Mexico, a land of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history, is a dream destination for many travelers. From the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan to the white-sand beaches of Cancun, Mexico offers a diverse range of experiences. However, like any international destination, it’s crucial to be informed about safety and security. Understanding Mexico Travel Alerts is the first step in planning a safe and enjoyable trip.
This guide, based on the latest travel advisory information, provides a comprehensive overview of safety concerns in Mexico, state by state. It’s designed to keep you informed and prepared, ensuring your Mexican adventure is memorable for all the right reasons.
Understanding the General Risk Landscape in Mexico
Overall, travelers to Mexico should be aware that violent crime is a significant concern throughout the country. This includes serious offenses like homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, which are unfortunately widespread.
The U.S. government’s ability to assist citizens in emergencies is limited in many areas due to travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. Emergency services within Mexico, especially outside major cities, may also be limited.
It is strongly advised that U.S. citizens traveling in Mexico adhere to the same restrictions applied to U.S. government employees. These include:
- Avoiding travel between cities after dark.
- Not hailing taxis on the street; instead, utilize dispatched services like Uber or regulated taxi stands.
- Avoiding solo travel, particularly in remote areas.
- Restrictions on driving from the U.S.-Mexico border into the interior, with exceptions for daytime travel in Baja California and certain highway corridors.
For more detailed country-specific information, refer to the U.S. State Department’s Mexico country information page.
Mexico Travel Advisory Levels: State by State Breakdown
To provide a clear and actionable understanding of Mexico travel alerts, here’s a breakdown by state, categorized by advisory level:
Do Not Travel To:
These states pose the highest risk to travelers. The U.S. government advises against any travel to these areas due to extremely dangerous conditions.
Colima State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Colima is experiencing widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides are frequent, often targeted assassinations by criminal organizations, but bystanders are also at risk. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a serious concern.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is severely restricted to only the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, with specific route limitations from Guadalajara. All other areas are off-limits.
Guerrero State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Crime and violence are rampant throughout Guerrero. Armed groups operate outside of government control, frequently setting up roadblocks and posing a direct threat to travelers. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred in the past.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: 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: Michoacan is plagued by widespread crime and violence.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is limited to Federal Highway 15D (for transit), Morelia (by air or specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only, limited to city center/port areas). The Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Michoacan is off-limits.
Sinaloa State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Violent crime is widespread in Sinaloa, a base of operations for powerful criminal organizations.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is restricted to Mazatlan (by air/sea, limited to Zona Dorada and historic center), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air/sea, limited to city/port areas). All other areas are off-limits.
Tamaulipas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Organized crime is rampant in Tamaulipas, especially along the northern border. Gun battles, murder, robbery, kidnapping, disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault are common. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is extremely limited to areas around the U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews. Overland travel between cities is prohibited, except for authorized daylight travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.
Zacatecas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Zacatecas is experiencing widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a serious concern.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is 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.
Reconsider Travel To:
These states have significant safety risks, and travelers should carefully consider the necessity of travel and take heightened precautions.
Baja California State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Baja California, particularly the border area, is contested by transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Tijuana, outside of tourist areas, has a high homicide rate. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens occurs.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Restrictions apply to the Mexicali Valley area. However, major tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are not restricted for government employee travel, though caution is advised.
Chiapas State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence are present in Chiapas.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is restricted in the southeastern region and the municipality of Ocozocoautla. Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 to Tapachula are permitted.
Chihuahua State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are common. Criminal organizations engage in territorial disputes, leading to violence in public areas, sometimes injuring bystanders. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, designated routes between these cities, and certain other areas like Nuevo Casas Grandes and Palomas, with daylight travel restrictions and specific highway usage. Copper Canyon is off-limits.
Guanajuato State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary: Gang violence, often related to fuel theft, is prevalent in Guanajuato, especially in the south and central regions. High murder rates linked to cartel violence are a concern. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: 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 sees territorial disputes in tourist zones. Bystanders are sometimes injured in gang-related shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens occurs.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel is restricted in areas bordering Michoacan and along Federal Highway 110, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Major tourist areas like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are not restricted.
Morelos State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Parts of Morelos experience violent crime and gang activity. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: No specific restrictions are listed for U.S. government employees in Morelos.
Sonora State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Sonora is a key area for drug and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and security incidents can occur anywhere. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a concern.
Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Significant travel restrictions are in place, including highway travel limitations between Hermosillo and Nogales and to Puerto Peñasco, restricted areas in Nogales and near the Mariposa Port of Entry, and limitations in San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta. Eastern and southern Sonora, including areas south of Guaymas, are off-limits. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible with adherence to restrictions.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
These states have moderate safety risks, and travelers should be vigilant and take extra precautions.
- Aguascalientes State
- Baja California Sur State
- Coahuila State
- Durango State
- Hidalgo State
- Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
- Mexico State (Estado de Mexico)
- Nayarit State
- Nuevo Leon State
- Oaxaca State
- Puebla State
- Queretaro State
- Quintana Roo State
- San Luis Potosi State
- Tabasco State
- Tlaxcala State
- Veracruz State
General Summary for “Exercise Increased Caution” States:
These states experience varying levels of criminal activity and violence. While not as high-risk as “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel” states, it’s important to be aware and take precautions. This often includes being cautious in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, avoiding displays of wealth, and being extra vigilant at banks and ATMs. Some states, like Oaxaca, have specific regional restrictions for U.S. government employees, even under this advisory level. Quintana Roo, home to popular tourist destinations like Cancun and Tulum, has seen increased violent crime, requiring extra caution, especially after dark. Veracruz is experiencing increasing gang activity and impromptu roadblocks.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:
These states are considered the safest in Mexico, with travelers advised to take normal security precautions.
- Campeche State
- Yucatan State
General Summary for “Exercise Normal Precautions” States:
Campeche and Yucatan are generally considered safe for travel, with normal precautions advised. Yucatan, home to popular Mayan ruins and colonial cities, is particularly noted for its safety.
General Safety Recommendations for Traveling in Mexico
Regardless of your destination in Mexico, adopting safe travel practices is essential. Here are key recommendations:
- Stay Informed: Continuously check for updated Mexico travel alerts and advisories from the U.S. State Department before and during your trip.
- Share Your Plans: Keep family and travel companions informed of your itinerary. Share your GPS location if separating from your group and send taxi details to a friend if traveling alone.
- Road Travel Safety: Utilize toll roads whenever possible. Avoid driving alone or at night. Be aware that police and emergency services may be limited outside major cities.
- Exercise Caution in Public: Be extra cautious in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Minimize Risk of Theft: Avoid displaying signs of wealth, like expensive jewelry. Be vigilant 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.
- Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for in-depth security information.
- Maritime Travelers: Mariners should check for maritime advisories and alerts.
- Emergency Preparedness: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Precautions: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information.
Conclusion: Traveling Safely in Mexico
Mexico offers incredible travel experiences, but being aware of and prepared for potential safety risks is paramount. By understanding Mexico travel alerts, staying informed, and practicing safety precautions, you can significantly enhance your safety and enjoy all that Mexico has to offer. Always prioritize your personal security and make informed decisions based on the most current travel advisories. Safe travels!
Source: U.S. Department of State – Mexico Travel Advisory
(Note: This information is based on the provided travel advisory and is subject to change. Always refer to official government sources for the most up-to-date information.)
