By ASHLEY STAINTON and VALERIE GONZALEZThe Dallas Morning News

DALLAS — Repeated warnings from the state toavoid Mexico as a spring break destination haveagain fallen on deaf ears for many students.

“I’ve been once before and we are going downwith a big group of people, so I still feel safe,” saidCeleste Sullivan, a Southern Methodist Universitysenior who’s headed south for spring break.

Just days before colleges and school districtsrecess, the Texas Department of Public Safetyissued a third warning against travel on the restiveborder and even in some resort areas where cartelviolence and other crime has spread.

“The situation in Mexico today is significantlydifferent than it was just a decade ago,” DPS Direc-tor Steve C. McCraw said. “Many crimes againstAmericans go unpunished, and we have a responsi-bility to inform the public about safety and travelrisks.”

While the Mexican government has madeprogress in its battle against drug cartels, officialssay, continuing violence throughout the country andsexual assault in resort cities make it unfit for trav-el.

Mexican officials, on the other hand, haveshrugged off the warnings as excessive and contin-ue to urge U.S. officials to tone down the alarm.

“This warning is exceptionally aggressive,”Rodolfo Lopez Negrete of the Mexico TourismBoard said.

“To paint Mexico with such a massively broadbrush stroke is simply outrageous.”

The warnings have prompted SMU seniors KellyAnthony and Jennifer Spivack to take precautions,but they’re still going to Cabo together as planned.

“These warnings are something to consider, but ithasn’t affected our plans and I don’t think we will bein any danger,” Spivack said.

Catherine Banks, owner of Legacy Travel inPlano, Texas, said the annual warnings have becomeso much “background noise” and most travelersaren’t especially worried.

“What we’re finding this year is people havequestions,” she said, “but once we answer them,they’re not typically concerned.”

Some, however, have taken the warnings to heart.Ciara Tristan, a senior at the University of NorthTexas, said she never considered Mexico as a traveldestination for her and her friends.

“Mexico was never a thought for me because ofall the violence that is highlighted in the news,” saidTristan.

“It amazes me that some people still think it’s aplace for family trips and leisure.”

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Students shrug off warnings to avoid Mexico

Israel Leal/APSpring breakers drink at the beach in the resort city of Cancun, Mexico.

SPRING BREAK

“It amazes me that some people still think it’s a place for family trips and leisure.”

Ciara TristanUniversity of North Texas senior