The United Mexican States, a land of vibrant culture, rich history, and breathtaking landscapes, attracts millions of tourists annually. However, it’s essential for travelers, particularly U.S. citizens, to be informed about safety and security conditions throughout the country. This advisory, drawing upon the latest U.S. Department of State information, provides a detailed overview of travel risks and precautions to ensure a safer journey within the United Mexican States.
Violent crime, encompassing homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, remains a significant concern across many parts of Mexico. The capacity of the U.S. government to deliver emergency services to its citizens in numerous areas is limited due to travel restrictions imposed on U.S. government employees. In states across the United Mexican States, emergency services, especially outside state capitals and major urban centers, can be strained or less readily available.
U.S. citizens are strongly advised to heed the restrictions placed on U.S. government employee travel within the United Mexican States. These restrictions, detailed state-by-state below, are crucial for understanding potential risks and planning accordingly. Generally, U.S. government employees are prohibited from intercity travel after dark, are instructed against hailing taxis on the street, and must utilize dispatched transportation services, including app-based options like Uber and regulated taxi stands. Solo travel, particularly in remote regions of the United Mexican States, is discouraged for U.S. government employees. Driving from the U.S.-Mexico border into the Mexican interior is also restricted, with exceptions only 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 designated interior cities within Chihuahua, as further specified in the Chihuahua state advisory.
For a broader understanding of travel within the United Mexican States, consult the comprehensive country information page provided by the U.S. Department of State.
Understanding State-by-State Travel Advisories in the United Mexican States
This section breaks down the travel advisory levels for each state within the United Mexican States, offering a clear picture of the risks and recommended precautions.
States Where Travel is Not Advised
Colima State – Do Not Travel
The advisory for Colima State is clear: Do Not Travel. This is due to pervasive crime and kidnapping risks. Violent crime and gang activity are rampant. Homicides are frequently targeted assassinations among criminal organization members, but innocent bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings involving these groups. Kidnapping of both U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents (LPRs) has been reported.
U.S. government employee travel is severely restricted, limited only to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo. Even travel to Manzanillo from Guadalajara requires using Federal Toll Road 54D and is limited to daylight hours. All other areas of Colima State are off-limits to U.S. government employees, underscoring the extreme risk level.
Guerrero State – Do Not Travel
Guerrero State also carries a Do Not Travel advisory, driven by widespread crime. Crime and violence are pervasive, with armed groups operating independently of government control in many areas. These groups frequently set up roadblocks and have been known to use violence against travelers. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has occurred in past years.
U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any part of Guerrero State. This blanket restriction includes major tourist destinations such as Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa, highlighting the extreme danger across the entire state.
Michoacan State – Do Not Travel
Michoacan State is under a Do Not Travel advisory due to significant crime and kidnapping concerns. Crime and violence are widespread throughout Michoacan.
U.S. government employee travel is very limited, permitted only on Federal Highway 15D for transit between Mexico City and Guadalajara. Travel to Morelia is allowed by air or via Federal Highways 43 or 48D from Federal Highway 15D. Lazaro Cardenas is accessible by air only, with activities restricted to the city center and port areas. Notably, U.S. government employees are barred from traveling to other parts of Michoacan, including the portions of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve located within the state.
Sinaloa State – Do Not Travel
Sinaloa State faces a Do Not Travel advisory because of extensive crime. Violent crime is widespread, with criminal organizations deeply rooted and operating throughout Sinaloa.
U.S. government employee travel is heavily restricted, limited to Mazatlan (accessible by air or sea, confined to the Zona Dorada and historic town center, with direct routes to airport and sea terminal) and Los Mochis and Topolobampo (accessible by air or sea, restricted to city and port areas, with direct routes to the airport). All other areas of Sinaloa State are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Tamaulipas State – Do Not Travel
Tamaulipas State is designated Do Not Travel due to severe crime and kidnapping risks. Organized crime activities, including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault, are common, particularly along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups often target public and private buses and private vehicles, frequently kidnapping passengers for ransom.
Heavily armed criminal groups operate with impunity, especially in the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo, where local law enforcement response is limited. While law enforcement presence is stronger in the Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira tri-city area, the overall risk remains extremely high. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs is a consistent threat.
U.S. government employee travel is severely limited to a small radius around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, their residences, U.S. Ports of Entry, and limited downtown locations, subject to a nighttime curfew. Overland travel between cities within Tamaulipas is prohibited, except for daytime travel between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Federal Highway 85D with prior authorization. All other areas of Tamaulipas State are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Zacatecas State – Do Not Travel
Zacatecas State is also under a Do Not Travel advisory because of widespread crime and kidnapping. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are pervasive in Zacatecas. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has been reported.
U.S. government employee travel is restricted to Zacatecas City proper, and they are prohibited from overland travel to Zacatecas City. Travel to all other areas of Zacatecas State is forbidden for U.S. government employees.
States Where Travel Should Be Reconsidered
Baja California State – Reconsider Travel
Baja California State warrants a Reconsider Travel advisory due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations actively compete in the border region for narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers are advised to stay on main highways and avoid remote areas. Tijuana, particularly non-tourist areas, has a high homicide rate. While most homicides appear targeted, cartel-related violence can injure or kill bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.
U.S. government employees face specific restrictions, particularly in the Mexicali Valley, which they are advised to avoid due to cartel violence. However, tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are not under these restrictions.
Chiapas State – Reconsider Travel
Chiapas State requires travelers to Reconsider Travel due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state.
U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific southeastern regions. However, travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula, including Tapachula Airport, is permitted.
Chihuahua State – Reconsider Travel
Chihuahua State is under a Reconsider Travel advisory due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations among criminal organizations, but territorial disputes have led to violence in areas frequented by U.S. citizens, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings, and U.S. citizens and LPRs have been kidnapped.
U.S. government employee travel is limited to specific areas within Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City, and certain routes connecting these cities and other locations like Nuevo Casas Grandes, Ojinaga, and Palomas. Copper Canyon and other areas of Chihuahua are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Guanajuato State – Reconsider Travel
Guanajuato State requires travelers to Reconsider Travel due to crime. Gang violence, often linked to fuel theft from the state oil company, is prevalent, especially in the south and central parts of the state. The southern region has a high murder rate associated with cartel violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been kidnapped.
U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling south of Federal Highway 45D, which includes Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato. Tourist areas like San Miguel de Allende and Guanajuato City and surrounding areas are not under these restrictions.
Jalisco State – Reconsider Travel
Jalisco State warrants a Reconsider Travel advisory due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco. In Guadalajara, cartel battles occur even in tourist areas, and bystanders have been injured or killed in shootings. Kidnapping of U.S. citizens and LPRs has been reported.
U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border area and Federal Highway 110, as well as Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. However, tourist areas including the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (and Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic are not under these restrictions.
Morelos State – Reconsider Travel
Morelos State requires travelers to Reconsider Travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.
There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Morelos State.
Sonora State – Reconsider Travel
Sonora State is under a Reconsider Travel advisory because of crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for international drug trade and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread, and U.S. citizens and LPRs have been kidnapped. Travelers should be highly aware of their surroundings throughout Sonora.
U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, particularly regarding routes between cities, specific areas within Nogales, Puerto Peñasco, and regions near the Mariposa Port of Entry, San Luis Rio Colorado, Cananea, Agua Prieta, and eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos). However, tourist areas like Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco are accessible with adherence to these restrictions.
States Where Increased Caution is Advised
Aguascalientes State – Exercise Increased Caution
Aguascalientes State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes.
Baja California Sur State – Exercise Increased Caution
Baja California Sur State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur.
Coahuila State – Exercise Increased Caution
Coahuila State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila.
U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities. In Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña, U.S. government employees must travel directly from the U.S. and observe a midnight to 6:00 a.m. curfew.
Durango State – Exercise Increased Caution
Durango State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango.
U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45 in Durango.
Hidalgo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Hidalgo State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Mexico City advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Increased caution is advised, particularly at night and outside tourist areas. Petty crime is frequent in both tourist and non-tourist zones. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Mexico State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Caution is advised outside tourist areas, though petty crime is common in tourist areas as well. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been kidnapped. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.
Nayarit State – Exercise Increased Caution
Nayarit State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nayarit.
Nuevo Leon State – Exercise Increased Caution
Nuevo Leon State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nuevo Leon. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon.
Oaxaca State – Exercise Increased Caution
Oaxaca State advises travelers to 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. However, tourist areas like Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco are accessible without these restrictions.
Puebla State – Exercise Increased Caution
Puebla State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Puebla. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been kidnapped. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Puebla.
Queretaro State – Exercise Increased Caution
Queretaro State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Queretaro. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Queretaro.
Quintana Roo State – Exercise Increased Caution
Quintana Roo State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur anywhere, including tourist destinations. While not targeted at tourists, gang shootings have injured and killed bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Violent crime, including homicides and assaults, has risen in Tulum.
There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo. Increased caution is advised after dark in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, staying in well-lit tourist zones.
San Luis Potosi State – Exercise Increased Caution
San Luis Potosi State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout San Luis Potosi. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been kidnapped. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi.
Tabasco State – Exercise Increased Caution
Tabasco State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tabasco. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tabasco.
Tlaxcala State – Exercise Increased Caution
Tlaxcala State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Tlaxcala. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala.
Veracruz State – Exercise Increased Caution
Veracruz State advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasingly frequent in Veracruz, particularly in the central and southern regions near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While mostly targeted, gang violence can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks demanding payment are common. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Veracruz.
States Where Normal Precautions Should Be Exercised
Campeche State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Campeche State advises travelers to Exercise Normal Precautions. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Campeche.
Yucatan State – Exercise Normal Precautions
Yucatan State advises travelers to Exercise Normal Precautions. There are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Yucatan. Tourist areas including Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid are included in this advisory level.
General Safety Recommendations for Traveling in the United Mexican States
Regardless of the specific state within the United Mexican States you plan to visit, certain safety measures are universally recommended:
- Inform Others: Keep travel companions and family at home informed of your itinerary. If 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.
- Road Travel: Utilize toll roads whenever possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Police and emergency services are often limited outside major cities.
- Vigilance in Public Areas: Exercise increased caution in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid showing signs of affluence, such as expensive jewelry or watches.
- ATM and Bank Safety: Be extra cautious when visiting banks or ATMs.
- STEP Enrollment: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
- Stay Updated: Follow the Department of State on social media for updates.
- Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for detailed information.
- Maritime Travel: Mariners should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts.
- Emergency Planning: Prepare a contingency plan for emergencies and review the Traveler’s Checklist.
- Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information.
By staying informed and taking appropriate precautions, travelers can better navigate the United Mexican States and mitigate potential risks, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable experience.
