In an effort to make sure U.S. citizens are aware of any international security concerns in Mexico, the U.S. Department of State has been updating their travel warning to Mexico about every few months or so. The most recent report was released December 8, 2016 with several changes from its prior in April. Below is a recap of the warning with important cities highlighted in each state.
GENERAL CONDITIONS – Mexico Travel Warning
The Mexican government dedicates substantial resources to protect visitors to major tourist destinations and has engaged in an extensive effort to counter criminal organizations that engage in narcotics trafficking and other unlawful activities throughout Mexico. There is no evidence that criminal organizations have targeted U.S. citizens based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally do not see the level of drug-related violence and crime that are reported in the border region or in areas along major trafficking routes. More >>
The following states have no warning or advisories in effect
Campeche: Campeche City, Calakmul, Edzna
Chiapas: San Cristobal de las Casas, Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Comitán, Tapachula, Palenque, Yaxchilán, Bonampak, Toniná, Sumidero Canyon, San Juan Chamula, Zinacantan
Guanajuato: Guanajuato City, Leon, San Miguel de Allende
Hidalgo: Hidalgo
Distrito Federal: Mexico City (Polanco, Santa Fe, San Angel, Coyoacan, La Condesa, Chapultepec Park, Bascilica de Guadalupe, Historic Center, Zócalo, Xochimilco, Templo Mayor, Bellas Artes)
Puebla: Puebla City, San Andres Cholula, San Pedro Cholula
Queretaro: Queretaro City, Bernal
Quintana Roo: Cancun, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mayakoba, Akumal, Isla Mujeres, Puerto Aventuras, Cozumel, Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, Xpu-Ha
Tabasco: Villahermosa
Tlaxcala: Tlaxcala
Veracruz: Veracruz City, Tajin
Yucatan: Merida, Chichen Itza, Isla Holbox, Ek Balam, Valladolid, Izmal, Uxmal
There are advisories in effect for the state but in very specific areas, the cities listed are not included in the advisory or specificed as okay for travel
Baja California Sur: Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo, Todos Santos, Isla Espiritu Santo, Loreto, Laguna San Ignacio, Magdelena Bay
Colima: Comala
Mexico State: Toluca, Teotihuacan
Jalisco: Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara
Nayarit: Riviera Nayarit, Nuevo Vallarta, Punta de Mita, Sayulita, Bucerias, San Blas
Michoacan: Morelia, Lazaro Cadenas
There are advisories in effect for the state. The cities listed are specified okay for travel but that you should exercise caution and stay within tourist areas.
Guerrero: Ixtapa/Zihuataenjo, by air only
Oaxaca: Oaxaca City (no public transportation)
Tourist areas may include: Monte Alban, Mitla, Teotitlán del Valle, San Bartolo de Coyotepec, San Martin Tilcajete, Tlacolula, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido
Sinaloa: Los Mochis, Topolobampo, Mazatlan,
Mazatalan Tourist areas include: Zona Dorada, Historic Center, to/from airport
Advisory in effect and you should exercise caution in the state
Aguascalientes, Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Morelos, Nuevo Leon, San Luis Potosi, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas; Read the official warning for specific details and outlines.
JOURNEY MEXICO RECOMMENDS
At Journey Mexico, we monitor situations that happen around the country daily and asses if it will have any impact on current or future travelers. You can find updates on certain situations that may be of concern on our blog at Safety of Mexico. As with any travel, you should always exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings. We also recommend enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency. We encourage everyone to review the detailed information on staying safe in Mexico via the State Department’s Country Specific Information for Mexico.
- This post was published December 2016; check travel.state.gov for the most updated information.
