Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, is comprised of 32 diverse states, each offering unique experiences. However, it’s crucial for travelers to be aware that safety and security can vary significantly across these states. Understanding the current travel advisories is essential for planning a safe and informed trip. This guide provides an overview of the safety landscape in each state of Mexico, drawing upon the latest recommendations to help you navigate your travel decisions.
Understanding Mexico’s Safety Levels Across its States
It’s important to recognize that Mexico experiences widespread crime, including violent acts like homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. The level of risk, however, is not uniform throughout the country. The U.S. government, for instance, has varying restrictions on its employees’ travel depending on the state, reflecting these differing risk levels. For travelers, this translates into different levels of caution recommended for each region.
Here’s a breakdown of the states categorized by their general safety advisory levels, ranging from the most to least concerning, to help you understand the landscape of safety across the States Of Mexico.
States Where Travel is Not Recommended
These states are considered the most dangerous, and travel is strongly discouraged due to high levels of crime and violence.
Colima State – Do Not Travel
Colima is marked as a “Do Not Travel” zone due to extremely high levels of crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread, with frequent targeted assassinations and shootings that can endanger bystanders. Kidnapping is also a significant risk for both locals and visitors. U.S. government employees are severely restricted in their travel, permitted only in limited tourist and port areas of Manzanillo under specific conditions, highlighting the severe safety concerns throughout Colima.
Guerrero State – Do Not Travel
Guerrero is another state under a “Do Not Travel” advisory due to widespread crime. Armed groups operate extensively, often setting up roadblocks and posing a direct threat to travelers. Kidnapping has been a recurring issue. This advisory extends to major tourist destinations within Guerrero, including Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa, indicating a pervasive risk across the entire state.
Michoacan State – Do Not Travel
Michoacan is categorized as “Do Not Travel” due to high crime and kidnapping rates. Crime and violence are widespread, limiting U.S. government employee travel significantly. Permitted areas are restricted to Federal Highway 15D for transit, Morelia (accessible by air or specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (air travel only, limited to city center/port areas). Even the Monarch Butterfly Reserve within Michoacan is off-limits, underscoring the extensive safety risks throughout the state.
Sinaloa State – Do Not Travel
Sinaloa, home to powerful criminal organizations, is under a “Do Not Travel” advisory because of widespread violent crime. U.S. government employee travel is highly restricted, only allowed in Mazatlan (by air or sea, limited to Zona Dorada and historic center), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air or sea, restricted to city/port). These severe limitations highlight the extreme danger throughout most of Sinaloa.
Tamaulipas State – Do Not Travel
Tamaulipas carries a “Do Not Travel” warning due to extremely high risks of crime and kidnapping. Organized crime is rampant, with frequent gun battles, murder, robbery, carjacking, and kidnapping, especially along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often resulting in passenger kidnapping and ransom demands. U.S. government employee travel is severely limited to small radii around consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews and highway travel restrictions, illustrating the severe and pervasive danger in Tamaulipas.
Zacatecas State – Do Not Travel
Zacatecas is designated as “Do Not Travel” due to widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity, along with a high risk of kidnapping. U.S. government employee travel is restricted to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air, with overland travel prohibited, emphasizing the severe safety concerns throughout Zacatecas.
States Where Travel Should Be Reconsidered
These states present significant risks, and travelers are advised to reconsider their plans due to high crime rates and potential dangers.
Baja California State – Reconsider Travel
Baja California is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to high crime and kidnapping risks. Transnational criminal organizations are active, especially in border areas, leading to frequent violent crime and gang activity. Tijuana is of particular concern due to high homicide rates in non-tourist areas. While tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are still visited, caution is strongly advised. U.S. government employees face restrictions, particularly in the Mexicali Valley, further highlighting the risks.
Chiapas State – Reconsider Travel
Chiapas is advised for “Reconsider Travel” because of crime. Criminal activity and violence are present throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions, indicating areas of heightened risk. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 to Puerto Chiapas are permitted, showing a nuanced risk level within the state.
Chihuahua State – Reconsider Travel
Chihuahua is categorized as “Reconsider Travel” due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with territorial disputes leading to violence even in areas frequented by tourists. Ciudad Juarez and the city of Chihuahua have specific restricted zones for U.S. government employees, but travel is permitted in certain areas and on major highways during daylight, suggesting a degree of risk that requires careful planning. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits for U.S. government employees.
Guanajuato State – Reconsider Travel
Guanajuato is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to crime, particularly gang violence linked to fuel theft. The southern and central areas are most concerning, with high murder rates associated with cartel violence. Despite tourist hotspots like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City being within the state, the advisory level suggests that travelers should be vigilant. U.S. government employees are restricted from areas south of Federal Highway 45D, indicating significant risk outside of the main tourist corridors.
Jalisco State – Reconsider Travel
Jalisco is a “Reconsider Travel” state because of crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with Guadalajara seeing territorial battles even in tourist zones. Bystanders have been injured in gang-related shootings, and kidnapping is a risk. While tourist areas like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are still frequented, the advisory level calls for increased caution. U.S. government employees have restrictions along the Jalisco-Michoacan border and parts of Federal Highway 80, signaling specific high-risk zones.
Morelos State – Reconsider Travel
Morelos is under a “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state, and kidnapping is a known risk for U.S. citizens. Despite the advisory, there are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees within Morelos, suggesting a general elevated risk throughout the state.
Sonora State – Reconsider Travel
Sonora is a “Reconsider Travel” state due to crime and kidnapping. It’s a key area for drug and human trafficking, resulting in widespread violent crime. Kidnapping is a significant risk, and security incidents can occur anywhere. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, including specific routes and prohibited areas in Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and eastern/southern Sonora, emphasizing the pervasive safety concerns. Even travel between Hermosillo and Nogales on Federal Highway 15 requires heightened caution due to reported carjackings and shootings.
States Where Increased Caution is Advised
These states require travelers to be more vigilant and aware of their surroundings due to moderate levels of crime and potential risks.
Aguascalientes State – Exercise Increased Caution
Aguascalientes is under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, indicating a general need for vigilance across the state.
Baja California Sur State – Exercise Increased Caution
Baja California Sur is advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. Despite this, there are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, suggesting a general need for caution applicable to all areas.
Coahuila State – Exercise Increased Caution
Coahuila requires “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime, with violent crime and gang activity present in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from certain municipalities (Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo) and face a curfew in Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña, indicating specific areas of concern within the state.
Durango State – Exercise Increased Caution
Durango is under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime, with violent crime and gang activity common in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45, pointing to higher risk in these regions.
Hidalgo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Hidalgo is advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, suggesting a general need for vigilance statewide.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Mexico City requires “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime are present throughout the city, with petty crime being frequent in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Increased caution is advised, especially at night and outside tourist zones. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Mexico State is under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur, with petty crime common in tourist areas and kidnapping being a risk. Increased caution is advised, especially outside tourist zones. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.
Nayarit State – Exercise Increased Caution
Nayarit is advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, indicating a general need for vigilance across Nayarit.
Nuevo Leon State – Exercise Increased Caution
Nuevo Leon requires “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon.
Oaxaca State – Exercise Increased Caution
Oaxaca is under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime, with criminal activity and violence occurring throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Isthmus region and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa, indicating specific higher-risk areas. However, tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are outside these restricted zones.
Puebla State – Exercise Increased Caution
Puebla is advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, and kidnapping is a risk. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Puebla, suggesting a general need for caution statewide.
Queretaro State – Exercise Increased Caution
Queretaro requires “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Queretaro.
Quintana Roo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Quintana Roo, home to popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, is under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist zones. Gang-related shootings have injured bystanders, and violent crime has increased in Tulum. Increased caution is advised, especially at night in tourist areas, but there are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
San Luis Potosi State – Exercise Increased Caution
San Luis Potosi is advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, and kidnapping is a risk. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi.
Tabasco State – Exercise Increased Caution
Tabasco requires “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tabasco.
Tlaxcala State – Exercise Increased Caution
Tlaxcala is under “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala.
Veracruz State – Exercise Increased Caution
Veracruz is advised to “Exercise Increased Caution” due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasing, especially in central and southern areas. Roadblocks requiring payment are common. Despite the risks, there are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Veracruz.
States Where Normal Precautions are Advised
These states are considered generally safer, but normal travel precautions should still be observed.
Campeche State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Campeche is under “Exercise Normal Precautions.” There are no significant safety concerns highlighted, and no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, suggesting it is one of the safer states in Mexico.
Yucatan State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Yucatan is also under “Exercise Normal Precautions.” There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, and it includes popular tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid, indicating it is generally considered safe for travel.
General Safety Tips for Traveling in Mexico
Regardless of the state you plan to visit, some general safety tips are crucial for traveling in Mexico:
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date with the latest travel advisories and news.
- Share Your Plans: Inform family or friends about your itinerary and check in regularly. Share your GPS location if separating from your group.
- Use Safe Transportation: Opt for toll roads, avoid driving alone or at night, and use dispatched or app-based taxi services rather than hailing taxis on the street.
- Be Discreet: Avoid displaying wealth and be extra cautious at banks and ATMs.
- Enroll in STEP: Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
- Exercise Caution in Public Venues: Be vigilant in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Prepare for Emergencies: Have a contingency plan for emergency situations.
By understanding the specific safety landscape of each state and adhering to general safety guidelines, you can make informed decisions and travel more safely throughout the states of Mexico. Always prioritize your personal safety and be aware of your surroundings to ensure a more secure and enjoyable trip.
