New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- With spring break on the horizon, travelers may be reassessing their plans to vacation in Mexico after cartel-related violence broke out last weekend in parts of the country.

The retaliatory violence in some 20 states that followed the killing of Mexico's most powerful drug lord on Sunday came as many families and college students finalize their plans for spring break, which generally falls in March or April.

Security and travel risk experts say tourists are understandably concerned, but note potential dangers vary widely depending on their destination, modes of transportation and the activities they have planned.

No matter where or when, travel usually breeds uncertainty as "there's always something that can come...