Mexico or South America workshops

Really a layered question -

1. Is Mexico or South America safe for Americans to travel?
2. What are some workshops in these countries that you could recommend ideally in Feb or Mar 2014

Sorry about my spelling! Noticed the title originally read "Sough America"

No different than any country on the planet, there are places that are safe, and then those places to NEVER go. You need to research. I've been to the S American west coast twice, (many moons ago) as far as central Chile and the place is awesome, my favorite was Equador. I have probably been to Mexico fifty times in my life, all but one was a great trip. Things are different now, and most of Mexico will never see me again. Planning is key.....

just stay in the tourist areas and you will be good

Love Mexico! But haven't been to a workshop there. Here's a workshop page that I found: josevillaworkshops.com/

I would highly recommend Brazil, beautiful country and inexpensive to travel too. Electronics are pricey there, so make sure you have what you need.

The weird part about Mexico is that it's most dangerous right near the US border. I think it has to do with drug cartels. If you get further away from the border it's safer. I wouldn't go to Tijajuana or Juarez. I honselty think those are the two most dangerous places in Mexico right now. But central or southern Mexico would be reasonably safer. Things vary though so just because a location is southern doesn't mean it's automatically safe. Do your research on the location before going. See if there are active cartels in the area.

I recommend this website to look for current alerts on a per country basis: travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html

Here is a current list of travel warnings for Mexico: travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_6033.html

I don't know about the safety situation in South America, butif you go have fun! Peru and Chile are on my top 10 list. It's my dream to travel from Peru down to southern Chile using things like buses and trains. I haven't researched the safety of this so it could be very dangerous, but it's my dream vacation. And Brazil would be amazing for wildlife photography.

Mexico is so much fun. Cabo is so beautiful

Completely safe if you keep a good head on your shoulders. Stick around in the touristy areas.

Camera Diva wrote: I would highly recommend Brazil, beautiful country and inexpensive to travel too. Electronics are pricey there, so make sure you have what you need.

About this I guess that I can help you a little.

First of all what Diva said It's the truth, if you came to Brazil remember to bring all filters, all cards every thing that you probably will need.

You will be a tourist so if you need buy something go to mall We here don't buy in malls because It's so expensive for an example a D5200 in a Nikon shop costs USD$ 2000,00.

A Hoya filter, few people uses here because in a mall costs about USD$ 100,00.

But new the good things, this period (fev mar) We have carnival in Rio and São Paulo, for a tourist who looks for natural beauty Rio is best, but if you look for good food too, architecture and etc São Paulo is best.

I living in a city country side of São Paulo about 15 miles, but I went to Rio many times.

The important tip is stay in tourist area, don't try do get city photos alone in downtown at night.

Avoid Favela, now in Rio you have some tourist packages to know the Favela if you wanna see use It.

In carnival try to get a ticket for VIP area, It's a little expensive but think that 1,00 Dollar = 2.25 Real so.

Country side you'll find many of rain forest good for get shots and animal live such as birds and little monkeys

To travel by plane It's expensive too so go to country side, traveling few miles by bus or car you get very beautiful places, If you go to Rio go to Paraty or Buzios where you can get a good nature contact visiting jungle areas.