In the wake of ongoing violence among what the U.S. State Department characterizes as transnational criminal organizations -- and violence associated with the Mexican government combating such organizations -- the State Department updated a travel warning for U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico.

Despite the the violence in Mexico, a fun and safe time can be had by simply staying in areas geared toward tourists.

"As long as they stay in the major tourist areas such as Cozumel, Cancun, and Cabo San Lucas, they should be relatively safe," said travel agent Patti Kirst, of Crystal Travel.

You don't need to real the state department's travel warning to know some of the areas to avoid right now.

"I don't think you could pay me enough to go to a border city right now," said Kirst.

Some of the worst and most frequent episodes of violence have been occurring in close proximity to the border with the U.S.

However, there are many places in the travel warning that are in the nation's interior that should be avoided. Even in Mexico City, extreme caution should be exercised.

"I would not go out at night by myself or even with one other person (in Mexico City)," Kirst said.

According to Kirst, the city of Puerto Vallarta, which is not on the list of places to avoid, is one of the few place people can safely go and experience what life in Mexico is all about.

"I think it's a shame that we have to be so careful and not really get into the small towns and villages where you can truly experience the Mexican way of life," said Kirst.