Map of USA and Mexico: Understanding Travel Safety in Mexico

Mexico shares a vast border with the United States, making it a popular destination for American travelers. However, safety concerns exist in various regions of Mexico. Understanding these concerns and referring to a map of the USA and Mexico can help travelers make informed decisions about their trips. This article summarizes the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory for Mexico, providing a state-by-state breakdown of safety levels and restrictions for U.S. government employees, which can serve as a helpful guide for all travelers.

Mexico Travel Advisory: A State-by-State Overview

The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories to inform citizens about safety conditions in foreign countries. Mexico’s advisory utilizes a four-tiered system: “Do Not Travel,” “Reconsider Travel,” “Exercise Increased Caution,” and “Exercise Normal Precautions.” These advisories, often visualized on a Map Of Usa And Mexico showing the border region and Mexican states, are crucial for planning safe travel.

Do Not Travel

Colima: Widespread violent crime and gang activity, including homicides and kidnappings. U.S. government employee travel is restricted to limited areas in Manzanillo with specific limitations.
Guerrero: Widespread crime and violence, with armed groups operating independently of the government. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Guerrero, including popular tourist destinations like Acapulco.
Michoacan: Widespread crime and violence. U.S. government employee travel is restricted to specific highways and cities with limitations, excluding popular areas like the Monarch Butterfly Reserve.
Sinaloa: Widespread violent crime and significant presence of criminal organizations. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Mazatlan, Los Mochis, and Topolobampo with severe restrictions.
Tamaulipas: High risk of crime and kidnapping, particularly along the northern border. Organized crime activity, including gun battles and kidnappings, is common. U.S. government employees are restricted to limited areas in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo with curfews and may not travel between cities using interior highways.
Zacatecas: Widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City with restrictions against overland travel.

Reconsider Travel

Baja California: Crime and kidnapping concerns, particularly in non-tourist areas of Tijuana. U.S. government employee travel is restricted in the Mexicali Valley.
Chiapas: Risk of crime and violence. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to certain southeastern regions, including Ocozocoautla.
Chihuahua: Crime and kidnapping concerns. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City with restrictions. Travel to Copper Canyon is prohibited.
Guanajuato: Gang violence associated with fuel theft is prevalent in the south and central regions. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling south of Federal Highway 45D.
Jalisco: Crime and kidnapping concerns, including territorial battles in Guadalajara. U.S. government employees have travel restrictions along the Jalisco-Michoacan border and Federal Highway 80.
Morelos: Crime and kidnapping are common. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees but caution is advised.
Sonora: Key location for drug and human trafficking, resulting in widespread violent crime. U.S. government employees have significant travel restrictions, especially in border areas and eastern/southern Sonora. Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales is limited to Highway 15 during daylight hours.

Exercise Increased Caution

Aguascalientes: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Baja California Sur: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Coahuila: Violent crime and gang activity in certain areas. U.S. government employees are restricted from certain municipalities and have curfews in Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña.
Durango: Violent crime and gang activity. U.S. government employees may not travel west or south of Federal Highway 45.
Hidalgo: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico City: Risk of both violent and non-violent crime, particularly at night. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico State: Risk of both violent and non-violent crime and kidnapping. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Nuevo Leon: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Oaxaca: Risk of criminal activity and violence. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the Isthmus region and on Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa.
Puebla: Risk of crime and kidnapping. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Queretaro: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Quintana Roo: Risk of criminal activity and violence, including in tourist areas. No travel restrictions but increased caution advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
San Luis Potosi: Risk of crime and kidnapping. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tabasco: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tlaxcala: Risk of criminal activity and violence. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Veracruz: Increasing frequency of violent crime and gang activity, particularly in central and southern areas. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

Exercise Normal Precautions

Campeche: No specific safety concerns. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Yucatan: No specific safety concerns. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, including popular tourist destinations.

Safety Precautions for Travel in Mexico

Regardless of the destination, travelers should take precautions:

Stay informed about current conditions.
Share travel plans with family and friends.
Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving at night.
Avoid displaying signs of wealth.
Be vigilant in crowded areas and tourist destinations.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Consult the U.S. Department of State’s website and resources for the most up-to-date information.

This information provides a general overview and should be used in conjunction with a detailed map of the USA and Mexico to understand specific regional risks. Always consult official sources before and during travel.