Mexico Travel Advisory: Staying Safe in 2024 - A State-by-State Guide

Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, it’s essential for travelers to be aware of the current safety landscape. This Travel Advisory, based on the latest information, provides a comprehensive guide to help you navigate your trip to Mexico safely.

Understanding the General Safety Situation in Mexico

Overall, Mexico faces significant challenges with crime, including violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, which are widespread. The capacity of the U.S. government to provide emergency assistance to U.S. citizens in many parts of Mexico is limited due to travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in certain areas. In many states, emergency services outside major cities are also limited.

It is strongly advised that U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico understand and adhere to the restrictions placed on U.S. government employee travel, which reflect areas of significant risk. These restrictions include prohibitions on intercity travel after dark, hailing taxis on the street, and driving to or from the U.S.-Mexico border into the interior of Mexico (with some exceptions in Baja California, and routes between Nogales and Hermosillo, Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey, and Ciudad Juarez and certain interior cities).

For detailed country information, you can refer to the U.S. State Department’s Mexico country information page.

General Safety Recommendations for Travelers in Mexico

If you decide to travel to Mexico, consider these essential safety precautions:

Inform others: Keep your travel companions and family informed about your itinerary. Share your GPS location with a friend if you are separating from your group. If taking a taxi alone, photograph the taxi number or license plate and send it to a contact.
Road Travel: Utilize toll roads whenever possible. Avoid driving alone, particularly at night. Be aware that police presence and emergency services can be scarce outside major urban areas in many states.
Vigilance in Public Spaces: Exercise increased caution in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Avoid displaying signs of wealth like expensive jewelry. Be extra cautious at banks and ATMs.
Enroll in STEP: Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
Stay Updated: Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and X/Twitter for real-time updates.
Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico.
Maritime Travel: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.
Emergency Planning: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest health travel advice.

Mexico State-by-State Travel Advisory

This section details the travel advisory level for each state in Mexico, helping you understand specific risks and recommendations.

States to Avoid: Do Not Travel

These states present the highest risk to travelers.

Colima

Advisory Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Bystanders can be harmed in shooting incidents. Kidnapping is a significant risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo and specific routes when traveling from Guadalajara. Other areas are off-limits.

Guerrero

Advisory Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime. Crime and violence are widespread with armed groups operating independently. Roadblocks and violence against travelers are common. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel permitted, including tourist areas like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.

Michoacan

Advisory Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited travel on Federal Highway 15D, to Morelia (by air or land via specific highways from 15D), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air, city center/port areas only). No travel to other areas, including most of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Michoacan.

Sinaloa

Advisory Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime. Violent crime is widespread due to powerful criminal organizations.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to Mazatlan (Zona Dorada and historic center, air/sea access only) and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (city and port, air/sea access only). Other areas are restricted.

Tamaulipas

Advisory Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Organized crime is rampant, with gun battles, murder, robbery, kidnapping, and extortion common, especially near the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to areas around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews. Overland travel between cities is prohibited, except for Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey on Highway 85D during daylight with authorization.

Zacatecas

Advisory Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible by air only. No overland travel to Zacatecas City or travel to other areas of the state.

States to Reconsider Travel

These states have significant risks, and travel should be carefully considered.

Baja California

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Turf wars between criminal groups result in high homicide rates, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs occurs.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Avoid Mexicali Valley. Travel permitted in major tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.

Chiapas

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence occur.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel to Ocozocoautla municipality and restricted areas in southeastern Chiapas. Travel permitted in Tapachula city limits and on Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula.

Chihuahua

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel limited to specific areas of Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua city, certain highways, and towns. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits.

Guanajuato

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime. Gang violence related to fuel theft is prevalent, especially in the south and central areas. High murder rates due to cartel violence. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs occurs.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are permitted.

Jalisco

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Guadalajara sees territorial disputes in tourist zones. Bystanders injured in gang shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs occurs.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Avoid areas bordering Michoacan and Federal Highway 110, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic tourist areas are permitted.

Morelos

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions.

Sonora

Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping. Key area for drug and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. Security incidents can occur anywhere.

U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Restrictions on travel between Hermosillo and Nogales, in Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, areas near Mariposa Port of Entry, San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, Agua Prieta, and eastern/southern Sonora. Travel permitted to Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco tourist areas under specific conditions.