Travel Advisory Mexico: Staying Safe and Informed in 2024

Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture, history, and breathtaking landscapes, is a dream destination for many travelers. From the ancient ruins of Teotihuacan to the stunning beaches of Cancun and the bustling streets of Mexico City, Mexico offers a diverse range of experiences. However, like any international destination, it’s crucial to be aware of the current safety landscape. Understanding the travel advisory for Mexico is paramount for ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip.

This comprehensive guide, updated for 2024, provides essential information for travelers planning a visit to Mexico. It’s based on the latest travel advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State, offering detailed insights into safety concerns across different Mexican states. We aim to break down this information, making it easily digestible and actionable, so you can make informed decisions about your travel plans.

Understanding the General Mexico Travel Advisory

The U.S. government’s overall travel advisory for Mexico highlights significant concerns regarding crime, particularly violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, which are widespread throughout the country. It’s important to acknowledge that the ability of the U.S. government to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas is limited due to travel restrictions imposed on U.S. government employees. This means that in certain regions, especially outside major cities, local emergency services may also be limited.

Therefore, a crucial aspect of the Travel Advisory Mexico emphasizes is adhering to the restrictions placed on U.S. government employee travel. These restrictions are not arbitrary; they reflect the assessed risk levels in various parts of Mexico. Understanding these restrictions can provide valuable guidance for all travelers.

Key General Recommendations from the Travel Advisory:

• Be Informed: Stay updated on the latest travel advisories and news regarding safety in your intended destinations within Mexico.
• Exercise Caution: Regardless of the stated advisory level for a specific state, maintaining a heightened sense of awareness and practicing good personal security habits is always recommended.
• Respect Restrictions: While these restrictions are for U.S. government employees, they are indicative of areas with higher risk. Travelers should consider these restrictions when planning their itineraries.
• Emergency Preparedness: Know who to contact in case of emergency, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate assistance if needed.

Navigating State-Specific Travel Advisories in Mexico

The travel advisory Mexico is not uniform across the entire country. Risk levels vary significantly from state to state. To provide a clear picture, the advisory categorizes states into different levels of caution:

States Where You Should NOT TRAVEL

These are states deemed the most dangerous, where the U.S. government advises against any travel for U.S. citizens due to extremely high levels of crime and violence.

• Colima State: The advisory states “Do Not Travel” to Colima due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are rampant. Even bystanders can be caught in the crossfire of criminal organization conflicts. Kidnapping is a serious risk for both locals and foreigners. U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted, even within Manzanillo, limited only to tourist and port areas.

• Guerrero State: Guerrero is another state marked “Do Not Travel” due to widespread crime. Armed groups operate outside government control, setting up roadblocks and posing a direct threat to travelers. Kidnapping is a persistent danger. This advisory includes major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Ixtapa, Taxco, and Zihuatanejo, meaning no area of Guerrero is considered safe for travel according to this advisory.

• Michoacan State: “Do Not Travel” is advised for Michoacan due to crime and kidnapping. Similar to Colima and Guerrero, crime and violence are widespread. U.S. government employee travel is highly restricted, limited to transit on Federal Highway 15D, Morelia city (by air or specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air and limited to city/port areas). Notably, even parts of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve within Michoacan are off-limits for U.S. government employees, highlighting the severity of the risk.

• Sinaloa State: Sinaloa, home to the infamous Sinaloa Cartel, is a “Do Not Travel” state due to crime. Violent crime is pervasive, and criminal organizations operate with significant influence throughout the state. U.S. government employee travel is severely limited to Mazatlan (by air/sea, Zona Dorada and historic center only), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air/sea, city and port only). All other areas of Sinaloa are off-limits for U.S. government employees.

• Tamaulipas State: “Do Not Travel” is advised for Tamaulipas due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime is rampant, with frequent gun battles, murder, robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, and extortion, 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 travel is extremely restricted to limited areas around the consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews and no intercity travel on interior highways.

• Zacatecas State: Zacatecas is under a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity, along with a high risk of kidnapping. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper (accessible only by air) with no overland travel permitted to reach the city. All other areas of Zacatecas are off-limits.

States Where You Should RECONSIDER TRAVEL

These states present a significant risk, and travelers are advised to carefully weigh the risks before deciding to visit.

• Baja California State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Baja California due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations are active, leading to high levels of violent crime and gang activity, particularly in border areas like Tijuana. While tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are within Baja California, the advisory highlights the risk of bystanders being caught in violence and notes kidnappings of U.S. citizens. U.S. government employees face restrictions, especially in the Mexicali Valley region.

• Chiapas State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Chiapas due to crime. Criminal activity and violence are present throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions of Chiapas. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 to Tapachula Airport is permitted.

• Chihuahua State: Chihuahua is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with territorial disputes between criminal groups leading to violence in public areas. Kidnapping is a significant concern. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific zones within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, and certain highways for transit between cities, with Copper Canyon being off-limits.

• Guanajuato State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Guanajuato due to crime. Gang violence, often linked to fuel theft, is prevalent, especially in the south and central parts of the state. High murder rates associated with cartel violence are a major concern. Despite tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City being within the state, the advisory highlights the risks. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

• Jalisco State: Jalisco is a “Reconsider Travel” state due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with Guadalajara experiencing territorial battles even in tourist zones. Innocent bystanders have been injured or killed in gang-related shootings. Despite popular tourist destinations like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Chapala, the advisory urges caution. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region, Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan and the Michoacan border, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.

• Morelos State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Morelos due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are present in parts of the state, and kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens. There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees within Morelos.

• Sonora State: Sonora is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to crime and kidnapping. It’s a key area for drug trafficking and human smuggling, leading to widespread violent crime. Travelers are urged to be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, particularly regarding routes between cities, specific areas within Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and other regions, and are prohibited from using taxis or ride-sharing services in many areas due to security concerns.

States Where You Should EXERCISE INCREASED CAUTION

These states have a moderate level of risk, requiring travelers to be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings.

• Aguascalientes State: Exercise increased caution in Aguascalientes due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Baja California Sur State: Exercise increased caution in Baja California Sur due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, even in tourist hotspots like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.

• Coahuila State: Exercise increased caution in Coahuila due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to several municipalities (Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo) and face a midnight to 6:00 a.m. curfew in Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña.

• Durango State: Exercise increased caution in Durango due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45.

• Hidalgo State: Exercise increased caution in Hidalgo due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Exercise increased caution in Mexico City due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime are present. Increased caution is advised, especially at night and outside tourist areas. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees within Mexico City.

• Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Exercise increased caution in Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime are present. Kidnapping is a concern. Increased caution is advised outside tourist areas. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

• Nayarit State: Exercise increased caution in Nayarit due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including in popular beach destinations like Sayulita and San Pancho.

• Nuevo Leon State: Exercise increased caution in Nuevo Leon due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. Monterrey, a major city in Nuevo Leon, falls under this advisory.

• Oaxaca State: Exercise increased caution in Oaxaca due to crime. Criminal activity and violence are present throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Isthmus region and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa. However, tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are not restricted.

• Puebla State: Exercise increased caution in Puebla due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Kidnapping is a risk. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Queretaro State: Exercise increased caution in Queretaro due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including in the historic city of Queretaro.

• Quintana Roo State: Exercise increased caution in Quintana Roo due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist hotspots like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. While tourists are not directly targeted, gang shootings have resulted in bystander injuries and deaths. Increased caution is advised after dark in these tourist areas. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• San Luis Potosi State: Exercise increased caution in San Luis Potosi due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Kidnapping is a risk. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Tabasco State: Exercise increased caution in Tabasco due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Tlaxcala State: Exercise increased caution in Tlaxcala due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Veracruz State: Exercise increased caution in Veracruz due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasingly frequent, especially in the central and southern regions. Bystanders can be affected by gang violence, and impromptu roadblocks are common. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

States Where You Should EXERCISE NORMAL PRECAUTIONS

These states are considered the safest in Mexico, where travelers can generally proceed with normal levels of caution.

• Campeche State: Exercise normal precautions in Campeche. There are no significant safety concerns highlighted, and no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

• Yucatan State: Exercise normal precautions in Yucatan. This state, home to popular tourist sites like Chichen Itza and Merida, is considered generally safe, with no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

Essential Safety Tips for Traveling in Mexico

Regardless of the specific travel advisory Mexico level for your destination, these general safety tips are crucial for a safer trip:

1. Stay Informed and Plan Ahead:

   • Continuously monitor the travel advisory mexico for updates before and during your trip.
   • Research your specific destinations within Mexico to understand local safety concerns and customs.
   • Share your detailed travel plans with family or friends back home, including itineraries, accommodation details, and emergency contacts.
   • If traveling in a group, establish a communication plan and meeting points in case of separation.

2. Transportation Safety:

   • Use Toll Roads: Opt for toll roads (cuotas) whenever possible, as they are generally safer and better maintained than free highways (libres).
   • Avoid Driving Alone and at Night: Driving alone, especially in remote areas or at night, increases your vulnerability. If driving is necessary, travel during daylight hours and with companions.
   • App-Based Transportation: Utilize reputable app-based transportation services like Uber or Didi in major cities where available. Avoid hailing taxis on the street, particularly at night.
   • Regulated Taxi Stands: If using taxis, use sitio taxis (regulated taxi stands) found at airports, bus stations, and major hotels.
   • Vehicle Safety: If renting a car, ensure it is in good condition and consider renting an armored vehicle in high-risk areas (though this can draw unwanted attention).

3. General Safety Practices:

   • Maintain Low Profile: Avoid displaying signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry, watches, or electronics. Dress modestly and try to blend in.
   • Be Vigilant in Public Places: Exercise increased caution in crowded areas, markets, public transportation, and tourist zones, as these are often targets for petty theft and scams.
   • ATM and Bank Awareness: Be extra vigilant when using ATMs or banks. Use ATMs located inside banks or well-lit, secure locations. Be aware of your surroundings and potential onlookers.
   • Avoid Risky Areas: Stay away from known high-crime areas, especially at night. Be cautious in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, where criminal activity can be more prevalent.
   • Limit Alcohol and Drug Use: Excessive alcohol consumption or drug use can impair your judgment and make you more vulnerable to crime.
   • Be Aware of Scams: Be wary of overly friendly strangers or unsolicited offers that seem too good to be true. Common scams target tourists.

4. Emergency Preparedness:

   • Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and enable the U.S. embassy to locate you in an emergency.
   • Know Emergency Numbers: Familiarize yourself with local emergency numbers in Mexico (e.g., 911).
   • U.S. Embassy Contact: Keep the contact information for the U.S. Embassy or nearest U.S. Consulate readily available.
   • Contingency Plan: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies, including evacuation routes, communication methods, and emergency funds.
   • Traveler’s Checklist: Review the U.S. Department of State’s Traveler’s Checklist for comprehensive pre-trip preparation.
   • Health Information: Consult the CDC page for the latest travel health information and recommendations for Mexico.

5. Specific Advice for High-Risk Areas:

   • Heed Local Advice: If traveling to areas with higher advisory levels, seek advice from local sources (hotel staff, reputable tour operators) about specific safety concerns and areas to avoid.
   • Travel in Groups: Avoid traveling alone, especially in remote or high-risk areas.
   • Daylight Travel: Restrict travel to daylight hours whenever possible, especially when driving between cities.
   • Communicate Regularly: Maintain regular communication with family or friends, especially when moving between locations. Share your GPS location with a trusted contact if separating from your group.

Conclusion: Travel to Mexico with Awareness and Responsibility

Mexico remains a captivating destination with immense appeal. By staying informed about the travel advisory Mexico, understanding the specific risks in different states, and practicing diligent safety measures, you can significantly enhance your safety and enjoyment.

This guide is intended to provide a comprehensive overview based on the official travel advisory for Mexico. However, the situation can change rapidly. Always refer to the U.S. Department of State’s website for the most up-to-date information before and during your travels.

Traveling responsibly means being aware, prepared, and respectful of local conditions. By taking these precautions, you can experience the beauty and wonder of Mexico while minimizing potential risks. Safe travels!