Travelers should exercise caution or, in some cases, think about canceling their trip if they are going to Mexico this winter or for spring break. For all but two states in Mexico, there are travel warnings in effect from the U.S. State Department. The level 4 “do not travel” advice is in effect for six states in Mexico.
The U.S. Department of State evaluates the danger level of each of Mexico’s 32 states and provides a unique advice for each state, as opposed to issuing a general travel warning for the entire nation. The alerts are given based on the level of threat to Americans, including government workers, foreign residents, digital nomads, and visitors.
The American government has asked citizens to abide by the same restrictions that apply to American government workers in Mexico. Employees of the U.S. government are encouraged to:
- After nightfall, avoid traveling between cities.
- Do not hail cabs on the street and do not travel alone, especially in isolated locations.
- With a few exceptions, do not drive from the US-Mexico border to the country’s interior.
There are other safety measures visitors can take to reduce their risk while in Mexico. All tourists should specifically sign up for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and inform family members back home of their plans. In addition, tourists should avoid flaunting their wealth and exercise extra caution when approaching ATMs and banks.
States with travel advisories
Level 4 – Do Not Travel
- Colima – Colima City, Manzanillo, Comala
- Guerrero – Ixtapa, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, Grutas de Cacahuamilpa National Park, Acapulco, Mil Cascades Waterfalls
- Michoacan – Morelia, Patzcuaro
- Sinaloa – Mazatlan, Culiacan
- Tamaulipas – El Cielo Biosphere
- Zacatecas – Zacatecas City
Level 3 – Reconsider Travel
- Baja California –Tijuana, Ensenada
- Chihuahua – Chihuahua City, Copper Canyon
- Durango –Mapimí Biosphere Reserve
- Guanajuato – Guanajuato City, San Miguel de Allende, Canada de la Virgen Ruins
- Jalisco – Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Tequila, Ajijic, San Sebastián del Oeste
- Morelos – Tepoztlan, Las Estacas National Park, Xochicalco Ruins
- Sonora – El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve
Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution
- Aguascalientes – Aguascalientes City
- Baja California Sur – Los Cabos, La Paz
- Chiapas – San Cristobal del las Casas, Palenque Ruins, Montebello Lagoons
- Coahuila
- Hidalgo – Grutas de Tolantongo, Tollan Ruins, Huasca de Ocampo (Basaltic Prisims)
- Mexico City – Mexico City
- Mexico state – Mesoamerican Teotihuacan, Cuauhtinchan Archeological Zone
- Nayarit – Sayulita, Punta Mita, Nuevo Vallarta, San Pancho, San Blas
- Nuevo Leon
- Oaxaca – Oaxaca City, Puerto Escondido, San Jose del Pacifico
- Puebla – Puebla City, Cholula, Pico de Orzaba
- Queretaro – Queretaro City, Sierra Gorda UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Quintana Roo – Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Cozumel
- San Luis Potosi – Huasteca Potosina, Xilitla Surrealist Gardens
- Tabasco
- Tlaxcala – Cacaxtla Archaeological Site, Huamantla
- Veracruz