Cancun Still Thrives During Spring Break Season Associated Press
go to original April 3, 2012

In this photo a woman drinks at a bar during Spring Break in Cancun, Mexico. (Israel Leal/Associated Press)

CANCUN, Mexico — Tinkling drinks in hand, New Yorkers Lauren Levy and Jacob Schum settle onto lounge chairs a few feet from the Caribbean’s lapping waves. Levy adjusts her yellow bikini. Schum smooths his blue Bermuda shorts. They smile at each other and sigh softly.

“I’ve never seen turquoise water like this before. It’s a beautiful thing,” Schum says.

The couple had heard of Mexico’s cartel killings, casino firebombs, bribery and corruption. But like millions of other Americans craving a break this spring, these workaholics couldn’t resist the low prices, flowing drinks and sunny, 80-degree escape.

“We know not to leave the resort, drink the water or eat the vegetables,” says Levy. “We arranged for a shuttle from the airport, we wouldn’t get in a taxi. And yeah, we feel safe.”

Plus they got a great deal, adds Levy: Just $1,500 for five days, four nights — food, drinks, airfare, transportation, everything.

While American tourism to Mexico slipped 3 percent last year, the country remains by far the biggest tourist destination for Americans, with about 20 million U.S. visitors a year, according to annual survey of bookings by the largest travel agencies. It’s as if the entire populations of New York City, Los Angeles, Houston, Philadelphia and Phoenix all went to Mexico for vacation each year.

And for those Americans who do stay away, it appears that it’s also finances, not just violence, that’s to blame. The U.S. Department of Commerce reports that the economic recession forced 4 percent fewer Americans to travel abroad in 2011 compared with 2010.

While some can’t afford the trip, others do stay home out of fear.

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