Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching experience for families, offering vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. However, it’s crucial for every family to prioritize safety when planning international travel. The U.S. Department of State regularly issues travel advisories to inform U.S. citizens about safety and security conditions in different countries. These advisories include various levels of caution, including a “Do Not Travel” designation for the most dangerous locations. Understanding these advisories, particularly the “Do Not Travel List,” is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable family trip to Mexico.
Mexico, while a popular tourist destination, unfortunately experiences widespread crime, including violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in certain areas of Mexico is limited due to safety concerns, and travel for U.S. government employees is often restricted. This advisory is not meant to deter travel entirely, but rather to inform and guide responsible travel decisions, especially when considering family vacations.
This guide will break down the current U.S. State Department travel advisory for Mexico, focusing on the “do not travel list” and providing a clear understanding of which areas pose the highest risks. We will also explore regions where travelers should reconsider their plans and those where increased caution is advised, ensuring you have the information needed to make informed choices for your family’s safety. Remember, staying informed and prepared is the best way to navigate travel in Mexico and minimize potential risks.
Areas to Avoid: The “Do Not Travel” List for Mexico
The U.S. State Department’s “Do Not Travel” advisory is the highest level of warning, indicating locations with extreme safety risks where American citizens should not travel. Currently, specific states in Mexico fall under this category due to severe crime and safety concerns. These are regions where the risk of violent crime, including kidnapping and cartel activity, is particularly acute, making them unsuitable for family travel.
States on the “Do Not Travel” List:
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Colima State: Due to crime and kidnapping, Colima is on the “Do Not Travel” list. The advisory highlights widespread violent crime and gang activity, with homicides often being targeted assassinations by criminal organizations. Innocent bystanders have been caught in the crossfire of shootings. Kidnapping is also a significant risk for both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents. U.S. government employees are severely restricted in their travel within Colima, limited only to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo under specific conditions. All other areas of Colima are off-limits for them, underscoring the severity of the safety situation.
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Guerrero State: Crime is the reason for the “Do Not Travel” designation for Guerrero. The advisory points to widespread crime and violence throughout the state. Armed groups operate outside of government control, frequently setting up roadblocks and potentially using violence against travelers. Kidnapping has been a recurring issue for U.S. citizens and LPRs in Guerrero. The U.S. government prohibits its employees from traveling to any part of Guerrero, including popular tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa, emphasizing the extreme danger.
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Michoacan State: Also designated “Do Not Travel” due to crime and kidnapping, Michoacan faces widespread crime and violence. Similar to other states on this list, U.S. government employee travel is heavily restricted. They are only permitted to transit the state via Federal Highway 15D, travel to Morelia by air or specific land routes from Highway 15D, and access Lazaro Cardenas by air, limited to the city center and port areas. The advisory explicitly states that U.S. government employees cannot visit other areas of Michoacan, including parts of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve located within the state, signaling significant safety concerns throughout Michoacan.
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Sinaloa State: The “Do Not Travel” advisory for Sinaloa is due to crime. Violent crime is described as widespread, with criminal organizations deeply rooted and actively operating in the state. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Mazatlan (by air or sea, within specific tourist zones), and Los Mochis and Topolobampo (by air or sea, restricted to the city and port areas). All other travel for U.S. government employees within Sinaloa is prohibited, reflecting the high risk of crime throughout the state.
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Tamaulipas State: Labeled “Do Not Travel” because of crime and kidnapping, Tamaulipas is plagued by organized crime, including gun battles, murder, robbery, kidnapping, disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault, especially along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups frequently target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom. Heavily armed groups operate with impunity, and local law enforcement response is limited in many areas. U.S. government employees are severely restricted, permitted only to travel within limited areas around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, between their residences and ports of entry, and limited downtown areas, all under curfew. Overland travel between cities in Tamaulipas is forbidden, except for authorized daytime travel on Highway 85D between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey. All other areas of Tamaulipas are off-limits for U.S. government employees.
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Zacatecas State: The “Do Not Travel” designation for Zacatecas is due to crime and kidnapping. The advisory indicates widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping is a known risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs. U.S. government employee travel is restricted to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air, with overland travel prohibited. All other areas of Zacatecas state are off-limits, underscoring the pervasive danger.
Reconsider Travel: Areas with Significant Risks
Beyond the “Do Not Travel” states, several others are categorized under “Reconsider Travel.” This advisory level suggests a high degree of risk, and travelers should carefully weigh the necessity of visiting these areas, especially with family. Heightened crime and kidnapping risks are prevalent in these states, requiring significant caution and awareness.
States Where Travel Should Be Reconsidered:
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Baja California State: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations are highly active, leading to frequent violent crime and gang activity, particularly in the border region. Tijuana, especially non-tourist areas, experiences a high homicide rate. While most homicides are targeted, bystanders can be harmed. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern. U.S. government employees face specific restrictions in the Mexicali Valley region. However, tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are not under travel restrictions for government employees, suggesting a slightly lower but still present risk for tourists.
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Chiapas State: Reconsider travel due to crime. Criminal activity and violence are ongoing. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions of the state. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula (including the airport) is permitted. This suggests that while parts of Chiapas are dangerous, other areas may be relatively safer, but travelers should still reconsider non-essential trips.
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Chihuahua State: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with frequent targeted assassinations and territorial disputes between criminal groups. Areas frequented by tourists and U.S. government employees, even during daylight hours, have seen violent incidents. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings, and kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, certain highways, and a few other designated locations with daytime travel restrictions in many cases. Copper Canyon and other areas of Chihuahua are off-limits for U.S. government employees, highlighting significant safety concerns beyond major cities.
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Guanajuato State: Reconsider travel due to crime. Gang violence, often related to fuel theft, is prevalent, especially in the south and central parts of the state. High murder rates linked to cartel violence are a concern in the southern region. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has occurred. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. However, tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are not under these restrictions for government employees, indicating a potentially lower risk in these specific areas but still warranting reconsideration of travel to the broader state.
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Jalisco State: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. In Guadalajara, cartel battles occur even in tourist zones, and innocent bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region, Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan and the Michoacan border, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Popular tourist areas such as Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (including Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic are not under these restrictions for government employees, suggesting a relatively safer environment in these specific locales, but overall travel to Jalisco should be reconsidered.
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Morelos State: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. Despite these risks, there are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state, which might suggest a slightly lower level of pervasive danger compared to states with employee restrictions, but the “Reconsider Travel” advisory still indicates significant risks for travelers.
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Sonora State: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for drug trafficking and human smuggling. Violent crime is widespread, and kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. Travelers are advised to be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, including limitations on routes between Hermosillo and Nogales, specific areas within Nogales, routes to Puerto Peñasco, regions near the Mariposa Port of Entry, and travel to/within San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta. Eastern and southern Sonora are largely off-limits, including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos (except for air travel to Alamos city limits). These extensive restrictions highlight the significant and widespread safety concerns in Sonora, despite tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco being technically accessible under certain conditions.
Exercise Increased Caution: Areas with Moderate Risks
A large number of Mexican states fall under the “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory. This level indicates that while the risks are not as extreme as “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel” areas, travelers should still be vigilant and take extra precautions due to crime and potential safety issues.
States Where Increased Caution is Advised:
- Aguascalientes State
- Baja California Sur State
- Coahuila State
- Durango State
- Hidalgo State
- Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
- Mexico State (Estado de Mexico)
- Nayarit State
- Nuevo Leon State
- Oaxaca State
- Puebla State
- Queretaro State
- Quintana Roo State
- San Luis Potosi State
- Tabasco State
- Tlaxcala State
- Veracruz State
In these states, criminal activity and violence may occur. Some states like Baja California Sur, Coahuila, and Durango have specific areas with heightened risks or travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. Quintana Roo, while including popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, advises increased caution, especially after dark, due to increased violent crime, including in tourist areas. Mexico City and Mexico State also require increased caution due to both violent and non-violent crime. Overall, travelers to these states should be aware of their surroundings, avoid displaying wealth, be cautious around banks and ATMs, and avoid travel alone or at night whenever possible.
Exercise Normal Precautions: Areas with General Safety
Only two states are currently under the “Exercise Normal Precautions” advisory, the lowest level of caution. These are generally considered the safest states in Mexico for travel, though normal safety awareness is still advised.
States Where Normal Precautions are Sufficient:
- Campeche State
- Yucatan State
These states are considered generally safe for travel, with no specific restrictions for U.S. government employees. Yucatan includes major tourist attractions like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid. However, even in these states, it is always wise to be aware of your surroundings and practice basic safety measures.
Staying Safe in Mexico: General Recommendations
Regardless of the specific advisory level for your destination in Mexico, certain safety precautions are universally recommended:
- Stay Informed: Continuously check for updated travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State before and during your trip.
- Share Your Plans: Keep family and travel companions informed of your itinerary. Share your GPS location if separating from your group and text taxi information to a friend if traveling alone.
- Use Safe Transportation: Utilize toll roads when possible, avoid driving alone or at night, and use dispatched transportation services like Uber or regulated taxis instead of hailing taxis on the street.
- Be Discreet: Avoid displaying signs of wealth and be extra vigilant at banks and ATMs.
- Enroll in STEP: Register in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
- Exercise Caution in Social Settings: Be extra cautious when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Prepare for Emergencies: Have a contingency plan for emergency situations and review the Traveler’s Checklist from the State Department.
- Health Precautions: Consult the CDC page for the latest travel health information.
By understanding the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories and taking appropriate precautions, families can make informed decisions about traveling to Mexico, minimizing risks and maximizing the potential for a safe and memorable experience. While some areas require travelers to “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel,” being informed empowers you to choose safer destinations and enjoy the beauty and culture Mexico offers while prioritizing your family’s well-being.
Disclaimer: This information is based on the U.S. State Department travel advisory as of the last review date of the original document. Travel advisories are subject to change. Always refer to the official U.S. Department of State website for the most up-to-date information before planning and undertaking travel.
