Mexico, a vibrant country rich in culture and history, is a popular destination for travelers worldwide. However, like any country, it’s essential to be informed about safety and security, especially when exploring its diverse cities and regions. This guide, drawing upon the latest travel advisory information, provides a state-by-state overview to help you plan your trip to Mexico with confidence.
Violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is a serious concern in Mexico. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to its citizens is limited in many areas, and local emergency services can be strained outside major urban centers. Travelers are strongly advised to stay updated on travel advisories and exercise caution throughout their visit.
This guide outlines the safety levels for each Mexican state, offering insights into potential risks and necessary precautions. Remember to always keep your travel plans informed to companions and family, share your GPS location when separating from groups, and utilize secure transportation options like dispatched vehicles or regulated taxi stands. Avoid displaying wealth, be vigilant at ATMs and banks, and enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for alerts and easier emergency location.
States to Avoid: Do Not Travel
Certain states in Mexico pose extreme safety risks and are designated as “Do Not Travel” zones. These areas experience widespread violent crime, making them unsafe for visitors.
Colima
Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Colima is plagued by widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides, often targeted assassinations by criminal organizations, are rampant, and bystanders can be caught in the crossfire. Kidnapping is also a significant threat. U.S. government employees are restricted to tourist and port areas of Manzanillo and must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours when traveling from Guadalajara. All other areas of Colima are off-limits for them.
Guerrero
Do Not Travel due to crime.
Guerrero is marred by widespread crime and violence, with armed groups operating outside government control. Roadblocks and violence against travelers are frequent. Kidnapping remains a persistent danger. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any area in Guerrero, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan
Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Michoacan suffers from widespread crime and violence. U.S. government employees’ travel is severely restricted to Federal Highway 15D (for transit), Morelia (by air or land via specific highways), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only, limited to city center/port areas). The Monarch Butterfly Reserve portions within Michoacan are also off-limits. All other areas are considered too dangerous for U.S. government employee travel.
Sinaloa
Do Not Travel due to crime.
Sinaloa is home to powerful criminal organizations and experiences widespread violent crime. U.S. government employees can only travel to Mazatlan (by air or sea, limited to Zona Dorada and historic center), and Los Mochis and Topolobampo (by air or sea, restricted to city/port areas). Travel must be via direct routes to/from airports and sea terminals. All other parts of Sinaloa are off-limits.
Tamaulipas
Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Tamaulipas, particularly along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria, is highly dangerous due to organized crime. Gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault are common. Criminal groups frequently target buses and private vehicles for passenger abduction and ransom. Heavily armed groups operate with impunity, and local law enforcement response is limited, except in the Tampico-Ciudad Madero-Altamira tri-city area. U.S. government employees are restricted to limited areas around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo and face overnight curfews. Overland travel between cities is prohibited, except for Nuevo Laredo-Monterrey daytime travel on Federal Highway 85D with authorization. All other areas of Tamaulipas are off-limits.
Zacatecas
Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Zacatecas is plagued by widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping is a serious risk. U.S. government employee travel is limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air. Overland travel to Zacatecas City and travel to all other areas of Zacatecas state are prohibited.
States Where Travel Should Be Reconsidered
These states present significant safety concerns, and travelers should carefully reconsider visiting them due to high levels of crime and potential risks.
Baja California
Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Baja California, especially the border area, sees intense competition among transnational criminal organizations involved in drug and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Tijuana’s non-tourist areas are particularly dangerous due to high homicide rates, often linked to cartel violence that can endanger bystanders. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has occurred. U.S. government employees face restrictions, especially in the Mexicali Valley, and are advised to stick to main highways and avoid remote areas. Tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito still require increased caution.
Chiapas
Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Chiapas experiences criminal activity and violence throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and a large southeastern region. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula (including the airport) is permitted.
Chihuahua
Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Chihuahua is marked by violent crime and gang activity. Homicides, mainly targeted assassinations, and territorial disputes between criminal groups lead to violence even in areas frequented by tourists, including restaurants and malls. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings, and kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, and certain routes to other locations like Nuevo Casas Grandes and Palomas, all with significant restrictions. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits.
Guanajuato
Reconsider Travel due to crime.
Guanajuato experiences gang violence, often related to fuel theft, primarily in the south and central parts of the state. The southern region is particularly dangerous due to high murder rates linked to cartel violence. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist hotspots like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City, north of this highway, are still under “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to state-wide crime levels.
Jalisco
Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Jalisco sees violent crime and gang activity in parts of the state. Guadalajara faces territorial battles between criminal groups, even in tourist zones, resulting in bystander injuries and deaths. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a risk. 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. Major tourist areas like Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (including Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic still fall under the “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to state-wide crime.
Morelos
Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Morelos experiences violent crime and gang activity in certain areas. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a concern. While there are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state, travelers should still reconsider visiting due to these risks.
Sonora
Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Sonora is a crucial area for international drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a significant concern. Travelers should be highly vigilant throughout Sonora due to potential security incidents anywhere in the state. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, including specific routes and areas in Hermosillo, Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and regions near the Mariposa U.S. Port of Entry. Eastern and southern Sonora are largely off-limits. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are still under “Reconsider Travel” advisory due to state-wide crime and kidnapping risks.
States Where Increased Caution is Advised
These states have notable levels of crime, and travelers should exercise increased vigilance and awareness of their surroundings.
Aguascalientes
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Aguascalientes. While there are no specific restrictions for U.S. government employees, increased caution is advised for all travelers.
Baja California Sur
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence are present throughout Baja California Sur. No travel restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees, but travelers should be cautious.
Coahuila
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Parts of Coahuila experience violent crime and gang activity. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities. Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña have curfews for U.S. government employees (midnight to 6:00 a.m.). Other areas require increased caution.
Durango
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Parts of Durango experience violent crime and gang activity. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45. Increased caution is advised for other areas.
Hidalgo
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Hidalgo. No specific restrictions apply to U.S. government employees, but increased caution is recommended for all travelers.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico)
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Both violent and non-violent crime are present in Mexico City. Exercise extra caution, especially at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent in both tourist and non-tourist zones. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but vigilance is key.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico)
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Both violent and non-violent crime occur in Mexico State. Exercise increased caution outside tourist areas, though petty crime is common in tourist areas too. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has occurred. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but caution is advised.
Nayarit
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but increased caution is advised.
Nuevo Leon
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nuevo Leon. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but travelers should be vigilant.
Oaxaca
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence occur throughout Oaxaca. 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, while not restricted, still require increased caution due to state-wide crime levels.
Puebla
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Puebla. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has been reported. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but increased caution is recommended.
Queretaro
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Queretaro. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but travelers should exercise caution.
Quintana Roo
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere in Quintana Roo, including tourist hotspots. Gang-related shootings have injured bystanders, including U.S. citizens, particularly in Tulum where violent crime has risen. While no travel restrictions exist for U.S. government employees, increased caution is advised, especially after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Stay in well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout San Luis Potosi. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has been reported. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but increased caution is advised.
Tabasco
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tabasco. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but travelers should be cautious.
Tlaxcala
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tlaxcala. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but increased caution is advised.
Veracruz
Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Veracruz is experiencing increasing violent crime and gang activity, especially in the central and southern areas near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. Bystanders can be affected by gang violence. Impromptu roadblocks for payment are common. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, but vigilance is necessary.
States with Normal Precautions
These states are considered relatively safe, and normal precautions are generally sufficient.
Campeche
Exercise Normal Precautions.
Campeche is considered generally safe for travel. No travel restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees, and normal precautions are advised for visitors.
Yucatan
Exercise Normal Precautions.
Yucatan is generally safe for travel, including tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid. No travel restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees, and normal precautions are recommended for travelers.
Important Reminders for Traveling in Mexico:
- Stay Informed: Regularly check for updates to travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State or your country’s equivalent.
- Transportation Safety: Utilize toll roads when possible, avoid driving alone or at night, and rely on dispatched transport services.
- Low Profile: Avoid displaying signs of wealth and be discreet with valuables.
- Emergency Preparedness: Prepare contingency plans for emergencies and ensure you have communication methods and emergency contacts readily available.
- Health Precautions: Consult the CDC page for the latest travel health information before your trip.
By understanding the safety landscape of Mexico’s states and cities, and by taking appropriate precautions, you can have a safer and more enjoyable experience exploring this fascinating country. Remember that even in locations with “normal precautions,” being aware of your surroundings and practicing common-sense safety measures is always advisable.
