cancun

Wait for Spring Break, go to Cancun, and you will have all kinds of options.

IF you ever find yourself in a similar situation, follow these steps.

1. Do not talk or react to anything.
2. Do not contact a lawyer first, contact the US Embassy or Consulate. There is a Consular Agency in Cancun (or almost any resort area). You should always know where your Embassy or Consulate is when traveling overseas. Even in Canada, the UK, or any supposedly "safe" country, you should always know where the closest Consulate is. This is your ONLY friend in a foreign country. Local cops do not want to deal with a Consulate.
3. Way more often than not, the local lawyers are as corrupt or more corrupt than the police. If a lawyer shows up and says he is from the Consulate, ask for personal ID, and a letter of introduction from the Consulate. Depending on who he is, this will look really formal, or extremely formal. Ask this "lawyer" questions like how long he has represented the Consulate? etc. Also, ask to call the Consulate and have them verify the lawyer over the phone. Any pushback and you should know you are in a setup.
4. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER surrender the passport to ANYONE. First, it does not belong to you. It belongs to the US Government. You should have known this. If a foreign government takes your passport, the State department WILL get involved in a forceful way. If someone asks to see it, you can tell them they can make a copy but you cannot and will not surrender it. Granted, if you are under duress, you have to but make sure they know that you are doing so against your will.
5. Did I cover keeping quiet and not reacting to anything yet?
6. Be polite and wait for a consulate or representative of the consulate to arrive. DO NOT TALK TO ANYONE. DO NOT EAT THE FOOD. You may be in a holding cell that looks like the bottom of an outhouse and smells worse. Best to suck it up and wait quietly.

I used to travel behind the iron curtain and had to use these steps more than once. Once a hotel clerk asked to see my passport and refused to return it. Fortunately I was staying about 4 blocks from the US Embassy and walked over and returned with two Marines and a consulate agent. Problem solved. Originally Posted by blue3122

This is only useful information if you're given the option of contacting anyone (or allowed to walk over to the consulate), an option which Joe Muger was not afforded. It's good common sense, but not really relevant for this thread.

Mexican authorities want tourism, not problemas.

You're kidding right? Mexican "authorities" maintain little or no control, even in Quintana Roo.

Less than 5 months ago, the chief of police in Playa del Carmen was assassinated after 4 drug dealers were arrested on the Mayan Riviera.

And if they're not being gunned down, they're dirty. Less than 2 years ago, Cancun's mayor was arrested for drug trafficking and money laundering. This was while he was running for governor of Quintana Roo.

If you decide to play around down there, prepare to be fucked with.

This is only useful information if you're given the option of contacting anyone (or allowed to walk over to the consulate), an option which Joe Muger was not afforded. It's good common sense, but not really relevant for this thread. Originally Posted by Lust4xxxLife

Not true according to his story. He writes that he was allowed to contact an attorney. He also violated 1 and 5 (same thing) which are not to say anything. He admitted that he saw an agency and says he thought that was legal. NEVER talk about charges. That is your attorney's job. If you keep the number of the consulate on you (in phone, wallet, etc..) he could have told the police he needed to call a friend to bring you money and then called that number. If you do have to call a consulate, make sure you can tell them exactly where you are being held.

There is a consulate office in Cancun, Cabo, and Acapulco (and a lot of other places) so one call would have likely saved him from a big loss and further harassment.

There is a consulate office in Cancun, Cabo, and Acapulco (and a lot of other places) so one call would have likely saved him from a big loss and further harassment.

I'm guessing that since the OP was leisurely strolling down the sidewalk in the Zona Hotelera, the last thing on his mind was being bummed rush by dirty Mexican cops and needing to have the number of the Consulate on speed dial.

I'm not saying the information is useful...to the contrary, I think it's textbook. It's just that the average guy looking to get a nut on vacation isn't thinking that way. Should he? Probably so, but most guys aren't.

I've gotten full service in several strip clubs in Cabo, Cancun, Mexico City, etc. with no issues.

Being sober and respectful puts you far a head of the typical Americano tourista.

Mexico, Columbia, Brazil, Guatemala .... I never holiday there but do have to travel there for work - always contract, state-side, for a car service and guard... keep a low profile and never venture out unless with a co-worker or group....

Also go to Costa Rica - that place rocks.... friggen nice people and fine talent