Mexico Travel? Urgent US Warnings!
The State Dept. is warning about travel to some popular tourist destinations.
If you are planning travel to Mexico during the upcoming holidays you need to be aware of some important U.S. Government Travel Warnings for American Citizens that are in effect.
The U.S. State Department issues four levels of Travel Warnings ranging from "Exercise Normal Precautions" to "Do Not Travel" advisories. As of December 16, 2024, the State Department advises against travel to six Mexican States and urges US Citizens to reconsider travel to seven other Mexican States.
The following map shows the states (in red) to which travel is not advised and the states (in Amber) to which travel should be reconsidered.
(The locations of consular offices are indicated as a circled "C " or "O" - while the US Embassy in Mexico City is indicated as a circled "E").
Here are US State Department Advisories for many popular tourist destinations, beginning on the Mexican East Coast - including the Caribbean Sea and the Bay of Campeche:
Riviera Maya (including Cancun, Cozumel, & Tulum):
If you are considering travel to the area often referred to as the "Riviera Maya" (on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula you should know that there are active travel advisories for those areas.
All popular tourist destinations within the State of Quintana Roo are under a level two "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory due to crime.
"Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured and killed innocent bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Violent crime, including homicides and assaults, has increased in Tulum." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Quintana Roo, Mexico)
There is no travel advisory in effect for Yucatán State - which includes the cities of Mérida and Progreso - or in the adjoining State of Campeche.
Tamaulipas (including Tampico):
Moving further north along the coast along the Bay of Campeche, it's important to note one Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Tamaulipas state - especially near the US Border. (The advisory does acknowledge a better law enforcement presence and lower crime rate around Tampico).
"Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.
Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo. In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents have been victims of kidnapping.
Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Tamaulipas, Mexico)
Veracruz:
Veracruz State falls under a level two "Exercise Increased Caution" US State Department Advisory:
"Exercise increased caution due to crime. Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common. -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Veracruz, Mexico)
Mexican Pacific Coast & Sea of Cortez (including Los Cabos, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta & Acapulco):
If you are traveling to Mexico's Pacific Coast or the Sea of Cortez there are some US State Department Advisories to be aware of - including some level four "Do Not Travel" advisories for some popular beaches & other tourist destinations.
Level 4 "Do Not Travel" Advisories are in effect for the States of:
Sinaloa (including Los Mochis & Mazatlan)
"Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens have been victims of armed carjacking and robbery along the Culiacan-Mazatlan Federal Highway 15." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Sinaloa, Mexico)
Colima (including Manzanillo)
"Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and Legal Permanent Residents have been victims of kidnapping." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Colima, Mexico)
Guerrero (including Acapulco, Ixtapa & Zihuatanejo)
"Do not travel due to crime and violence (which) are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Guerrero, Mexico)
Michoacán (Including Playa Azul & portions of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve)
"Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping. Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. Portions of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve located in Michoacan (are deemed too dangerous for US Government employees to enter)." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Michoacán, Mexico)
Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" Advisories are in effect for the States of:
Baja California (including Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito)
"Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and US Legal Permanent Residents have been victims of kidnapping." -U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Baja California, Mexico)
Sonora (including Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Peñasco):
"Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora. Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora." - U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Sonora, Mexico)
Jalisco (including Puerto Vallarta & Guadalajara):
"Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping. Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents have been victims of kidnapping." U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Jalisco, Mexico)
Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" Advisories are in effect for the States of:
Baja California Sur (Including La Paz & Todos Santos)
"Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state." - U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Baja California Sur, Mexico)
Nayarit (including the "Riviera Nayarit" - Sayulita, Punta Mita & San Pancho)
"Exercise increased caution due to crime. Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state." - U.S. State Department Travel Advisory (Nayarit, Mexico)
If your travels to Mexico take you to other destinations (including the Mexican interior) here is a full list of current U.S. Travel Advisories for all Mexican States:
Do Not Travel To:
Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
Guerrero state due to crime.
Michoacan state due to crime.
Sinaloa state due to crime.
Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Reconsider Travel To:
Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping.
Chiapas state due to crime.
Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.
Guanajuato state due to crime.
Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.
Morelos state due to crime and kidnapping.
Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.
Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:
Aguascalientes state due to crime.
Baja California Sur state due to crime.
Coahuila state due to crime.
Durango state due to crime.
Hidalgo state due to crime.
Mexico City due to crime.
Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping.
Nayarit state due to crime.
Nuevo Leon state due to crime.
Oaxaca state due to crime.
Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
Queretaro state due to crime.
Quintana Roo state due to crime.
San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
Tabasco state due to crime.
Tlaxcala state due to crime.
Veracruz state due to crime.
Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:
(NOTE: Information in this article is current as of December 16, 2024, when it was written. To check for updated advisories for the area you plan to visit, consult the source of official information cited at: (travel.state.gov):
Would you travel to Mexico despite these U.S. State Department Warnings?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
