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Heading to the Mexican beach has apparently been getting more dangerous in the last year or so, and a report this week from MSNBC detailed a list of recent crimes against tourists that would make most people think twice about holidaying along the Baja California peninsula.

While there has long been an element of crime present there, it used to be something that was worth the (relatively small) risk in exchange for the great prices, food and culture. But in recent times it seems like the risk has grown too high and a lot of tourists are staying away, and some tour companies have been canceling their tours.

The statistics show that 18 million tourists visited Baja during 2007, which was already 3 million fewer than the 21 million who visited in 2006. And as you’d expect, hotel occupancy rates fell from 58% down to 53% from 2006 to 2007.

The news has given us kidnappings, hostage situations, stolen vehicles and even rapes, and when combined with the obvious problems with the police force - there was an assassination attempt on the new police chief, and another police officer was murdered - and that doesn’t bode well if you’re considering a vacation in Baja.