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

Mexico, a land of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and ancient history, attracts millions of tourists every year. However, safety concerns often arise when planning a trip. The question, “Where Is It Safe To Travel In Mexico?” is paramount for travelers. This guide provides an overview of the current safety situation in various Mexican states, based on the latest travel advisories.

Understanding Mexico Travel Safety

It’s important to acknowledge that violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, and robbery, is a reality in Mexico. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to its citizens is limited in certain areas due to safety restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. In many states, emergency services are limited outside major cities.

Travelers should be aware of these limitations and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety. This includes staying informed about the specific risks associated with each region and adhering to any travel advisories or restrictions in place.

General Safety Recommendations

Regardless of your destination in Mexico, consider these general safety tips:

Keep your travel companions and family informed of your plans. Share your GPS location if separating from your group.
When possible, use toll roads and avoid driving alone or at night.
Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
Avoid displaying signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry.
Be extra vigilant when using banks or ATMs.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
Stay updated on the latest information from the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Consult the CDC page for the latest travel health information.

Mexico Travel Advisory: State by State Breakdown

The U.S. Department of State provides travel advisories for each Mexican state, categorizing them into four levels:

Do Not Travel: Highest risk level due to extreme safety concerns.
Reconsider Travel: Significant risks present; careful consideration advised.
Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks and take precautions.
Exercise Normal Precautions: Standard safety measures recommended.

Here’s a summary of the current advisories by state:

States to Avoid: Do Not Travel

These states have the highest risk levels and should be avoided:

Colima: Do not travel due to widespread crime and kidnapping. U.S. government employees are limited to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo.
Guerrero: Do not travel due to widespread crime and violence. Armed groups operate independently. No travel permitted for U.S. government employees, including tourist areas like Acapulco.
Michoacan: Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Travel for U.S. government employees is restricted to Federal Highway 15D (for transit), Morelia (via air and certain highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only).
Sinaloa: Do not travel due to widespread violent crime. U.S. government employees are limited to Mazatlan (by air or sea, Zona Dorada and historic center), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air or sea, city and port).
Tamaulipas: Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime is rampant. U.S. government employees are limited to areas around consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo and travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours.
Zacatecas: Do not travel due to widespread crime, extortion, and gang activity. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, and they may not travel overland to Zacatecas City.

States to Reconsider: Proceed with Caution

These states have significant risks, and travelers should carefully consider the need to travel:

Baja California: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana.

Alt Text: The San Ysidro Port of Entry, the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere, connecting Tijuana, Mexico, with San Diego, California. This image represents the border area of Baja California where travelers should reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Chiapas: Reconsider travel due to crime. U.S. government employees are restricted in certain southeastern regions and the municipality of Ocozocoautla.
Chihuahua: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua city.
Guanajuato: Reconsider travel due to crime. Gang violence related to fuel theft is prevalent, especially in the south and central areas. U.S. government employees may not travel south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.
Jalisco: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border area and Federal Highway 110 and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula.
Morelos: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
Sonora: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, including limited travel between Hermosillo and Nogales, and restrictions in Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and other areas.

States with Increased Caution: Be Vigilant

These states have criminal activity and violence, requiring increased caution:

Aguascalientes: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Baja California Sur: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Coahuila: Exercise increased caution due to crime. U.S. government employees are restricted in certain municipalities.

Alt Text: A political map of Coahuila, Mexico highlighting the various municipalities within the state, some of which have travel restrictions for U.S. government employees due to concerns about violent crime and gang activity.
Durango: Exercise increased caution due to crime. U.S. government employees may not travel west and south of Federal Highway 45.
Hidalgo: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Nayarit: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Nuevo Leon: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Oaxaca: Exercise increased caution due to crime. U.S. government employees are restricted in the Isthmus region and on Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa.
Puebla: Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Queretaro: Exercise increased caution due to crime.
Quintana Roo: Exercise increased caution due to crime. Increased caution is advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Alt Text: A scenic sunset view of a beach in Cancun, Quintana Roo, Mexico, a popular tourist destination where travelers are advised to exercise increased caution due to potential criminal activity.
San Luis Potosi: 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 with Normal Precautions: Minimal Risk

These states are considered relatively safe, but normal precautions should still be taken:

Campeche: Exercise normal precautions.
Yucatan: Exercise normal precautions. Tourist areas include Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.

Safe Travel in Mexico: Key Takeaways

Determining “where is it safe to travel in Mexico” requires careful consideration of various factors. While some states pose significant risks, others are relatively safe for tourists. By staying informed, following travel advisories, and taking necessary precautions, you can minimize risks and enjoy a memorable trip to Mexico. Remember to consult official sources for the most up-to-date information before planning your travel.