US State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico: Is it Safe to Travel in 2024?

Mexico, a vibrant country known for its rich culture, stunning beaches, and historical sites, attracts millions of tourists every year. However, it’s essential for travelers to be aware of the safety and security situation. The U.S. State Department regularly issues travel advisories to inform U.S. citizens about potential risks in different countries. This article provides an overview of the current US State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico, focusing on key safety concerns and recommendations for safe travel.

Understanding the US State Department Travel Advisory Levels for Mexico

The U.S. State Department uses a level system to advise travelers about safety and security conditions in different countries. These levels range from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel). For Mexico, the advisory levels vary significantly across different states, reflecting the diverse security landscape within the country.

It’s crucial to understand that the advisory levels are not uniform across Mexico. While some states are considered relatively safe for tourists, others are facing serious safety challenges. The advisory aims to provide a detailed, state-by-state breakdown to help travelers make informed decisions.

Mexico Travel Advisory: Key Concerns

The primary concern highlighted in the US State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico is crime, particularly violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. These issues are widespread and common in many parts of Mexico. The presence of transnational criminal organizations and cartel activity contributes significantly to the high crime rates in certain areas.

The advisory also points out the limited ability of the U.S. government to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in certain areas of Mexico due to travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. This limitation underscores the importance of travelers taking personal responsibility for their safety and being well-prepared.

General Recommendations for Travelers to Mexico

Regardless of the specific state you plan to visit in Mexico, the State Department provides several general recommendations to enhance your safety:

Stay Informed: Keep travel companions and family informed about your travel plans. Share your GPS location if separating from your group and text taxi details to a friend if traveling alone.
Road Travel Safety: Utilize toll roads whenever possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Be aware that police presence and emergency services can be limited outside major cities.
Exercise Caution in Public Places: Increase vigilance in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Avoid displaying signs of wealth like expensive jewelry or watches. Be extra cautious at banks and ATMs.
Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
Stay Connected: Follow the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on social media for updates and alerts.
Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for detailed security information.
Maritime Travel: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts for specific instructions.
Emergency Preparedness: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information.

State-by-State Mexico Travel Advisory

Here’s a breakdown of the US State Department Travel Advisory levels for each state in Mexico:

Do Not Travel To: (Level 4)

These states are considered the most dangerous, and the State Department advises U.S. citizens not to travel to these locations due to extremely high risk of crime and kidnapping.

Colima State: Widespread violent crime and gang activity, targeted assassinations, and kidnapping are prevalent. U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted, limited to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo and specific routes.
Guerrero State: Crime and violence are widespread, with armed groups operating independently. Roadblocks and violence against travelers are common. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any area, including tourist hotspots like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan State: High levels of crime and violence. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Federal Highway 15D, Morelia (by air or specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only). Travel to the Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Michoacan is prohibited.
Sinaloa State: Violent crime is widespread due to powerful criminal organizations. U.S. government employees are restricted to Mazatlan (Zona Dorada and historic center, by air or sea) and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (city and port, by air or sea).
Tamaulipas State: Organized crime, gun battles, murder, kidnapping, and extortion are common, especially along the northern border. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles. U.S. government employee travel is extremely limited to areas around consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo and specific routes.
Zacatecas State: Widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping is a significant concern. U.S. government employees are limited to Zacatecas City proper (by air only).

Reconsider Travel To: (Level 3)

For these states, the State Department advises travelers to reconsider their travel plans due to significant risks of crime and/or kidnapping.

Baja California State: Crime and kidnapping are major concerns, particularly in the border area due to transnational criminal organizations. High homicide rates in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. U.S. government employees face restrictions in the Mexicali Valley. Tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito still require increased caution.
Chiapas State: Crime is a concern. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and southeastern regions. Travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 is permitted.
Chihuahua State: High levels of crime and kidnapping. Gang activity and targeted assassinations are common. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within major cities like Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, and certain highways during daylight hours. Copper Canyon is off-limits for U.S. government employees.
Guanajuato State: Crime, particularly gang violence related to fuel theft, is a concern, mainly in the south and central areas. High murder rates due to cartel violence. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are within permitted zones but require vigilance.
Jalisco State: Crime and kidnapping are prevalent in parts of Jalisco. Territorial battles between criminal groups occur even in tourist areas of Guadalajara. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region, Federal Highway 110, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Tourist areas including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic require increased caution.
Morelos State: Crime and kidnapping are common in parts of Morelos. U.S. government employees have no specific travel restrictions but increased caution is advised.
Sonora State: A key area for drug trade and human trafficking, with widespread violent crime and kidnapping. Security incidents can occur anywhere. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, particularly in border areas, along highways, and in eastern and southern Sonora. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco have specific permitted routes and restrictions.

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To: (Level 2)

These states have a Level 2 advisory, indicating a need for increased caution due to crime or kidnapping. While not as dangerous as Level 3 or 4 areas, travelers should be vigilant.

Aguascalientes State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Baja California Sur State: Crime is a concern statewide. No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, but caution is advised, even in tourist destinations like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Coahuila State: Violent crime and gang activity in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from certain municipalities (Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo) and face a curfew in Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña.
Durango State: Violent crime and gang activity in parts of Durango. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas west and south of Federal Highway 45.
Hidalgo State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Both violent and non-violent crime occur. Increased caution is advised, particularly at night and outside tourist areas. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Both violent and non-violent crime, and kidnapping are concerns. Caution advised outside tourist areas. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Nayarit State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No restrictions for U.S. government employees. This includes popular destinations like Sayulita and San Pancho.
Nuevo Leon State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No restrictions for U.S. government employees, even in major cities like Monterrey.
Oaxaca State: Crime and violence occur throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Isthmus region and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are generally accessible but require caution.
Puebla State: Crime and kidnapping are concerns. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Queretaro State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No restrictions for U.S. government employees; this includes the city of Queretaro and San Juan del Rio.
Quintana Roo State: Crime can occur anywhere, including tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Shootings between gangs have affected bystanders. Increased caution advised, especially after dark in tourist zones. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
San Luis Potosi State: Crime and kidnapping are concerns. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tabasco State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tlaxcala State: Crime is a concern throughout the state. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Veracruz State: Increasing violent crime and gang activity, particularly in central and southern areas. Roadblocks are common. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To: (Level 1)

These states are considered the safest in Mexico, where travelers are advised to exercise normal precautions, which are the same as you would in the United States.

Campeche State: Exercise normal precautions. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Yucatan State: Exercise normal precautions. No restrictions for U.S. government employees. Tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid are considered safe.

Conclusion: Staying Safe in Mexico

Traveling to Mexico can be a rewarding experience, but it’s crucial to be informed about the safety and security landscape. The US State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico provides essential guidance, highlighting the varying levels of risk across different states. By understanding these advisories, staying updated on the latest information, and taking recommended safety precautions, travelers can minimize risks and enjoy their trip to Mexico. Always refer to the official US State Department website for the most current and detailed travel advisory information before planning your trip.