I travel through Mexico most of my journeys between the States and Belize, the Quintana Roo is fabulous and fun. Speaking spanish goes a long way, respect for the elders and cultural morays help quite a bit.
I agree that a broad paintbrush can diminish the overall experience of travel, always usee your own judgement and stick to what you have learned.

JMB, some confusion here, I could have written that better. My response was intended to suggest that upon hearing such a sweeping indictment of "its dangerous" I'd be asking that person or persons: What is the basis of that statement or opinion.

Sweeping genralizations are worthy of inquiry. On questioning you may find there is little basis for the claim or perahps that it is overblown and misplaced.