Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, it’s essential for travelers to be aware of the varying safety conditions across its 32 states. This guide, drawing from the latest U.S. Department of State travel advisories, provides a comprehensive overview of the safety levels in each Mexican state, helping you make informed decisions for your trip.
Violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is a serious concern in Mexico. The U.S. government’s ability to assist citizens in emergencies is limited in many areas due to safety restrictions for its employees. In numerous states, emergency services outside major cities are also limited.
This advisory is designed to help you understand the risks and exercise appropriate caution when traveling in Mexico. It’s crucial to stay informed and prepared to ensure a safe trip.
General Safety Recommendations for Traveling in Mexico:
Regardless of your destination within Mexico, consider these general safety tips:
- Stay Connected: Keep your travel companions and family informed of your itinerary. Share your GPS location with a friend if you are separating from your group. If taking a taxi alone, photograph the taxi number or license plate and send it to a contact.
- Road Travel Awareness: Utilize toll roads whenever feasible and avoid driving alone or at night. Police and emergency services can be scarce outside major urban centers.
- Vigilance in Public Spaces: Exercise heightened caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Minimize Displays of Wealth: Refrain from showing expensive jewelry or watches.
- ATM and Bank Safety: Be extra cautious when using ATMs or visiting banks.
- 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 on social media platforms like Facebook and X/Twitter and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and X/Twitter.
- Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for detailed security information.
- Maritime Travelers: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.
- Emergency Planning: Create a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest health travel advice.
Travel Advisory Levels by Mexico State:
The U.S. Department of State assigns travel advisory levels for each Mexican state based on safety and security risks. These levels range from “Exercise Normal Precautions” to “Do Not Travel.” Below is a breakdown of the current advisories.
Do Not Travel to These Mexico States
These states pose the highest risk to travelers. The U.S. government advises against traveling to these areas due to extremely dangerous conditions.
Colima State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Colima is plagued by widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides are frequent, often targeted assassinations by criminal organizations. Innocent bystanders can be caught in the crossfire of shootings between criminal groups. Kidnapping is also a significant threat.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are severely restricted and can only travel to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. Travel to Manzanillo from Guadalajara is permitted only during daylight hours via Federal Toll Road 54D. All other areas of Colima state are off-limits.
Guerrero State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Crime and violence are rampant throughout Guerrero. Armed groups operate outside government control, frequently setting up roadblocks and resorting to violence against travelers. Kidnapping remains a persistent concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any part of Guerrero state, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Michoacan suffers from widespread crime and violence.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employee travel is extremely limited. Permitted areas include Federal Highway 15D (for transit only), Morelia (accessible by air and specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (air travel only, limited to city center/port). The Monarch Butterfly Reserve portions within Michoacan are restricted. All other areas are off-limits.
Sinaloa State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Violent crime is widespread in Sinaloa, a base of operations for major criminal organizations.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees can only travel to Mazatlan (by air or sea, limited to Zona Dorada/historic center), and Los Mochis/Topolobampo (by air or sea, restricted to city/port). All other areas of Sinaloa are prohibited.
Tamaulipas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Organized crime is heavily active in Tamaulipas, particularly along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault are common. Criminal groups target buses and private vehicles, often kidnapping passengers for ransom.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees face severe restrictions, limited to a small radius around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews. Overland travel between cities within Tamaulipas is forbidden, except for daytime travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D with prior authorization. All other areas are off-limits.
Zacatecas State
Advisory: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Zacatecas is plagued by widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping is a significant risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are restricted to Zacatecas City proper and must travel there by air. Overland travel to Zacatecas City and travel to all other areas of the state are prohibited.
Reconsider Travel to These Mexico States
These states present significant risks, and travelers should carefully consider the necessity of travel.
Baja California State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Baja California, particularly the border region, sees intense competition between transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and human trafficking. Violent crime and gang activity are common, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana, which has a high homicide rate. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents (LPRs) is a concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees face restrictions, particularly in the Mexicali Valley. However, tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are not under these restrictions.
Chiapas State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence occur throughout Chiapas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions. Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula (including the airport) are permitted.
Chihuahua State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent in Chihuahua. Criminal groups engage in territorial disputes, leading to violence even in areas frequented by tourists. Bystanders can be injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, certain highways, and a few other designated locations like Nuevo Casas Grandes and Palomas, each with specific conditions and restrictions. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits.
Guanajuato State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Guanajuato experiences gang violence, often linked to fuel theft. The southern and central parts of the state are particularly affected, with high murder rates due to cartel violence. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are restricted from areas south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are not under these restrictions.
Jalisco State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Parts of Jalisco experience violent crime and gang activity. Guadalajara sees territorial battles between criminal groups, sometimes affecting tourist areas. Innocent bystanders can be injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border region, Federal Highway 110 between Tuxpan and the Michoacan border, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Tourist areas like Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (and Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic are not restricted.
Morelos State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
Sonora State
Advisory: Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Sonora is a key area for drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. Travelers should be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions in Sonora, including limitations on highway travel (e.g., between Hermosillo and Nogales), and restrictions in cities like Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, and Agua Prieta, as well as eastern and southern Sonora. Some tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible with caution and adherence to restrictions.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To These Mexico States
These states have elevated risks of crime and violence. Travelers should be vigilant and take extra precautions.
Aguascalientes State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Aguascalientes.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.
Baja California Sur State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Baja California Sur.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.
Coahuila State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Parts of Coahuila experience violent crime and gang activity.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to several municipalities (Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo). Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña have curfews for U.S. government employees (midnight to 6:00 a.m.).
Durango State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Parts of Durango have common violent crime and gang activity.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45 in Durango state.
Hidalgo State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Hidalgo state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Both violent and non-violent crime occur in Mexico City. Exercise extra caution at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent in both tourist and non-tourist areas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico)
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Both violent and non-violent crime are present throughout Mexico State. Exercise caution outside tourist areas, though petty crime is common in tourist areas. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.
Nayarit State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Nayarit state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nayarit state.
Nuevo Leon State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Nuevo Leon state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.
Oaxaca State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence occur throughout Oaxaca state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are restricted from the Isthmus region and Federal Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are not restricted.
Puebla State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Puebla state. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.
Queretaro State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Queretaro state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.
Quintana Roo State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist destinations. Gang shootings have injured or killed bystanders, including tourists, in places like Tulum. Homicides and assaults have increased in Tulum.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. Extra caution is advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, staying in well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout San Luis Potosi state. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.
Tabasco State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Tabasco state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.
Tlaxcala State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Tlaxcala state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.
Veracruz State
Advisory: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary of Risks: Veracruz is experiencing increasing violent crime and gang activity, particularly in the central and southern regions (Cordoba, Coatzacoalcos). Bystanders can be affected by gang violence. Impromptu roadblocks with payment demands are common.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To These Mexico States
These states are considered relatively safer, but normal precautions should still be taken.
Campeche State
Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary of Risks: While crime can occur, Campeche is generally considered safe for travel.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.
Yucatan State
Advisory: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary of Risks: Yucatan is generally considered one of the safest states in Mexico.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state. Tourist areas include Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Conclusion:
Traveling to Mexico can be an enriching experience, but understanding the safety landscape is crucial. This advisory highlights the varying levels of risk across different Mexican states. By staying informed, exercising caution, and adhering to safety guidelines, you can better navigate your travels in Mexico. Always consult the latest travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State and be aware of your surroundings to ensure a safer journey.
