but I don't know where to start. Where should I consider?

I am NOT looking for churches, cathedrals, beaches, ancient ruins, or modern buildings. I am looking for quaint, what you might consider traditional Mexican places that would offer me lots of different opportunities to photograph.

I have heard and seen some images from San Miguel de Allende and that is some of what I have in mind. What others places are out there that I may not have heard of yet. I don't mind going to out of the way places.

[johnastovall]

"...safe urban area in Mexico..." sounds like an oxymoron.

Mexico security advisories from U.S. State Department.

Travel Alert

General State Department notice on Mexico.

[AndrewCCM]

My favorite city there is the airport when leaving. LOL
Sorry..I just had to make a funny. hehe
For whatever reason, I am just not a Mexico fan...It seems all or nothing for me...Either very tourist or very poor/rundown and sometimes those are across the street from each other.

Good luck and be safe!

[Imagebuffet]

When I was barely a teenager, my church youth group made a mission trip to Aguascalientes. I went just after a storm had ruined the campground where we stayed. Our bungalows hardly had any walls, but we covered them in plastic wrap. We had no running water, due to the storm. Wet sand covered everything that had been near ground-level. The village, itself was poor and old, but the public school we visited was in decent shape. We showed movies outdoors at night. Some of the countryside we passed was beautiful. I have no idea what any of that is like, now, particularly from a safety perspective.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

"...safe urban area in Mexico..." sounds like an oxymoron.

Mexico security advisories from U.S. State Department.

Travel Alert

General State Department notice on Mexico.

I know, I know, The sky is falling.
This travel advisory could be given for most urban areas in any major US cities. I meant 'relatively' safe. I am going to edit the post to modify the word safe. So this thread can get back on track.

[Dobick]

Texas Tech had a short two week mid-mester trip to Guanajuato back 2 years ago. From the stories that I heard it was very same and friendly, and completely gorgeous.

I would like to go sometime.

[Johnnycb]

San Miguel de Allende via train out of Laredo.

[MicWayWal]

Originally Posted by Johnnycb

San Miguel de Allende via train out of Laredo.

Tell me more. How long is the ride? What kind of people on the train? Do you have any images?

[dbphotos]

With what you described I would say most cities along Baja California (Santa Rosalita and La Paz). Very different from the rest of Mexico and while not "safe", safer than the main parts of Mexico. I used to travel to Guadalajara every 3 weeks or so for a year and it was a great town, but now I wouldn't go there. Some of the border towns that tourists would normally go to are now having all out war. Nuevo Laredo has about 400 homicides per month with a good portion of those being Police Officers. Many border towns are the same. If you go, just make sure you are aware of what you are getting into and be safe. There are some beautiful areas though.

[lscottpht]

I second San Miguel de Allende. I haven't been there yet, but I've been wanting to go. A lot of photographers hold workshops there. My dad and his family went a couple of months ago and loved it. It's in the mountains and very much of an "artist" hang out.

[MikeyG1965]

I traveled to Mexico City last year and it was so much different from what we see on the border. Folks seemed friendlier. Then again, I didn't venture to far away from the U.S. Embassy. Did go across the street near the area of La Zona Rosa where they have all of the usual fast food restraunts.

[Joe_Lorenzini]

My suggestion would be to check out Todos Santos. It's an artist enclave with some history to it (Original "Hotel California"). You can walk much of the city (they have maps to help). It's not without it's difficulties or boring/drab areas but it does have some character to it. My favorite bar there: "Shut Up Frank" - get a t-shirt and whatever you do, don't ask for Frank.

Joe

[MicWayWal]

Thanks guys. Keep'em coming.

[JohnT]

I don't know. I value my head — literally.

I remember going to a few places in Mexico with my parents when I was a lad, and the drugs lords weren't on the warpath. It will be interesting to see where you end up going that's "relatively safe."

[Johnnycb]

Mike,

Here are a few links for ya

http://wikitravel.org/en/San_Miguel_de_Allende

Looks like train service is no longer an option.
http://www.experience-san-miguel-de-...to-mexico.html