Which Mexican States Are Unsafe For Travel?

The US State Department has issued travel advisories for six Mexican states, including Tamaulipas state, due to increased risk of crime and kidnapping. The advisory includes individual risk assessment levels for each state, and advises Americans to avoid travel to the five coastal states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacán, Guerrero, and Tamaulipas.

Out of 32 states, six have a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory due to crime. As of early March, the department issued its strongest possible warning, Level 4: Do Not Travel, for six states, including Tamaulipas and Sinaloa. State Department officials are also advising U.S. citizens to reconsider traveling to several Mexican states, including Jalisco, where Puerto Vallarta is located.

Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State, so use additional caution in areas outside of frequented tourist areas. Tamaulipas is one of several states listed as “Do Not Travel” within the US State Department’s Mexico Travel advisory due to risks from crime. Drug-related violence affects the northern states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, and Durango.

The advisory also lists several Mexican states, including Chiapas, Estado de Mexico, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Hidalgo, Mexico City, Michoacán, Morelos, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, and more.

Is Acapulco safe?

The U. S. State Department has designated Guerrero, the location of Acapulco, as a region where travel is discouraged due to elevated crime rates. This designation has prompted concerns among travelers and travel advisors regarding the safety and security of individuals in the region.

Is Tijuana safe for tourists?

Tijuana is a dangerous city for tourists due to drug trafficking and violence, especially in the eastern part of the city. The city is particularly dangerous at night, especially in non-tourist areas. To stay safe, tourists should stay in populated tourist areas or take precautions like not walking alone at night and not showing off flashy possessions. Extra safeguards, such as carrying pepper spray, are recommended. While it is illegal to cross the Mexican border with pepper spray or defensive weapons, it is legal to buy pepper spray while in Mexico.

Sharing your location on your smartphone or smart watch with loved ones can also help. Apple AirTags, tracking location, are commonly used to keep track of important items like luggage, wallets, or keys. While these devices provide a sense of security, they can be abused, as questionable individuals have been known to casually drop them in purses, luggage, or attach them to car fenders. Apple has implemented additional security features, such as Find My notifications, to discourage unwanted tracking.

Is Guadalajara safe for tourists?

Violent crime and gang activity are prevalent in parts of Jalisco state, with territorial battles between criminal groups taking place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. The U. S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U. S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U. S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. State-specific restrictions are included in individual state advisories, including restrictions on travel between cities after dark, hailing taxis on the street, and relying on dispatched vehicles.

U. S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas, and may not drive from the U. S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

Is Tijuana safe right now?

Transnational criminal organizations in the border area of Mexico are establishing narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes, leading to violent crime and gang activity. Travelers should avoid remote locations and main highways. The high number of homicides in non-tourist areas of Tijuana is a concern, with most homicides being targeted. Kidnappings have occurred in U. S. citizens and LPRs. U. S. government employees should avoid the Mexicali Valley due to the potential for violence between rival cartel factions.

The restricted area is located between the Baja California/Arizona and Baja California/Sonora borders, and includes the boundaries of the restricted area. Travelers can use Highways 2 and 2D to transit between Mexicali, Los Algodones, and San Luis Rio Colorado during daylight hours, and Highways 1 and 8 to and from the Mexicali Airport during daylight hours.

Where is high risk travel in Mexico?

The states with the highest rates of homicide include Baja California Sur, Colima, Quintana Roo, Morelos, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Baja California, Chihuahua, Michoacán, and Sonora. These findings suggest that tourists should consider limiting their activities to tourist areas to reduce the risks associated with criminal activity.

Where not to go in Mexico right now?

The northern borders and Pacific coast are particularly vulnerable to criminal attacks on tourists, with incidents occurring frequently in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and along the border with the United States. Organized crime groups have been known to target large campervans and SUVs, which are often used by tourists for transportation.

Is Sinaloa, Mexico safe to visit?

The U. S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have issued a travel advisory for Sinaloa, advising citizens to exercise caution and remain vigilant for potential violence, as the state is currently classified as Level 4: Do Not Travel.

Is Matamoros, Mexico safe in 2024?

The U. S. Department of State has issued a Level 4 travel advisory for the Mexican state of Tamaulipas, which encompasses the city of Matamoros. The advisory recommends that travelers avoid bus travel in the region due to the prevalence of kidnapping and violent crime. The advisory represents the most severe warning issued by the Department and travelers are advised to remain apprised of the latest developments regarding their personal safety.

Where is Mexico safest to travel?

Mexico is a popular destination for international tourists due to its 35 World Heritage Sites and 450 beaches along the Caribbean coast. However, many people have misconceptions about travel safety in Mexico, leading to uncertainty about planning a vacation. Mexico is the most competitive Latin American travel destination, according to the latest Travel and Tourism Development Index (TTDI). Some areas within the country, including 31 states and Mexico City, have townships where violent crime and gang activity pose threats to foreign visitors.

To ensure a safe travel experience, it is essential to be aware of common misconceptions and explore safe places to travel in Mexico. Some of the safest beaches in Mexico include Merida, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato, and Playa del Carmen.

Where to avoid in Mexico City?

The GeoSure Global app identifies the least-safe neighborhoods in Mexico City, including El Molino, Estrella del Sur, and Ricardo Flores Magon, north of Cerro de la Estrella National Park. Safer neighborhoods are located closer to the city center and in a swath north, such as Noche Buena, Roma Sur, Napoles, Piedad Narvarte, Reforma Iztaccihuatl Norte, and Centro Historico. The app is a valuable tool for travelers to determine safe areas and stay safe.