Yes personal experience. Pre-COVID, we were walking from one bar to another when we were “Arrested” by local police, who threatened jail and taking passports away unless we did business with them. By business they meant a bribe. Once I was able to figure that out, I was able to negotiate. But I sort of speak Spanish, better when immersed into it, and I was able to get us out of it for a few hundred US bucks.
should we have said no to doing business? Maybe, but when you have had a bit to drink and you are gay last thing you want to do is roll the dice in ANY foreign country At least I don’t
we had been warned a couole times from locals not to walk from bar to bar at night for this very reason and we ignored it. I think when the locals are warning its not fear mongering. I felt perfectly safe during the day or at night in ride shares
I agree there are places in the US far scarier and far more corrupt. But as a white male I have fairly decent chances of coming out unscathed dealing with police. (I provide my skin color because it directly impacts how I am treated in the US and that privledge cannot be ignored during a discussion on this topic)
in the us I do what I can to avoid places that may put me in danger. The difference is I am able to guage this in the US much better, I speak the language fluently/without having to concentrate and I have resources to tap into etc.
going back to what I had originally posted, for some, they may feel safer staying in a resort. by the way, When I go to PV we actually rent a house and don’t stay at a resort. But I am now extremely careful at night not to put myself in that position. Sometimes only going to one place each evening. To each his own. If you feel safe walking at night, good for you It just won’t be everybody’s experience