Where is Mexico? A Traveler's Guide to Safety and Awareness

Mexico, a vibrant country south of the United States, is known for its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious cuisine. But Where Is Mexico exactly, and what should travelers know before visiting? Understanding its location and safety considerations is crucial for anyone planning a trip. This guide, drawing upon the latest travel advisory information, will help you navigate Mexico with awareness, ensuring a safer and more informed travel experience.

Mexico is located in the southern portion of North America, bordered by the United States to the north, and Belize and Guatemala to the southeast. It is flanked by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea to the east. This geographical diversity contributes to Mexico’s varied climate, from arid deserts in the north to lush rainforests in the south, and its incredible biodiversity.

While Mexico is a popular tourist destination, it’s important to be aware of safety concerns. Violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is a serious issue in many parts of the country. The level of safety varies significantly from state to state. Information provided by travel advisories, such as those issued by the U.S. government, can be invaluable in understanding these risks.

It’s crucial to understand that the U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in certain areas of Mexico is limited due to security concerns and restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees. Local emergency services may also be limited, particularly outside of state capitals and major cities.

For those considering travel to Mexico, staying informed is paramount. This guide breaks down the safety situation by state, based on the most recent advisories, to help you make informed decisions and travel more safely. Remember to always consult the most up-to-date travel advisories from your government before planning any trip to Mexico, as situations can change rapidly.

Understanding Travel Advisories for Mexico

Travel advisories are designed to help travelers understand the potential risks in different countries. The U.S. Department of State, for example, issues travel advisories with four levels:

Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions: This is the lowest advisory level for countries considered generally safe.
Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution: Be aware of heightened risks to safety and security.
Level 3 – Reconsider Travel: Serious risks to safety and security are present. The government advises reconsidering travel to the country.
Level 4 – Do Not Travel: This is the highest advisory level, used for countries with extremely dangerous conditions. The government advises against any travel to these countries.

It’s important to note that these advisories are primarily based on the safety and security risks for U.S. government employees. However, they provide valuable insights for all travelers. When an advisory recommends “Do Not Travel” or “Reconsider Travel” to a particular state in Mexico, it signifies a significantly elevated risk of crime and violence that all travelers should take seriously.

The following sections detail the safety recommendations for each Mexican state, helping you understand where is Mexico safe to travel and where increased caution or avoidance is advised.

Safety by State: Navigating Mexico with Awareness

This section provides a state-by-state overview of safety conditions in Mexico, based on the latest travel advisories. It’s essential to remember that safety situations can change, and this information should be used as a starting point for your own research and planning.

States to Exercise Normal Precautions

These states are considered generally safer for travel, with travelers advised to exercise normal precautions.

Campeche state: Exercise normal precautions in Campeche state. There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Yucatan state: Exercise normal precautions in Yucatan state, including popular tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid. There are no specific travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

States to Exercise Increased Caution

In these states, travelers are advised to exercise increased caution due to crime.

Aguascalientes state: Exercise increased caution in Aguascalientes due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Baja California Sur state: Exercise increased caution in Baja California Sur due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees, even in tourist hotspots like Cabo San Lucas and La Paz.
Coahuila state: Exercise increased caution in Coahuila state due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to certain municipalities (Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo). In Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña, U.S. government employees must travel directly from the U.S. and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m.
Durango state: Exercise increased caution in Durango state due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling west and south of Federal Highway 45.
Hidalgo state: Exercise increased caution in Hidalgo state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico): Exercise increased caution in Mexico City due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout the city. Exercise extra caution at night and outside tourist areas. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico): Exercise increased caution in Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout the state. Exercise caution outside tourist areas. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Nayarit state: Exercise increased caution in Nayarit state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Nuevo Leon state: Exercise increased caution in Nuevo Leon state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Oaxaca state: Exercise increased caution in Oaxaca state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state. 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 outside restricted zones.
Puebla state: Exercise increased caution in Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Queretaro state: Exercise increased caution in Queretaro state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Quintana Roo state: Exercise increased caution in Quintana Roo state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence can occur anywhere, including tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. Exercise increased caution after dark in these areas. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
San Luis Potosi state: Exercise increased caution in San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tabasco state: Exercise increased caution in Tabasco state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Tlaxcala state: Exercise increased caution in Tlaxcala state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Veracruz state: Exercise increased caution in Veracruz state due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity are increasing, especially in the central and southern parts. Impromptu roadblocks can occur. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.

States to Reconsider Travel

Travelers should reconsider travel to these states due to significant risks to safety and security.

Baja California state: Reconsider travel to Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping, particularly in border areas like Tijuana and Mexicali. Violent crime and gang activity are common. U.S. government employees face restrictions in the Mexicali Valley. Tourist areas like Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito are within areas where U.S. government employees can travel, but increased caution is advised.
Chiapas state: Reconsider travel to Chiapas state due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted from traveling to the municipality of Ocozocoautla and specific areas in the southeastern region. Travel to Tapachula city limits and Highway 225 from Port Chiapas to Tapachula is permitted.
Chihuahua state: Reconsider travel to Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common, including in areas frequented by tourists. U.S. government employees face significant travel restrictions, particularly outside of major cities like Ciudad Juarez and Chihuahua City. Copper Canyon is among the areas U.S. government employees cannot travel to.
Guanajuato state: Reconsider travel to Guanajuato state due to crime. Gang violence, particularly related to fuel theft, is prevalent, especially in the south and central areas. High murder rates are linked to cartel violence. 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 outside restricted zones.
Jalisco state: Reconsider travel to Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco. Guadalajara sees territorial disputes between criminal groups, sometimes affecting tourist areas. U.S. government employees are restricted from the Jalisco-Michoacan border area and Federal Highway 110, and Federal Highway 80 south of Cocula. Tourist areas like Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic are outside restricted zones.
Morelos state: Reconsider travel to Morelos state due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos. No travel restrictions for U.S. government employees.
Sonora state: Reconsider travel to Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key area for drug and human trafficking. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. government employees face numerous travel restrictions, especially in areas bordering other states and outside major cities like Hermosillo and Puerto Peñasco. Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales is restricted to daylight hours on Federal Highway 15 only.

States to Do Not Travel

These states are considered extremely dangerous, and travelers are advised not to travel there.

Colima state: Do not travel to Colima state due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. U.S. government employees are only permitted to travel to the tourist and port areas of Manzanillo, with specific route restrictions.
Guerrero state: Do not travel to Guerrero state due to crime. Crime and violence are widespread, with armed groups operating independently. U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to any area in Guerrero, including tourist areas like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan state: Do not travel to Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread. U.S. government employees are severely restricted, with travel only permitted on Federal Highway 15D to transit the state, by air or land to Morelia via specific highways, and by air only to Lazaro Cardenas with limitations to city center and port areas. The Monarch Butterfly Reserve portions in Michoacan are off-limits to U.S. government employees.
Sinaloa state: Do not travel to Sinaloa state due to crime. Violent crime is widespread, and criminal organizations operate throughout the state. U.S. government employees are restricted to Mazatlan (Zona Dorada and historic center), and Los Mochis and Topolobampo (city and port areas), accessible only by air or sea with direct routes to/from airports/sea terminals.
Tamaulipas state: Do not travel to Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime, including gun battles, murder, kidnapping, and extortion, is common, especially along the northern border. U.S. government employees are extremely restricted, limited to areas around U.S. Consulates in Matamoros and Nuevo Laredo, with curfews and prohibitions on intercity travel.
Zacatecas state: Do not travel to Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread. U.S. government employees are limited to Zacatecas City proper, accessible only by air, and are prohibited from traveling to other areas of the state.

General Safety Tips for Traveling in Mexico

Regardless of the specific location within Mexico, all travelers should take general safety precautions:

Stay Informed: Continuously monitor travel advisories and local news for updates on safety and security conditions.
Share Your Plans: Keep travel companions and family informed of your itinerary. Share your GPS location with a friend if separating from your group.
Safe Transportation: Use toll roads when possible, and avoid driving alone or at night. Utilize dispatched vehicles or app-based services like Uber and regulated taxi stands instead of hailing taxis on the street. If taking a taxi alone, photograph the taxi number/license plate and send it to a friend.
Lower Your Profile: Avoid displaying signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry or watches.
ATM and Bank Awareness: Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
Exercise Caution in Entertainment Venues: Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
Enroll in STEP: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
Stay Connected: Follow the Department of State and U.S. Embassy on social media for updates.
Review Security Reports: Consult the Country Security Report for Mexico for detailed information.
Mariners’ Advisory: Mariners should check for maritime advisories and alerts.
Emergency Plan: Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Health Information: Visit the CDC page for the latest travel health information.

Conclusion: Traveling to Mexico Safely

Understanding where is Mexico in terms of both geography and safety is essential for responsible travel planning. While Mexico offers incredible experiences, it’s crucial to be aware of the varying levels of risk across different states. By staying informed, exercising caution, and adhering to safety guidelines, you can navigate Mexico more safely and enjoy the many wonders this diverse country has to offer. Always prioritize your safety and make informed decisions based on the latest travel advisories and local conditions.

Where is Mexico? A Traveler’s Guide to Safety and Awareness