As thousands of U.S. citizens embark on trips to the southern border this spring, Mexico’s U.S. Embassy issued a list of guidelines for travelers to follow to ensure a safe visit.
The U.S. Department of State has issued Mexico an advisory that is categorized as “other” and is not included in the levels that the department uses to rate the safety levels of countries and regions. The advisory remains in place, and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico doubled down on these precautions as spring break season continues to approach.
One of the primary concerns of the State Department is crime, citing “homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery” as “widespread and common in Mexico.”
In the U.S. Embassy’s notice, the consumption of drugs, unregulated alcohol and possibly counterfeit pharmaceuticals could be dangerous for travelers. The use of these substances could lead to further crime or danger for tourists, including sexual assault, drowning and possible arrests, the Embassy said.
More:Is it safe to visit Cancun or Puerto Peñasco for spring break? What travelers need to know
“The U.S. government has limited availability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico,” the State Department noted. Prices for medical treatment could be steeper than in the U.S. and hospitals may require payment prior to providing any kind of treatment or before allowing a patient to leave, according to the U.S. Embassy.
What are the State Department's travel advisories?
The agency's travel advisories rank from level one, which recommends exercising "normal precautions" and includes countries such as Japan, Switzerland and Portugal, to level 4, which is listed as "Do Not Travel."
The State Department's level 2 rating recommends "increased precaution," but it doesn't go so far as to recommend avoiding travel to the country altogether as it does for countries with level 3 and 4 ratings.
These Mexican states are under travel advisories
These are the states that have the level 4 "Do Not Travel" and level 3 "Reconsider Travel" ratings:
Level 4:
- Colima
- Guerrero
- Michoacan
- Sinaloa
- Tamaulipas
- Zacatecas
Level 3:
- Baja California
- Chihuahua
- Durango
- Guanajuato
- Jalisco
- Morelos
- Sonora
Countries with a level 4 'Do Not Travel' rating
These are the countries that have the level 4 "Do Not Travel" rating:
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Iran
- Yemen
- Afghanistan
- Iraq
- Russia
- South Sudan
- Somalia
- Mali
- Central African Republic
- Burkina Faso
- Haiti
- Belarus
- North Korea
- Venezuela
- Syria
- Libya
- Ukraine
- Sudan
Countries with a level 3 'Reconsider Travel' rating
These are the countries that have a level 3 "Reconsider Travel" rating:
- Lebanon
- Saudi Arabia
- Jamaica
- Papua New Guinea
- Nicaragua
- Niger
- Colombia
- Uganda
- Guinea
- Nigeria
- Mauritania
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ethiopia
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Chad
- Burundi
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Honduras
- Guyana
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- Egypt
- Macau
- Pakistan
How to stay safe when planning a trip, traveling
Arizona's former Director of Homeland Security, Tim Roemer, said he believes it's important to exercise caution now more than ever before and when traveling abroad, which includes always paying attention to your surroundings, having a heightened sense of alertness, and regularly communicating with friends and family back home. He also said it is imperative to pay attention to the news.
"Watch what's happening. You don't want to get stuck somewhere by being unaware of what's going on in the world," said Roemer.
Roemer advised Americans traveling internationally to remain vigilant, especially if they witness any unusual or suspicious activity.
"If you see something that seems out of the ordinary, say something. Don't just keep it to yourself," Roemer said. "Report it (to local law enforcement). It could actually be really important and make a huge difference."
Roemer also encouraged travelers to be more organized and have contingency plans when traveling internationally, especially for those who may already be abroad. This includes knowing all of the airports in your region and being prepared for the unexpected.
Republic reporter Coleby Phillips contributed to this article.
Reach the reporter Perry Vandell at perry.vandell@gannett.com or 602-444-2474. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @PerryVandell.
FAQs
Crime: Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations. Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now in 2024? ›
Is Mexico safe 2024? According to the spring break travel advisory, there is list of safety concerns to consider: Arrests: Drunk and disorderly behavior, public urination, and open alcohol containers in vehicles are illegal in Mexico. If you break Mexican law, you can be arrested.
What countries are level 4 travel advisory? ›
The Travel Advisories for the following countries are Level 4 - Do Not Travel: ⛔Afghanistan ⛔Belarus ⛔Burkina Faso ⛔Burma ⛔Central African Republic ⛔Haiti ⛔Iran ⛔Iraq ⛔Libya ⛔Mali ⛔North Korea ⛔Russia ⛔Somalia ⛔South Sudan ⛔Sudan ⛔Syria ⛔Ukraine ⛔Venezuela ⛔Yemen Read the full Advisories at travel.state.gov/ ...
Is Mexico on the travel advisory list? ›
Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise increased caution due to crime. Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.
Is it safe to travel to Cabo Mexico right now? ›
SAFE TRAVEL IN MEXICO
The State Department notes that “violent crime is common and widespread in Mexico,” though there are no travel restrictions for Cabo San Lucas. However, the State Department recommends that travelers reconsider travel to Baja California because of crime and kidnapping.
How safe is Cancun right now? ›
Criminal activity is still high, but Cancun has less risk of kidnapping than other areas. But… yes, Cancun is now open and safe to visit.
Is Cancun or Cabo safer? ›
That said, by and large, travel to both Cancún and Los Cabos is safe. Travelers who abide by local laws and don't go searching for trouble will have a safe vacation experience, as is true with most destinations around the world.
Are the Bahamas safer than Mexico? ›
The State Department considers the Bahamas a slightly safer destination, with a Level 2 advisory (exercise increased caution), due to crime.
Where is the safest place to vacation in Mexico? ›
Popular beach destinations like La Paz, Todos Santos, Los Cabos, and Loreto are quite safe. Central Mexico also has several secure tourist destinations, such as Queretaro, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, and Mexico City. There is a strong police presence and lower reports of violent crime in these areas.
Where not to travel in 2024? ›
Learn about your destination
| Advisory | Level | Date Updated |
|---|
| Iran Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | July 15, 2024 |
| Iraq Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | April 24, 2024 |
| Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory | Other | June 27, 2024 |
| Italy Travel Advisory | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | July 26, 2023 |
144 more rowsLevel 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.
Is traveling to China safe? ›
Summary: Reconsider travel to Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions. Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Is it safe for Americans to travel to Mexico? ›
Violent crime. Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, especially after dark. Murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping are high risks. These crimes can occur at tourist spots and resorts.
How many tourists were killed in Mexico? ›
The US State Department reports that 120 Americans of the 5.7 million who visited Mexico last year were murdered, which is a rate of 2.1 of 100,000 visitors. Regardless of whether they were or weren't connected to drug trafficking, which is often not clear, it's less than half the US national rate.
Is there a travel warning for Mexico in 2024? ›
The U.S. Department of State issued a Mexico Travel Advisory in February 2024, urging travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime, including violent crime. This advisory applies throughout the country, with a particular focus on hot spring break destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
Where is it not safe for U.S. citizens to travel? ›
Learn about your destination
| Advisory | Level | Date Updated |
|---|
| Iran Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | July 15, 2024 |
| Iraq Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | April 24, 2024 |
| Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Travel Advisory | Other | June 27, 2024 |
| Italy Travel Advisory | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | July 26, 2023 |
144 more rowsWhat city in Mexico is considered the safest with the lowest crime rate? The city in Mexico that is considered the safest and has the lowest crime rate is Merida, located in Yucatan. This is also one of the most affordable cities in Mexico, making it a popular destination for retirees and expats.
Can U.S. citizens travel to Mexico? ›
All citizens of the United States must present a valid passport when entering Mexican territory by any means of transportation. There are no exceptions for minors. Stays less than 72 hours within the border area, do not require an Official Entry Immigration Form (FMM).
Are resorts in Mexico safe? ›
Mexico's got some super safe resorts to visit, with tight security and a big heart for keeping guests safe. Yes, there might be some areas in Mexico with a bit more crime, but they are far away from the resorts we all love and dream of visiting. Just keep your wits about you!
