Planning a trip to Mexico in 2024? It’s essential to stay informed about the current safety situation. This Mexico Travel Advisory 2024 provides a comprehensive overview based on the latest reports, helping you make informed decisions for a safe and enjoyable journey. Violent crime remains a significant concern in many parts of Mexico, and understanding the risks is the first step in planning secure travel.
This guide is designed to help you navigate the complexities of travel safety in Mexico, offering insights into areas with higher risks and general precautions to take throughout the country. While Mexico is a vast and diverse country with many safe and beautiful destinations, awareness and preparation are crucial for a worry-free experience.
This advisory is especially relevant for families, solo travelers, and anyone looking to explore Mexico beyond the typical tourist hotspots. We’ll break down the advisory by state, giving you a clear picture of what to expect and how to minimize potential risks during your Mexico travel in 2024.
Understanding the General Safety Situation in Mexico
Before diving into state-specific details, it’s important to understand the overarching safety landscape in Mexico. Across the country, violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread. It’s crucial to recognize that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens is limited in many areas due to security concerns and travel restrictions for its personnel. Local emergency services can also be less reliable outside of major cities.
Key Safety Concerns Across Mexico:
- Violent Crime: High rates of homicide, kidnapping, and robbery are reported throughout Mexico. Criminal organizations operate in many areas, sometimes with impunity.
- Limited U.S. Government Assistance: In numerous regions, the U.S. government faces restrictions on travel for its employees, which impacts their capacity to assist citizens in emergencies.
- Variable Local Emergency Services: Emergency services may be less effective or readily available outside of state capitals and major urban centers.
- Travel Restrictions for U.S. Government Employees: These restrictions offer valuable insights into areas considered higher risk. They include:
- No intercity travel after dark.
- Avoid hailing taxis on the street; use dispatched services or regulated taxi stands.
- Avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
- Restrictions on driving from the U.S. border to the Mexican interior, except for specific routes and daytime travel in certain areas.
General Recommendations for Traveling in Mexico in 2024:
Regardless of your destination in Mexico, these general safety tips are crucial for all travelers:
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest travel advisories and news regarding safety in your intended destinations.
- Share Your Plans: Inform family or friends about your detailed travel itinerary. Share GPS locations if you are separating from your group and taxi information if traveling alone.
- Use Toll Roads and Avoid Night Driving: Toll roads are generally safer and better maintained. Avoid driving alone or at night whenever possible.
- Exercise Caution in Entertainment Venues: Be extra cautious in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, as these can sometimes be hotspots for crime.
- Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid wearing expensive jewelry or watches that could make you a target for theft.
- Be Vigilant at Banks and ATMs: Exercise extra caution when using banks or ATMs, as these are common locations for robberies.
- Enroll in STEP: Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
- Follow Social Media for Updates: Monitor the Department of State and U.S. Embassy social media channels for real-time updates and alerts.
- Review Country Security Reports: Familiarize yourself with the detailed Country Security Report for Mexico for in-depth information.
- Maritime Travelers Take Note: Mariners should check for specific maritime advisories and alerts.
- Prepare an Emergency Plan: Develop a contingency plan for potential emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist provided by the State Department.
- Health Precautions: Consult the CDC page for the most current health information related to travel to Mexico.
State-by-State Mexico Travel Advisory 2024
To provide a more granular view, here’s a breakdown of the Mexico travel advisory 2024 by state. Each state is categorized by the level of caution advised by the U.S. State Department:
Do Not Travel To:
These states are considered extremely dangerous for travel due to high levels of crime and violence.
Colima State – Do Not Travel
- Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Colima is plagued by widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides are frequent, often targeted at criminal organization members, but bystanders are also at risk from shootings. Kidnappings are a serious concern for both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs).
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is severely limited to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, accessible only via Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours when traveling from Guadalajara. All other areas of Colima are off-limits for U.S. government employees.
Guerrero State – Do Not Travel
- Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
- Summary: Guerrero is experiencing widespread crime and violence, with armed groups operating independently across many regions. These groups frequently set up roadblocks and may use violence against travelers. Kidnappings are a persistent threat.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: 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 – Do Not Travel
- Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Crime and violence are rampant throughout Michoacan.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited travel is permitted for U.S. government employees:
- Federal Highway 15D for transit between Mexico City and Guadalajara.
- Morelia: Accessible by air and land via Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D.
- Lazaro Cardenas: Air travel only, with activities restricted to the city center or port areas.
- All other areas, including the Monarch Butterfly Reserve portions in Michoacan, are off-limits.
Sinaloa State – Do Not Travel
- Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
- Summary: Sinaloa is home to powerful criminal organizations, resulting in widespread violent crime.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to:
- Mazatlan: Accessible only by air or sea, limited to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, with direct routes to/from airport and sea terminal.
- Los Mochis and Topolobampo: Air or sea access only, restricted to the city and port areas, with direct routes to/from airport.
- All other areas of Sinaloa are off-limits.
Tamaulipas State – Do Not Travel
- Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Tamaulipas faces significant organized crime activity, including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, particularly along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups often target buses and private vehicles for passenger abduction and ransom.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo: Limited to a small radius around the U.S. Consulates, residences, U.S. Ports of Entry, and select 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
- Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Zacatecas is experiencing widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnappings are a significant risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air. Overland travel to Zacatecas City and travel to all other areas of Zacatecas state are prohibited.
Reconsider Travel To:
These states have significant safety risks, and travelers should carefully consider the necessity of travel and take heightened precautions.
Baja California State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Baja California, especially the border region, sees intense competition between transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Tijuana, particularly non-tourist areas, has a high homicide rate. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have occurred.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Mexicali Valley: U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to cartel violence. Specific boundaries for the restricted area are defined.
- Travelers can use Highways 2, 2D, 1, and 8 for transit to Mexicali, Los Algodones, San Luis Rio Colorado, and the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours. Highway 5 is also permissible during daylight.
- High-traffic tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito have no other restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Chiapas State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence are present throughout Chiapas.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Municipality of Ocozocoautla and southeastern region are off-limits. Specific geographical boundaries define the restricted area.
- Travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula (including the Tapachula Airport) is permitted.
Chihuahua State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Chihuahua experiences high levels of violent crime and gang activity. Most homicides are targeted assassinations, but territorial disputes between criminal groups can endanger bystanders. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs are reported.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Ciudad Juarez: Limited to a defined area within the city. Travel to the airport and factories along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is allowed. Travel to San Jerónimo is only permitted via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry.
- Travel between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua city is allowed during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with limited permitted stops.
- Travel between Ciudad Juarez and Ascension via Highway 2 is permitted.
- Nuevo Casas Grandes Area: Permitted during daylight hours via specific highways, with overnight stays allowed in Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes cities only.
- City of Chihuahua: Travel within a defined area of the city is permitted at any time.
- Specific highways (45, 16, 45D) through Chihuahua city and to the airport are permitted.
- Travel to Santa Eulalia, Juan Aldama, and south to Parral (including towns along Highway 45) is allowed.
- Official business travel from Chihuahua city to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc is permitted within specified boundaries.
- Ojinaga and Palomas: Specific routes and U.S. Port of Entry access are mandated.
- Copper Canyon and other areas of Chihuahua are off-limits.
Guanajuato State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
- Summary: Gang violence, often related to fuel theft, is prevalent in Guanajuato, particularly in the south and central regions. High murder rates linked to cartel violence are a major concern in the southern part of the state. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Areas south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato, are off-limits. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City and surrounding areas have no specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Jalisco State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco. Guadalajara sees territorial battles between criminal groups, even in tourist zones, resulting in bystander injuries and deaths. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have been reported.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 110: Off-limits, including travel on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border.
- Federal Highway 80: Travel south of Cocula is prohibited.
- Tourist areas like Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (including Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic have no other restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Morelos State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Parts of Morelos state experience violent crime and gang activity. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have occurred.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific travel restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
Sonora State – Reconsider Travel
- Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Sonora is a key area for international drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have occurred. Travelers should be highly vigilant throughout Sonora.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales: Permitted during daylight hours only via Federal Highway 15, with strict prohibitions on taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps. Caution advised due to carjackings and shootings.
- Nogales: Specific triangular area restrictions within the city, with a ban on taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps.
- Puerto Peñasco: Accessible during daylight hours only via Federal Highway 8 from the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry, with a ban on taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps.
- Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry: Off-limits.
- San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta: Direct travel from the nearest U.S. Port of Entry is permitted during daylight hours, limited to city limits, with a ban on taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps.
- Eastern and southern Sonora: Off-limits, including areas east of Federal Highway 17, specific roads near Moctezuma and Sahuaripa, and south of Federal Highway 16 and east of Federal Highway 15 south of Hermosillo. Travel to Alamos is permitted by air only and within city limits, and to San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas. Ban on taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps in these areas.
- Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible under these restrictions.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
These states have moderate levels of crime, and travelers should be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
Aguascalientes State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Aguascalientes.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes.
Baja California Sur State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence are possible throughout Baja California Sur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur.
Coahuila State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Parts of Coahuila experience violent crime and gang activity.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Municipalities of Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo are off-limits.
- Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña: Direct travel from the U.S. is required, with a midnight to 6:00 a.m. curfew in both cities.
- All other areas of Coahuila have no restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Durango State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Parts of Durango state have common violent crime and gang activity.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Region west and south of Federal Highway 45 is off-limits. All other areas of Durango have no restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Hidalgo State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Hidalgo state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime are present throughout Mexico City. Exercise increased caution, especially at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent in both tourist and non-tourist areas.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Be extra cautious outside tourist areas, although petty crime is common in tourist areas as well. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have been reported.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.
Nayarit State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nayarit state.
Nuevo Leon State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nuevo Leon state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.
Oaxaca State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence are present throughout Oaxaca state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Isthmus region: Off-limits, bounded by Federal Highway 185D to the west, Federal Highway 190 to the north, and the Oaxaca-Chiapas border to the east, including Juchitan de Zaragoza, Salina Cruz, and San Blas Atempa.
- Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa: Prohibited between Pinotepa and the Oaxaca-Guerrero border.
- Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are accessible with no other restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Puebla State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Puebla state. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have been reported.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.
Queretaro State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Queretaro state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.
Quintana Roo State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist hotspots. While not targeted at tourists, gang shootings have injured and killed bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Tulum has seen an increase in violent crime, including homicides and assaults.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo. Increased caution advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, staying in well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout San Luis Potosi state. Kidnappings of U.S. citizens and LPRs have been reported.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.
Tabasco State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tabasco state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.
Tlaxcala State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tlaxcala state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.
Veracruz State – Exercise Increased Caution
- Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
- Summary: Veracruz is experiencing increasingly frequent violent crime and gang activity, especially in the central and southern areas near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. Bystanders can be affected by gang-related violence. Impromptu roadblocks for payment are common.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:
These states are considered relatively safe, and travelers should exercise normal vigilance as they would in any country.
Campeche State – Exercise Normal Precautions
- Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions.
- Summary: Campeche is considered generally safe for travel.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.
Yucatan State – Exercise Normal Precautions
- Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions.
- Summary: Yucatan is generally considered a safe state for travel, including popular tourist areas.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, including tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Conclusion: Traveling Safely in Mexico in 2024
This Mexico travel advisory 2024 highlights the varying levels of safety across different Mexican states. While some areas require extreme caution or should be avoided altogether, many parts of Mexico remain welcoming and safe for tourists, especially when sensible precautions are taken.
Remember, staying informed is your best tool. Continuously check for updates to travel advisories as situations can change rapidly. By understanding the risks, adhering to safety guidelines, and being aware of your surroundings, you can significantly enhance your safety and enjoy all the rich cultural and natural beauty Mexico has to offer in 2024. Always prioritize your personal safety and make travel decisions based on the most current and reliable information available for your specific destinations within Mexico.
