Planning a trip to Mexico? Ensuring your safety should be a top priority. The U.S. State Department plays a crucial role in providing guidance for American citizens traveling abroad, and their travel advisories are an indispensable resource. This guide breaks down the latest State Department travel advisories for Mexico, offering a comprehensive overview to help you make informed decisions and travel safely.
Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, attracts millions of tourists each year. However, like any international destination, it’s essential to be aware of potential risks. The State Department issues travel advisories to inform U.S. citizens about safety and security conditions in different countries. These advisories are categorized into levels, ranging from normal precautions to do not travel, based on factors like crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health, and natural disasters.
For Mexico, the advisory levels vary significantly from state to state, reflecting the diverse security landscapes across the country. Understanding these nuances is key to planning a safe and enjoyable trip.
Understanding the Levels of State Dept Travel Advisories
The State Department uses a tiered system to categorize travel advisories, providing a quick and clear understanding of the risk level:
- Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level, suggesting that the country is generally safe for travel. However, it’s always wise to be aware of your surroundings and take standard safety measures.
- Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution: This level indicates that there are heightened risks to safety and security. Travelers are advised to be more vigilant, especially in certain areas or situations.
- Level 3 – Reconsider Travel: This advisory level suggests serious risks to safety and security. The State Department recommends that travelers reconsider their plans and avoid travel to these areas if possible. If travel is necessary, extreme caution is advised.
- Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level, indicating extremely dangerous conditions. The State Department strongly advises against traveling to these areas due to life-threatening risks.
It’s important to note that these advisories are primarily for the safety and security of U.S. citizens. They are based on the U.S. government’s assessment of the conditions in different countries and regions.
Mexico Travel Advisory: A State-by-State Breakdown
Currently, the State Department’s travel advisory for Mexico highlights a range of safety concerns across different states. Here’s a detailed look at the advisory levels and specific concerns for each state:
Level 4: Do Not Travel
These states carry the highest risk level, and the State Department advises U.S. citizens to avoid travel to these areas due to extreme safety concerns:
Colima State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: Widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides are frequent, often targeted assassinations by criminal organizations, but bystanders can be caught in the crossfire. Kidnapping is also a significant risk for U.S. citizens.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is severely limited to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, with specific routes and daylight travel requirements. All other areas of Colima state are off-limits for government employees.
Guerrero State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Key Concerns: Widespread crime and violence. Armed groups operate independently, setting up roadblocks and potentially using violence against travelers. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred in the past.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any area in Guerrero state, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: High levels of crime and violence are prevalent throughout Michoacan.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to Federal Highway 15D (for transit), Morelia (by air or land via specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only, limited to city center/port areas). Travel to other areas, including the Monarch Butterfly Reserve in Michoacan, is prohibited.
Sinaloa State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Key Concerns: Widespread violent crime. Sinaloa is home to powerful criminal organizations.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to Mazatlan (by air or sea, Zona Dorada and historic center only), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air or sea, city and port areas only). All other areas of Sinaloa state are off-limits.
Tamaulipas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: Organized crime is rampant, with gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault being common, especially along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to a small radius around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews. Overland travel between cities within Tamaulipas is prohibited, except for Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D during daylight with authorization. Travel to other parts of Tamaulipas is forbidden.
Zacatecas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: Widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air. Overland travel to Zacatecas City and travel to all other areas of Zacatecas state are prohibited.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel
These states present significant risks, and travelers should carefully reconsider plans to visit, opting for alternative destinations if possible:
Baja California State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: Transnational criminal organizations operate heavily in the border area, leading to violent crime and gang activity. Tijuana is particularly concerning due to high homicide rates in non-tourist areas. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Restrictions apply in the Mexicali Valley due to cartel violence. However, tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito have no specific restrictions for government employees.
Chiapas State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Key Concerns: Criminal activity and violence are present throughout the state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and southeastern regions. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 (Port Chiapas to Tapachula, including the airport) is permitted.
Chihuahua State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: Violent crime and gang activity are common. Battles between criminal groups can lead to violence in public areas. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, certain highways, and nearby towns. Areas like Copper Canyon are off-limits.
Guanajuato State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Key Concerns: Gang violence linked to fuel theft is prevalent, especially in the south and central areas. High murder rates due to cartel violence are a major concern in the southern region. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has occurred.
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.
Key Concerns: Violent crime and gang activity are common. Guadalajara sees territorial disputes between criminal groups, sometimes affecting tourist areas. Innocent bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted along the Jalisco-Michoacan border, 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.
Key Concerns: Violent crime and gang activity are present in parts of Morelos. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
Sonora State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Key Concerns: Sonora is a major hub for drug and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a significant risk. Travelers should be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Significant travel restrictions exist, including limitations on highway travel (e.g., Hermosillo-Nogales), restricted areas in Nogales, Puerto Peñasco access limitations, and no travel to eastern and southern Sonora, including major cities like Guaymas, Empalme, Obregon, and Navojoa. Certain tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible with adherence to restrictions.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
These states require increased vigilance due to heightened risks of crime and violence:
- 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
Common Concerns in Level 2 States:
- Crime: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout these states. Petty crime, like theft, is common, especially in tourist areas. Violent crime, including homicide, may also occur.
- Gang Activity: Gang-related violence is a concern in some of these states. While often targeted, bystanders can be affected.
- Kidnapping: Kidnapping is a risk in some Level 2 states, particularly Mexico State and Puebla and San Luis Potosi.
- Specific Areas of Concern: Some states have specific regions with higher risk levels, such as certain highways in Oaxaca and restricted municipalities in Coahuila and Durango.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions in Level 2 States:
- General Restrictions: In most Level 2 states, there are no specific geographic travel restrictions for U.S. government employees beyond general safety guidelines. However, common sense precautions are advised, such as avoiding travel between cities after dark, using dispatched transportation, and avoiding traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
- Specific Restrictions: Coahuila and Durango states have some municipality-level and regional restrictions for U.S. government employees. Oaxaca has restrictions for the Isthmus region and certain highways.
Important Note for Quintana Roo (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum): While Quintana Roo is at Level 2, it’s crucial to exercise increased caution, especially in Tulum, where violent crime has increased. Shootings between gangs, though not targeting tourists, have resulted in bystander injuries and deaths. Increased caution is advised after dark in popular tourist areas like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
These states are considered the safest in Mexico, where normal safety precautions are generally sufficient:
- Campeche State
- Yucatan State
Safety in Level 1 States:
- These states are generally considered safe for travel with normal precautions. Petty crime can still occur, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings, but overall risk levels are low.
- Yucatan, home to popular tourist destinations like Chichen Itza, Merida, and Valladolid, is particularly known for its safety and low crime rates.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions in Level 1 States:
- No specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Level 1 states.
General Safety Tips for Traveling in Mexico
Regardless of the state you plan to visit, it’s wise to follow these general safety guidelines from the State Department:
- Stay Informed: Keep family and travel companions updated on your plans. Share your GPS location if separating from your group, and send taxi details to a friend if traveling alone.
- Road Travel: Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Police and emergency services may be limited outside major cities.
- Vigilance in Public: Exercise increased caution in bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Avoid displaying wealth. Be extra careful at banks and ATMs.
- Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
- Follow Social Media: Follow the State Department and U.S. Embassy on social media for updates.
- Review Security Reports: Check the Country Security Report for Mexico for detailed information.
- Maritime Travel: Mariners should check for maritime advisories and alerts.
- Emergency Planning: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Information: Consult the CDC page for the latest travel health information.
Conclusion: Prioritize Safety and Stay Informed
Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching experience, but it’s crucial to be informed about safety and security risks. State Department travel advisories are an essential tool for understanding these risks and planning your trip accordingly. By staying updated on the latest advisories, understanding the different risk levels, and following safety precautions, you can navigate Mexico more confidently and ensure a safer travel experience. Always check the official State Department website for the most current information before and during your trip.
