Travel Safety in Mexico

As a Mexico-based company constantly monitoring the safety of travel and tourism in Mexico, we aim to provide current and unbiased information on safety in Mexico.

Below is our latest on travel safety in Mexico plus up-to-date advice on staying safe in Mexico.

Updated: March 09, 2023

Is Mexico Safe?

Mexico continues to experience serious conflicts between rival criminal organizations in various areas within the country. Though these conflicts can be unpredictable, they are almost always among and between organized crime groups. There has been no evidence the organizations have targeted or are targeting holiday travelers or civilians that are not related to illicit activity, and incidents of concern are virtually non-existent in and around tourist areas.

With proper preparation and information, we feel confident that travel to and within Mexico continues to be a great option. We are confident that those who honor us with the opportunity to serve them will enjoy a secure and memorable travel experience. There is never a guaranty of complete safety when traveling anywhere, even within the US and Europe, yet by working with a trusted and professional destination specialist, like Journey Mexico, travelers minimize risk by relying on experts to keep them in the right places. Living in the destination and ensuring the enjoyable experiences of guests on a daily basis, we understand the environment and monitor the situation constantly.

Our primary goal is client, staff, and partner safety. Furthermore, we are unwilling to operate in environments where we perceive elevated risk and are committed to vigilantly monitoring the local situations throughout the Mexican Republic. Finally, in the unlikely event of an incident, we have well-developed contingency and risk management plans in place.

For those looking to travel to Mexico, we advise only working with reputable, experienced travel professionals with close relationships in the specific destinations they will visit to ensure the best travel experience possible.

Please note: Conditions can change rapidly in a country at any time; we are updating our travel safety information in accordance with the most recent US Department of State Travel Warning for Mexico.

Mexico Travel Safety Map

Mexico travel warning map: This Mexico travel safety map will be updated with changes to Mexico’s travel safety advice

Safety in Mexico by State

Looking for safe places to travel in Mexico? Check the latest State Department Travel Warnings for each Mexican state below. The US State Department Travel Warning was last updated for safety in September 2022, with health advisories later added in October 2022.

Aguascalientes

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Aguascalientes safe?

Although criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state, there is no restriction on travel.

Areas to avoid in Aguascalientes

There are currently no areas to avoid in Aguascalientes, according to the US State Department.

Baja California

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Baja California safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel to its major tourist destinations, including Ensenada, Rosarito, and Tijuana. There has been criminal activity and violence in Baja California. However, these incidents have been between criminal organizations and gangs.

Areas to avoid in Baja California

There are currently no areas to avoid in Baja California, according to the US State Department. However, due to poor cell service and hazardous road conditions, the US government recommends only traveling on Highway 2D between Mexicali and Tijuana, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during the day. Travelers may also use Highways 1 and 8 to transit to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours. Travel on Highway 5 is permissible during daylight hours.

Mexicali Valley: U.S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the heightened possibility of violence between rival cartel factions.

Baja California Sur (Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and La Paz)

Baja California Sur

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Baja California Sur safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel within Baja California Sur or its major tourist destinations, including Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, and La Paz. There has been criminal activity and violence in Baja California Sur. However, these incidents have been between criminal organizations and gangs.

Areas to avoid in Baja California Sur

There are currently no areas to avoid in Baja California Sur, according to the US State Department.

Campeche

Current status: Level 1: Exercise normal precautions

Is Campeche safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel within Campeche or its major tourist destinations, including Campeche City, Calakmul, and Edzna.

Areas to avoid in Campeche

There are currently no areas to avoid in Campeche, according to the US State Department.

Chiapas (San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Toniná, Sumidero Canyon, San Juan Chamula, and Zinacantan)

Chiapas

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Chiapas safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel within Chiapas or its major tourist destinations including San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Comitán, Tapachula, Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Toniná, Sumidero Canyon, San Juan Chamula, and Zinacantan.

Areas to avoid in Chiapas

There are currently no areas to avoid in Chiapas, according to the US State Department.

Chihuahua

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Chihuahua safe?

The US government recommends reconsidering travel to Chihuahua due to crime in the region.

Areas to avoid in Chihuahua

The government recommends rethinking travel to Chihuahua. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Chihuahua.

Coahuila

Current status: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Is Coahuila safe?

The US government recommends increased caution due to crime.

Areas to avoid in Coahuila

U.S. government employees may not travel to these municipalities: Zaragoza, Morelos, Allende, Nava, Jimenez, Villa Union, Guerrero, and Hidalgo municipalities and must travel directly from the United States and observe a curfew from midnight to 6:00 a.m. to Piedras Negras and Ciudad Acuña in both cities.

There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

Colima

Current status: Level 4: Do not travel

Is Colima safe?

The US State Department is currently advising against travel to Colima.

Areas to avoid in Colima

The US government recommends avoiding travel to Colima. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Colima.

Durango

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Durango safe?

The US government recommends reconsidering travel to Durango due to crime in the region.

Areas to avoid in Durango

The government advises rethinking travel to Durango. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Durango.

Guanajuato (Guanajuato City, Leon, and San Miguel de Allende.)

Guanajuato

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Guanajuato safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel to Guanajuato’s major tourist spots such as Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende and surrounding areas.

Areas to avoid in Guanajuato

The US government recommends not traveling to the area south of and including Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato.

Guerrero

Current status: Level 4: Do not travel

Is Guerrero safe?

The US government currently advises against traveling to Guerrero, including Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Ixtapa, and Taxco.

Areas to avoid in Guerrero

The government is recommending travelers to avoid Guerrero entirely. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Guerrero.

Hidalgo

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Hidalgo safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel to Hidalgo, including major tourist spots such as the city of Hidalgo.

Areas to avoid in Hidalgo

There are currently no areas to avoid in Hidalgo, according to the US State Department.

Jalisco (Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic)

Jalisco

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Jalisco safe?

There are currently no restrictions on visiting the major tourist hotspots of the Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, the Riviera Nayarit including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Ajijic. However, the US government does recommend rethinking travel to Jalisco otherwise due to violence between criminal groups.

Areas to avoid in Jalisco

The government recommends avoiding any area within 20km (12 miles) of the Jalisco-Michoacán border, south of Route 120. It also recommends avoiding Highway 80 south of Cocula and Highway 544 from Mascota to San Sebastian del Oeste. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Jalisco.

Mexico City

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Mexico City safe?

There are currently no restrictions on travel to Mexico City, including Polanco, Roma, Santa Fe, San Angel, Coyoacán, La Condesa, Chapultepec Park, Basilica de Guadalupe, the city center, and Xochimilco.

Areas to avoid in Mexico City

There are currently no areas to avoid in Mexico City, according to the US State Department. However, we recommend being vigilant, particularly in the neighborhoods of Tepito and Guerrero at night. As with any large city, petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas so it is encouraged to always be aware of your surroudnings.

Michoacan

Michoacán

Current status: Level 4: Do not travel

Is Michoacán safe?

The US State Department is currently advising against travel to Michoacán.

Areas to avoid in Michoacán

The US government is recommending travelers avoid Michoacán entirely. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Michoacán.

Morelos

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Morelos safe?

The US government currently has no restrictions on traveling to Morelos. However, it does recommend rethinking travel to the state due to violent crime and gang activity.

Areas to avoid in Morelos

There are currently no specific areas to avoid in Morelos. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Morelos.

Nayarit (Riviera Nayarit including Punta Mita, Mandarinas, Nuevo Vallarta and the Bahia de Banderas)

Nayarit

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Nayarit safe?

There are currently no restrictions on visiting the major tourist hotspots of Riviera Nayarit (including Nuevo Vallarta, Punta Mita, and the Bahia de Banderas) plus Santa Maria del Oro are unrestricted. However, otherwise the US government recommends reconsidering travel to the state.

Areas to avoid in Nayarit

Travelers should avoid Tepic and San Blas, according to the US State Department. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Nayarit.

Nuevo Leon

Current status: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Is Nuevo Leon safe?

Travelers should reconsider travel in Nuevo Leon, according to the US State Department.

Areas to avoid in Nuevo Leon

The government recommends rethinking travel to Nuevo Leon. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Nuevo Leon.

Oaxaca (Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco)

Oaxaca

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Oaxaca safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to the tourist areas of Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco.

Areas to avoid in Oaxaca

Travelers are advised to steer clear of the Isthmus region of Oaxaca and Highway 200 northwest of Pinotepa. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Oaxaca.

Puebla (Puebla City, San Andres Cholula, and San Pedro Cholula)

Puebla

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Puebla safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to Puebla, including the tourist areas of Puebla City, San Andres Cholula, and San Pedro Cholula.

Areas to avoid in Puebla

There are currently no areas to avoid in Puebla, according to the US State Department.

Queretaro (Queretaro City and Bernal)

Queretaro

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Queretaro safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to Queretaro, including the tourist areas of Queretaro City and Bernal.

Areas to avoid in Queretaro

There are currently no areas to avoid in Queretaro, according to the US State Department.

Quintana Roo (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mayakoba, Akumal, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, and Xpu-Ha)

Quintana Roo

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Quintana Roo safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to Quintana Roo, including the tourist areas of Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mayakoba, Akumal, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, and Xpu-Ha.

Travelers are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

Areas to avoid in Quintana Roo

There are currently no areas to avoid in Quintana Roo, according to the US State Department. However, in January 2023 the US State Department did emit a security alert regarding the use of application-based transportation services. At this time, we recommend using authorized taxis until the situation stabilizes.

San Luis Potosi

Current status: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Is San Luis Potosi safe?

The US State Department currently recommends rethinking travel to San Luis Potosi due to crime.

Areas to avoid in San Luis Potosi

The government recommends rethinking travel to San Luis Potosi. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in San Luis Potosi.

Sinaloa

Current status: Level 4: Do not travel

Is Sinaloa safe?

The US State Department is currently advising against travel to Sinaloa.

Areas to avoid in Sinaloa

The US government says travel to Sinaloa should be avoided. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Sinaloa.

Sonora

Current status: Level 3: Reconsider travel

Is Sonora safe?

The US State Department recommends reconsidering travel to Sonora.

Areas to avoid in Sonora

The US government has placed restrictions on several areas in Sonora. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Sonora.

State of Mexico

Current status: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Is the State of Mexico safe?

There are currently no restrictions on traveling to the State of Mexico. However, the US government is currently recommending that travelers reconsider travel due to a higher rate of violent and non-violent crime in the region.

Areas to avoid in the State of Mexico

There are currently no particular areas to avoid in the State of Mexico. However, the government recommends being particularly careful outside the tourist areas and watching out for petty crime in the tourist areas. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in the State of Mexico.

Tabasco

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Tabasco safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to Tabasco.

Areas to avoid in Tabasco

There are currently no areas to avoid in Tabasco, according to the US State Department.

Tamaulipas

Current status: Level 4: Do not travel

Is Tamaulipas safe?

The US government currently recommends avoiding travel to the state of Tamaulipas.

Areas to avoid in Tamaulipas

Travel to Tamaulipas should be avoided, according to the US State Department. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Tamaulipas.

Tlaxcala

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Tlaxcala safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to Tlaxcala, including the tourist areas of Tlaxcala City.

Areas to avoid in Tlaxcala

There are currently no areas to avoid in Tlaxcala, according to the US State Department.

Veracruz

Current status: Level 2: Exercise increased caution

Is Veracruz safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to Veracruz, including the tourist areas of Veracruz City and Tajin.

Areas to avoid in Veracruz

There are currently no areas to avoid in Veracruz, according to the US State Department.

Yucatan (Merida, Chichen Itza, Isla Holbox, Ek Balam, Valladolid, Izamal, and Uxmal)

Yucatan

Current status: Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Is Yucatan safe?

The US government has no restrictions on travel to the Yucatan, including Merida, Chichen Itza, Isla Holbox, Ek Balam, Valladolid, Izamal, and Uxmal.

Areas to avoid in Yucatan

There are currently no areas to avoid in the Yucatan, according to the US State Department.

Zacatecas

Current status: Level 4: Do Not Travel

Is Zacatecas safe?

The US government currently advises travelers to reconsider travel due to violent crime, extortion, and gang activity.

Areas to avoid in Zacatecas

The government recommends rethinking travel to Zacatecas. Please visit the US State Department website for up-to-date advice on travel safety in Zacatecas.

Pickpocketing and Theft in Mexico

As in all tourist destinations, travelers should be vigilant of pickpocketing and theft in Mexico, particularly in crowded areas and major cities.

While the majority of tourists experience no problems when traveling in Mexico, incidents do occur. Reduce the risk of becoming a victim of pickpocketing, theft, and robbery by following these tips:

Avoid displaying expensive items in public – Expensive items or items with high value should be left at home. Avoid wearing expensive watches and jewelry in public and keep smartphones, wallets, passports, and laptops hidden from view where possible.
Limit the amount of cash you carry – Only take out a relatively small amount of cash and avoid display your cash in public.
Keep an eye on your luggage/bags at all times – Keep bags and handbags by your side at all times, never leaving them unattended. If you need to put your bag down, place it between your legs, and make sure to keep an eye on it.
Use ATMs in more secure locations – Avoid using ATMs in unlit and deserted areas. Stick to using ATMs in areas where there are plenty of people, but always be vigilant.
Use private transportation – If possible, hire private transportation from a reputable company. If you’re traveling with Journey Mexico, that comes as standard. However, if you’re going to use public transportation, be extra vigilant and try to travel first class where possible.
Avoid unlit and deserted areas – Avoid walking in unlit and deserted areas, where possible.
Trust your instincts – Finally, trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in an area, then it’s wise to remove yourself from that situation.

Natural Disasters in Mexico

Mexico enjoys an extremely diverse landscape and climate, which is part of the attraction for many tourists. However, natural disasters in Mexico do occur on an irregular basis. While the vast majority of travelers will completely avoid any form of disaster, it is wise to acquaint yourself with the issues.

Earthquakes

Mexico does experience seismic activity from time to time with tremors occurring more regularly in the states of Oaxaca and Guerrero, according to the UK government. While earthquakes shouldn’t put you off visiting Mexico, make sure you acquaint yourself with the US government’s practical advice on being caught in an earthquake.

When you come to Mexico, you should also follow the Mexican Seismic Alert System on Twitter, which gives regular updates on earthquakes and drills.

Hurricanes

Hurricane season in Mexico runs from June to November and can hit both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts. While the vast majority of tourists are completely safe, make sure to follow local safety advice. Weather updates can be found on the US National Hurricane Center website.

Tsunamis

Tsunamis in Mexico are rare – there have only been 24 tidal waves since 1732, according to WorldData.info. However, if you’re heading to a coastal region in Mexico it’s worth reading through the US government’s tsunami safety advice before you go.

Mexico Safety Advice from Your Government

For US citizens: www.travel.state.gov

For Canadian citizens: www.travel.gc.ca

For UK citizens: www.gov.uk

For Australian citizens: www.smartraveller.gov.au

For New Zealand citizens: www.safetravel.govt.nz

Please note: Tourists should always check and follow the safety advice of their national government before going to Mexico. While we aim to update the information on this page at the beginning of each month, it may be that the information currently displayed is not the latest information available. For that reason, always check with your national government before traveling to Mexico.