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.
What is the travel advisory for Mexico? ›
Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping. Don't travel at night outside major cities. Drug-related violence is widespread.
What countries are on high alert for travel? ›
Learn about your destination
| Advisory | Level | Date Updated |
|---|
| Iran Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | January 11, 2024 |
| Iraq Travel Advisory | Level 4: Do Not Travel | April 24, 2024 |
| Italy Travel Advisory | Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution | July 26, 2023 |
| Jamaica Travel Advisory | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | January 23, 2024 |
143 more rowsSome areas of Mexico have a high crime rate due to the fighting between rival organised crime gangs. In these areas, there is a risk of being caught in the crossfire or of being mistaken for a member of a rival gang. Whilst risks are lower in tourist areas, you should: take advice from local authorities or your hotel.
What countries have a level 3 travel warning? ›
Countries with a level 3 'Reconsider Travel' rating
- Lebanon.
- Saudi Arabia.
- Jamaica.
- Papua New Guinea.
- Nicaragua.
- Niger.
- Colombia.
- Uganda.
Americans are not allowed to travel to North Korea. The U.S. government restricts all travel to North Korea for American citizens.
Is Mexico a third world country? ›
Yes. Using the model developed during the Cold War, Mexico is technically a Third world country, but as we stated, I think we can all agree that “Third World” is a pretty outdated and useless term.
Is it safe to travel to Mexico in 2024? ›
The warning is part of a larger travel advisory for Mexico that has been in place since late August 2023. NBC 7's Dana Williams reports on May 4, 2024. The U.S. Department of State has been cautioning Americans to reconsider travel to Baja California, the region of Mexico, where four bodies were recently found.
Are US citizens allowed to 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).
What countries are avoided by the US security clearance? ›
The most recent Countries of Particular Concern designations were made by the Secretary of State on December 29, 2023: Burma, People's Republic of China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
Cancun is part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which is labeled as Exercise Increased Caution. So, it's not the safest place, but it's not bad enough to reconsider traveling there at all.
What level is Mexico? ›
Danger level: 3 - Travel with high caution.
Is Mexico more safe than the US? ›
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.
Why is Mexico's crime rate so high? ›
Mexico has experienced increasingly high crime rates, especially in major urban centers. The country's great economic polarization has stimulated criminal activity mainly in the lower socioeconomic strata, which include the majority of the country's population.
Why is Mexico a high risk jurisdiction? ›
Mexico is categorised by the US State Department as a Country/Jurisdiction of Primary Concern in respect of Money Laundering and Financial Crimes. Illicit actors launder billions of dollars of drug trafficking proceeds through the Mexican financial system annually.
How safe is Cancun right now? ›
Is Cancun safe in Mexico? The Quintana Roo state − where Cancun is located − is under a Level 2 travel advisory, warning travelers to exercise increased caution due to crime. According to the State Department, criminal activity and violence may occur at any time in any location, including in popular tourist spots.
Is Mexico City safe for Americans? ›
Crime in Mexico City – an overview
Non-violent crime, mainly. Pickpocketing and petty theft are the most common issues, particularly in crowded areas like markets and on public transportation. More serious and violent crimes are less likely to affect tourists who stay in safe areas and exercise caution.
Is Mexico City safe from the cartel? ›
Mexico City is reasonably safe if you stick to daylight hours and certain neighborhoods. You can have a wonderful time as long as you exercise common sense. On the other hand, the non-tourist areas and cartel-affiliated neighborhoods can be dangerous.
Is Tijuana safe for American tourists? ›
Overall Risk in Tijuana is high. If you must travel to Tijuana, it may be best to go on a well-protected tour. Tijuana was voted the most dangerous city for two years in a row. There are 134 murders per 100,000 people.
