Is Mexico Safe to Travel To? Understanding Travel Safety in 2024

Mexico, a country celebrated for its vibrant culture, stunning beaches, and rich history, remains a top destination for travelers worldwide. However, concerns about safety often surface when planning a trip. The question, “Is Mexico Safe To Travel To?” is a valid one, and understanding the realities of safety in Mexico is crucial for any potential visitor.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide a balanced and informative overview of travel safety in Mexico in 2024. Drawing upon the latest travel advisory information, we will delve into the safety landscape across different Mexican states, offering insights to help you make informed decisions about your travel plans. It’s important to recognize that safety levels can vary significantly depending on the specific region and circumstances.

Understanding the General Safety Situation in Mexico

Overall, it’s essential to acknowledge that Mexico is a country where violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is a serious concern. These issues are widespread and can affect various parts of the country. It’s also important to be aware that in certain areas, the ability of both the U.S. government and local emergency services to provide assistance to U.S. citizens may be limited.

The U.S. government advises its citizens to be aware of restrictions on U.S. government employee travel within Mexico, as these restrictions often reflect areas with heightened safety risks. These restrictions can include prohibitions or limitations on travel to certain states or regions. U.S. government employees are also advised to take precautions such as avoiding travel between cities after dark, using dispatched vehicles instead of hailing taxis on the street, and avoiding solo travel, particularly in remote areas. Driving from the U.S.-Mexico border to the interior of Mexico is also restricted for government employees, with exceptions for daytime travel in certain parts of Baja California and along specific highways.

State-by-State Mexico Travel Safety Breakdown

To provide a clearer picture of safety across Mexico, it’s helpful to break down the country by state. Here’s a state-by-state guide based on the latest travel advisory information, categorized by the level of caution advised:

Areas to Avoid: States Where You Should Not Travel

Certain states in Mexico are considered extremely dangerous, and travel is strongly discouraged. These are regions where the risks are deemed too high for travelers.

Colima State – Do Not Travel

Risk Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Colima state is currently categorized as a “Do Not Travel” area due to high levels of crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread throughout the state. A significant concern is the prevalence of targeted assassinations linked to criminal organizations. Shootings between criminal groups also pose a risk to bystanders, and U.S. citizens have been victims of kidnapping in this state.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted, limited only to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, with specific route restrictions even to reach Manzanillo. All other areas of Colima state are off-limits to U.S. government employees.

Guerrero State – Do Not Travel

Risk Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime

Guerrero state is another region under a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to widespread crime and violence. Armed groups operate extensively and independently of the government in many parts of Guerrero. These groups are known to set up roadblocks and may resort to violence against travelers. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred in previous years.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any area within Guerrero state, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.

Michoacan State – Do Not Travel

Risk Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Michoacan state faces a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to high levels of crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread throughout the state.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: Travel for U.S. government employees is extremely limited within Michoacan. They are only permitted to use Federal Highway 15D to transit through the state between Mexico City and Guadalajara. Travel to Morelia is allowed by air or via Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D. Lazaro Cardenas is accessible by air only, with activities restricted to the city center and port areas. All other areas of Michoacan, including parts of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve located within the state, are off-limits to U.S. government employees.

Sinaloa State – Do Not Travel

Risk Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime

Sinaloa state is designated as “Do Not Travel” due to widespread violent crime. Major criminal organizations are based and operate within Sinaloa.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employee travel is highly restricted. They are only permitted to travel to Mazatlan by air or sea, confined to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, and must use direct routes to and from the airport and sea terminal. Similar restrictions apply to Los Mochis and Topolobampo, accessible only by air or sea and limited to the city and port areas with direct routes to the airport. All other areas of Sinaloa are off-limits.

Tamaulipas State – Do Not Travel

Risk Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Tamaulipas state carries a “Do Not Travel” warning primarily due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime is rampant, with frequent gun battles, murders, armed robberies, carjackings, kidnappings, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assaults, especially along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups often target public and private buses and private vehicles, kidnapping passengers for ransom. Heavily armed criminal groups operate with impunity, particularly in the border region, where local law enforcement response is limited.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted. In Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, travel is limited to a small radius around the U.S. Consulates, residences, U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown areas, with an overnight curfew. Overland travel between cities within Tamaulipas is prohibited, except for daytime travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D with prior authorization. All other parts of Tamaulipas are off-limits.

Zacatecas State – Do Not Travel

Risk Level: Do Not Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Zacatecas state is under a “Do Not Travel” advisory because of widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens is also a concern.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employee travel is very limited. They are only allowed to travel to Zacatecas City proper and must arrive by air, with overland travel to Zacatecas City prohibited. All other areas of Zacatecas state are off-limits.

States Where Travel Should Be Reconsidered: Exercise High Caution

These states are not under a “Do Not Travel” order, but significant risks exist, and travelers should carefully consider the necessity of travel and take extreme precautions.

Baja California State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Baja California, despite being home to popular tourist destinations, is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations are active in the border area, engaging in narco-trafficking and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common, particularly in non-tourist areas of Tijuana, which has a high homicide rate. While most homicides appear targeted, bystanders can be caught in the crossfire. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has also occurred.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employees face specific restrictions, especially in the Mexicali Valley due to cartel violence. However, tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are not under these specific restrictions, though increased caution is still advised.

Chiapas State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime

Chiapas state is advised for “Reconsider Travel” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and certain southeastern regions of Chiapas. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula, including the Tapachula Airport, is permitted.

Chihuahua State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Chihuahua state is flagged for “Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent. While most homicides are targeted assassinations among criminal organizations, territorial disputes have led to violence in areas frequented by U.S. citizens, including restaurants and malls, even during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings, and U.S. citizens have been kidnapped.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas, including parts of Ciudad Juarez and the city of Chihuahua, with detailed boundary restrictions. Travel to other areas, including Copper Canyon, is prohibited.

Guanajuato State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime

Guanajuato state is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory because of crime. Gang violence, often linked to fuel theft, is a significant issue, particularly in the south and central parts of the state. The southern region has a high number of murders related to cartel violence. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has been reported.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to areas 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.

Jalisco State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Jalisco state is advised for “Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco. In Guadalajara, cartel battles occur even in tourist areas, and bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region and Federal Highway 110, as well as Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. However, major tourist areas, including Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (and Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic, are not under these restrictions.

Morelos State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Morelos state is listed under “Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has been reported.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

Sonora State – Reconsider Travel

Risk Level: Reconsider Travel

Reason: Crime and Kidnapping

Sonora state is advised for “Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for international drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred. Security incidents can happen anywhere in Sonora.

Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions in Sonora, including limitations on travel between Hermosillo and Nogales, in Nogales itself, Puerto Peñasco, near the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry, and in San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta. Eastern and southern Sonora are also largely off-limits. However, tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible with caution and adherence to specific restrictions.