Is Mexico Safe to Travel Right Now? The 2026 Traveler’s Guide
Yes, Americans are still traveling to Mexico in 2026, and most of them are having the trip of their lives. But where you go and how you prepare make all the difference.
I have been to Mexico more times than I can count. Cancun, Cabo, Tulum, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, and smaller destinations most Americans never put on their radar.
I have traveled to Mexico solo, with my bestie, and with my husband. I have never been robbed, kidnapped, or even pickpocketed.
That does not mean Mexico has no risks. It means the risks are specific, geographic, and manageable and that is exactly what this guide covers.
The current Mexico travel warning map looks very different depending on which state you are visiting.
The U.S. State Department has most tourist destinations at Level 2, which is the same advisory level assigned to France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
That context matters and most people never hear it.
This guide gives you the real picture on which parts of Mexico are safe to visit right now, where cartel activity is actually concentrated, and what solo women travelers need to know before they book.
Planning a trip to Mexico? Start here.
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Is Mexico Safe to Travel Right Now? Quick Answer
Yes. Mexico is safe for American travelers in 2026 when you travel smart and choose the right destinations. The U.S. State Department rates most popular tourist areas at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution — the same advisory level as France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The difference is Mexico gets the headlines and Europe does not.
Generally safe (Level 1 to 2)
- Cancun, Tulum, Merida, Playa del Carmen
- Puerto Vallarta, Huatulco
- Los Cabos, La Paz, Loreto
- San Miguel de Allende, Oaxaca, Queretaro
Reconsider or avoid (Level 3 to 4)
- Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, parts of Chihuahua
- Colima, Guerrero outside resort zones
- Michoacan
Source: U.S. Department of State Mexico Travel Advisory, updated February 2026.
What the 2026 Mexico Travel Warning Map Actually Shows
The U.S. State Department divides Mexico into 32 states and assigns each one a travel advisory level from 1 to 4. Most people see the word “warning” and assume the entire country is a no-go zone.
That is not what the map shows at all.
Here is what the levels actually mean:
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions. The same standard advice is given for Canada and most of Western Europe.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. Be aware of your surroundings and take basic precautions. France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom all sit at Level 2. So do Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel. Elevated risk in specific areas, usually tied to organized crime activity. Not a blanket prohibition but a serious warning to research before you go.
Level 4: Do Not Travel. Reserved for active conflict zones and states with documented targeting of civilians. In Mexico this currently applies to Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Colima, and Guerrero outside of resort zones.
What the map actually shows when you read it carefully is that the Mexico most Americans visit sits at the same risk level as the Europe most Americans romanticize. The difference is not the data. The difference is the media coverage.
I have been to Cancun, Cabo, Tulum, and Puerto Vallarta multiple times since these advisories have been in place. I have never once felt unsafe inside the tourist corridors.
That is not me minimizing the risks. That is me telling you what the numbers and my firsthand experience both confirm.
The states that carry Level 3 and Level 4 advisories are real and serious. But they are not where the resorts are.
They are not where the direct flights from the U.S. land. And they are not where you are going on your girls trip or your solo vacation.
The map matters. But context matters more.
The current 2026 Mexico travel advisory by region:
Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution: Baja California Sur (Los Cabos, La Paz, Loreto), Quintana Roo (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel), Jalisco outside of active conflict areas (Puerto Vallarta), Yucatan (Merida), Oaxaca (within resort zones), Nayarit (Punta Mita area), Guanajuato (San Miguel de Allende)
Level 3, Reconsider Travel: Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato (outside tourist areas), Jalisco (non-resort areas), Mexico State, Morelos, Sonora, Zacatecas
Level 4, Do Not Travel: Colima, Guerrero (outside resort zones), Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas
One thing I want you to pay attention to on this list is Baja California Sur at Level 2 versus Baja California at Level 3. They are two different states. Los Cabos is in Baja California Sur which is Level 2.
Tijuana is in Baja California which is Level 3. That distinction alone answers half the questions I get in my inbox every week.
Before you book any Mexico trip, go directly to the U.S. State Department website and look up the specific state your destination sits in. Not the country. The state. That is where the real information lives.
2026 Mexico Travel Warning Map: Safety Levels by State
Source: U.S. Department of State. Updated February 2026. The same map that rates most of Mexico at Level 2 also rates France, Italy, and the United Kingdom at Level 2.
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Quintana Roo
Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Riviera Maya
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Baja California Sur
Los Cabos, La Paz, Loreto, Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Jalisco (resort areas)
Puerto Vallarta resort corridor only. Non-resort areas are Level 3.
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Yucatan
Merida, Valladolid, Izamal. One of Mexico’s safest states.
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Oaxaca (resort zones)
Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca City resort areas.
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Guanajuato (tourist areas)
San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro. Outside tourist areas is Level 3.
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Nayarit
Punta Mita, Sayulita, San Pancho, Riviera Nayarit.
Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution
Mexico City (CDMX)
Polanco, Roma, Condesa, historic center. Stick to established neighborhoods.
Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Baja California
Tijuana, Rosarito, Ensenada. Different state from Baja California Sur.
Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Chihuahua
Copper Canyon area. Exercise extreme caution outside tourist routes.
Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Sonora
Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco) allowed. All other areas reconsider.
Level 3 — Reconsider Travel
Zacatecas
Elevated cartel activity. Avoid non-essential travel statewide.
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Tamaulipas
Includes Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros. Highest kidnapping risk in Mexico.
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Sinaloa
Mazatlan is within this state. Cartel presence throughout.
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Colima
Highest per capita homicide rate in Mexico. No tourist exceptions.
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Guerrero (outside resorts)
Acapulco tourist zone only is permitted. All other areas do not travel.
Level 4 — Do Not Travel
Michoacan
Morelia city only permitted. All other areas do not travel.
Source: U.S. Department of State Mexico Travel Advisory. Updated February 2026. Check before every trip as advisories change.
What Is Actually Happening With Cartels in Mexico Right Now
Let me be straight with you because you deserve the real answer and not a sanitized version of it.
Cartels are real. They operate in Mexico. They are violent and they are organized. None of that is up for debate.
What is up for debate is whether any of that has anything to do with your vacation in Cancun or your girls trip to Cabo.
Here is what we actually know to be true right now.
In February 2026, Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, the leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion, known as CJNG.
He was one of the most wanted men in the world and the U.S. had a $15 million reward on his head for years.
His death triggered immediate retaliation. CJNG members set cars on fire, blocked roads, and clashed with security forces across several states including Jalisco.
Puerto Vallarta, which sits in Jalisco state, saw smoke and disruptions. Flights were diverted. The U.S. Embassy issued a shelter in place order for U.S. citizens in Jalisco, Tamaulipas, parts of Michoacan, Guerrero, and Nuevo Leon.
That was real. That happened. And if you were in Puerto Vallarta during those specific days in February 2026, that was a genuinely frightening situation.
But within days the situation stabilized. Jalisco state reopened economic activity. Flights resumed. The resort corridor returned to normal operations.
The travel advisory for Puerto Vallarta remained at Level 2, which is exactly where it was before El Mencho was killed.
That is the pattern you need to understand about cartel violence in Mexico. It is intense, it is targeted, and it moves fast. It is also, in the vast majority of cases, concentrated in specific corridors related to drug trafficking routes, border crossings, and territorial disputes between organizations.
Tourist resort zones are not part of those corridors. Cartels do not want international attention on their operations. Targeting tourists is bad for their business.
What the cartel threat actually looks like for tourists in 2026:
The primary risk cartel activity creates for tourists is not direct targeting. It is proximity risk, meaning being in the wrong place at the wrong time when something goes down nearby.
That risk is real and it is why the Level 2 advisory exists. It is also why I tell every woman traveling to Mexico to stay in well secured resort areas, use Uber or vetted transportation instead of street taxis, book tours through verified operators like Viator, and avoid driving on highways at night outside of resort zones.
The states where the cartel threat is most direct for anyone including tourists are the Level 3 and Level 4 states on the travel warning map above. Tamaulipas. Sinaloa. Colima. Guerrero outside of resort zones.
Michoacan outside of Morelia. If you are not traveling to those states you are operating in a fundamentally different risk environment than the headlines suggest.
The question I get asked most often:
“Tomiko, should I cancel my trip because of the cartel news?”
My answer is the same every time. If your destination is in a Level 2 state, no. Do not cancel. Monitor the situation, register with the U.S. State Department STEP program so you receive alerts, purchase travel insurance that covers trip cancellation, and travel smart.
If your destination is in a Level 3 or Level 4 state, that is a different conversation and the answer changes.
I have never canceled a Mexico trip because of cartel headlines and I have been traveling there for years.
What I do every single time is check the current advisory for the specific state I am visiting, not the country level advisory, before I book and again before I fly. That is the move.
Before you travel to Mexico — do these three things
I do all three of these before every single Mexico trip. None of them take more than 10 minutes and together they give you a safety net most tourists never bother to set up.
Register with STEP
The U.S. State Department Smart Traveler Enrollment Program sends you real time alerts for your destination and puts you on the Embassy radar if something goes wrong.
Register FreeGet travel insurance
A medical emergency in Mexico can cost thousands out of pocket. Travelex covers trip cancellation, emergency evacuation, lost luggage, and medical expenses.
Get a QuoteMy pre-travel Mexico safety checklist
- Check the U.S. State Department advisory for the specific state you are visiting, not just Mexico overall
- Register with STEP so the Embassy knows where you are
- Purchase travel insurance before you fly, not after something happens
- Download Uber before you land — do not use street taxis at the airport
- Book airport transfers through your hotel or a verified service
- Save the local U.S. Embassy phone number in your phone before you go
- Share your itinerary with someone at home who knows how to reach you
- Book tours and excursions through Viator or your hotel concierge only
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting Passports and Grub.
How Safe Is Mexico Compared to U.S. Cities in 2026
This is the section that makes people uncomfortable and I am going to write it anyway because the numbers do not lie.
Every time I post about Mexico being safe, someone lands in my comments or my inbox telling me I am wrong. And every single time I ask them the same question.
Have you actually been to Mexico recently or are you going off what you saw on the news?
The answer is almost always the news.
Mexico City has a murder rate of approximately 8 per 100,000 residents. That puts it on par with Albuquerque, New Mexico. Merida, which sits in the Yucatan Peninsula and is one of my favorite Mexican cities, has a murder rate of around 2 per 100,000.
That is comparable to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
Now let me show you some American cities on that same scale.
Baltimore, Maryland comes in at approximately 58 murders per 100,000 residents. Memphis, Tennessee, which I know well because I lived there, sits at around 73 per 100,000. Detroit, Michigan is around 41 per 100,000.
Nobody is telling you not to go to Baltimore for a weekend. Nobody is issuing travel warnings for Memphis.
But Mexico, which has a murder rate in its tourist destinations that is a fraction of multiple major American cities, gets treated like a war zone by the media and by people who have never set foot there.
I am not saying Mexico has no crime. I am saying the framing is dishonest and the data proves it.
Here is the other number that matters. Over 35 million Americans visited Mexico in 2024. The incident rate for U.S. tourists was under 0.001 percent.
Almost all of the U.S. citizens who were killed in Mexico in recent years were involved in drug trafficking, illegal activity, or were in Level 3 and Level 4 states the State Department specifically told them not to visit.
That is not victim-blaming. That is context. And context is exactly what the headlines leave out every single time.
Murder rate comparison: Mexico tourist destinations vs. U.S. cities
| Destination | Murder rate per 100,000 | U.S. comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Merida, Mexico | 2.0 | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin |
| Los Cabos, Mexico | 3.5 | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Cancun, Mexico | 5.0 | Columbus, Ohio |
| Mexico City | 8.0 | Albuquerque, New Mexico |
| Detroit, Michigan | 41.0 | N/A |
| Baltimore, Maryland | 58.0 | N/A |
| Memphis, Tennessee | 73.0 | N/A |
Sources: FBI Uniform Crime Report 2024, Mexican government tourism data, U.S. State Department.
I want you to look at that table and really sit with it for a moment. The safest destination on that list is a Mexican city. The three most dangerous are American cities.
That does not mean you throw caution out the window in Mexico. You would not wander into a bad neighborhood in Detroit at 2am and you should apply that same common sense in Mexico.
Stay in the tourist corridors. Use vetted transportation. Do not flash expensive jewelry or cash. Pay attention to your surroundings.
But travel with facts, not fear. The facts say Mexico’s most visited tourist destinations are safer than cities millions of Americans live in and drive through every single week without thinking twice about it.
The media is not lying to you exactly. They are just showing you one part of the picture and leaving out everything that gives it context.
That is my job. To give you the full picture so you can make an informed decision about whether Mexico belongs on your travel list.
For me it has been on that list for years and it is staying there.
Is Mexico Safe for Solo Female Travelers in 2026
I have traveled to Mexico solo more times than I can count and I will keep going back.
The biggest risk for solo female travelers in Mexico is not cartels. It is the same risk that exists for solo women in New York, Paris, Rome, and every other major destination on earth.
It is situational awareness, not using common sense and trusting the wrong people.
Women who have bad experiences in Mexico almost always have them under the same circumstances. Accepting drinks from strangers.
Getting into unmarked taxis. Going out alone late at night in areas they do not know. Sharing too much information with people they just met about where they are staying or where they are going next.
None of that is unique to Mexico.
The destinations I recommend for solo female travelers
Not every Mexican destination is equally suited for solo travel.
Merida is my top recommendation for solo women who want a cultural experience without a heavy party scene. It is walkable, safe, well lit in the main areas at night, and has a thriving community of expat women who have been living there for years.
If you have never been to Mexico solo before, Merida is where I would tell you to start.
Cancun Hotel Zone works well for solo female travelers who want a resort experience. The infrastructure is built around tourism, Uber is reliable, and you are never far from help if you need it.
My advice is to stay inside the Hotel Zone, book your excursions through verified operators, and be very intentional about your nightlife choices.
The clubs in Cancun are fun but they are also where a lot of the incidents involving tourists happen. Know your limits, never leave your drink unattended, and always have a plan for getting back to your hotel before you go out.
Los Cabos is excellent for solo female travelers at the luxury end of the market.
The resort corridor is well secured, the hotels are professional, and the destination attracts a sophisticated traveler demographic that generally makes it feel safer than some of the more party focused destinations.
San Miguel de Allende is one of the best kept secrets for solo women in Mexico. Large expat community, walkable historic center, strong arts scene, and genuinely friendly locals.
This is the kind of place where you can sit alone at a restaurant for two hours with a glass of wine and a book and nobody bothers you. I love it.
Puerto Vallarta is doable solo with the right precautions. Stick to the Malecon and the established restaurant and hotel areas. Uber works here.
The LGBTQ friendly culture of the city extends to solo women and the vibe is generally relaxed and welcoming.
What I do every single time I travel solo in Mexico
These are the things I actually do before and during every solo Mexico trip and they are non-negotiable for me.
I register with the U.S. State Department STEP program before I fly so the Embassy knows where I am.
I book all airport transfers in advance through my hotel or a verified service and I never get into an unmarked taxi at the airport no matter how persistent the driver is.
I download Uber before I land. I share my complete itinerary with someone at home including hotel names, addresses, and check in and check out dates. I keep a copy of my passport separate from my actual passport.
I dress to blend in rather than stand out, which for me means leaving the designer bags at the hotel safe. I trust my gut without apology. If something feels off I leave without explaining myself to anyone.
The last point matters more than people realize. Women are socialized to be polite even when we are uncomfortable.
Mexico is not the place to override your instincts in the name of being agreeable. If a situation feels wrong, it probably is. Get out of it.
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Bottom line for solo female travelers
Mexico is not inherently more dangerous for solo women than other major international destinations. What makes it feel more dangerous is the media coverage and the lack of firsthand accounts from women who regularly travel there.
I am one of those women. I go back every year. I have never been robbed, assaulted, or made to feel genuinely unsafe inside the destinations I have described in this section.
Travel smart, make good decisions, trust your instincts, and Mexico will give you back some of the most memorable experiences of your traveling life.
I can say that with complete confidence because it has done exactly that for me.
Is Mexico Safe for Black Women Travelers
Most Mexico safety guides are written for a generic American traveler who is white, middle-class, and traveling in a couple or a family.
I am a Black woman. I have been to Mexico more times than I can count.
Mexico has been one of the most welcoming international destinations I have traveled to as a Black woman.
I have felt less racial tension in Cancun, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Mexico City than I have felt in certain American cities I have driven through on road trips.
Mexican culture does not carry the same specific anti-Black history that American culture does and that difference is something you feel almost immediately when you arrive.
That does not mean Mexico is a post-racial paradise. It is not. Colorism exists in Mexico just as it exists throughout Latin America.
You may encounter moments where lighter skinned tourists are given more immediate attention in a restaurant or a shop.
That is real, but targeted racism directed at Black American tourists in the way that Black Americans sometimes experience in parts of the United States is not something I have personally encountered in Mexico’s major tourist destinations.
What Black women travelers actually experience in Mexico
The most common experiences Black women report in Mexico’s tourist destinations fall into a few categories and none of them are what the fear-based headlines would have you expect.
In destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, you will find that locals are genuinely interested in where you are from and are warm toward American tourists regardless of race.
You will also find a significant number of Black American tourists in most major Mexico destinations especially during peak travel seasons, which means you are not navigating these spaces alone or as an anomaly.
The destinations I recommend most for Black women travelers
Cancun and the Riviera Maya have a large and visible Black American tourist presence especially during spring break, Memorial Day weekend, and Labor Day weekend.
Cabo attracts a more upscale demographic overall and the luxury resort corridor feels welcoming regardless of who you are. I have never experienced anything in Cabo that made me feel unwelcome as a Black woman.
Mexico City is worth a dedicated trip if you are interested in culture, food, and history beyond the resort experience. The Roma and Condesa neighborhoods specifically are cosmopolitan, diverse, and filled with incredible restaurants and art.
I felt completely at ease there.
Oaxaca is an emerging destination for culturally curious Black travelers specifically because of the Afro-Mexican communities in the surrounding region and the richness of the indigenous culture and food scene.
If you are the kind of traveler who wants more than a beach this is a destination worth putting on your list.
The answer has been yes. You belong here. You are welcome.
The Safest Cities in Mexico for American Travelers Right Now
I want to be clear about something before I get into this list. Safe does not mean zero risk. Nowhere on earth is zero risk including the city you live in right now.
These are the cities I have been to personally, would go back to, and would recommend to any woman traveling solo or with a group.
Merida
Merida is the capital of the Yucatan state and it is consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in all of Mexico.
The murder rate sits around 2 per 100,000 which as I showed you in the previous section is lower than most mid-sized American cities.
It is a colonial city with gorgeous architecture, incredible food, and a local culture that is genuinely welcoming to visitors.
I love Merida for solo female travelers specifically because it is walkable, well lit at night in the main areas, and does not have the party scene that can create problems in places like Cancun.
If you want culture, history, and safety in one place, Merida belongs at the top of your Mexico list.
Cancun
Cancun is probably the most visited destination in Mexico for American tourists and for good reason. The Hotel Zone is a heavily policed, resort heavy corridor that is specifically built around tourism.
The infrastructure here is excellent, Uber works reliably, and the beaches are world class.
Yes, Cancun has had incidents. It also receives millions of visitors every year and the vast majority of those visitors have completely uneventful trips.
The issues that do occur in Cancun are almost always in areas outside the Hotel Zone and are almost always tied to nightlife and poor decision making, not random targeting of tourists.
Stay in the Hotel Zone, use vetted transportation, book your excursions through verified operators, and Cancun is as manageable as any major beach resort destination in the world.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is my personal favorite Mexico destination and has been for years. Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo together make up one of Mexico’s most developed and most visited resort corridors.
It sits in Baja California Sur, which is Level 2, and it draws an enormous amount of high end tourism that brings with it significant investment in security and infrastructure.
The resort areas here are genuinely luxurious. Las Ventanas al Paraiso, Esperanza, Nobu Hotel Los Cabos. These are world class properties with professional security and staff who have been managing tourist safety for decades.
My advice for Cabo is the same as everywhere else in Mexico. Stay within the resort corridor, do not drive outside of it at night, use Uber or hotel arranged transportation, and you will have an incredible trip.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta had a rough few days in February 2026 when the CJNG retaliated after El Mencho was killed. I am not going to pretend that did not happen because it did and it was scary for people who were there during those specific days.
What I will tell you is that Puerto Vallarta bounced back fast. The resort corridor returned to normal within days.
The Level 2 advisory that was in place before the incident is still in place now, unchanged. That tells you something about how the State Department actually assesses the long term risk profile of the destination.
Puerto Vallarta is a beautiful city with a genuinely warm local culture, excellent food, a strong LGBTQ friendly reputation, and beaches that rival anywhere in the Caribbean.
The Malecon is one of my favorite walking areas in all of Mexico. I would go back tomorrow.
Tulum
Tulum has changed a lot in the last several years. What used to be a quiet bohemian beach town is now one of the most Instagrammed destinations in the world and the infrastructure has grown to match.
It sits in Quintana Roo at Level 2 alongside Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
The main thing I tell people about Tulum is to stay on the beach road or in the town center and use Uber or arrange transportation through your hotel for everything.
The road between Tulum and Coba has had incidents at night. That is not the Tulum your boutique hotel is sitting on. But it is worth knowing and worth avoiding after dark.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is the most underrated city on this list for American travelers. It is a UNESCO World Heritage city in the state of Guanajuato, sits at a high altitude, has a huge expat community, and feels genuinely unlike anywhere else in Mexico.
The colonial architecture is stunning, the art scene is serious, and the food is exceptional.
It is also remarkably safe within the city limits. The issues in Guanajuato state are concentrated outside the tourist areas and San Miguel specifically has maintained a strong safety record for years.
This is a destination I recommend without hesitation for solo women who want something more culturally rich than a beach resort.
- Mexico City: I stayed in neighborhoods like Polanco and Roma, which felt as secure as any major city in the United States. The key here is to use trusted transportation like Uber and avoid wandering late at night.
- Puerto Vallarta: This coastal gem is a fantastic destination for families and solo travelers. Tourist areas like the Malecon are bustling with activity, and the locals are incredibly welcoming.
- Playa del Carmen: The Riviera Maya is known for its beautiful beaches and lively atmosphere. While petty crime like pickpocketing can happen, the tourist zones are well-monitored.
- San Miguel de Allende: I’ll admit, this colonial town stole my heart. It’s artsy, colorful, and feels completely safe to explore.
- Merida: Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Merida is quiet, clean, and rich with history. It’s perfect for a laid-back getaway.
Where Not to Go in Mexico in 2026
I have spent a lot of this article telling you where Mexico is safe and why the fear around it is often overblown by the U.S. Media.
This section is different and is where I tell you the truth about the places I would not go and would not recommend to anyone I care about.
The travel warning map we covered earlier gives you a clear picture of Mexico.
This section gives you my personal thoughts on top of what the State Department advisory tells you because I don’t trust the U.S. media to be completely truthful.
Tamaulipas — Do Not Go
Tamaulipas is the state I get asked about most often because it borders Texas and a lot of people think about crossing the border or driving through it on a road trip from the U.S. into Mexico.
Do not do it.
Tamaulipas has a Level 4 Do Not Travel advisory and it earns every bit of it. This is the state that includes Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Reynosa.
It has the highest kidnapping risk of any state in Mexico. The cartels operating here specifically target civilians including Americans and they have a documented history of using kidnapping as a revenue stream alongside drug trafficking.
I do not care how confident you are as a traveler. Tamaulipas is not a calculated risk. It is a risk with no upside for a tourist. There is nothing in Tamaulipas worth the exposure. Stay out.
Sinaloa — Do Not Go
Sinaloa is the home state of the Sinaloa Cartel, one of the most powerful criminal organizations in the world. It sits at Level 4 and the situation there has become more volatile in the aftermath of El Mencho’s death as territorial disputes between organizations have intensified.
Mazatlan sits within Sinaloa and I know some travelers consider it because of its beaches and its lower price point compared to Cabo or Puerto Vallarta.
My position on this is simple. The price difference is not worth it. There are too many excellent Level 2 destinations in Mexico to justify putting yourself in a Level 4 state for a beach vacation.
Colima — Do Not Go
Colima is the smallest state in Mexico and it consistently has the highest per capita homicide rate in the entire country.
It is not a major tourist destination so most travelers have never heard of it, but if it comes up in your research as a potential stop on a road trip or as a destination close to somewhere else you are visiting, skip it entirely.
Guerrero Outside of Resort Zones — Do Not Go
Guerrero is a complicated state because it contains Acapulco, which was once one of Mexico’s most glamorous beach destinations and is now a city with serious safety challenges. The State Department permits travel to the Acapulco tourist zone but the rest of Guerrero is Level 4.
I would not personally go to Acapulco right now even within the tourist zone.
The situation there has deteriorated significantly over the past decade and the tourist zone is not as clearly separated from higher risk areas as it is in destinations like Cancun or Cabo.
If you want a Pacific coast Mexico beach vacation, Puerto Vallarta or Huatulco are better choices at this moment.
Michoacan Outside of Morelia — Do Not Go
Michoacan is Level 4 outside of Morelia city. The state has been contested by multiple cartel organizations for years and the violence has been persistent and unpredictable.
Morelia itself is permitted but I would approach even that with extra caution and would not recommend it as a first Mexico destination for someone who is already nervous about safety.
Border towns in general — Think very carefully
This is a broader category that applies across multiple states. The U.S. Mexico border region carries elevated risk in most areas because of its role in trafficking routes.
Tijuana in Baja California gets a lot of attention for medical tourism and day trips from San Diego. If you go to Tijuana stay in Zona Rio and Avenida Revolucion, use Uber, go during the day, and do not linger after dark.
It is manageable with those parameters but it is not a place I would send a first time Mexico traveler or a solo woman without significant travel experience.
If a destination is in a Level 3 or Level 4 state I ask myself one question before I consider it. Is there a comparable experience available in a Level 2 state?
The answer is almost always yes. Mexico has so much to offer within its safest destinations that there is rarely a compelling reason to take on the additional risk of a higher advisory level.
I have never felt like I was missing something essential by staying within Level 2 destinations.
The food, the beaches, the culture, the luxury accommodations, all of it is available without crossing into territory where the risk calculus changes significantly.
Travel with intention. Know where you are going before you go. And when the State Department says do not travel somewhere, believe them.
Mexico Is Cracking Down on Electronics at Customs — Here Is What Happened to Me
Nobody warned me about this, and I do not want it to catch you off guard the way it caught me.
Mexico has quietly tightened its customs enforcement around electronics, and if you are a content creator, a remote worker, or just someone who travels with multiple devices, you need to know the rules before you land because finding out at the customs counter is not a fun experience.
Here is what happened to me. I arrived in Mexico with my usual travel setup. Laptop, phone, tablet, camera. Standard gear for an influencer, so follow me on Instagram.
I was stopped at customs and questioned about my devices.
Despite having traveled to Mexico many times before and never having an issue, I was charged an import fee for carrying more than the permitted number of personal electronic devices.
I didn’t even know there was a limit on how many electronic devices you could have, and this is from someone who visits Mexico a few times a year!
I was frustrated. I felt like the rules had changed without any announcement, and I was being penalized for something I had done on every previous trip without being fined.
When I shared what happened in a Reel on Instagram, the response was overwhelming. That video has been viewed over 1.2 million times.
Thousands of people flooded the comments saying the exact same thing had happened to them. This is not an isolated incident. It is a pattern and it is catching American travelers completely off guard.
Here is what Mexico’s customs rules actually say
Mexico allows each traveler to bring in the following electronics duty free:
One laptop computer. One cell phone. One tablet or one camera.
That is it. Any additional devices beyond those three categories can be subject to import taxes even if they are clearly for personal use and even if you have traveled with them to Mexico before without any issue.
If you exceed those limits here is what the fees can look like. Mexico charges approximately 19 percent duty on the assessed value of any additional device.
For an iPad Pro that can mean a fee close to $200. For a MacBook Pro it can run between $300 and $400. I know because I paid it.
What to do before your next Mexico trip
Consolidate your devices as much as possible before you travel. If you can leave a device at home and work from one laptop and one phone, do that.
Carry receipts or proof of purchase for your devices if you are bringing anything that looks new or expensive. A customs officer assessing duty on a device will look at estimated value and having documentation of what you actually paid can help.
Do not pack electronics in their original boxes or wrapping. A brand new device in its retail packaging is going to attract attention. Pack your gear in your regular travel bag the way you would any personal item.
If you are charged a fee you believe is incorrect, you can request to speak with a supervisor.
Document everything, including the officer’s name and badge number if possible. Contact the U.S. Embassy if the situation escalates beyond a fee dispute.
✈️ Travel Smart, Stay Safe
Before you pack your bags, make sure you’re covered. I never travel without both travel insurance and my own Travel Safety Guide for Women.
My Go-To Travel Insurance:
Get a quote from SafetyWing or compare plans on VisitorsCoverage — both offer medical, trip delay, and theft coverage for international travelers.
My Travel Safety Guide ($19.99):
Grab the Passports & Grub Travel Safety Guide — a 30-page guide covering solo travel prep, emergency contacts, hotel safety, and everything I’ve learned from years of traveling abroad.
Common Scams in Mexico and How to Avoid Them
Every major tourist destination in the world has scams and Mexico is no different.
Taxi scams are the one that gets the most people, and they are completely avoidable. At virtually every major Mexico airport, there are aggressive taxi touts who approach you the moment you clear customs and offer you a ride into the city or to your hotel.
Some of them are legitimate registered taxis. Some of them are not. Even the legitimate ones will charge you three to four times the going rate if you accept their price without negotiating or without knowing what the trip should actually cost.
I suggest you download Uber before you land. Use it for every airport transfer and every ride you take throughout your trip.
Uber in Mexico works exactly the way it works at home. You see the price before you get in, you see the driver’s name and rating, and the route is tracked in the app.
It is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself from transportation scams in Mexico.
If Uber is not available in a specific area, always book transportation through your hotel. Do not flag down street taxis and do not get into any vehicle that approaches you unsolicited.
ATM Scams: Skimming devices on ATMs in tourist areas are a real problem in Mexico, and they are sophisticated enough that you often cannot tell a compromised machine from a clean one just by looking at it.
I only use ATMs inside bank branches during banking hours. Not convenience store ATMs. Not hotel lobby ATMs. Not gas station ATMs. Bank branch ATMs inside the physical bank building.
That one rule eliminates the vast majority of your ATM skimming risk.
Also, I have an American Express travel credit card with no foreign transaction fees, and I notify my bank before I travel, so my card is not flagged or frozen when transactions start coming through from Mexico.
Carrying a reasonable amount of pesos in cash from the airport or from a bank exchange is also smart so you are not dependent on ATMs throughout your trip.
The restaurant bill scam: Is subtle and easy to miss if you are distracted or if you are not familiar with the local pricing.
Some restaurants in high tourist areas will bring you a bill that includes items you did not order, charges for bread or chips that were presented as complimentary, or a service charge that was not disclosed upfront.
Always review your bill line by line before you pay. If something appears that you did not order, question it calmly and directly.
Most of the time, a polite correction is all it takes. Do not feel embarrassed about checking your bill. It is your money and checking it is standard practice everywhere in the world.
The rental car insurance scam: If you rent a car in Mexico the rental company will almost always try to sell you their own insurance coverage at the counter.
What they do not always tell you is that you may already be covered through your credit card or through a third party insurance policy you purchased before your trip.
If your credit card includes rental car insurance, make sure you understand exactly what it covers in Mexico, specifically because coverage terms vary.
I book rental car coverage through Discover Cars before I travel, which gives me clarity on exactly what I am covered for before anyone at the counter has a chance to create confusion about it.
Compare Rental Car Options with Discover Cars
The currency exchange scam: Mexico uses pesos and the exchange rate you get matters significantly depending on where you exchange your money.
Airport exchange booths almost always offer the worst rates.
Street exchange operations can be outright fraudulent, giving you counterfeit bills or miscounting your money in the transaction.
Use your bank’s ATM network for the best exchange rates, follow the bank branch ATM rule above, and avoid exchanging large amounts of cash in a single transaction in areas you do not know well.
The bottom line on scams
Stay alert, trust your instincts, use Uber, stick to bank branch ATMs, review your bills, and know what your insurance covers before you need it. Those five habits will protect you from the overwhelming majority of scam situations you might encounter.
- 🚗 Mexico car rental scam: This (deceptive) practice is not exclusive to Mexico but is something car rental companies worldwide do, by trying to upsell you things you don’t need.
- 💶 Fake ATMs: Use only ATMs inside reputable banks; never a random ATM on the street, convenience store ATMs, or gas station ATMs.
- 🚕 Fake Taxis: Use Uber in Mexico or only take authorized taxis from official stations, called sitios (taxi sites), instead of hailing a cab on the street. Better yet, use Uber, especially at the airport.
- 🥟 Restaurant Scams: Always double-check your bill to ensure everything adds up correctly; you were charged only for what you ordered, etc.
Is It Safe to Rent a Car in Mexico in 2026
Yes, renting a car in Mexico is safe!
I rent cars in Mexico regularly because I like exploring on my own.
If you want to explore cenotes off the beaten path in the Yucatan, drive the Baja coast at your own pace, or get from your hotel to a restaurant that is not on the main tourist strip, a rental car is the best way to do it.
Mexico has specific insurance requirements for rental cars that are different from what your U.S. auto insurance or credit card coverage may provide.
As I stated above, many U.S. credit cards that include rental car coverage exclude Mexico entirely or only cover collision damage and not liability.
Mexican law requires liability insurance at minimum and if you are in an accident without it the consequences can be serious including your car being impounded and you being detained while the situation is sorted out.
Before you rent do three things. Call your credit card company and ask specifically whether your rental car coverage applies in Mexico.
Call your personal auto insurance provider and ask the same question.
And look at third party rental car insurance through a provider like Discover Cars which gives you clear coverage terms before you get to the counter and before anyone has a chance to create confusion about what you need.
Compare Rental Cars and Coverage with Discover Cars
Do not let the rental counter upsell you into coverage you do not need but also do not leave that counter without liability coverage that specifically applies in Mexico. That middle ground is what you are looking for.
What to do if you are pulled over
If you are stopped present your driver’s license, your vehicle registration from the rental company, and your proof of insurance calmly and without argument.
Listen to what the officer tells you. If you have committed a genuine traffic violation the process is similar to being pulled over at home.
If a police officer explicitly asks you for money outside of an official fine process, stay calm, do not hand over cash immediately, and ask clearly and politely for a written ticket and the location of the official payment office.
That single response signals that you know the process and are not an easy target, and in the majority of cases the encounter ends there.
If you are driving without a license the rental car can be impounded. If you are cited for a serious infraction fines can be significant. Follow the traffic laws, do not drink and drive, and you are unlikely to find yourself in this situation at all.
20 Tips to Keep Yourself Safe in Mexico
Although a travel advisory is in effect, it’s important to remember that tourists flock to Mexico every year without incident.
Traveling anywhere requires a little bit of safety precaution. So, remember to enlist these general rules during your vacation, and you will not have to worry about how many tourists are killed or if you will be killed.
Here are some precautions that you can take to make sure your trip goes as planned:
- Keep Your Nose Clean: As mentioned above, much of the criminal activity in Mexico revolves around the drug trade and sex trade. Although many Americans go south of the border to have a little fun, remember the last thing you want is to end up in a Mexican Jail.
- When Driving, Stick to Main Roads, and Daytime Travel: One of the most popular methods to extort money and protect cartel turf is through carjacks or roadblock ambushes. Avoid back roads and nighttime driving and hire taxis and driving services through the hotel where you’re staying.
- Stay Informed: Keep up-to-date about safety news through a few methods. First, talk with your travel agent and/or hotel concierge about safety updates and where to go. They’ll have the most current read on the situation. As an American Citizen, you should also consider signing up for STEP, the Department of State’s Safe Traveler Enrollment Program. This will sign you up for travel alerts, put you on the consulate and Embassy radar, and make it easier to work things out if there’s an incident.
- Leave a copy of your passport and itinerary with someone at home.
- Keep your valuables locked up when you leave the hotel.
- Learn the language as much as possible (This is not just for safety, but also for courtesy, which can keep you safer, too!) Remember the old saying you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar?
- Trust people invested long-term in making your stay a good one, like booking agents and hotel staff, and be on your guard with one-off opportunities.
- Research your destination: Ensure you are current on travel warnings.
- Keep windows shut and doors locked in a car, especially at traffic lights.
- Use first-class bus companies– they take toll roads with security checks on passengers as they board.
- Don’t walk around by yourself late at night: You are asking for trouble.
- Be careful taking money out of the ATM: these are good spots to rob people.
- Use a money belt: Keep the thieves at bay.
- Don’t get scammed: You are likely scammed if someone asks you for your personal information.
- Don’t wear flashy jewelry – looking like you are balling out of control will get you robbed. Leave your LV and Gucci in the States.
- Ask for a hotel concierge: The hotel staff will be able to provide complete tips about where to eat and what attractions you must see.
- Avoid getting DRUNK: Someone must always know where you are.
- Don’t try to buy drugs: Don’t ask about buying drugs, and don’t even think about buying drugs.
- Don’t travel at night: Most crime occurs at night.
- Only use well-known tour operators: Most cheaper tour operators will not have up-to-date equipment and experienced guides.
Remember, millions of people visit Mexico each year, and 99% of travelers do not run into any trouble, but the 1% that makes the news is all you hear about.
Mexico is safe to visit so long as you stay out of trouble, take precautions, don’t buy drugs, and ladies do not allow men to buy your cocktails. I don’t care how cute he is!
🌍 Protect Every Trip with Reliable Travel Insurance
Before you take off, protect your adventure with trusted travel insurance providers. Whether it’s a flight delay, lost luggage, or medical emergency, the right plan keeps you covered — and stress-free.
Are Resorts in Mexico Safe?
Mexico’s resort industry generates billions of dollars in revenue every year and the Mexican government knows it.
The major resort corridors in Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Maya receive significant investment in security infrastructure precisely because tourism is one of the country’s most important economic engines.
Heavily policed beach zones, private security at every major property, and resort staff who are professionally trained to manage guest safety are standard across the luxury end of the market.
Here are my top picks for the most luxurious hotels in Mexico!
Rosewood Mayakoba, Riviera Maya: Nestled along the pristine shores of Riviera Maya, the Rosewood Mayakoba offers an idyllic retreat for discerning travelers.
This eco-luxury resort seamlessly blends with the lush tropical landscape, offering lavish suites and villas with private plunge pools, pristine beaches, and access to a world-class spa.
Indulge in gourmet dining, play golf on the championship course, or unwind with a rejuvenating treatment in tranquil surroundings.
Las Ventanas al Paraíso, A Rosewood Resort, Los Cabos: Perched along the enchanting coastline of Los Cabos, Las Ventanas al Paraíso is a sanctuary of tranquility and elegance.
The resort’s signature “Windows to Paradise” concept showcases breathtaking ocean views and meticulously crafted accommodations.
This desert beach oasis redefines luxury with its world-class spa, Michelin-starred dining options, and personalized butler service.
Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita, Nayarit: Escape to the exclusive paradise of Punta Mita and discover the Four Seasons Resort, a haven of refined luxury.
Surrounded by lush gardens and pristine beaches, this oceanfront retreat offers spacious casitas and private villas overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Enjoy championship golf courses, rejuvenating spa treatments, and exceptional dining experiences that embrace the flavors of Mexico.
Chablé Maroma, Riviera Maya: Experience the epitome of tropical luxury at Chablé Maroma, an exquisite beachfront retreat that exudes serenity and style.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Riviera Maya while enjoying lavish suites, private plunge pools, and direct access to one of the most beautiful beaches in Mexico.
Indulge in holistic spa therapies, savor gourmet cuisine, or embark on a diving adventure to explore the nearby coral reefs.
St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, Nayarit: Unparalleled elegance awaits you at the St. Regis Punta Mita Resort, a coastal paradise on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Immerse yourself in the refined ambiance of this exclusive retreat, boasting lavish suites, private terraces, and a selection of world-class restaurants.
From championship golf courses to a serene Remède Spa, every detail is meticulously curated to ensure an unforgettable experience.
Final Verdict: Should You Visit Mexico in 2026?
I’ve said it for years, Mexico is one of the most beautiful and culturally rich countries I’ve ever explored.
But it’s also one of the few destinations where you have to travel smart and stay alert. With recent cartel threats aimed at U.S. citizens, it’s more important than ever to approach your trip with awareness, not fear.
When I visit Mexico, I do it with intention by choosing destinations carefully, avoiding risky zones, and using verified transportation and tour companies like Viator.
I talk to locals, stay informed, and never assume yesterday’s safety equals today’s reality.
If you’re still dreaming of turquoise beaches, mezcal tastings, and those long, golden sunsets you don’t have to cancel your plans.
But you do have to plan smarter. Know where to go, what to avoid, and how to protect yourself before you arrive.
Here’s how to stay safe and confident when traveling in Mexico in 2026:
- Review my Comprehensive Travel Safety Guide before you book. It’s packed with practical advice I use for every international trip.
- Stay within well-secured resort areas and use vetted services for transfers and excursions.
- Keep up with current advisories through the U.S. State Department’s Mexico Travel Advisory before traveling.
- Always purchase travel insurance that includes medical evacuation and emergency assistance coverage.
🇲🇽 Read More About Mexico Safety & Travel Tips:
- Is Cabo San Lucas Safe to Visit in 2026?
- Is Cancun Safe Right Now? What Travelers Should Know
- Is Tulum Safe for Solo Female Travelers in 2026?
- Is Puerto Vallarta Still Safe? Updated Tips for Visitors
Mexico isn’t off-limits; it just requires informed decisions and situational awareness. Respect local laws, stay observant, and make your safety part of your itinerary.
Because here’s the truth: it’s possible to love Mexico deeply and still acknowledge its challenges.
You can sip margaritas at sunset and still be alert. You can explore with curiosity and travel with confidence.
That’s how you stay safe and still savor every bit of magic this country offers.
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Thank you for the great information. After a long time I am going to visit North America and my first plan to visit Mexico.For this awesome place, I already discussed and contact with Oscar Cancun Shuttle for transportation from Airport to travel places.
“President Trump and the American media wants you, and everyone else to believe that Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti and other countries where the majority of the population are black and brown people are the most dangerous places to visit and it’s simply not true.”
With this statement, you lost all credibility. Thanks for making it a political site. In the future, I’d steer clear of assumptions and use facts. Otherwise you’ll lose readers like me.
Facts are facts.. Mexico is safer than most U.S. cities. When was the last time you visited Mexico? When was the last time you were robbed in Mexico? When was the last time your wife or a woman you know was raped. I travel to Mexico solo and with my husband and nothing has ever happened to me. Are you regurgitating what the media wants you to believe or have you had first hand experience with crime in Mexico.
What about the crime right here in the U.S.?
you lost all credibility as well for not doing your research and listening to one side. As an avid traveler who loves my family I would take my daughter to Mexico over Rome in a heartbeat.
We will agree to disagree on traveling to Mexico. I am planning my next visit now and can’t wait.
First, my wife and I are world travellers and we are not the party type when we travel. The bad stories you hear about Mexico are true. I have been to Mexico multiple times and while some areas can be beautiful, we have found that almost everyone there is trying to cheat you somehow. Whether it is the cab or bus driver giving you incorrect change, A cab cartel that fixes prices so high that a 10 minute cab ride is $40 to $70US, as they try to block Uber, overpriced food that is sold as high quality but what you get is inferior (advertised USDA Prime steak but get a tough dry low quality cut of meat most likely from a backyard butcher) and before you ask why are you eating steak in Mexico the answer is because all of the tourist destinations only have Italian, American, and Japanese restaurants or horrible fancy Mexican restaurants- you have to take the risk and go into town for authentic mexican to eat the authentic mystery meat tacos which are usually inferior to Mexican in Los Angeles because of the inferior ingredients. Dishonest timeshare salespeople everywhere posing as your tour operator or just straight up lying which is constant from the time you arrive at the airport. I watched a timeshare representative at the airport threaten an old lady with arrest because she told one of the potential victims that they were getting defrauded. Cops who are only there to rob tourists and protect cartel. In fact the police chief in Cancun area was recently beheaded by one cartel for taking sides with another. We have been pulled over, infractions made up and robbed every time we have rented a car in mexico. You in general have to watch your back and constantly be on guard so you aren’t cheated or robbed. Cheap sometimes dangerous alcohol filled into brand name bottles so they can cheat you that way also. We have had some pleasant experiences at the resorts that we have stayed at, but those have come at a cost higher then vacations to Hawaii or other safer and more beautiful tropical locations. The cheap Mexico vacation doesn’t exist in places like Cancun, Cabo, and Riviera Maya. Your life is cheaper in Mexico than many places in the world and the people there are opportunists. If they can cheat you in some way they will. Health standards are far below what an American or European tourist is used to. Since you mention Rome, Rome is far safer then even the “safe places” in Mexico. In Rome You aren’t likely to get shot in a public place, blown up on a ferry, beheaded, cheated at every turn, and the health standrds and cleanliness far exceed any city in mexico. You may get pickpocketed if you look like an overweight poorly dressed american with a fanny pack. And yes there are dangerous places in every city. But here in Los Angeles it’s the areas that are predominantly Mexican that are the dangerous areas. I haven’t seen an area improve as migrants take over. Could there be a correlation? Maybe you live in one of those areas, so Mexico feels just as clean and safe as home to you?Adding your political views negates your argument that Mexico is a safe place. Statistics show the truth, migration shows the truth. Any political issues should be aimed at the Mexican politicians who are partners with the cartels and the Mexican people who go along with it as the status quo instead of fixing the issues. Am I saying a trip to Mexico is going to mean certain doom for you? No. But you definitely can’t relax and put your guard down like you can in other nice places. For my money there is much nicer safer places to go. Plus I don’t want my money to benefit the corrupt people down there. The high prices you pay don’t trickle down to make the lives of the lowly workers better. The cartels and politicians cash in while the regular people barely survive.
A very true statement..
You are absolutely correct and those who state that Mexico is safe are in denial!
Those who state that Mexico is safe are in denial! Many, many instances where tourists are robbed, assaulted, kidnapped, raped. The Mexican media of course attempts to downplay these incidents.
Yep, lost me in that 1st paragraph. Keep spouting the political brainwash. Turn off MSNBS. Take a Border Patrol agent to lunch sometime. Learn what’s really happening. Remember, Congress makes the laws. Stop looking at life through a racial lens.
I am sorry if I lost you at the paragraph but unfortunately you might need to look through a different lense and that is what travel . is all about. Mexico isnt this big bad place where you will be slaughtered at every turn and I suggest you turn off Fox News.
Agree 100%
Whoever wrote this pathetic article is a fucking joke. They couldn’t wait to say Trump is racist towards black and brown people. #pathetic
I agree, after this crap statement… they lost all credibility. The writer is pushing racism. The travel advisories has zero to do with skin color. It’s about safety. You might need to look through a different lens writer and honestly consider that race may be irrelevant with this???
Personally if I’m gonna be slaughtered, I’d be pissed no matter what color someone happened to be, maybe you are different. Oh btw President Trump and American main steam media aren’t on the same team if you haven’t bothered to watch the news or anything else. Only morons are still trying to race bait.
I totally agree with this person about losing your readership. You lost me too as soon as you put your untruthful, ignorant opinions in this article. You should stick to writing about stuff you actually know about.
Why is it necessary to bring race into your post? As in the US cities where there is a majority of black and brown people there is much more crime. It is documented and everyone knows it yet the media and many individuals will not agree because they are afraid of being labeled racist. There is far more crime in countries where the majority of citizens are black or brown. Do your own survey.
I bring race into the post because it matters. Mexico has the same travel warning as Europe and many other countries but they dont have the stigma that Mexico has. I have never been robbed, kidnapped or raped or even pickpocketed why visiting Mexico but the media will have you believe it’s more dangerous than the US.
lol, no great loss “Jeff”. It will be your loss because this woman has provided a most thorough examination of travel in Mexico.
I just read into “is It Safe To Travel To Mexico”….This is exhausting and stressful but I’ve already made plans to this country I’ve been wanting to return to and I don’t want to cancel them (I’ll loose money). With that said I leave for Mexico in early June. My plans are Mexico City for 2 days than a bus to Taxco, MX, as Taxco was the main reason to return to purchase and photograph this small quaint town filled with churches. I may have to cancel this part of my trip.
No! Dont cancel! Mexico is completely safe and I went last year and everything was fine. Italy, Europe and a lot of other countries have the same warning level.
Mexico is not completely safe!! You have to be careful and try your best not to look like a tourist. Btw,, I’m Mexican…
Maru- I think there is crime everywhere and to single an entire country out is crazy to me. I am in Tennessee and if you go looking for trouble you will find trouble. I felt more unsafe in Rome than I did Mexico and Rome has the same level 2 warning that Mexico has but Rome doesn’t have the same stigma associated with crime.
What if I stay at my resort and don’t leave. Then a I safe??
Why would you want to just stay at your resort? unless the resort is all inclusive
Staying at the resort and not leaving was the only time we felt safe and were able to relax in many trips to Mexico. Saying it is safe is hogwash. If you aren’t on guard all the time you will be a victim.
I’m so glad I found “is it safe to travel to Mexico”. My daughter (20) and 8 of her sorority sisters are going on a cruise in March and the two stops are Cozumel and Puerta Costa Maya. I feel somewhat better about their safety after reading your article. Do you have anything to add for cruise ship safety or safety at these ports? I’m excited for her, but still a nervous momma.
Mexico is completely safe so need to worry. I am going back in April myself. I am sure they know all of the rules about not taking drinks from strangers and make sure they have safe words. It might sound silly to them to create a safe word because nobody ever thinks something is going to happen until it does.
Plans for Puerto Vallarta early spring? Very concerned.
No need to be concerned. If you are not concerned about Italy or other parts of Europe no need to be concerned about Mexico. I was felt more unsafe in Rome than I did in Mexico
I will be traveling with my husband and two little kids to Puerto Vallarta in August. I would love to hear your feedback when you return.
My family just booked a cruise for late April that stops in the Yuccatan and Cozumel. What about safety when you are on a cruise ship? Any ideas?
We did that cruise last year and felt safe. We even rented our own car for Cozumel and felt safe driving around. (We are a family of 5 with blonde haired blue eyed kids.)
Melissa- Exactly! If you are not in the hood looking for drugs and trying to buy hookers you will probably be ok. I thought I was going to get robbed in Rome but never once did I feel unsafe in Mexico
Do you have a recommended taxi company we can use in cancun for transport from airport to our hotel?
I will be traveling to Acapulco in July with my husband and four kids ages 12,10,3,2. This would be our first trip to Mexico. Will be staying at a resort. But my mother wants us to visit her grandma and she lives in the edges or Acapulco. Will be renting a van and will be driving an hour. Will spend the night with her. Any advice please.
Morning Olivia-
Congratulations on your trip to Mexico. I will suggest not driving at night. If you are going to visit your great grandmother make sure you leave early in the afternoon so you will not be driving at night. Other than that enjoy your trip and follow all of the safety precautions in the post like not wearing flashy jewelry or clothes and dont get drunk. I doubt that will happen because you are with your kiddos and mom.
WOW! I just stumbled on your site, and like you, I plan to travel this world before my “final exit”. Thank you again for providing travelers with information. I look forward to your future blogs.
Yours in Travel,
Thanks so much Lorenzo! Happy to have you and please feel free to reach out and follow me on facebook and instagram
We leave for Mexico in 2 weeks, and with the latest on Venezula, should we cancel?
I saw on the news today Venezuela was experiencing some issues. Let me do some research tonight and I will get back with you first thing in the morning.
PLAN ON TRAVELING TO CANCUN WITH A GROUP OF MY GIRLFIRENDS AND WOULD LIKE TO DO AN AIR BNB. IS THIS SAFE? OR SHOULD WE REMAIN AT A RESORT??
I stayed two nights at an air bnb and we were perfectly fine. I suggest finding one that has a chef and they will prepare authentic Mexican cuisine and you won’t have to worry about going out every morning to find breakfast.
Hi, we’re leaving in 3 weeks, we will be staying 3 nights in Tulum, 1 in chichen itza, 2 in Mérida and 2 in Cancun. We’re quite nervous about this. How safe will we be?
Hi Nancy. There is no reason to be nervous whatsoever. as I stated Italy, Czech Republic, Spain, and other countries have the same level warning which just means be safe. I felt more unsafe in Rome than I did Mexico so no need to worry.
Regulated prescriptions were a concern of my wife and I crossing the border. I’ll be bringing Adderall and she has sleep medication. I was told that the original bottle is sufficient with clear labeling. And how do you secure them in your motel room?
Hey Bruce- I suggest getting a written note from your doctor and do not pull the label off. Make sure you have a written prescription in case you lose your medication.
My 19 year old son and 2 friends are planning to go to Cozumel and stay at an air bnb by the cruise ship pier. They want to go fishing. Should I be worried and encourage them to go elsewhere? Your site implies they will be fine if they keep their noses clean. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks.
Kristi- you are exactly right. I have traveled all over Mexico and I nothing has happened to me. Mexico is no different than any other city or country. If you stay out of bad areas and dont go looking for trouble you wont find any. as I stated in the article I felt more unsafe in Rome than I did in Mexico.
If you had a choice of Belize or Puerta Vallarta which would you do? Which do you fell is safer, we have kids ages 12, 12, 15.
I went to Belize last year to the Belize lobster festival ( https://passportsandgrub.com/placencia-lobster-festival/ ) we had a ball and there were tons of kids everywhere. if your family loves seafood you can have lobster prepared every way imaginable! I suggest Belize and if you are adventurous ditch the beach and stay in the jungle at Ka’ana Luxury Resort. I have a review on the resort and also their the little blue hole that the kids can actually jump in. Its amazing
I am trying to plan a trip to Cancun in September 2019. I went many years ago and drove to Chichen Itcha, Tulum and Xcaret. Would like to do the same this trip. Rental cars are very cheap. We will be a group of at least 5 adults and can drive during the day instead of at night. Do you think this is safe?
I think you will be ok. Don’t go trying to buy drugs and keep your noses clean but you should do that when you are traveling anywhere. I’ve visited Mexico plenty of times and my husband and I have never experienced anything but sweet and kind people.
Hello, I am going to Cancun in March and I’m a little nervous as I am taking 2 small children. Is there any activities you recommend, any transportation from the airline to hotel ? Any tips anything else that would be helpful ? Thank you !
my first question is are you staying at an all-inclusive resort? If you are staying at all-inclusive resort all if not most of the activities should be included.
My husband and I plan to travel next month – we would like to see the ruins in Tulum. Do you recommend staying in a larger city like Cancun or Cozumel or is Tulum ok?
Cancun and Cozumel are just like staying in any American city and you will be completely safe. I recommend staying in Cancun or Cozumel since you are older.
Hi-Webare traveling to Cancun to stay at GR SOLARIS for and all inclusive visit . I feel like just staying at the resort and Evan so , question our safety . we are a group of seniors and nervous to begin with . We want to know your option on this hotel and security measures all around . Thanks, Marcia
Hi-Webare traveling to Cancun to stay at GR SOLARIS for and all inclusive visit . I feel like just staying at the resort and Evan so , question our safety . we are a group of seniors. Thanks, Marcia
Thinking of a trip in July to Rocky Point. We really want to go but have been warned that it may not be completely safe. The part of the trip I have been warned the most about is driving there. We would be driving from the Tuscon area using a rental car. Any advice? We would be staying at an AirBnb owned by an American couple.
Carol-
I just wrote an article about the best beaches in Mexico and most of them you will need to rent a car and venture out on your own. I think you will be just fine. As i stated if you are not going into crime-ridden areas looking for drugs and stay on the main roads you will be fine. Use your common sense and stay out of trouble. Mexico has a level 2 warning and for the most part the people of mexico are very safe and friendly. They need tourism dollars and I have never had an issue in my travels to Mexico
is Mazatlan OK to travel to??
I am traveling to Puerto Vallarta with my two little kids ( 5 & 10) and husband in August and am becoming paranoid about the “reconsider travel” alert that is on this area. I worry that a young family would be a target, am I crazy? We are staying at a 4 star resort and have shuttles arranged to and from the airport. I also hope to do an excursion or two but want to make sure I am keeping us safe. Thoughts?
We have been travelling to Mexico for 12 years now and we love it so much we invested and spend our winters here! After considering Chapala, Ajijic and Puerto Vallarta, we opted to purchase a home about an hour north of Manzanillo. Many friends and neighbors go to Manzanillo regularly for fun, dining, shopping and other stuff like excellent dental work at a fraction of the cost that one pays at home in Canada. We love the small town ambiance to be found in Barra de Navidad, Melaque, La Manzanilla and Cuestocomate. We feel completely safe. I don’t do anything here that I would not do in Toronto. We lock the doors we leave the house, we do not leave valuables in plain sight in our car, etc. So come on down and enjoy!
exactly! I cant understand why people think it is so unsafe. Use common sense and you will be fine. Do you leave your valuables out in plain sight in the states? are you buying drugs? are you riding around in not so nice neighborhoods in the states? Use the same common sense you do anywhere else you will be fine. Thanks so much for the comment
I’m traveling next month and I’m worried and have high anxiety because of my two kids. But I’m glad I ran into your site. I am also going to Nayarit, is that safe?? please advise
Malika- I have never been to Nayarit but I did a little digging before I responded and this is what I found. It is a level 3 where most parts of Mexico is a level 2. I would be careful and make sure you are aware of your surrounding. I checked with another travel blogger and she stated she just left this area and didnt have any issues. I will see what else I can find for you.
Nayarit state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Reconsider travel due to crime.
Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Nayarit state. U.S. government employees may not travel to:
Tepic
San Blas
There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees to: Riviera Nayarit (including Nuevo Vallarta and Bahia de Banderas) and Santa Maria del Oro.
Hi, I have family that live in Nayarit in the city of Tepic near San Blas. I just came back from visiting. Unfortunately, my grandmother who lived there passed away and I made the trip down. I hadn’t visited in 10 years because of the travel advisories and I regret it deeply. Once I was there, I realized I may have been duped by the American media. It is absolutely gorgeous and I felt very safe at all times. I’m not going to let time go by again without seeing my extended family that lives there and enjoying this beautiful place. I actually felt more unsafe when I was in Paris.
The media would like for us think that Mexico is full of thugs and you will be killed. THat is not the case. There is a criminal element no matter the destination and take the same precautions you would at home. you can’t trust the American press
I have appreciated your research and reassurance to all who have posed these questions to you. However, several times you reference that the press have exaggerated the danger of travel in Mexico. You now said “you can’t trust the American press”. Earlier you were chastised for criticizing Trump and his attacks on the Mexican people, making them out to be dangerous, criminals, and murders (that last part I took liberties with but they are Trump’s words from various points in time). Trump also espouses that you can’t trust the American press. You have now aligned yourself right there with him. Bad news for you. I only go into this with such gusto due to the fact that I have not experienced the media overly covering the travel advisories or creating excessive drama around the danger. Perhaps you have been a bit thin skinned on the topic. The State Department puts out the status as they see fit and it’s up to the rest of us to research and determine the real seriousness of the situation. You have done so and have shared it admirably. I see more knee jerk reaction from the general public that has created the hysteria rather than it being perpetuated by the press. I leave it to you to continue to give great facts and tips on danger and safety, as it is greatly needed and well received by those seeking the information. Thanks!
Hi
We are planning to go to Mexico in March. We will book a resort all inclusive, We have plan to got to beach, chichun itza ,xcaret and There is one road in Cancun where we can go. I am worried because i have 2 kids and one is 7 months old baby with me. i am thinking if it is safe to travel there with baby??Please advice
Hi Sonia- are you renting a car to go to the beach?
Is is safe in secrets Akamai?
I have not stayed at the secrets resorts but let me see what I can find out and I will get back with you.
Tomiko, Mexico in these areas are now up to a Level 4. I’m looking to visit Manzanillo. How do you feel about this area? The US government is saying Don’t go at all??
I did a little research and everything I found said Manzanillo was safe and crime was virtually nonexistent because the Mexican army and Navy is based there. I checked my friend’s Goats on the road and they sent me this article.
https://www.goatsontheroad.com/manzanillo-colima-travel-guide/
Good article, aside from this preachy, accusatory bit: “Are you concerned about traveling to Italy? Italy has the same level 2 warning so why is Mexico considered more violent and why are you asking is it safe to travel to Mexico?”. You never answer your, I assume, rhetorical question. You very well know why, because chopped up tourists stuffed in car trunks are splashed across the evening news. That’s why, so why the superior tone? The answer to Q1 would be yes, I would be concerned about traveling to certain parts of Italy.
Steve- of course, the article was accusatory because I felt more threatened in Rome than I did in Mexico. Rome is notorious for criminal activity but it does not receive the same “fear” as other destinations. I ask why is that? Why is Mexico considered so dangerous but other destinations with the same warning level is not? I have traveled all over Mexico and I have never felt unsafe.
Tomiko, obviously you are a paid promoter of mexican tourism. Mexico is not safe, sure maybe a small percentage run in to issues but do you want that small percentage to be your family killed? Ask Tyler Meyers family what they think of Mexico. I have been there recently and did not feel safe. All Americans are targets. Travel advisories are in place for a reason and even they are not as strong as they should be. Avoid Mexico.
I am not a paid promoter of the Mexican Tourism board and they actually are not even aware of my article. I wrote the article I felt very unsafe in Rome and was frightened for my life but while I was in Mexico I felt completely safe and at ease. Everyone was asking me was I afraid to go to Mexico. When was the last time you visited Mexico or are you just saying avoid Mexico because the media tells to you avoid Mexico?
I am going to Cancun in April with two of my old college friends. I am not the least bit concerned but they are. They feel like once we transfer to hotel we should stay at resort. I have been to Cabo but never Cancun and want to visit Tulum. I also want to do an excursion to Isla Mujeres. I plan to book all excursions through resort. Should my friends be concerned and how can I convince them it is safe?
all three destinations are safe but I havent been to Tulum in years and I recently heard that while it’s still safe the beaches are not what they once were because of tourist. I use viator to book all of my excursions but if you are staying at an all inclusive they may provide excursions as part of your trip. Tell your girlfriends not to worry and have a good time. I felt more unsafe in Rome than I did Mexico. I was actually scared to death in Rome but thats another story.
Sorry dude to hear your were scared in Rome. Rome is one of the safest cities in Europe.
Been to Rome 3 times and walked the city both day and late night, without any issues.
Only thing I found was people were not that friendly, other than that we had a great time.
No matter where you go, always due your research before you go.
you are absolutely right. you could live in the safest neighborhood and you should still lock your doors at night and it’s no different when traveling. Don’t go looking for trouble, don’t go buying drugs, don’t sit your drink down and that’s across the board whether it’s in the states or internationally.
Well I get trouble from customs bringing Regulated drugs prescriptions after landing at customs. I’ll be bringing Adderall and she has sleep medication. I was told that the original bottle is sufficient with clear labeling. And how do you secure them in your motel room?
Make sure you put all of your medication in the safe along with any other valuables. Also, have copies of your prescription and keep the original label on the bottle.
I know this is quite after the fact for the person asking the question, but for future reference, I have traveled to the Cancun area twice and to Europe and to Canada. In all instances I never had anyone in customs look at, ask about, or raise an eyebrow about my medications. And I had a number of them, set up by day, so they weren’t in their original bottles. I did take a list that I printed from my pharmacy site that gave all the info regarding name, dosage and prescribing doctor. But, as I said, no one ever asked or looked. I don’t think our little minute amounts of meds concern them. They are more concerned with the multi million dollar quantities that people might be bringing one direction or the other.
exactly. I also took my medication with me and not one person suggested it was something illegal or even looked my way.
No place in Mexico, Latin America or the Caribbean is SAFE for gringos who are regarded fair game like deer hunting season ! Everything else you here is pure BS ! I have traveled and lived worldwide and visited Mexico several times since the 60’s and felt extremely nervous every time I ventured south of de border ! I have lived 11 years in Asia and NEVER a problem there ! Latin countries are corrupt from the top down that is the main problem, cops are on the take everywhere their morale is LOW ! Mexican politicians and officials are like the Sopranos!
Bottom line Mexico is absolutely NOT safe for anyone !
If you are as well traveled as you say you are then you should know Mexico is not as dangerous as the news the portrays. I wonder why only black and brown countries are considered dangerous. As I stated in the article I felt more afraid in Rome than Mexico. It seems like you are listening to the news vs actually experiencing the country and getting to know the locals. Your I am better than tone tells me exactly why you feel the way you do.
Why bring up “black and brown?” They do not like Americans and we are the great melting pot, so no color, just being American is enough. Afterall, are ‘we’ not trying to keep them from coming to our country, illegally? You are being naive but sincerely wish you great and safe travels.
I bring up black and brown because there is clearly a difference in the way the news portrays countries of black and brown people vs other countries. Rome was a nightmare for me and it has the same level 2 warning as Mexico but you dont see the media reporting how dangerous Rome or other countries that has the same level 2 warning
I wonder if you are just as passionate about the killing of unarmed black men in the states?
I went on an excursion through a cruise line in the Dominican Republic, which the cruise line strongly suggests using their excursions for safety. The lady who ran the tour insisted we go thru the town on the way back, the bus driver didn’t say much, but it was obvious he did not want to. It was wrong. Well, that would be a perfect example of how things could go wrong. I made a comment on the review online.
In that situation there isnt much you can do because the excursion is set up by a third party. I dont blame you for leaving a bad review because what if things had turned out differently. Glad you are safe
My boyfriend and I traveled to Cancun in February of 2018 and had something put in our drinks MY boyfriend ended up in the hospital with a large bill to pay and thought I was never going to get out Now afraid to travel there How do you get the feeling back to travel I have been going to Cancun since 1997 and just loved it
You have to look at it the same you would if you were at a bar in the states. Say you went to Nashville for the weekend and someone put something in your drink you wouldnt say I am never traveling anywhere else again. Things happen and we as travelers have to cautious no matter where we are traveling too. I dont care if I am in Texas or the Amalfi Coast I try to make sure I am very aware of my surroundings.
Going to Cancun for the first time. 4 of us including 2 children 9 and 6. Staying at the Marriott Cancun Resort, not AI, so we will be going around for food etc, even getting groceries for breakfast. At least that’s the plan. Now I see all this debate about Cancun and it’s a little scary. Any advice other than don’t do illegal things which are we don’t want plan on? We were hoping to just use the taxi to get around, get groceries, go to nearby restaurants (walk or taxi). Thinking of excursions as well. Should we use hotel concierge or book tours elsewhere? Any tips on appreciated. I can still cancel the trip but prefer not to. My wife is more than paranoid than me. Sometimes I that keeps us safe.
One more scary thing.. Kidnapping? Is this a frequent occurrence? My kids are normal in the sense they sometimes wander a few yards away from us. Is this a place we need to clutch on tight to the little ones in broad daylight? Sorry for being paranoid. Thanks for the info.
no worries Jason and I apologize for the late response as I was traveling. Kidnappings are far and few. The media would like for you to believe there are kidnappings everyday and that is just not the case. If you are at the beach in Hilton Head, SC you would keep an eye on your children.
are you staying at an all inclusive or renting an airbnb? I will help anyway I can to help relieve your fears. I was traveling but I will be home for the next few weeks to help you.
So basically if you want to go, proceed as if you were headed to war. I was raised in Cancun. I’ve been living here in the U.S. for almost 2 years now after I was extorted at my former business. They threatened to kill my wife and baby if I didn’t pay. Stay away form that shit hole.
you sound as if you have been watching too Fox News and the shit hole country theme. Mexico is safe and I am sure you eat a Mexican restaurant every Friday and drink margaritas every Tuesday. You enjoy the culture but don’t want to experience the culture and food first hand.
It’s really necessary for you article to say that “Mexico, Dominican Republic, Haiti and other countries where the majority of the population are black and brown people” ? I think that it’s racist.
it is absolutely necessary seeing that only countries where black and brown people come from are deemed dangerous. Mexico is not as dangerous as the media portrays. If you live in the US and you are not afraid to go to the grocery store you shouldnt be afraid to travel to Mexico.
Hello Tomiko,
Firstly, This is the one of the best blogs on Mexico that I have found that provides useful info on places to visit, “to-dos and not-to-dos” as well as objective and unbiased commentaries even in the face of challenging feedback. Much appreciated!!!
Planning on visiting and backpacking across Yucatan Peninsula..Cities/Areas that I’ll be visiting are as follows:-
Cancun- PDC- Tulum- coba – Ek Balam -valladolid- chichen itza -Merida – Campeche. All by ADO Bus Travel while staying at only AirBnB for each town/city.
Firstly, is it safe to travel via ADO buses across the Yucatan?
Secondly, Is it safe to do all AirBnB?…trying to maximize my travel budget.
Planning on visiting ifrom end of Nov – First few weeks in Dec
Morning Pete-
Thanks so much for the feedback and I really appreciate you! I have not stayed at an airbnb but my travel colleague whom I trust only stays at airbnb and she just returned from Mexico and Belize and she stayed in airbnb on both trips and she didn’t have any issues.
Buses do occasionally get held up and robbed. Traveling by day and on deluxe or 1st-class buses, which use toll highways where possible, minimizes this risk.
Keep me posted on your trip!
Thanks much for your quick response Tomiko! Have a great week!
More Americans Are Murdered in Mexico Than In All Other Foreign Countries Combined. That is why it is dangerous. Nobody should be trusting advice such as this: “If you live in the US and you are not afraid to go to the grocery store you shouldnt be afraid to travel to Mexico,” or the laughable “Nothing has happened to me,” and “It’s safer than Italy.” Look at the facts, look at the government warnings and crime rates, and decide how much risk you are willing to take. The level of risk is higher in Mexico, period. Can you be murdered anywhere? Of course. But are the odds higher in Mexico? Absolutely they are. It’s amazing what people are capable of telling themselves to put their mind at ease. If you are worried about a trip to Mexico, ask yourself why comments like “it’s just like your local grocery store,” from random people will help. Instead, learn the risks and decide how much risk you can accept. But risks vary, a lot, and so does people’s tolerance for risk depending on their personalities and life experience. Understand, don’t Deny.
I just returned from Mexico again this past sunday and I didnt stay on a resort. I walked around in the city, I ate with locals, I shopped and I had a great time. I am still here and noone bothered me and in fact it was one of the more peaceful trips I have been on. Have you been robbed or kidnapped in Mexico? are you just going off of the media?
We are thinking about flying into Leon and driving to San Miguel. Is that an OK area?
Jeff- Its approximately a 2 hour drive to San Miguel. I have actually taken the drive myself and I had a car service to pick me up from the airport and it was about $22/person. You can rent a car but You probably will not use a car in San Miguel unless you are staying far away from everything. Yes, it is safe to either rent a car or hire a driver
We are taking A cruise that is stopping in Cozumel and Progreso , We are traveling with 4blonde headed, blue eyes children 11,9,8,6 we have booked excursions, I am terrified after some of the things I have read on the internet (my own fault). Is this a trip I should be stressing this much about… Ive seen the “Taken” movies lol
Thank you very much!!! I was worried and I feel better about making plans to attend a concert there in Oct at the Foro Sol,
Hi All,
I lived in Mexico for the past four years splitting time between Mazatlan and San Carlos/Guaymas. Just now returning to the US. Tomiko has put together a good travel guide. The people of Mexico are friendly and if you treat others with respect it will go a long way toward your having a pleasant and safe time. The cartels want nothing to do with you so simply stay away from areas they are active in. If your guide or management at your hotel tell you to not go somewhere listen to them. Be in by 9 pm and NEVER drive at night. If you really look at most of the problems involving tourists alcohol or very bad decision making is involved. There are areas the Mexican nationals will tell you to avoid and do so. We had no problems. We did not live in a gated neighborhood. I will say that unfortunately the violence in Sonora (Guaymas/San Carlos) Area is something to be concerned about. As for Mazatlan, what a great city!! Super beaches, food and a great community. Do as Tomiko suggests and you should do just fine. Mexico is a beautiful country and worth the effort if you plan sensibly.
Thank you so much for commenting! I receive emails daily from readers who watch too much of the US media. Mexico is completely safe and there is no need to be afraid to travel to Mexico. I just returned from a solo trip to Cancun and felt completely safe.
Hello Tomiko,
So happy I stumble upon this useful site! I have been to Mexico twice,once to Puerto Vallarta and to Cancun,but me and my friend are headed to Playa Del Carmen in September-no major worries? Is it better for us to have cocktails at the hotel bars? Avoid mini-bars in our rooms?
Thank you,
Marty
I just returned from Mexico and I while I didnt drink from the mini bar it wasnt because I was afraid. I went to the grocery store and purchased beer and wine because it was cheaper. I am all about saying money so I dont use the mini because of the mark up not because I’m afraid something will happen. Stop by the local grocery store grab a 2 6 six packs and a bottle of wine for half the price.
You have to be out of your mind or, more likely, paid to write this. Mexico is extremely dangerous. For example, murders in Playa del Carmen are up by 200% this year, and many executions and armed robberies happen in the tourist zone, which is an area of about only 4 square miles. There have been bombings, arson, executioners chasing targets through the streets, AK-47s shot on streets, dismembered bodies left in bags, executions of police and high level authorities, schools targeted, etc. etc. Recently the official in charge of extraditing criminal fugitives was executed, which tells you that criminal fugitives are making their home there. Two tourists were recently kidnapped at a nightclub in Cancun, one was murdered and fed to crocodiles, backing up countless stories posted online of being threatened to buy drugs in nightclubs. And then there’s the smaller crimes, like every single time I’ve gone to Mexico my credit card has been stolen. Right now there’s also an issue in the Yucatan with toxic algae called sargassum that carries deadly heavy metals and releases a dangerous gas. The west coast also has famous violence problems (American family recently shot there) and sewage issues, Sayulita is famous for giving tourists norovirus and Acupulco has five beaches with the highest level of fecal contamination. The common advice that you’ll be fine if you don’t do drugs or go out at night is a myth, more murders are happening in the day and drugs are not found at the scene. Comparisons to American cities are ridiculous, for example Chicago’s murder rate is far lower than PDC, and most people don’t pay thousands of dollars to vacation in Chicago. Oh, and if you get murdered there, the Mexican cops will try to humiliate and blame you, ex. the American man on a group trip in PDC who was robbed and murdered last year was falsely reported by the Mexican press to be a drug addict having public sex with a transsexual, all lies to make tourist think well that would never happen to me – it can definitely happen to you, and the chances are going up every day. This blog is mindblowingly irresponsible
I was not paid by the Mexican Tourism board to write this article. I have traveled to Mexico and just returned from traveling to Cancun solo in March. You must work for the Trump administration if you believe Mexico is dangerous. I would not put my life in danger and travel to a country where I could be killed. I live in Tennessee and Memphis has one of the highest murder rates per capita but it doesn’t stop me from going to the grocery store, work, bank. You know why I dont encounter issues at home and abroad? I stay out of areas that are dangerous. Use your common sense and you will be fine. Rome has the same travel warning as Mexico but you dont hear people saying stay out of Rome. your backwards thinking mindset is mind blowingly irresponsible. #DOBetter
Smart cookie
This Author is so uninformed its astonishing! Mexico is one of the top 3 most dangerous country’s in the world!!! My brother was murdered there 11/9/18. He was visiting from California and was in a resort area and was stabbed to death. Taylor Meyer. The government tried to cover up the murder to prevent bad public relations for the country and the playa del carmen area. They made 1 arrest yet 3 people murdered Taylor in Playa Del Carmen. Contrary to this article and any liberal crap you’re hearing. Mexico is killing american tourists left and right and very few media publications talk about it. DO NOT TRAVEL TO MEXICO IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! The state department has mexico ranked as a level 2 the same as Antarctica!! This is how you know it’s corrupt!!! People are being decapitated and murdered- over 30,000 last year alone 1 of those being my brother Taylor. And you’re going to tell me Mexico is as safe as Antarctica? I would like to publicly challenge this author to any debate in regard to the dangers of mexico and how insane it is to travel there. DO NOT GO TO MEXICO!!!!!!!!!! IT IS NOT SAFE!!!!!!
I am so sorry for your loss and I know how that feels because I lost my brother 5 years ago next week. I suggest you do a little more research and not take the media at face value. New Orleans is one my favorite cities in the states but the FBI reports the murder rate of New Orleans has declined but it is still nearly 4 times higher than all of Mexico and over 5 times higher than Mexico City. New Orleans is still an amazing place to visit and the Media is right to champion this inspirational city. But Mexico is at least as remarkable and there is a clear difference in how each of these storied destinations is portrayed in contemporary news.
Every city and country has places that are safe and dangerous. Mexico is no exception. The areas that are dangerous should be avoided. And those that are safe should be enjoyed and celebrated. I just returned from Mexico on a solo trip and I survived and I felt completely safe.
Dear Colby,
So sorry to hear about your loss. In spite of your loss, you are misinformed about Mexico. There are dangerous areas in Mexico, as in any country. Most of the violence, however, is drug related. Part of the problem is the enormous market for illegal drugs here in the States. As a few other Western countries have done, we need to legalize drugs and take away much if the profit motive for the cartels. Remember that there are over 120 million Mexicans. When you compare the number of murders to the entire population, it is still a tiiny fraction. Just as no one should be afraid to visit the States because of our mass shootings, you should not be afraid to visit Mexico, providing you stay in the recommended areas and do no look for trouble.
Personally, as someone who lives in San Diego across the border from Tijuana, my wife and I visit Mexico often and vacation in various areas throughout Mexico. Check out Zihautanejo. It is a delightful and friendly fishing town with a resort town, Ixtapa, just 15 minutes away (if you like resorts). Zihua will change your mind about the dangers of Mexico.
In short, don’t go looking for trouble and the probability is very high you won’t find it.
Respectfully,
Frank Paiano
you must have misunderstood my article because I am quite clear that my experience with Mexico has been nothing but safe and wonderful. I agree with you that if you dont go looking for trouble you wont find it. I love Mexico, the people, the culture and the food! you have a fan of Mexico here and I just returned from a solo trip to Mexico and enjoyed every minute.
Got that right pal
Mexico is the undisputed murder/rape/kidnapping capitol of the world. I would dare you to hitchhike across Mexico to prove your point, but you would be dead.
When was the last time you visited Mexico? I dare you hitchhike through Chicago to Memphis to prove your point.
Exactly
WOW! I can only tell you what I have experienced. As a white male travelling alone to the bakery I was profiled by Puerto Penasco police. Red lighted by cops for a “courtesy check.” The courtesy check was a ruse to search me and my vehicle. Had to give them all the cashll in my pocket and truck in order not to be taken to jail. We have a time share in cabo, been going to Mexico for years.
No more Mexico for me and my family. Too easy for the cops to set you up for arrest. You have been warned. BEWARE!!!
I am sure if you were pulled over they had a reason because the police does not pull people over no reason at all. It’s ok for black men to be treated this way in the states yet you get up and go to work everyday and dont think twice about it but when you are on the other end of the mistreatment you take issue with it. Sir, that is called privilege
Other countries are now giving travel warnings about coming to America due to all the violence in the past few years and especially recently.
Thus other countries should. We are so quick to point the finger at other countries but not at ourselves.
I will be traveling to Piedras Negras at the end of this month. I plan on walking across and staying for the 3 days to do some shopping. Like all Americans, I am a little hesitant. All my family and friends warn against it. They say the kidnapping for ransom rate is high. I’ve done some research and I am not finding anything credible that states so. What do you think? What advice can you give me?
You are walking from where to where? I dont suggest walking anywhere maybe catch a bus or hire a driver. why are you walking?
I am traveling to RIU Palace Peninsula all-inclusive in September 2019. Is this resort safe? Can I trust the water and food at the resort, or should I purchase bottled water?
Can you please post the date and time and location of when president Trump said it is not safe to take a vacation in Mexico because of brown or black people. Can you please reference your opinion!
The person who wrote this article obviously didn’t talk to the yard parents of the guy on a motorcycle who was traveling through Mexico and ended up and let go few hundred pieces or the families of the other dead bodies in advance found outsiders the tourist resorts perfectly safe Mexico and all you have to worry about is the drug cartel and of course the bloodthirsty gangs other than that your trip should be a piece of cake go ahead I feel safer walking down the streets of Detroit at night alone unarmed
If you believe this person your either an idiot or high on drugs
YES do your research you’ll find that Mexico is the LAST please
you want to be in if you VALUE your life
It is not safe, don’t go if you don’t need to.
I am sure Mexico will miss you dearly
My name is Pamela and I am of Mexican Canadian descent. I used to live in California in San Diego.I have lived in the Guadalajara metropolitan area specifically in Zapopan for more than a decade now and let me tell you something: all this garbage of Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta being supposedly level three traveling warning or wherever stupid United States based ridiculous rating is just pure baloney any large city in the USA is way more dangerous than the Guadalajara Metropolitan area especially Zapopan where I live. And Puerto Vallarta is gazillions times safer than any large city in the United States. I am so tired of the garbage lying prejudiced stupid Mass corporate media from the United States always dilapidating Mexico with no empirical and factual evidence whatsoever just bias and prejudice.
Also who is responsible for the very existence of those disgusting abhorrent criminal cartels in Mexico?
I have news for you the goddamn United States is the sole responsible for this mess why?
Because the United States is the only country selling all kinds of weapons to Mexico there’s no other country including Mexico itself providing weapons to those disgusting cartels.
United States, stop your stupid manufacturing and selling of criminally used weaponry in your own country and do control all the black market under the table massive selling of weapons to Mexican criminals because behind a Mexican criminal buying weapons there is always an American criminal selling it to them so don’t play innocent bystander don’t be so hypocrite and nasty and once and for all start having real gun control laws just like the rest of the world has. No other country on the planet sells weapons like candy like yours does.
On another important note you complain about the border, illegal immigration and so called unwanted immigrants from Mexico?
I have another question for you: who stole 55% of the Mexican territory in the middle of the 19th century? Where should the border be placed actually? Thousands of miles north of where it is.
The United States is a thief country a hypocrite country that should and does not have any right to call people they stole their territory from Invaders when it is the other way around United States invaded Mexico illegally created a made-up war to steal more than half of its territory and you have the nerve criticizing Mexicans us Invaders you should just shut the hell up!
We Mexicans are tired of your abuse you’re going to criticize this country don’t freaking come here ever! We don’t need you! Stay the heck away from here! No other country on the planet including Spain has done more damage to Mexico than the USA.
We don’t need your disgusting stupid opinion on whether or not it is safe or not safe here when you are the ones responsible for making it them safe regarding drug trafficking and you are the ones who stole more than half of our territory to place an illegal border and then you call us Invaders? Screw you million times screw you infinity don’t come here if you’re going to criticize us, stay away!!!
Pamela-
Did you read my article? I agree with you and I didnt say Mexico was not safe in fact just the opposite. I stated very clearly the US Media is responsible for this narrative and the video at the bottom of the article was me in Mexico last month and me stating Mexico is extremely safe and I was there traveling solo.
What an idiotic comment, Trump has never said those words or even implied then. Your liberalism is showing and your fake news BS is just that, BS. Why can’t you be truthful in dealing with beautiful and leave politics and fake news to the real media.
I am sure you spend your days reguritating Fox news so enjoy your trailer park.
First of all: I’m Mexican.
Don’t confuse “Is Mexico safe?” with “Is Mexico safe for TOURISTS in TOURISTIC zones?”
Mexico is NOT safe… For Mexicans. It’s not “isolated areas”. More than 30,000 kills a year. I am afraid of hanging out. I have know people that have beeb kidnapped and I don’t dare to tell you the horrors they’ve told me. I knew people that never came back. I know what it feels to feel the point of a gun on your head. And before you say that I’m a narco. I have never done drugs and I have a PhD. It’s just that, eventually, you end up in the middle of a shooting or someone robs you in the street. I know the terror it feels to know someone tried to kidnap your nephews. So cut the crap of that violence in Mexico is a myth, please.
Is it safe for tourists? YES! 1) Don’t compare staying in Mexico for 2 weeks versus living here a whole life. Just do the math of chances. 2) Organized crime don’t like to mess with tourists, because the foreing country will demand a clarification and Mexican government, who is involved with the crime), will need to do something, and that’s like shooting to oneself’s foot. The few crimes that happens to tourists are most of the time related not to organized crime, but to petty criminals. 3) Touristic places are well guarded. There is police protecting visitors. The same police wouldn’t doubt in kidnapping a Mexican, but never a tourist. In that case, the order is clear: protect them. 4) Península Maya is more American than Mexican, the owners of hotels and restaurants are foreigners, and Mexican government always protects foreign investors. Don’t compare at all staying in the golden zones of the Mayan coast (where most Mexican can’t even dream of even going) with going to the real Mexico.
YES, if you go to Cancun, you’ll be safe.
NO, you don’t know Mexico.
I have traveled all over Mexico with friends, family, and solo. Not just on the resorts because thats not the kind of traveler I am but the people of Mexico have been nothing but kind and friendly. Do you spend this kind of energy warning people about the U.S. and the dangers of being black or latino traveling to the states. Use that same energy to condemn traveling to the U.S.
Excellent, informative article Tomiko. I read through the article and then the comments. I think about 30% of the comments are slandering Mexico and supporting Trump. That’s the equivalent of his support base. The collective IQ of which is reported to be quite low, uneducated and generally very unhappy. I would pay them no mind. I think MAGA gave them hope that someone, somewhere could be worse off than themselves and there’s an orange orangutan making sure of it.
Fortunately for the rest of us, they won’t travel beyond the trailer park. Instead, they’ll bash Mexico from the sidelines waiting for the wall and will continue on with their angry lives and penny bank accounts – mad at every Mexican with a nickle. I beg them to keep their low self-esteem bodies at home watching the Fox News coverage of innocent Americans gunned down en mass while attending church, shopping at Walmart, the movies. the mall, a garlic festival, a concert, or just an average day at school.
Meanwhile, us happy, abundant, lovin’-life, readers will enjoy our southern neighbor and all its colorful radiant culture, cuisine, delicious views and history. We are currently looking for a second home and a reprieve from the winter months. A wonderful commentator mentioned Manzanillo. That’s one place we have not considered and I’ve already begun my research. It would be wonderful to find a blog of expats who regularly contribute and live in Mexico.
Please keep up the wonderful blog! You are educating, enlightening, and on-purpose. Love it. Thank you.
Thank you so much! It so refreshing to have someone comment that is not from #45 Base. It is really sad that probably half of the people commenting have not even been to Mexico but yet they are reguratating Fox news talking points. I have traveled to Mexico alone, with my bff, my husband and I am taking my daughter next year. I have explored off of the resort and I have never experienced anything but love from the people of Mexico.
Although this warning appears to be focused around gang and drug violence, this August advisory included Cancun and Los Cabos, two of the most popular tourist destinations in the country.
I am traveling to LeBlanc in March 2020 and The Grand Moon Palace in Summer 2021. Do you have any wisdom about these two locations? I would like to do a couple of excursions as well which would take us off the resort but traveling with the resort tour guides. Should I be concerned? Thank you!
Let me do a little research. I am not familiar with Grand Moon Palace. Give me a few days to research this resort.
Hahaha! I hate preachy books too. I just skimmed through the preachy bits in Jane Eyre and little women or I would have still been reading the latter. I’m about 4 chapters away from finishing J.E
I got robbed by the POLICE in Roma Norte in Mexico City. My friend wasn’t wearing a mask – so they demanded a fine from both of us. 4,800 pesos and jail until we saw a judge or we could pay them 3,000 pesos right there to take care of it. They frisked us – constantly asked if we had drugs on us (the most exciting thing I had was dental floss). We hesitated until they got the handcuffs out. FYI there’s no fine for not wearing a mask – and even though it wasn’t terribly expensive the experience of being shaken down by the POLICE will keep me from returning to CDMX. I have to imagine dirty cops would take us to a dirty police station.
I am so sorry to hear that happened to you. While I have never been a victim of a crime in Mexico I have been the victim of one several times in the states and that does not stop me from going out.
DO NOT VISIT ENSENADA in 2022, Crime is out of control. Our Police rarely catch criminals. the police are the root of corruption here. They keep asking for Bribes / extortion of cash from us at traffic violation stops and they fail to post the fines; they can charge us whatever they want. They are real Pigs in a uniform. President Obrador has not helped. The troops they sent here are useless; they just drive around here looking ready for war in Afghanistan. The city Council and Mayor will not address this issue of grassroots corruption. As citizens, we cannot trust our police; its been decades of corruption, no one stops this. No one! Get it? Murders are up and robberies of tourists and their vehicles. Violence is used. Killings are daily by local Meth users, which is widely distributed to people in Baja. They just love drinking lots of booze, killing others as they race downs the hill from the La Bufadora , no police patrols; this is the Macho way of life for our ignorant Male citizens. We have many working in city offices and as contractors for the road department. Public work projects are often delayed because they fail at securing the resources needed to complete the projects; the contractors steal the money and run! At lease they share a small amount with the police and city officials/inept employees. It helps a bit of the local economy. So hurry, come and visit us soon. We love your $$$$$$ money.
Mexico is a dangerous country mainly because of the corrupted government. I was traveling solo in Palenque on my way to Guatemala. My tourist visa had expired 3 days ago so I was trying to exit the country as soon as possible. On the coach the police checked my documents and saw my form had expired, they told me they had to arrest me. I’m from the UK and i’d only asked 30 days at the border as I didn’t want to stay longer. In all I was in jail for 9 hours, they wanted to keep me overnight but I was very scared being a young female traveler. I lied and said I was feeling ill and to take me to hospital, that my friends were would be worried as they were in a nearby city. I didn’t want them to know I was alone. Finally they let me out. The whole time they didn’t give me the emergency number for my embassy and they let me call the embassy at 5pm when it was closed. i got arrested at 9am. I honestly believe they wanted to sell me to human traffickers
If you know you are going to Mexico or any country for that matter you need to have your documents in order. I am not saying what you experienced is not correct but where is personal responsibility? why are you traveling and your documents are expired. This has nothing to do with Mexico because any country will check your documents but more about you deciding it would take too long or you didnt feel like renewing your documents and mad because you got into trouble.
Thank you for the good tips. This is such a greet inform for us. thank your sharing
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Mexico, and I must say that it was a truly wonderful experience. While there are concerns about safety in certain areas, I found that by taking proper precautions and being mindful of my surroundings, I felt secure throughout my trip.
I visited Cancun, a popular tourist destination, and I was amazed by the beauty of its beaches and the vibrant atmosphere. The local people were incredibly welcoming and friendly, always ready to share their culture and traditions.
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Hi!
We want to vist Cancun and we will be going directly from airport to the resort (Moon Palace Cancun) this Christmas, do you think we are safe in that area?
I think you will be find if you stay on the resort. I know this sounds common sense but please do not try to buy weed or anything like that from locals.
you will be surprised how many people go over there trying to purchase weed and then cry wolf.