Is It Safe to Travel to Mexico Right Now? What Travelers Need to Know

Mexico, a land of vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and ancient ruins, consistently ranks as a top travel destination for tourists worldwide. However, questions about safety often arise, especially with ongoing news reports about crime and violence. If you’re planning a trip, you’re likely asking: Is It Safe To Travel To Mexico Right Now?

Understanding the current safety landscape is crucial for any traveler. This guide, based on the latest travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State, aims to provide a comprehensive overview to help you make informed decisions about your trip to Mexico. It’s important to note that safety conditions can change rapidly, so staying updated is key.

Mexico Travel Safety: A General Overview

The U.S. Department of State’s current advisory states that violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread and common in Mexico. This is a serious concern, and it’s vital to understand the implications for travelers.

The advisory highlights that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens is limited in many areas due to travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. In many Mexican states, emergency services outside of major cities are also limited.

Key takeaways from the general advisory include:

Widespread Violent Crime: Be aware that violent crime is a significant issue throughout Mexico.
Limited U.S. Government Assistance: U.S. government support may be restricted in certain areas.
Restricted Travel for U.S. Government Employees: These restrictions offer insights into areas considered higher risk.
Night Travel and Solo Travel Risks: Avoid traveling between cities after dark and traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
Border Area Precautions: Driving from the U.S.-Mexico border into the interior of Mexico is restricted for U.S. government employees, except for daytime travel within Baja California and specific highway routes.

It’s crucial to understand that this is a country summary. The safety situation varies significantly from state to state. The advisory breaks down Mexico into individual states, assigning each an advisory level. Let’s examine these levels and what they mean for your travel plans.

State-by-State Mexico Travel Advisory Breakdown

To provide a clearer picture of safety in Mexico, the U.S. Department of State categorizes each state with specific travel recommendations. Here’s a breakdown:

States to Do Not Travel To:

These states are considered the most dangerous, and the U.S. Department of State advises against traveling to them.

Colima State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Widespread violent crime and gang activity are prevalent. U.S. government employees are only permitted to travel to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo with restrictions.
Guerrero State: Due to crime. Crime and violence are widespread, with armed groups operating independently in many areas. This includes major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa, which are off-limits for U.S. government employees.
Michoacan State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread. U.S. government employees have very limited travel permissions, mainly restricted to Federal Highway 15D, Morelia (by air or specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only). This includes the Monarch Butterfly Reserve portions within Michoacan.
Sinaloa State: Due to crime. Violent crime is widespread, with criminal organizations based and operating in the state. Limited U.S. government employee travel is permitted only in Mazatlan (Zona Dorada and historic center) and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (city and port areas) via air or sea.
Tamaulipas State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime activity, including gun battles, murder, kidnapping, and extortion, is common, particularly along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted to limited areas around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo and specific routes.
Zacatecas State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper (by air only).

States to Reconsider Travel To:

In these states, the risks are significant, and travelers are advised to carefully reconsider their plans.

Baja California State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations are active, and violent crime and gang activity are common, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. U.S. government employees have specific restrictions, particularly in the Mexicali Valley. Tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are within the “reconsider travel” advisory.
Chiapas State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence are present. U.S. government employees are restricted from certain municipalities and southeastern regions. However, Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 to Tapachula Airport are permitted.
Chihuahua State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with battles between criminal groups affecting areas frequented by U.S. citizens, including Ciudad Juarez and Copper Canyon (which is off-limits for U.S. government employees). U.S. government employees have limited travel zones and routes within the state.
Guanajuato State: Due to crime. Gang violence related to fuel theft is a concern, primarily in the south and central areas. High murder rates are linked to cartel violence. Areas south of Federal Highway 45D are restricted for U.S. government employees, but tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are not under these restrictions, though still within the “reconsider travel” advisory.
Jalisco State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with territorial battles in tourist areas of Guadalajara. Restricted areas for U.S. government employees include the Jalisco-Michoacan border region and parts of Federal Highway 80. Tourist areas such as Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (and Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic are within the “reconsider travel” advisory.
Morelos State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state. No specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees are listed for Morelos, but the state is still under the “reconsider travel” advisory.
Oaxaca State: 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. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are outside these restrictions, but the state still carries an “exercise increased caution” or “reconsider travel” advisory for some regions.
Sonora State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions throughout the state, including specific routes and areas in Hermosillo, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and eastern/southern Sonora. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are within the “reconsider travel” advisory, even with permitted travel for US government employees with restrictions.

States to Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

These states have risks that require travelers to be more vigilant and take extra precautions.

Aguascalientes State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Baja California Sur State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. This includes popular tourist destinations like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Coahuila State: 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: Due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas west and south of Federal Highway 45. The recent update includes Durango state.
Hidalgo State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur. Exercise caution, especially at night and outside tourist areas.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur. Exercise caution outside tourist areas.
Nayarit State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. This includes the popular Riviera Nayarit area.
Nuevo Leon State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, even in major cities like Monterrey.
Puebla State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Queretaro State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, despite being often perceived as safer than other regions.
Quintana Roo State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Increased caution is advised, particularly at night in these areas.
San Luis Potosi State: Due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Tabasco State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Tlaxcala State: Due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.
Veracruz State: Due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasing, especially in the central and southern parts. Impromptu roadblocks are common.

States to Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

These states are considered the safest in Mexico, where normal safety precautions are generally sufficient.

Campeche State: Exercise normal precautions.
Yucatan State: Exercise normal precautions. This includes popular tourist sites like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.

Making Informed Decisions: Is Mexico Safe for You Right Now?

The answer to “is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?” is complex and depends heavily on where in Mexico you plan to go and your personal risk tolerance.

For Tourist Hotspots in “Exercise Normal Precautions” States (Campeche, Yucatan): These areas are generally considered safe for tourists. Normal travel precautions should suffice.
For Popular Tourist Areas in “Exercise Increased Caution” States (e.g., Cancun, Riviera Nayarit, Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca City, Puerto Vallarta): Millions of tourists visit these areas safely each year. However, “increased caution” means being more aware of your surroundings, avoiding risky behaviors, and staying informed.
For States Under “Reconsider Travel” or “Do Not Travel”: Travel to these states carries significant risks. It’s crucial to carefully weigh the necessity of your trip against the potential dangers. If you must travel, extreme caution and meticulous planning are essential. Consider sticking to well-known tourist corridors and avoiding travel to more dangerous regions within these states.

Important Safety Tips for Traveling to Mexico:

Regardless of your destination in Mexico, these general safety tips, derived from the U.S. Department of State advisory, are crucial:

Stay Informed: Regularly check for updated travel advisories and news about your destination.
Share Your Plans: Keep travel companions and family informed of your itinerary. Share your GPS location with a friend if separating from your group.
Use Safe Transportation: Utilize toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Use dispatched vehicles or regulated taxi stands instead of hailing taxis on the street. If taking a taxi alone, photograph the taxi number/license plate and text it to a friend.
Be Discreet: Avoid displaying signs of wealth, like expensive jewelry.
Be Vigilant at ATMs and Banks: Exercise extra caution when using ATMs or visiting banks.
Avoid Risky Areas: Be cautious when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
Follow Official Guidance: Monitor the Department of State and U.S. Embassy social media for updates.
Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for in-depth information.
Prepare a Contingency Plan: Develop a plan for emergency situations and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Check Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information.

Conclusion: Traveling to Mexico with Awareness and Preparation

Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching experience, but it’s essential to be realistic about the safety situation. By understanding the risks, staying informed, and taking appropriate precautions, you can significantly enhance your safety and enjoy your trip.

Before you book your flights and pack your bags, take the time to research the specific regions you plan to visit, heed travel advisories, and adopt a safety-conscious mindset. “Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?” – the answer is nuanced. It depends on where you go and how prepared you are. Travel smart, stay safe, and enjoy the beauty and culture of Mexico.