Q: My spouse is retiring in the next few months and wants to celebrate in Mexico. Our roots are Mexican, but our families have lived in the U.S. for three generations. With all the recent bad news of killings and drug cartels, I’m not sure a Mexican vacation is a good idea. What do you think we should do?  B.C., San Francisco CA

A: A good idea would be to take a trial run first to get a taste of Mexico. Check with the internet or local travel agency about a Baja cruise from San Francisco or Los Angeles. It will visit Pacific coast ports, usually including Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. You can go ashore to check out the towns, do some shopping and experience local dining.

If you’re satisfied about the safety and other factors, make your next vacation a week’s stay in Mexico City and other inland destinations. Another good idea is to check your families’ histories and make contact with relatives in those areas of Mexico for potential visits with them.