US Travel Advisory Mexico: Latest Safety Guidelines for Travelers

Planning a trip to Mexico? While Mexico is a vibrant and popular destination for US travelers, it’s essential to be aware of the current safety landscape. The U.S. State Department regularly issues travel advisories to inform citizens about potential risks in different countries. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the US Travel Advisory for Mexico, helping you make informed decisions and travel safely.

Mexico is a country known for its rich culture, stunning beaches, and historical sites. However, like many countries, it also faces challenges with crime. Understanding the current travel advisory is crucial for ensuring a safe and enjoyable trip. This advisory highlights areas of concern and provides essential safety tips for travelers.

General U.S. Government Travel Advice for Mexico

The U.S. government’s advisory indicates that violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread throughout Mexico. Due to security concerns, the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many parts of Mexico is limited. In numerous states, emergency services are often constrained, especially outside of state capitals and major urban centers.

U.S. citizens are strongly advised to heed the restrictions placed on U.S. government employee travel within Mexico. These restrictions vary by state and are detailed in the state-specific advisories below. Generally, U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark, hailing taxis on the street, and are instructed to use dispatched transportation services, including app-based services like Uber and regulated taxi stands. Traveling alone, particularly in remote areas, is discouraged for U.S. government employees. Driving from the U.S.-Mexico border into the interior of Mexico is also restricted, with exceptions for daytime travel within Baja California, between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D, and between Ciudad Juarez and certain interior cities as outlined in the Chihuahua section.

For more detailed country-specific information, travelers are encouraged to visit the U.S. State Department’s country information page on Mexico.

Mexico Travel Advisory: Know the Risk Levels

The U.S. State Department categorizes states in Mexico based on risk levels, ranging from “Exercise Normal Precautions” to “Do Not Travel.” Here’s a breakdown:

States Where You Should Not Travel To:

• Colima State: The advisory for Colima is “Do Not Travel” due to high levels of crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are rampant. Homicides are often targeted assassinations linked to criminal organizations, and bystanders can be caught in the crossfire. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a serious concern. U.S. government employee travel is extremely restricted, limited only to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, accessed via Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours from Guadalajara. All other areas of Colima are off-limits for U.S. government employees.
• Guerrero State: “Do Not Travel” is advised for Guerrero state because of widespread crime. Armed groups operate extensively, independent of government control. Roadblocks are frequent, and these groups may resort to violence against travelers. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any part of Guerrero, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
• Michoacan State: The “Do Not Travel” advisory for Michoacan is due to crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are pervasive. U.S. government employee travel is severely limited, mainly to Federal Highway 15D for transit, Morelia (accessible by air or via Federal Highways 43 or 48D from 15D), and Lazaro Cardenas (air travel only, restricted to city center/port areas). All other areas, including parts of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve within Michoacan, are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
• Sinaloa State: “Do Not Travel” is in effect for Sinaloa due to widespread crime. Criminal organizations have a strong presence and operate extensively throughout the state. U.S. government employee travel is restricted to Mazatlan (air or sea arrival only, limited to Zona Dorada and historic center), and Los Mochis and Topolobampo (air or sea arrival only, restricted to city and port areas). Travel to other areas of Sinaloa is prohibited for U.S. government employees.
• Tamaulipas State: The “Do Not Travel” advisory for Tamaulipas is due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime is highly active, with frequent gun battles, murders, robberies, carjackings, kidnappings, disappearances, extortion, and sexual assaults, especially along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom. Heavily armed groups operate with impunity, particularly in the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo, where local law enforcement has limited capacity. U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted to limited areas around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo and specific routes, with curfews and prohibitions on intercity highway travel within Tamaulipas.
• Zacatecas State: “Do Not Travel” is advised for Zacatecas state due to widespread violent crime, extortion, gang activity, and kidnapping. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a concern. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper (air travel recommended), with overland travel to the city prohibited. Travel to all other areas of Zacatecas is forbidden for U.S. government employees.

States Where You Should Reconsider Travel To:

• Baja California State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Baja California due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations are active in the border area, involved in drug and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common, particularly in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Bystanders can be harmed in criminal disputes. U.S. citizens have been kidnapped. U.S. government employees face restrictions, particularly in the Mexicali Valley, and are advised to stick to major highways in other areas, including tourist zones of Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.
• Chiapas State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Chiapas due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions of Chiapas. Travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 to Tapachula is permitted.
• Chihuahua State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Chihuahua due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent. Criminal groups’ territorial battles lead to violence in areas frequented by U.S. citizens, including in daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, certain highways between these cities, and areas around Nuevo Casas Grandes, Ojinaga, and Palomas, with daytime travel strongly encouraged and specific route restrictions. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits.
• Guanajuato State: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Guanajuato due to crime. Gang violence, linked to fuel theft, is a problem, especially in the south and central parts of the state. High murder rates due to cartel violence are a concern in the southern region. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred. U.S. government employees are restricted from 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: “Reconsider Travel” is advised for Jalisco because of crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state. Guadalajara sees territorial disputes between criminal groups, sometimes in tourist zones, with bystanders injured in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region and Federal Highway 110, and from Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Tourist areas including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are not restricted.
• 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. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred. There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
• Sonora State: “Reconsider Travel” for Sonora is due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for drug and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and security incidents can occur anywhere. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk. U.S. government employee travel is significantly restricted, especially in areas bordering Arizona, eastern and southern Sonora, and when using ground transportation. Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales is limited to daylight hours on Federal Highway 15 only, with strong cautions against public transportation and unnecessary stops. Specific zones in Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, near Mariposa Port of Entry, and cities like San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta have restricted travel for government employees. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible under these restrictions.

States Where You Should Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes State: Exercise increased caution in Aguascalientes due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. 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. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, which includes tourist areas 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 the municipalities of Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo. In Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña, travel from the U.S. is permitted, with a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m.
• 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 can occur throughout the state. 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 throughout the city. Exercise extra caution at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent in both tourist and non-tourist zones. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
• Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Exercise increased caution in Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur. Exercise caution outside tourist areas, though petty crime is also common in tourist areas. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
• Nayarit State: Exercise increased caution in Nayarit due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including areas like Riviera Nayarit which is often considered part of the Puerto Vallarta tourist area.
• Nuevo Leon State: Exercise increased caution in Nuevo Leon due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including the major city of Monterrey.
• Oaxaca State: Exercise increased caution in Oaxaca due to crime. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Isthmus region and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are not restricted.
• Puebla State: Exercise increased caution in Puebla due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including the city of Puebla.
• Queretaro State: Exercise increased caution in Queretaro due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including the city of Queretaro and San Miguel de Allende (which is partially in Guanajuato).
• Quintana Roo State: Exercise increased caution in Quintana Roo due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Gang shootings have injured bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Increased homicide rates are noted in Tulum. Exercise increased caution after dark in tourist zones, remaining in well-lit areas. 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 can occur throughout the state. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is a risk. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
• Tabasco State: Exercise increased caution in Tabasco due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including Villahermosa.
• Tlaxcala State: Exercise increased caution in Tlaxcala due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. 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 central and southern Veracruz near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. Bystanders can be affected by gang violence. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment are common. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including Veracruz city.

States Where You Should Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche State: Exercise normal precautions in Campeche. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
• Yucatan State: Exercise normal precautions in Yucatan. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. This includes major tourist sites like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid, often highlighted as some of the safest areas in Mexico.

Safety Tips If You Decide to Travel to Mexico

Despite the advisories, many people travel to Mexico safely every year. If you decide to travel, consider these safety precautions:

• Stay Informed: Regularly check for updates to the Us Travel Advisory Mexico before and during your trip. Conditions can change rapidly.
• Share Your Plans: Keep travel companions and family informed of your itinerary. If you are separating from your group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, photograph the taxi number or license plate and text it to a friend.
• Use Secure Transportation: Utilize toll roads whenever possible. Avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police and emergency services are limited outside major cities. Opt for dispatched vehicles or app-based services like Uber over street-hailed taxis.
• Be Vigilant in Public Areas: Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos. Be aware of your surroundings in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
• Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid showing signs of affluence, such as expensive jewelry or watches, which can make you a target for crime.
• Exercise Caution at Banks and ATMs: Be extra vigilant when using banks or ATMs, as these can be locations for robberies.
• 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 Connected: Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and X/Twitter for real-time updates and information.
• Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for a detailed analysis of security conditions in Mexico.
• Mariners’ Advisory: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts and understand reporting procedures for suspicious activities to Mexican naval authorities.
• Prepare for Emergencies: Develop a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist for essential preparations.
• Health Precautions: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information related to Mexico.

Conclusion: Traveling Safely in Mexico

Understanding the US Travel Advisory Mexico is the first step in planning a safe trip. While the advisory highlights significant safety concerns in certain areas, it also clarifies that many parts of Mexico are considered safer than others. By staying informed, exercising caution, and following safety guidelines, you can minimize risks and enjoy your travels in Mexico. Always prioritize your safety and refer to official sources for the most up-to-date information. Remember that travel advisories are designed to help you make informed decisions and travel responsibly.