Job Discussion Forums

[cummings93]

Anyone ever been here? There is miles of coastline, what do you know?

[Guy Courchesne]

I lived in Acapulco in 2003/4. What would you like to know?

Corrupt state government, rampant poverty, nice beaches, fabulous pozole...

For work, there's not a great deal. You might a few decent jobs in the states capital, Chilpancinqo, and some work in Acapulco, but beyond that, very little.

I had put up a post linking back to several older postings on the state...

http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=46454

[cummings93]

I have a map of Mexico on my wall and for some reason my eyes always end up there (at Guererro). I have heard it is a little backwards there, maybe comparable to West Virginia or the Appalachians in the States. Somehwat primitive? I really don't want to work there, but would it be safe to visit?

[scottmx81]

Guy provided a good summary of the state, in both his current message and the thread he linked to.

It is a pretty lawless state, and is also one of the three poorest states in the country. You do not have to wander very far outside of the main tourist hotspots to find extreme poverty, and places where it isn't safe for the average tourist, Mexican or Foreign.

The nicest area in the state is Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

When people talk about Guerrero being lawless, it doesn't mean that there is a significant security threat as a tourist passing through the area. It has more to do with a corrupt and inept police force and government. Most crimes will go unsolved and not really investigated. Revenge killings, killings of police officers, and killings of those involved in the drug industry are rampant. It isn't uncommon for grenades to be lobbed around in that state, usually directed at the police or other governmental representative (for example, the mayor's house).

Guy gives his ugliest city he knows in Mexico award to Chilpancingo. While I don't know that city, another city in the state, Cd. Altamirano, is tied for first place with Huetamo, on the Michoacan/Guerrero border, in my list.

Basically, when travelling in Guerrero, you need to stick to the coast unless you are very familiar with Mexican culture and speak the language very well. The coast is tropical, but inland is what they call the tierra caliente. It is dry and desertous without much foliage. This tierra caliente region, which crosses the border into Michoacan, is arguably the most dangerous part of the country.

But, with all that aside, thousands of U.S. and Canadian tourists flock to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo every winter. Most don't have any problems in the Petatlan/Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa/Troncones area. It is a great area to visit short-term. (1-3 months?). But as far as a place to live, I wouldn't make any plans to settle there long term. After living in Morelia for a year, I went to Zihuatanejo for 8 months, but ended up returning to Morelia. The culture between coastal Guerrero and the central colonial cities is very different, and Guerrero got to be a little too much for me once I got to see believe the surface.

[scottmx81]

I forgot about Taxco. You seem to be drawn to the coastline, from your first post, but inland Guerrero is home to the city of Taxco, which is said to be the silver capital of Mexico. Lots of silver markets. It is another safe tourist destination, but more of a side trip from Mexico City or Acapulco than from Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo.

[Guy Courchesne]

Yeah, Taxco is a great spot...I overlooked it in my summary. I've been there 3 or 4 times now for relaxing weekends. Taxco is a photographer's dream.

[hlamb]

I'm a fan of Taxco as well. It's an easy day trip from Cuernavaca and is a shopper's paradise, if you're into that. I'm not, much, but there are great places to walk to overlooking the city, with fantastic views. The roads are an adventure too.

[MELEE]

Last year I visited Acapulco for the first time. I was actually pleasently surprised.

We drove and had planned to drive up to Cuernavaca then take the interstate down to Acapulco--while we were driving along, suddently there was a sing Chilpancingo that a way. We looked at each other and thought hey--that's were we want to go. In the guia roji it looked like as good a road as the one we were on so we took it. It was a very very beautiful drive and well worth it, but I think the military had been bombing in that region or something--I've seen a lot of bad roads in my time in Mexico--this was a fairly recently repaved road, nice blacktop, with GIANT holes in it! Some nearly as big as our Ford Explorer.

IMHO Guerrero, like all the south is a fabulous place to explore. As for safety, use caution, I go places with my husband I probably wouldn't go alone. We've always recieved a warm welcome--that must have something to do with the impression we make as a couple, especially now with our identical gueritas in tow.

[Phil_K]

[Guy Courchesne]

[MELEE]

Cuatla, moonraven's home away from home!


Cuatla as a city is not much to look at, but it's in an very pretty part of the country near a lot of history and charming little towns.

[Guy Courchesne]

I thought I'd heard of Cuatla before...some friends were there this summer and said it was nice.

[hlamb]

The zocalo in Cuatla is quite nice. There's no traffic around it so it's a bit more peaceful than some. I'd say the town is worth a day's visit, no more.

[Phil_K]

If you know DF, it's a bit like visiting Tacubaya!