Mexico, a country celebrated for its vibrant culture, rich history, and stunning landscapes, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, it’s crucial for travelers to be aware of the safety landscape, which can vary significantly across different states. This article delves into the current U.S. State Department travel advisory for Mexico, with a particular focus on Guerrero, Mexico, a state currently under a “Do Not Travel” warning.
Understanding travel advisories is paramount for anyone planning a trip, especially to destinations with reported safety concerns. These advisories, issued by governments, provide guidance on safety and security risks, helping travelers make informed decisions. This in-depth guide will break down the overall advisory for Mexico, detail the specific risks in Guerrero, and offer insights into other states, ensuring you are well-prepared for your potential travels.
The U.S. State Department’s advisory for Mexico indicates a spectrum of risk levels, ranging from “Exercise Normal Precautions” in states like Campeche and Yucatan, to “Do Not Travel” in states such as Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. For many other states, the advisory level is “Exercise Increased Caution” or “Reconsider Travel,” highlighting the nuanced safety situation across the country.
It’s important to note that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in certain areas of Mexico is limited, due to safety concerns and restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees. In numerous states, particularly outside of state capitals and major cities, local emergency services may also be limited.
For U.S. government employees, specific restrictions are in place, including prohibitions on intercity travel after dark, restrictions on hailing taxis on the street, and instructions to rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services and regulated taxi stands. Traveling alone, especially in remote areas, is strongly discouraged for government personnel. Furthermore, driving from the U.S.-Mexico border to the interior of Mexico is restricted, with exceptions only for daytime travel within Baja California and certain highway corridors in other northern border states.
This advisory underscores the importance of staying informed and taking proactive safety measures when traveling in Mexico. Let’s examine the situation in Guerrero more closely and then broaden our scope to include other states and general safety recommendations.
Guerrero State: A “Do Not Travel” Zone
Guerrero state – Do Not Travel
The U.S. State Department has issued a stark “Do Not Travel” advisory for Guerrero state due to crime. This is the highest level of warning, indicating a severe risk to safety and security.
Why “Do Not Travel” to Guerrero?
The primary reason for this stringent advisory is the widespread crime and violence prevalent throughout Guerrero. Armed groups operate independently of the government in numerous areas, creating a dangerous environment for travelers. These groups are known to establish roadblocks and may resort to violence against travelers. Kidnapping remains a significant concern, with U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) having been victims in previous years.
Tourist Areas are Not Exempt
It’s critical for potential visitors to understand that the “Do Not Travel” advisory applies to all areas within the state of Guerrero, including popular tourist destinations. This encompasses:
- Acapulco: Once a glamorous resort city, Acapulco is unfortunately included in the “Do Not Travel” zone. Despite its beaches and tourist infrastructure, the risks associated with crime and violence are deemed too high.
- Zihuatanejo and Ixtapa: These neighboring coastal destinations, known for their beautiful beaches and resorts, are also under the “Do Not Travel” advisory. The general safety concerns in Guerrero extend to these areas as well.
- Taxco: Famous for its silver mines and colonial architecture, the charming town of Taxco is also not considered safe for travel by the U.S. State Department due to the overall security situation in Guerrero.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions
U.S. government employees are strictly prohibited from traveling to any area in the state of Guerrero. This restriction underscores the severity of the safety concerns and applies without exception, even to tourist zones.
Understanding the Risks
The “Do Not Travel” advisory for Guerrero is not issued lightly. It reflects a situation where the risks of crime and violence are considered extreme and unpredictable. Travelers who choose to disregard this advisory should be acutely aware of the potential dangers and take every possible precaution, although official guidance strongly discourages travel altogether.
For those considering travel to Mexico, it’s essential to understand that Guerrero is not an isolated case of high risk. Several other states also carry “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel” advisories. Let’s briefly look at the spectrum of advisories across Mexico.
Understanding Mexico Travel Advisory Levels
The U.S. State Department categorizes Mexican states into four advisory levels, each indicating a different degree of risk:
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Do Not Travel (Level 4 – Red): This is the highest advisory level, recommending against any travel to the state due to extreme safety risks, including crime, violence, and kidnapping. Currently, the states under this advisory are:
- Colima
- Guerrero
- Michoacan
- Sinaloa
- Tamaulipas
- Zacatecas
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Reconsider Travel (Level 3 – Orange): This level suggests travelers should reconsider their plans due to serious safety risks. States under this advisory include:
- Baja California
- Chiapas
- Chihuahua
- Guanajuato
- Jalisco
- Morelos
- Sonora
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Exercise Increased Caution (Level 2 – Yellow): This advisory urges travelers to be more vigilant due to heightened risks of crime and/or kidnapping. A significant number of states fall under this category:
- Aguascalientes
- Baja California Sur
- Durango
- Hidalgo
- Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
- Mexico State (Estado de Mexico)
- Nayarit
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca
- Puebla
- Queretaro
- Quintana Roo
- San Luis Potosi
- Tabasco
- Tlaxcala
- Veracruz
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Exercise Normal Precautions (Level 1 – Blue): This is the lowest advisory level, suggesting standard safety precautions. Only two states currently fall into this category:
- Campeche
- Yucatan
It’s crucial to check the specific advisory for each state you plan to visit, as the risks and recommendations vary significantly. The advisories are regularly updated, so staying informed before and during your travel is essential.
State-by-State Mexico Travel Advisories: Detailed Breakdown
To provide a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape across Mexico, here’s a state-by-state breakdown based on the U.S. State Department advisory:
Do Not Travel To:
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Colima state – Do Not Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo and specific highway for access. Other areas are off-limits.
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Guerrero state – Do Not Travel
- Reason: Crime. Crime and violence are widespread; armed groups operate independently.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel permitted to any area, including tourist areas like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
-
Michoacan state – Do Not Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to Federal Highway 15D, Morelia (by air or specific highways from 15D), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air, limited to city center/port). Most of the state, including Monarch Butterfly Reserves in Michoacan, is off-limits.
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Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel
- Reason: Crime. Violent crime is widespread; criminal organizations operate openly.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to Mazatlan (air/sea, Zona Dorada, historic center), Los Mochis, and Topolobampo (air/sea, city/port). Other areas are off-limits.
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Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Organized crime activity is rampant, including gun battles, murder, kidnapping, and extortion.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited travel radius around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews. Overland travel between cities is prohibited, except for Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey on Highway 85D during daylight with authorization.
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Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited to Zacatecas City proper (air travel recommended). Other areas are off-limits.
Reconsider Travel To:
-
Baja California state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations operate, violent crime and gang activity are common, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Mexicali Valley restricted. Travel permissible in tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito, with caution.
-
Chiapas state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence are present.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Municipality of Ocozocoautla and southeastern region restricted. Travel allowed to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 (Port Chiapas to Tapachula).
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Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, including in areas frequented by tourists.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited travel in Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua city to specific zones. Restrictions on highways and travel to certain areas like Copper Canyon.
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Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime. Gang violence related to fuel theft is prevalent, particularly in the south and central areas. High murder rates in the southern region.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Areas south of Federal Highway 45D (including Celaya, Salamanca, Irapuato) are restricted. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are generally accessible.
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Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, with territorial battles in tourist areas of Guadalajara.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Jalisco-Michoacan border area and Federal Highway 110, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula are restricted. Tourist areas like Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are generally accessible.
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Morelos state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions within the state.
-
Sonora state – Reconsider Travel
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Key area for drug trade and human trafficking, widespread violent crime.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Significant travel restrictions, especially in eastern and southern Sonora, and specific routes and cities like Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, Agua Prieta. Restrictions on public transportation and taxis in many areas.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
-
Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Violent crime and gang activity in parts of the state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Municipalities of Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo are restricted. Curfew in Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña.
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Durango state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Region west and south of Federal Highway 45 is restricted.
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Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
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Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur, particularly at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
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Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
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Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Isthmus region and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa are restricted. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are generally accessible.
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Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur, even in tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Gang shootings have injured bystanders.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions, but increased caution advised after dark in major tourist areas.
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San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
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Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution
- Reason: Crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasing, especially in central and southern Veracruz. Roadblocks requiring payment are common.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:
-
Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions
- Reason: General safety is good.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions.
-
Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions
- Reason: General safety is good.
- U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No restrictions. Tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid are safe.
General Safety Tips for Traveling in Mexico
Regardless of the specific state you plan to visit, adhering to general safety precautions is vital when traveling in Mexico. The U.S. State Department provides the following recommendations for those who decide to travel to Mexico:
- Stay Connected: Keep your travel companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If you separate from your group, share your GPS location with a friend. When taking a taxi alone, photograph the taxi number or license plate and text it to a friend.
- Road Travel Awareness: Utilize toll roads whenever possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Police presence and emergency services are often limited outside major cities.
- Exercise Caution in Entertainment Venues: Be particularly cautious when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, as these can sometimes be hotspots for criminal activity.
- Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid drawing attention to yourself by not displaying signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry or watches.
- Be Vigilant at Banks and ATMs: Exercise extra caution when visiting banks or ATMs, as these can be targets for theft.
- Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in case of emergency.
- Stay Updated: Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter, and follow the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and X/Twitter for real-time updates and information.
- Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for detailed safety and security information.
- Mariner Awareness: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities.
- Emergency Planning: Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information relevant to your trip.
Conclusion: Informed Travel to Mexico
Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching experience, offering cultural immersion and breathtaking sights. However, it’s essential to approach travel with a clear understanding of the safety situation. The U.S. State Department travel advisories are invaluable resources for assessing risks and making informed decisions.
Guerrero, Mexico, currently under a “Do Not Travel” advisory, exemplifies the serious safety concerns present in certain parts of the country. While other states may have lower advisory levels, vigilance and adherence to safety guidelines are crucial throughout Mexico.
Before planning any trip, thoroughly review the latest travel advisories for your specific destinations. Stay updated on the security situation, and always prioritize your safety and well-being. By staying informed and prepared, you can navigate your travels in Mexico more confidently and responsibly. Remember to continuously check for updates on the U.S. Department of State website for the most current information.
