The crazy lives of Mexican drug cartels are taking a toll on Central Americas’ already bad economy.   As if that’s not enough, homicide numbers have surpassed those of the larger U.S. states.

According to the Los Angeles Times, last year there were 843 homicides in Tijuana compared to 376 in Los Angeles.

After being seriously warned about the extreme deaths that have broke out in Mexico many Americans have decided to cancel reservations and vacation else where.   Even the unlikely, eager college students are taking caution and plan to stick around campus or visit local family members for spring break.

When headless bodies appear and kidnapped children are not returned people began to second guess a nice afternoon on the beach.

One area in particular has been hit hard, Rosarito Beach.   The sand and sun have been left with only the water for company.   Local bars and bartenders are left with full bottles and empty bar stools but all hope is not lost. Many shop venders, bar owners, and restaurant managers are relying on the much anticipated “spring break surge” to pull them through.

They might get a much lesser surge than needed but none the less a surge.   At Rosarito Beach Hotel out of 500 rooms, 50 are still being occupied by American tourists, this is definitely a change for the usually “No Vacancy” sign that is normally put to use.

Vacationers who have ignored the warnings are bull-headed about their travel traditions. "We've always traveled around Baja," says Randy Graff, 60, a recently retired airline pilot. "We like it because it's slow, and we almost have the place to ourselves." As for the crime, "it's just amazing how the media seem to play it. It's really not that big of a problem," he says.

But is the media really over playing the headline?   Maybe there is some other reason why this war has started, the police force has declined dramatically with over two dozen resignations and eight officers killed.

On Feb. 20, the U.S. State Department issued a 12-paragraph "alert" on the perils of travel in Mexico, especially near the border.   With spring break quickly approaching the headlines will tell whether Americans heeded the warnings.