Where In Mexico Is It Safe To Travel? A Comprehensive Guide

Mexico, with its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine, is a popular destination for travelers worldwide. However, safety concerns often arise when planning a trip. This guide provides updated information based on U.S. government advisories to help you determine Where In Mexico Is It Safe To Travel.

The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

It’s important to remember that violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread and common in Mexico. Therefore, understanding the risks and taking necessary precautions is crucial for a safe and enjoyable trip.

General Safety Recommendations for Traveling in Mexico

Before delving into specific regions, here are some general safety recommendations:

Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans.
If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location.
If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night.
Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter.
Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and X/Twitter.
Review the Country Security Report for Mexico.
Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to your travel.

Mexico Travel Advisories by State

The U.S. Department of State assigns travel advisories to each Mexican state, ranging from “Exercise Normal Precautions” to “Do Not Travel.” Here’s a breakdown:

States Where Normal Precautions Should Be Taken

These states are generally considered the safest for travel, but it’s always wise to remain vigilant.

Campeche: Exercise normal precautions.
Yucatán: Exercise normal precautions. Tourist areas including Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid are included.

States Where Increased Caution Should Be Exercised

These states have some level of risk, so it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and take extra precautions.

Aguascalientes: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Baja California Sur: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Hidalgo: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Mexico City (Ciudad de México): Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Mexico State (Estado de México): Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Nayarit: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Nuevo León: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Oaxaca: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Tourist areas including Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are included.

A bustling street scene in Oaxaca City, Mexico, a popular tourist destination where travelers should exercise increased caution due to potential criminal activity.
Puebla: Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Querétaro: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Quintana Roo: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity can occur in tourist destinations; shootings between gangs have injured bystanders. Exercise increased caution after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
San Luis Potosí: Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Tabasco: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Tlaxcala: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Veracruz: Exercise increased caution due to crime.

States Where Travel Should Be Reconsidered

These states have significant risks, and travelers should carefully weigh the pros and cons before visiting.

Baja California: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. However, high-traffic tourist areas of border and coastal communities, such as Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito, do not have travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

The San Ysidro Port of Entry at the Tijuana border, a busy crossing point where travelers should reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping risks in the surrounding areas.
Chiapas: Reconsider travel due to crime. U.S. government employees may not travel to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and to certain restricted areas in the southeastern region.

To view a map of the restricted areas, visit https://mx.usembassy.gov/maps-of-restricted-areas
Chihuahua: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. U.S. government employee travel is limited to certain areas. Notably, travel to Copper Canyon is prohibited for U.S. government employees.
Guanajuato: Reconsider travel due to crime. However, tourist areas in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato City, and surrounding areas are not restricted for U.S. government employees.
Jalisco: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic are tourist areas with no travel restrictions for U.S government employees.
Morelos: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Sonora: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales is restricted for U.S. government employees. Tourist areas in Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are included with restrictions for government employees.

States Where Travel Should Be Avoided

These states are considered the most dangerous, and travel should be avoided if possible.

Colima: Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.
Guerrero: Do not travel due to crime. U.S. government employees may not travel to any area in the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacán: Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to Federal Highway 15D, Morelia, and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only).

Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Michoacan, Mexico, where travel is not advised due to crime and kidnapping, except for limited areas accessible to U.S. government employees.
Sinaloa: Do not travel due to crime. U.S. government employees may travel to Mazatlan by air or sea only, and are limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center.
Tamaulipas: Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. U.S. government employees may only travel within a limited radius around and between the U.S. Consulates in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros.
Zacatecas: Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and employees may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.
Coahuila: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. U.S. government employees may not travel to Zaragoza, Morelos, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities.

Understanding the Risks

It’s important to understand that the safety situation in Mexico can change rapidly. Factors contributing to crime and violence include:

Drug Trafficking: Many areas are key locations for international drug trade.
Gang Activity: Violent crime and gang activity are common in many states.
Kidnapping: U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) have been victims of kidnapping.

Staying Safe: Practical Tips

Regardless of where you travel in Mexico, consider these safety tips:

Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Pay attention to your surroundings and avoid walking alone, especially at night.
Avoid High-Risk Areas: Stay away from areas known for criminal activity.
Don’t Display Wealth: Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or carrying large amounts of cash.
Use Reliable Transportation: Use reputable taxi services or ride-sharing apps.
Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date on the latest travel advisories and news reports.
Communicate: Keep family and friends informed of your travel plans.

Conclusion

Determining where in Mexico is it safe to travel requires careful consideration of the risks and a commitment to staying informed and taking necessary precautions. By understanding the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisories and following the safety tips outlined in this guide, you can make informed decisions and enjoy a safer and more rewarding trip to Mexico. Always prioritize your safety and be prepared for unexpected situations.