Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes, attracts millions of U.S. tourists annually. However, like any international destination, it’s crucial to be informed about safety and security. The U.S. Department of State provides a comprehensive U.s. Travel Advisory Map to help travelers understand the risks associated with different regions within Mexico. This guide will delve into the specifics of the advisory map, offering insights to ensure a safer and more informed trip.
The U.S. Travel Advisory system categorizes countries into four levels, ranging from Level 1 (“Exercise Normal Precautions”) to Level 4 (“Do Not Travel”). For Mexico, these levels vary significantly from state to state, reflecting the diverse security situations across the country. Understanding these levels and the specific advice for each state is paramount for any U.S. citizen planning a visit.
This advisory is not just a general warning; it’s a detailed, state-by-state assessment based on factors like crime, kidnapping, and local law enforcement effectiveness. It also outlines specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, which can serve as valuable indicators for civilian travelers as well.
Understanding the U.S. Travel Advisory Levels for Mexico
Before exploring specific states, let’s clarify the four advisory levels used in the U.S. Travel Advisory Map:
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Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (Green): This is the lowest advisory level, suggesting that while there are general safety concerns like petty crime in any country, the overall risk is low.
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Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (Yellow): This level indicates a higher degree of risk than Level 1. Travelers are advised to be more vigilant due to issues like crime or civil unrest.
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Level 3: Reconsider Travel (Orange): This level is a strong warning to think carefully about your need to travel to the destination. It often signifies serious risks related to safety and security.
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Level 4: Do Not Travel (Red): This is the highest advisory level, recommending U.S. citizens to avoid traveling to the country or specific areas within it due to extreme danger.
It’s important to note that these advisories are regularly updated, reflecting the dynamic nature of safety and security situations. Always check the most current U.S. Travel Advisory Map before planning your trip to Mexico.
State-by-State Mexico Travel Advisory Breakdown
Here’s a detailed look at the current travel advisory levels for each state in Mexico, according to the U.S. Department of State, helping you interpret the U.S. Travel Advisory Map effectively:
Level 4: Do Not Travel
These states are considered the most dangerous, and U.S. citizens are strongly advised against traveling to them.
Colima State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Colima is plagued by widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides are frequent, often targeted assassinations by criminal organizations, but bystanders can easily be caught in the crossfire. Kidnapping is also a significant threat.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is severely limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, and even then, travel from Guadalajara must be during daylight hours on Federal Toll Road 54D. All other areas of Colima are off-limits for U.S. government employees.
Guerrero State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Guerrero is experiencing widespread crime and violence, with armed groups operating outside government control. Roadblocks and violence against travelers are common. Kidnapping is a persistent threat.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any part of Guerrero, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Crime and violence are rampant throughout Michoacan.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to Federal Highway 15D for transit, Morelia (accessible by air and specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (air travel only, limited to city center/port). The Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Michoacan is also off-limits.
Sinaloa State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Sinaloa is home to powerful criminal organizations, and violent crime is widespread.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to Mazatlan (air or sea, Zona Dorada and historic center only), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (air or sea, city and port only). All other areas are prohibited.
Tamaulipas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Organized crime is rampant in Tamaulipas, with frequent gun battles, murder, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and extortion. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to a small radius around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews. Overland travel between cities is forbidden, except for Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D during daylight with authorization.
Zacatecas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Zacatecas is experiencing widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity, with kidnapping being a significant concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air. Overland travel to Zacatecas City and travel to all other areas of the state are prohibited.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
These states present significant risks, and travelers should carefully reconsider their plans.
Baja California State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Transnational criminal organizations are active in Baja California, particularly in the border region, engaged in drug and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Specific restrictions apply to the Mexicali Valley region. However, tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito have no specific restrictions for government employees beyond general safety guidelines.
Chiapas State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence occur in Chiapas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees cannot travel to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and certain southeastern regions. Travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 to Tapachula Airport is permitted.
Chihuahua State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent in Chihuahua. Battles between criminal groups have led to violence in public areas, and bystanders have been harmed. Kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to specific areas within major cities like Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, and certain highways and routes between them and to Nuevo Casas Grandes, Ojinaga, and Palomas. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits.
Guanajuato State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary: Gang violence, often linked to fuel theft, is a problem in Guanajuato, particularly in the south and central areas. High murder rates due to cartel violence are a concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to areas south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are not restricted.
Jalisco State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco. Guadalajara has seen territorial disputes in tourist zones.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to the Jalisco-Michoacan border region and Federal Highway 110, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Tourist areas like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are not restricted.
Morelos State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are present in parts of Morelos. Kidnapping is a concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Sonora State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Sonora is a key area for drug and human trafficking, with widespread violent crime and kidnapping risks. Security incidents can occur anywhere.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Numerous restrictions apply, including limited travel between Hermosillo and Nogales (daylight hours only, specific routes, no public transportation), restricted areas in Nogales and Puerto Peñasco, and prohibitions on travel to eastern and southern Sonora, including popular destinations like San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos (except air travel to Alamos city limits).
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
These states require increased vigilance due to safety concerns.
Aguascalientes State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Aguascalientes.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Baja California Sur State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Baja California Sur.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, which includes major tourist areas like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Coahuila State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Prohibited from traveling to Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities. Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña have curfews for government employees (midnight to 6:00 a.m.).
Durango State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Prohibited from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45.
Hidalgo State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Hidalgo.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime are present in Mexico City. Petty crime is frequent, especially in tourist areas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico)
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime occur in Mexico State, with kidnapping being a concern. Petty crime is common even in tourist areas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Nayarit State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Nayarit.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, which includes the Riviera Nayarit tourist area.
Nuevo Leon State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nuevo Leon.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, including Monterrey.
Oaxaca State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence are present throughout Oaxaca.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Prohibited from the Isthmus region (bounded by highways 185D, 190, and the Chiapas border) and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are not restricted.
Puebla State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Puebla. Kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Queretaro State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Queretaro.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, including San Miguel de Allende (partially in Guanajuato but also extends into Queretaro).
Quintana Roo State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere in Quintana Roo, including tourist hotspots. Gang shootings have injured bystanders. Homicides and assaults are increasing in Tulum.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, but increased caution is advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, sticking to well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout San Luis Potosi. Kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tabasco State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tabasco.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tlaxcala State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tlaxcala.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Veracruz State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are increasing in Veracruz, particularly in the central and southern regions. Roadblocks requiring payment are common.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
These states are considered generally safe for travel, with normal precautions advised.
Campeche State
Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary: Overall, Campeche is considered safe.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Yucatan State
Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary: Yucatan is generally considered safe for travelers.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions for U.S. government employees, including major tourist sites like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
General Safety Tips for Traveling in Mexico
Regardless of the state you plan to visit, consider these general safety tips for traveling in Mexico:
- Stay Informed: Continuously check the U.S. Travel Advisory Map and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico website for the latest updates and information.
- Enroll in STEP: Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for the U.S. embassy to contact you in an emergency.
- Share Your Plans: Keep family and friends informed of your itinerary. Share your GPS location if separating from your group and send taxi details to a contact if traveling alone.
- Use Secure Transportation: Utilize toll roads when possible, avoid driving alone or at night, and use dispatched vehicles or regulated taxi stands rather than hailing taxis on the street.
- Be Discreet: Avoid displaying wealth, be vigilant at ATMs and banks, and exercise increased caution in bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Emergency Preparedness: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist from the Department of State.
- Health Precautions: Consult the CDC website for the latest travel health information.
Conclusion: Navigating Mexico with Awareness
The U.S. Travel Advisory Map is an indispensable tool for planning safe travel to Mexico. By understanding the advisory levels and specific recommendations for each state, travelers can make informed decisions, mitigate risks, and enjoy the beauty and culture Mexico offers. Always prioritize your safety by staying updated, being vigilant, and taking necessary precautions throughout your journey. Remember, a well-informed traveler is a safer traveler.
While the advisory map provides critical information, it’s also beneficial to consult other resources and personal experiences to gain a well-rounded perspective on safety in Mexico. By combining official guidance with practical awareness, you can confidently explore this fascinating country.
