know anything about traveling in mexico? dangerous for college students?

My friends and i (two girls two guyz) are planning a trip to backpack through mexico. From the peninsula all the way up to United States. We plan on camping out and staying in hostels. Maybe hitch hiking taking a bus.

We dont know what to expect. How expensive things are, is a bus a good way to travel?? What is our biggest concerns?

We might just end up exploring the peninsula to stay by other tourists and keep safe. Is that a better idea?

Mexico really isn't a backpacking country....simply because you have big cities accustomed to tourists and small towns....that generally aren't.

The big cities however are notorious for petty crimes as well as kidnappings.

Often times busses are stopped in highway stretches by bands of criminals....again not fun.

But for the most part you can definitly bus your way through Mexico.

Four college students with backpacks will stick out like a sore thumb in many countries. I am a single woman living in Mexico and I travel by bus every weekend, sometimes alone. Sure, I stand out because of my blonde hair, but I've never had problems. In the case of Central Mexico and the Pacific side, the buses are very nice and super cheap, with TVs and bathrooms even for 2nd class. Bus lines such as ETN (www.etn.com.mx) and Primera Plus (www.primeraplus.com.mx) have websites where you can check the scheulde and get an idea of the prices. There are many hostels throughout Mexico and small towns with no hostels always have some lodging (you might have to ask around with the locals). The biggest factor in my opinion is your willingness to at least try to speak Spanish. Mexicans are very polite people, but you will have a much better experience if you make an attempt to speak the language (my apologies if you speak Spanish already).
Don't assume that just because you're in a tourist area you're safe. Actually, I've had much better and more comfortable experiences in places off the tourist track. Tourism somehow brings out the worst in people. One thing I never do is carry a lot of cash on me. I know someone who took $4,000 US out of the bank in Mexico City, and walked around with it in his back pocket. It looked like he had one huge butt cheek. Not surprisingly, someone just plucked it right out of his pocket, but that would probably happen in most any city if you're stupid enough to carry that kind of cash on you. There are ATMs everywhere and there's no need to walk around with a wad of bills in your pocket, or with an expensive camera hanging around your neck.
The interior of Mexico is amazing. Food is cheap if you're willing to experiment. A giant tamale on the street is about 50 cents and fills you up for a while. There are also "gorditas" which are blue or white corn filled with beans, meat, fava beans, or other things for about a buck. You can get fresh squeezed orange juice or fruit cups from street carts for about a dollar also. Eat lots of yogurt to keep the good bacteria balanced in your gut.
If you four are thinking of trekking the country, I say go for it. You definitley won't regret it.

Depends where you are going but looking like a "foreigner with backpacks" may look dangerous and vulnerable just depending where you going. All depends where you going but I think it is safe @ day time and in places where there is alot people . HOPEFULLY SOME OF YOU SPEAK SPANISH additionally have all emergency phones handy

People travel in Mexico all the time. There are many special place to see and do. I sell insurance for people to drive their vehicle into Mexico. I have much info ..maps, resturants, ect. To help you I would need to know more of the route you will be taking. How long will you all be there. No guns. Bullets, Don't drive at night, Camping and the beach is fine but I wouldn't camp unless there are others around. don't be secluded. There are places all over the place to camp that you will be safe. If you would like to talk more to me you can email me and I will help you do some research.