Mexico, a vibrant country known for its rich culture, stunning beaches, and delicious cuisine, attracts millions of tourists every year. However, it’s also essential for travelers to be aware of the safety situation. Understanding the Travel Warnings For Mexico is crucial for planning a safe and enjoyable trip. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the current travel advisories, focusing on safety concerns across different Mexican states to help you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
Violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is a serious issue in Mexico. The U.S. government’s ability to assist U.S. citizens in emergencies is limited in many areas due to safety restrictions for its own employees. In numerous states, emergency services outside major cities are also limited.
It’s strongly advised to heed the restrictions placed on U.S. government employee travel within Mexico. These restrictions vary by state and are detailed in the state-specific advisories below. Generally, U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark, hailing taxis on the street, and are instructed to use dispatched vehicles, including app-based services or regulated taxi stands. Traveling alone, particularly in remote areas, is discouraged. Driving from the U.S.-Mexico border to the interior of Mexico is also restricted, with exceptions for daytime travel within Baja California, between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D, and between Ciudad Juarez and certain interior cities in Chihuahua.
For more detailed information, you can visit the U.S. State Department’s country information page on Mexico.
General Safety Advice for Traveling to Mexico
Regardless of your destination in Mexico, taking certain precautions can significantly enhance your safety and security. The U.S. State Department recommends the following steps for anyone considering travel to Mexico:
- Share Your Itinerary: Keep friends and family updated about your travel plans. If you are separating 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.
- Use Toll Roads and Avoid Night Driving: Opt for toll roads whenever possible. Avoid driving alone or during nighttime, as police presence and emergency services are often limited outside major urban areas.
- Exercise Caution in Entertainment Venues: Be particularly careful when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, as these areas can sometimes be hotspots for crime.
- Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid drawing attention to yourself by not wearing expensive jewelry or watches.
- Be Vigilant at Banks and ATMs: Exercise extra caution when using banks or ATMs, as these can be targets for robbery.
- Enroll in STEP: Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in case of emergency.
- Stay Informed: Follow the Department of State on Facebook and X/Twitter for updates. Also, follow the U.S. Embassy in Mexico on Facebook and X/Twitter.
- Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for detailed security information.
- Mariners’ Advisory: Mariners traveling to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts for instructions on reporting suspicious activities to Mexican naval authorities.
- Emergency Planning: Develop a contingency plan for emergencies. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Information: Check the CDC page for the latest travel health information.
Mexico State-by-State Travel Warnings
The level of caution advised for travel to Mexico varies significantly from state to state. Below is a breakdown of the travel warnings, categorized by the U.S. State Department’s advisory levels: Do Not Travel, Reconsider Travel, Exercise Increased Caution, and Exercise Normal Precautions.
States to Avoid: Do Not Travel
These states have critical safety risks, and travel is strongly discouraged.
Colima State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Colima is experiencing widespread violent crime and gang activity. Homicides are frequent, often targeted assassinations by criminal organizations, but bystanders can be caught in the crossfire. Kidnapping is also a significant risk for both U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. Employees traveling to Manzanillo from Guadalajara must use Federal Toll Road 54D during daylight hours. Travel to the rest of Colima state is prohibited.
Guerrero State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Crime and violence are rampant throughout Guerrero. Armed groups operate independently, frequently setting up roadblocks and potentially using violence against travelers. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens has occurred in the past.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are forbidden from traveling to any area in Guerrero, including major tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Michoacan suffers from widespread crime and violence.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is limited to Federal Highway 15D for transit, Morelia (by air or land via Federal Highways 43 or 48D from 15D), and Lazaro Cardenas (by air only, limited to city center/port areas). All other areas, including the Monarch Butterfly Reserve portions within Michoacan, are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Sinaloa State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime.
Summary: Violent crime is widespread in Sinaloa, home to powerful criminal organizations.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel is restricted to Mazatlan (air or sea only, Zona Dorada and historic center only), and Los Mochis and Topolobampo (air or sea only, city and port only). Travel to the rest of Sinaloa state is prohibited.
Tamaulipas State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Organized crime is highly active in Tamaulipas, especially along the northern border. Gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault are common. Criminal groups often target buses and private vehicles, kidnapping passengers for ransom.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Limited travel radius around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, their residences, U.S. ports of entry, and limited downtown areas. Overland travel between cities is prohibited, except for daytime travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D with prior authorization. Travel to the rest of Tamaulipas is forbidden.
Zacatecas State – Do Not Travel
Advisory Level: Do Not Travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Zacatecas is plagued by widespread violent crime, extortion, and gang activity. Kidnapping is a risk for U.S. citizens.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: 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 You Should Reconsider Travel
These states present significant risks, and travelers should carefully weigh the necessity of travel.
Baja California State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Transnational criminal organizations are active in Baja California, particularly in the border region, involved in drug and human smuggling. Violent crime and gang activity are common, especially in non-tourist areas of Tijuana, which has a high homicide rate. Kidnapping is also a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Avoid the Mexicali Valley area. Permitted travel on Highways 2, 2D, 1, and 8 during daylight hours for transit. No restrictions for high-tourism areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.
Chiapas State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence are present in Chiapas.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Prohibited from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and restricted areas in the southeastern region. Travel permitted within Tapachula city limits and on Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula, including the airport.
Chihuahua State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent in Chihuahua. Criminal organizations engage in territorial battles, leading to violence in areas frequented by tourists, including restaurants and malls, even during daylight. Bystanders can be injured or killed in shootings, and kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Travel limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, certain highways for transit between cities (daylight travel only), and specific routes to Nuevo Casas Grandes and Palomas. Copper Canyon and other areas are off-limits.
Guanajuato State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime.
Summary: Guanajuato experiences gang violence, often related to fuel theft. The southern region is particularly dangerous with high murder rates linked to cartel violence. Kidnapping is also a concern.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Avoid areas south of Federal Highway 45D, including Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City are not restricted.
Jalisco State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco. Guadalajara sees territorial disputes between criminal groups, sometimes affecting tourist zones. Bystanders can be injured in shootings, and kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Avoid the Jalisco-Michoacan border area and Federal Highway 110, as well as Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Tourist areas including Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are not restricted.
Morelos State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Parts of Morelos state are experiencing violent crime and gang activity. Kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No specific restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.
Sonora State – Reconsider Travel
Advisory Level: Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Sonora is a key area for international drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and kidnapping is a risk. Travelers should be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: Significant restrictions, including limited travel on Federal Highway 15 between Hermosillo and Nogales (daylight only, no public transportation/ride-shares), restricted areas within Nogales, limited routes to Puerto Peñasco (daylight only, no public transportation/ride-shares), and prohibition of travel to eastern and southern Sonora, including areas south of Guaymas. Tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible under restrictions.
States Where Increased Caution is Advised
These states have notable safety concerns, and travelers should be vigilant and take extra precautions.
Aguascalientes State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Aguascalientes.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes.
Baja California Sur State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout Baja California Sur.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur.
Coahuila State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Parts of Coahuila experience violent crime and gang activity.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the municipalities of Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo. Curfews are in place for Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña (midnight to 6:00 a.m.).
Durango State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Parts of Durango state have common violent crime and gang activity.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45 in Durango.
Hidalgo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Hidalgo state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime are present in Mexico City. Exercise increased caution, especially at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Both violent and non-violent crime occur in Mexico State. Exercise caution outside tourist areas. Petty crime is common in tourist areas, and kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.
Nayarit State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nayarit state.
Nuevo Leon State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nuevo Leon state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.
Oaxaca State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence occur throughout Oaxaca state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to 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 – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Puebla state. Kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.
Queretaro State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Queretaro state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.
Quintana Roo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere in Quintana Roo, including tourist hotspots. While tourists are not targeted, gang shootings have resulted in bystander injuries and deaths, including U.S. citizens. Violent crime has increased in Tulum.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. Exercise increased caution after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, staying in well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout San Luis Potosi state. Kidnapping is a risk.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.
Tabasco State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tabasco state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.
Tlaxcala State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tlaxcala state.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.
Veracruz State – Exercise Increased Caution
Advisory Level: Exercise Increased Caution due to crime.
Summary: Veracruz is experiencing increasing violent crime and gang activity, especially in the central and southern regions (Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos). Bystanders can be affected by gang violence. Impromptu roadblocks for payment are common.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.
States Where Normal Precautions are Advised
These states are considered relatively safe, but normal awareness and precautions are still recommended.
Campeche State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Advisory Level: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary: Campeche is considered generally safe.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.
Yucatan State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Advisory Level: Exercise Normal Precautions.
Summary: Yucatan is considered generally safe, including tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
U.S. Government Employee Restrictions: No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state.
By understanding these travel warnings for Mexico, you can better assess the risks associated with your intended destination and take necessary safety measures. Always stay informed about the latest advisories and local conditions before and during your trip.
