Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, it’s also a country with diverse safety landscapes that travelers should be aware of. Understanding the geography of Mexico and specific locations like Cancun is crucial for safe and informed travel planning. This guide provides an overview of the current safety situation in Mexico, with a special focus on Cancun and the surrounding Quintana Roo state, helping you navigate your Mexican adventure with confidence.
Understanding Mexico Travel Advisories
It’s essential to recognize that safety conditions in Mexico can vary significantly from state to state and even within different areas of the same state. The U.S. government, like many others, issues travel advisories to inform its citizens about potential risks in different countries. These advisories are not meant to discourage travel entirely but to empower travelers with the knowledge to make informed decisions and take necessary precautions.
Currently, Mexico faces widespread issues with violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. The ability of the U.S. government to provide emergency services to its citizens in certain areas is limited due to travel restrictions for U.S. government employees. Local emergency services in many states can also be limited, particularly outside major cities.
For all of Mexico, general recommendations include:
- Keeping travel companions and family informed of your plans.
- Sharing GPS locations if separating from your group.
- Using reputable transportation services and avoiding hailing taxis on the street.
- Exercising increased caution in bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Avoiding displays of wealth and being vigilant at ATMs and banks.
- Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and easier location in emergencies.
Cancun and Quintana Roo: Exercise Increased Caution
Focusing on the popular tourist destination of Cancun, located in Quintana Roo state, the advisory level is to Exercise Increased Caution. This means that while it’s generally safe to visit Cancun and other tourist areas in Quintana Roo, travelers should be aware of potential risks and take extra precautions.
Quintana Roo, despite being a major tourist hub, is not immune to criminal activity. The advisory highlights that criminal activity and violence can occur at any time and in any location, including popular tourist destinations. While tourists are not typically the direct targets, shootings between rival gangs have unfortunately resulted in injuries and fatalities to innocent bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Specifically, violent crime, including homicides and assaults, has been noted to be on the rise in Tulum.
Key Safety Advice for Cancun and Quintana Roo:
- Increased Caution After Dark: Exercise heightened caution after dark, especially in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
- Stick to Tourist Zones: Remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones during evening hours.
- General Awareness: Be aware of your surroundings at all times, even in tourist areas.
- Transportation: Utilize reputable transportation services, especially at night.
It’s important to understand that “Exercise Increased Caution” is a broad advisory level that applies to the entire state of Quintana Roo. Within Quintana Roo, tourist zones like Cancun’s Hotel Zone are generally considered safer than less frequented areas. However, the advisory underscores that risk is not entirely absent even in these areas.
Mexico State-by-State Advisory Overview
To provide a broader context beyond Cancun, here’s a summarized overview of the travel advisory levels for other states in Mexico, as per the provided information. Please note that these are subject to change, and it’s crucial to consult the most up-to-date official travel advisories before planning any trip.
Do Not Travel To:
- Colima: Due to crime and kidnapping. Limited travel for U.S. government employees to tourist/port areas of Manzanillo.
- Guerrero: Due to crime. No travel for U.S. government employees to any area, including tourist areas like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
- Michoacan: Due to crime and kidnapping. Limited travel for U.S. government employees to Federal Highway 15D, Morelia, and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only).
- Sinaloa: Due to crime. Limited travel for U.S. government employees to Mazatlan (air/sea, Zona Dorada/historic center), Los Mochis, and Topolobampo (air/sea, city/port).
- Tamaulipas: Due to crime and kidnapping. Extremely limited travel for U.S. government employees to Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo border areas and limited daylight travel on Highway 85D to Monterrey.
- Zacatecas: Due to crime and kidnapping. Limited travel for U.S. government employees to Zacatecas City proper (by air only).
Reconsider Travel To:
- Baja California: Due to crime and kidnapping, particularly in non-tourist areas of Tijuana and Mexicali Valley (restricted for U.S. government employees). Tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito are included in “Reconsider Travel” but without specific government employee restrictions beyond general caution.
- Chiapas: Due to crime. Restricted areas for U.S. government employees in the southeastern region and municipality of Ocozocoautla. Tapachula and Highway 225 to Puerto Chiapas are permitted.
- Chihuahua: Due to crime and kidnapping. Restricted areas and travel routes for U.S. government employees, including Copper Canyon being off-limits. Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City have defined permitted zones.
- Guanajuato: Due to crime, primarily in the south and central areas. Restricted areas for U.S. government employees south of Federal Highway 45D, excluding tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City.
- Jalisco: Due to crime and kidnapping, with gang activity in tourist areas of Guadalajara. Restricted areas for U.S. government employees near the Jalisco-Michoacan border and certain sections of Federal Highways 110 and 80. Tourist areas like Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are included in “Reconsider Travel” but without specific government employee restrictions beyond general caution.
- Morelos: Due to crime and kidnapping. No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Sonora: Due to crime and kidnapping, linked to drug trade and human trafficking. Significant travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, particularly in border areas, eastern/southern Sonora, and taxi/bus usage. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco have restrictions but are accessible under certain conditions.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
- Aguascalientes: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Baja California Sur: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Coahuila: Due to crime and gang activity in parts. Restricted municipalities and curfew in Piedras Negras/Ciudad Acuña for U.S. government employees.
- Durango: Due to crime and gang activity in parts. Restricted areas west and south of Federal Highway 45 for U.S. government employees.
- Hidalgo: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Due to crime and kidnapping. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Nayarit: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Nuevo Leon: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Oaxaca: Due to crime. Restricted areas for U.S. government employees in the Isthmus region and parts of Federal Highway 200. Tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are permitted.
- Puebla: Due to crime and kidnapping. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Queretaro: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Quintana Roo: Due to crime, including in tourist destinations (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum). No restrictions for U.S. government employees but increased caution advised, especially after dark.
- San Luis Potosi: Due to crime and kidnapping. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Tabasco: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Tlaxcala: Due to crime. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Veracruz: Due to crime and gang activity, particularly in central and southern areas. No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:
- Campeche: No restrictions for U.S. government employees.
- Yucatan: No restrictions for U.S. government employees. Tourist areas include Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Conclusion: Informed Travel in Mexico, Including Cancun
Traveling to Mexico, including popular destinations like Cancun, requires awareness and informed decision-making. While the country faces safety challenges, millions of tourists visit safely each year. Understanding the specific risks associated with different regions, like exercising increased caution in Quintana Roo and Cancun, is crucial.
By staying informed about travel advisories, taking recommended precautions, and being aware of your surroundings, you can significantly enhance your safety and enjoy the rich experiences Mexico has to offer. Remember to consult the most recent travel advisories and resources from your government before traveling, and have a safe and enjoyable trip.
