Based on my 15 years worth of experience living in Mexico I've decided to put together an extensive checklist of rules to follow to keep my fellow Americans safe and out of harms way.
#1 Don't deal drugs. Nothing will get you beheaded quicker except maybe being a journalist in Syria.
#2 Try not to kill anybody. This is a good idea no matter what country you happen to be in.
#3 Don't protest and riot while blocking the highway to a major resort town such as Acapulco. This can cause millions in lost tourist dollars and somebody will eventually get tired of this and pay to have you killed.
#4 Mind your own fucking business. As difficult as this may be for some to do, always remember that you are a guest in another country and they don't always play by the same rules.
Kids, if you can follow these simple rules you will have an excellent chance of surviving in Mexcio and having a wonderful vacation/retirement.