Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, is a popular destination for tourists worldwide. However, like any international travel, it’s essential to be informed about safety and security. This guide, drawing upon the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory, provides a state-by-state overview to help you understand the safety landscape across different Mexican States, ensuring a more informed and secure travel experience.
Understanding the General Safety Situation in Mexico
It’s crucial to acknowledge that violent crime is a significant concern in Mexico. Homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery are widespread issues across the nation. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to its citizens can be limited in many areas due to travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. Furthermore, local emergency services may be less robust outside of state capitals and major cities.
Travel Recommendations for Mexico
For all travelers to Mexico, regardless of the specific mexican state you plan to visit, certain precautions are universally recommended:
- Stay Informed: Keep family and travel companions updated on your itinerary. Share your GPS location with a friend if you are separating from your group. If using taxis alone, photograph the taxi number or license plate and send it to a contact.
- Travel Smart: Utilize toll roads whenever possible and avoid driving alone, especially at night. Remember that police presence and emergency services can be limited outside major urban centers.
- Exercise Caution in Social Settings: Be particularly vigilant when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid drawing unnecessary attention by not wearing expensive jewelry or watches.
- Be Alert at Financial Institutions: Exercise extra caution when using banks or ATMs.
- Enroll in STEP: Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
- Stay Updated: Follow the Department of State’s social media channels and review the Country Security Report for Mexico for the latest information.
- Maritime Travelers: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.
- Emergency Planning: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Information: Consult the CDC page for current travel health information.
State-by-State Safety Breakdown of Mexico
Below is a detailed look at the safety levels and specific travel advisories for each mexican state, ranging from regions where normal precautions apply to those where travel is not advised.
Aguascalientes State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence are a potential concern throughout Aguascalientes.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.
Baja California State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Baja California faces significant challenges due to transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and human trafficking. Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent, particularly in the border areas. Tijuana, especially non-tourist zones, experiences high homicide rates. Kidnapping is also a risk for U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs).
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Mexicali Valley: U.S. government employees are advised to avoid the Mexicali Valley due to cartel violence. Specific boundary details are provided in the original advisory.
- Permitted Transit Routes: Highways 2, 2D, 1, and 8 can be used during daylight hours to travel between specific locations like Mexicali, Los Algodones, San Luis Rio Colorado, and Mexicali Airport. Highway 5 is also permissible during daylight.
- Tourist Areas: High-traffic tourist areas such as Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are within permitted travel zones for U.S. government employees.
Baja California Sur State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence are potential concerns throughout Baja California Sur.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state, which includes popular tourist destinations like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Campeche State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Advisory Level: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary: Campeche is considered one of the safer mexican states for travel.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.
Chiapas State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary: Chiapas experiences criminal activity and violence throughout the state. Certain southeastern regions and the municipality of Ocozocoautla are particularly restricted.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Restricted Areas: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions defined by detailed boundary descriptions in the original advisory.
- Permitted Areas: Travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula (including the Tapachula Airport) is permitted.
Chihuahua State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Chihuahua is marked by violent crime and gang activity. Targeted assassinations and territorial disputes between criminal groups pose risks even in areas frequented by tourists. Bystanders can be caught in violent incidents, and kidnapping is a concern for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Ciudad Juarez: Restricted travel area defined by specific boulevards and avenues. Travel to the Ciudad Juarez airport and factories along Bulevar Independencia and Las Torres is allowed. Travel to San Jerónimo is permitted only via the Santa Teresa U.S. Port of Entry.
- Highway Transit: Travel between Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua city is permitted during daylight hours on Federal Highway 45, with limited stops at designated safe locations.
- Nuevo Casas Grandes Area: Permitted travel during daylight hours via specific highways to Nuevo Casas Grandes, with overnight stays allowed in Nuevo Casas Grandes and Casas Grandes cities.
- City of Chihuahua: Defined travel area within Chihuahua city, with specific boundary avenues and roads.
- Other Permitted Travel: Travel to Santa Eulalia, Juan Aldama, and south on Highway 45 to Parral (including towns along this route) is allowed. Official business travel to Ciudad Cuauhtémoc is permitted within defined boundaries. Travel to Ojinaga and Palomas is permitted via specific U.S. ports of entry and highways.
- Prohibited Areas: Travel to Copper Canyon and other areas of Chihuahua not explicitly listed as permitted is prohibited for U.S. government employees.
Coahuila State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Parts of Coahuila experience violent crime and gang activity.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Prohibited Municipalities: U.S. government employees may not travel to Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities.
- Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña: Travel is permitted directly from the U.S., with a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. in both cities.
Colima State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Colima is considered a high-risk mexican state due to widespread violent crime and gang activity. Bystanders are at risk from shooting incidents, and kidnapping is a serious concern for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Limited Travel: Travel is restricted to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. Travel to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must be via Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours.
- Prohibited Areas: All other areas of Colima state are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Durango State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Parts of Durango state experience violent crime and gang activity.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Restricted Region: U.S. government employees may not travel to areas west and south of Federal Highway 45.
Guanajuato State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary: Guanajuato faces gang violence, often linked to fuel theft. The southern and central areas are particularly affected, with high murder rates associated with cartel violence. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Restricted Area: U.S. government employees may not travel to areas south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.
- Permitted Tourist Areas: Tourist areas including San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato City, and surrounding areas are not under restriction.
Guerrero State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Guerrero is a state where crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently, setting up roadblocks and posing a violence risk to travelers. Kidnapping has been a concern for U.S. citizens and LPRs in the past.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Total Travel Ban: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any area in Guerrero state, including tourist hotspots like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Hidalgo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: 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.
Jalisco State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Parts of Jalisco state experience significant violent crime and gang activity. Guadalajara sees territorial battles between criminal groups, sometimes impacting tourist areas with bystanders injured in shooting incidents. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Restricted Areas: U.S. government employees may not travel to the area between Federal Highway 110 and the Jalisco-Michoacan border, nor on Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan, Jalisco, and the Michoacan border. Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula is also restricted.
- Permitted Tourist Areas: Tourist areas including Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (and Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic are not restricted.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime are present throughout Mexico City. 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 Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime occur in Mexico State. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs. Petty crime is common even in tourist areas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.
Michoacan State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Michoacan state has widespread crime and violence.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Limited Travel: Travel is limited to Federal Highway 15D for transit, Morelia (via air and land using Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only, limited to city center or port areas).
- Prohibited Areas: All other areas of Michoacan, including the Michoacan portions of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve, are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Morelos State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Parts of Morelos state are affected by violent crime and gang activity. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
Nayarit State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: 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 Level: 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, which includes Monterrey.
Oaxaca State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence are present throughout Oaxaca state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Restricted Areas: U.S. government employees may not travel to the Isthmus region (defined by specific highways and borders) or Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa.
- Permitted Tourist Areas: Tourist areas including Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are not restricted.
Puebla State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Puebla state. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.
Queretaro State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: 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, which includes Queretaro City and San Juan del Rio.
Quintana Roo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere in Quintana Roo, including tourist hotspots. While tourists are not typically targeted, gang-related shootings have resulted in bystander injuries and deaths, including U.S. citizens. Tulum has seen an increase in violent crime.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. Increased caution is advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, sticking to well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout San Luis Potosi state. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.
Sinaloa State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Sinaloa state has widespread violent crime. Criminal organizations are based and operate within the state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Limited Travel: Travel is restricted to Mazatlan (by air or sea only, limited to Zona Dorada and historic town center, with direct routes to/from airport/sea terminal) and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air or sea only, restricted to city/port, with direct routes to/from airport).
- Prohibited Areas: All other areas of Sinaloa state are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Sonora State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: 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 kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs. Security incidents can occur anywhere in Sonora.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Hermosillo-Nogales Corridor: Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales is permitted during daylight hours only via Federal Highway 15. Use of taxis, public buses, or ride-share apps is prohibited. Caution is advised due to reported carjackings and shootings on this highway.
- Nogales: Defined restricted area within Nogales city. Taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps are prohibited.
- Puerto Peñasco: Travel to Puerto Peñasco is permitted during daylight hours via Federal Highway 8 from the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry only. Other routes are prohibited. Taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps are prohibited.
- Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry Region: Triangular region near Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry is restricted.
- San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta: Direct travel from nearest U.S. Port of Entry to these cities is permitted, limited to city limits and daylight hours. Travel between Nogales and Cananea via Imuris is prohibited. Taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps are prohibited.
- Eastern and Southern Sonora: Areas east of Federal Highway 17, etc., and south of Federal Highway 16, etc., are restricted. San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos are permitted, with Alamos access by air only and within city limits. Taxis, public buses, and ride-share apps are prohibited in these areas.
- Permitted Tourist Areas: Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are within permitted travel zones, subject to the restrictions above.
Tabasco State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: 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.
Tamaulipas State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Tamaulipas state has high levels of organized crime, including gun battles, murder, robbery, kidnapping, extortion, and sexual assault, particularly along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom. Heavily armed groups operate with impunity, especially in the border region.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo: Travel is limited to a small radius around the U.S. Consulates, homes, U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown areas, with an overnight curfew.
- Overland Travel: Travel between cities in Tamaulipas on interior highways is prohibited. Travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey is restricted to Federal Highway 85D during daylight hours with prior authorization.
- Prohibited Areas: All other areas of Tamaulipas state are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Tlaxcala State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: 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 Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Veracruz is experiencing increasing violent crime and gang activity, especially in the central and southern regions near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. Bystanders can be affected by gang violence. Impromptu roadblocks are common.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.
Yucatan State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Advisory Level: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary: Yucatan is considered one of the safest mexican states to visit.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which includes major tourist attractions like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Zacatecas State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Zacatecas state has widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens and LPRs.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions:
- Limited Travel: Travel is restricted to Zacatecas City proper, with air travel recommended to reach the city. Overland travel to Zacatecas City is prohibited.
- Prohibited Areas: All other areas of Zacatecas state are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Disclaimer: This information is derived from the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory and is intended for informational purposes. Safety conditions can change rapidly. Always consult the most current travel advisory from the U.S. Department of State or your country’s equivalent before traveling to any mexican state. Local conditions and specific risks may vary, and individual vigilance and responsible travel practices are always recommended.
