US State Department Mexico Travel Safety: Your Updated Guide for 2024

Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, it’s crucial for travelers to be informed about safety and security. The U.S. State Department regularly reviews and updates its travel advisories to provide U.S. citizens with the most current information to make informed decisions about traveling abroad. This guide, based on the latest Us State Department Mexico Travel Safety recommendations, offers a comprehensive overview of the current safety landscape in Mexico, helping you plan your trip with greater peace of mind.

Understanding the US State Department’s Mexico travel safety advice is paramount for anyone considering a visit. Violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is a serious concern in many parts of Mexico. The U.S. government’s ability to assist citizens in emergencies is limited in certain areas due to safety restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. In many states, emergency services are less robust outside of major urban centers.

This updated advisory, reissued after a periodic review with recent updates for Chiapas and Durango, breaks down the safety situation by state, offering clear guidance and recommendations for travelers. It is essential to note that the US State Department Mexico travel safety levels are categorized to help you quickly assess the risk:

Do Not Travel To: Regions with extreme safety risks.
Reconsider Travel To: Areas with significant safety concerns.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To: States with elevated risks of crime and violence.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To: Locations where normal safety awareness is advised.

This guide will delve into each category, providing state-specific details and actionable advice to help you navigate Mexico travel safety effectively.

General Mexico Travel Safety Guidelines from the US State Department

Before exploring state-specific advisories, it’s vital to understand the overarching safety recommendations provided by the US State Department for Mexico travel safety. These guidelines apply across the country, regardless of the specific alert level for your destination.

Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees – A Key Indicator

The US State Department’s Mexico travel safety advisories often include restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees. These restrictions serve as a strong indicator of the security level in different regions. Understanding these restrictions can help you gauge potential risks:

No Intercity Travel After Dark: U.S. government employees are generally prohibited from traveling between cities in Mexico after dark. This highlights the increased risks associated with nighttime travel.
Restricted Taxi Usage: Hailing taxis on the street is not permitted for U.S. government employees. They are instructed to use dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber or regulated taxi stands, emphasizing the need for verified and traceable transportation.
Avoid Traveling Alone: Traveling alone, especially in remote areas, is discouraged for U.S. government employees, pointing to the importance of the buddy system for safety.
Border Area Driving Limitations: Driving from the U.S.-Mexico border into the interior of Mexico is restricted, except for daytime travel within Baja California and specific routes like Nogales to Hermosillo, Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey, and Ciudad Juarez to certain interior cities. This underscores the heightened risks in border regions and on certain highways.

General Safety Advice for All Travelers

Beyond these specific restrictions, the US State Department Mexico travel safety advisory provides crucial general advice for all U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico:

Stay Informed: Keep your travel companions and family informed of your travel plans. Share your GPS location if you separate from your group and send taxi details to a friend if traveling alone.
Use Toll Roads and Avoid Night Driving: Opt for toll roads whenever possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Police presence and emergency services can be limited outside major cities.
Exercise Caution in Entertainment Venues: Be extra cautious when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, where risks can be elevated.
Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid displaying expensive jewelry or watches that could make you a target for crime.
Be Vigilant at Banks and ATMs: Exercise increased vigilance when using banks or ATMs, as these can be locations for petty and serious crime.
Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier for the U.S. embassy to locate you in an emergency.
Stay Updated: Follow the Department of State’s social media channels and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for real-time updates and security information.
Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for a deeper understanding of the security situation.
Maritime Travelers Take Note: Mariners should check for specific maritime advisories and alerts.
Prepare for Emergencies: Create a contingency plan for emergency situations and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information.

By adhering to these general guidelines and staying informed about the specific risks in your intended destination, you can significantly enhance your Mexico travel safety.

State-by-State Mexico Travel Safety Breakdown

The US State Department Mexico travel safety advisory provides a detailed breakdown of safety levels for each Mexican state. This section summarizes these advisories, categorized by the level of caution recommended.

Do Not Travel To:

These states are considered the most dangerous, and the US State Department advises U.S. citizens to Do Not Travel to these locations due to extremely high risks of crime and violence.

Colima State: Do not travel to Colima due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread, with frequent targeted assassinations and incidents injuring bystanders. U.S. citizens have been victims of kidnapping. U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted, even in tourist areas like Manzanillo.
Guerrero State: Do not travel to Guerrero due to 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. This includes tourist hotspots like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan State: Do not travel to Michoacan due to crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread. U.S. government employee travel is highly restricted, limited to specific routes and cities like Morelia and Lazaro Cardenas under strict conditions. This restriction includes the Monarch Butterfly Reserve located in Michoacan.
Sinaloa State: Do not travel to Sinaloa due to crime. Violent crime is widespread, with criminal organizations heavily present. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Mazatlan and Los Mochis/Topolobampo under specific conditions and restricted zones.
Tamaulipas State: Do not travel to Tamaulipas due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime is rampant, featuring gun battles, murder, robbery, kidnapping, and extortion. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles. Heavily armed groups operate with impunity, especially along the border. U.S. government employee travel is severely limited to specific areas around consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo.
Zacatecas State: Do not travel to Zacatecas due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air.

Reconsider Travel To:

For these states, the US State Department advises U.S. citizens to Reconsider Travel due to significant risks of crime and potential safety issues.

Baja California State: Reconsider travel to Baja California due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations are active, leading to violent crime and gang activity, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred. U.S. government employees face restrictions in the Mexicali Valley. Tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are within the “Reconsider Travel” advisory.
Chiapas State: Reconsider travel to Chiapas due to crime. Criminal activity and violence occur. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to certain municipalities and regions in the southeast.
Chihuahua State: Reconsider travel to Chihuahua due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with territorial disputes leading to violence in areas frequented by tourists, including Ciudad Juarez and Copper Canyon. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas in major cities and highways.
Guanajuato State: Reconsider travel to Guanajuato due to crime. Gang violence related to fuel theft is prevalent, particularly in the south and central areas. High murder rates linked to cartel violence are a concern. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas south of Federal Highway 45D, but tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are within the “Reconsider Travel” advisory but not restricted for government employees.
Jalisco State: Reconsider travel to Jalisco due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with territorial battles in tourist areas of Guadalajara. Bystanders have been injured in shootings. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region and parts of Federal Highway 80. Tourist areas like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are within the “Reconsider Travel” advisory but not fully restricted for government employees.
Morelos State: Reconsider travel to Morelos due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred. There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos, indicating the risk is considered widespread but not necessitating employee-specific restrictions beyond general caution.
Sonora State: Reconsider travel to Sonora due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for drug and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred. Travelers should be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions across the state, including specific routes and cities like Nogales and Puerto Peñasco.

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

The US State Department advises U.S. citizens to Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To these states due to elevated risks of crime and violence.

Aguascalientes State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Baja California Sur State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Coahuila State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from certain municipalities and face curfews in Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña.
Durango State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas west and south of Federal Highway 45.
Hidalgo State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Exercise increased caution due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City, particularly at night and outside tourist areas.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred.
Nayarit State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit.
Nuevo Leon State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Oaxaca State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Isthmus region and parts of Federal Highway 200. However, tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are within the “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory but are not restricted for government employees in general.
Puebla State: Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred.
Queretaro State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Quintana Roo State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. While not targeted at tourists, gang shootings have caused bystander casualties. Exercise increased caution, especially after dark in tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State: Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens have occurred.
Tabasco State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Tlaxcala State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Veracruz State: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasing, especially in central and southern Veracruz. Impromptu roadblocks are common.

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

These states are considered relatively safer, and the US State Department advises U.S. citizens to Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To these locations, meaning practicing standard safety awareness.

Campeche State: Exercise normal precautions. There are no specific safety concerns highlighted for Campeche.
Yucatan State: Exercise normal precautions. Yucatan, including tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid, is considered generally safe with normal precautions advised.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Your Mexico Travel Safety

Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching experience, but understanding and prioritizing your safety is crucial. The US State Department Mexico travel safety advisories are an invaluable resource for planning your trip. By staying informed about the risks in specific states, following general safety guidelines, and enrolling in STEP, you can significantly mitigate potential dangers.

Always check the most recent US State Department Mexico travel safety advisory before your trip, as situations can change. Be prepared, stay vigilant, and enjoy your travels in Mexico responsibly. For the most up-to-date information and detailed maps of restricted areas, always refer directly to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico website. Safe travels!