Travel Safety in Mexico

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.