Traveling To Mexico: Corona Virus Travel Restrictions And Precautions

The U.S. State Department's travel warnings for Mexico vary widely from state to state. While some Mexican states are rated as Level 1, others are rated as Level 2 and Level 3. The State Department advises against all travel to the state of Guerrero, which includes popular tourist destinations like Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa. This is due to widespread crime and violence, as well as the presence of armed groups that operate independently of the government. In addition, travelers are warned about violent crime and gang activities in the states of Chiapas and Durango. It is recommended that visitors to these areas exercise increased caution, especially after dark, and stay in well-lit areas.

Tourist areas in Mexico with increased gang activity and violent crime

Mexico is a major tourist destination, with 42 million people traveling there in 2018, and 75 million in 2023. However, it is also Latin America's most dangerous country for journalists, and the world's worst hotspot for criminal extortion and violent cargo truck hijacking.

The US State Department has issued "do not travel" advisories for five Mexican states: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas. However, tourists are rarely targeted, even in areas with high levels of violent crime, as conflicts are usually between rival gangs and/or the police. Pickpocketing and other forms of petty theft are the main concerns for travelers to Mexico.

That being said, tourists should be aware of the risks stemming from violence and organized crime activity, especially when visiting rural areas outside of major cities. Tourists can be caught in extortion-related violence when organized crime groups attack bars, restaurants, and other businesses with gunfire or arson. Violent carjacking is also a relevant concern in several Mexican states, including Baja California, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Sinaloa, and Estado de Mexico.

In 2024, three foreign tourists, including one US citizen, were killed in the state of Baja California. Their bodies were found in a well near the town of Ensenada, with gunshot wounds. Local media reported that their deaths occurred during a botched carjacking.

The city of Tijuana is considered to be the worst hotspot in Mexico for murder and car theft, according to data from Mexico's Ministry of Defense. In April 2024, an Uber driver was shot during a robbery in the city.

US State Department travel warnings for Mexican states

The US State Department has issued a range of travel warnings for different Mexican states, with only Campeche and Yucatan under the lowest "exercise normal caution" advisory. The advisories range from level 1 to level 4, with level 1 being the least severe and level 4 the most severe.

Six Mexican states have level 4 "Do Not Travel" warnings: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. These states have high levels of violent crime, kidnapping, and homicide.

Seven states have level 3 "Reconsider Travel" warnings: Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora. There are no restrictions on travel for federal workers in high-traffic tourist areas of Baja California, including Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito. However, the State Department has expressed concern about the high number of homicides in non-tourist areas of Tijuana.

The remaining states, except for Campeche and Yucatan, have level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" warnings due to high crime rates. Tourist areas within these states include popular destinations such as Cancun, Cozumel, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Mexico City, and Los Cabos.

The State Department recommends that travelers to Mexico take precautions such as enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive safety alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency, maintaining a high level of situational awareness, avoiding areas of illicit activity, and staying in well-lit tourist zones after dark.

Tourist advisories for Mexico from the UK and Canada

The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to parts of Mexico, including:

• The state of Baja California, except for the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border.
• The state of Chihuahua, except for the city of Chihuahua and the border crossing in Ciudad Juárez.
• The state of Sinaloa, except for the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán.
• The state of Tamaulipas, except for the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo.
• The state of Zacatecas.
• The state of Michoacán, except for the city of Morelia.
• The state of Colima, except for the city of Manzanillo.
• The state of Guerrero, except for the town of Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa.
• Within 40km of the Guatemalan border.

The Canadian government advises travellers to Mexico to exercise a high degree of caution due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping. It recommends avoiding non-essential travel to the following states due to high levels of violence and organised crime:

• Chiapas, excluding the cities of Palenque, San Cristobal de las Casas and Tuxtla Gutiérrez.
• Chihuahua, excluding Chihuahua City.
• Colima, excluding the city of Manzanillo if accessed by air.
• Guerrero, excluding the cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo if accessed by air.
• Jalisco, within 50 km of the border with Michoacán state.
• The Lagunas de Zempoala National Park in Morelos.
• Michoacán, excluding the cities of Morelia and Patzcuaro.
• Nayarit, within 20 km of the border with the states of Sinaloa and Durango.
• Nuevo León, excluding the city of Monterrey.
• Sinaloa, excluding the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlán.
• Sonora, excluding the cities of Hermosillo, Guaymas/San Carlos and Puerto Peñasco.
• Tamaulipas, excluding the city of Tampico.
• Zacatecas, excluding Zacatecas City.

The impact of cartel violence on popular Mexican holiday destinations

Mexico's new president, Claudia Sheinbaum, has a daunting task ahead of her as she attempts to tackle the country's raging violence and restore security to its popular holiday destinations. The impact of cartel violence on tourist spots in Mexico has been devastating, with some areas becoming no-go zones for travellers.

Cancún and Playa del Carmen, two of Mexico's most popular tourist destinations, have experienced a surge in homicides and drug-related violence in recent years. Cancún, for instance, has seen its crime rate increase significantly, with 337 murders in 2021 and 2022 and a homicide rate of 36.81 per 100,000, far higher than the global average of 6 per 100,000. The discovery of human remains on beaches and in natural areas has deterred tourists from visiting, and drug cartels have taken advantage of the easy access to tourists, selling drugs openly in clubs and restaurants.

The state of Quintana Roo, where Cancún is located, relies heavily on tourism, which accounts for 87% of its GDP. However, drug distribution and gang activity have become significant issues, with cartels catering to tourists and placing dealers in restaurants and clubs. The increase in homicides has had a detrimental effect on the local economy, as micro-businesses have had to cancel growth plans and reduce their operations.

The Mexican government has attempted to address the issue by increasing security measures, such as adding more police officers and security cameras, and setting up police tents along the coast. However, the country's security forces often seem powerless in the face of the well-established and powerful cartels. The previous president, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, was criticised for ignoring the problem, and his administration was the deadliest in recent history, with nearly 200,000 homicides.

The new president, Sheinbaum, has pledged to present a national security plan to combat the high murder rate, which is often linked to drug and human smuggling. She aims to strengthen the National Guard and improve coordination between intelligence agencies, police, and prosecutors. However, security expert Carlos Perez Ricart warns that increased deployment of security forces may not be enough without the support of authorities in ensuring justice is served.

The future of Mexico's holiday destinations remains uncertain, and the country continues to struggle with the impact of cartel violence on its once-idyllic tourist spots.

Safety measures for US citizens travelling to Mexico

The US State Department has issued travel warnings for Mexico, with varying safety levels assigned to different states. It is important for US citizens to be aware of these warnings and recommendations before planning travel to Mexico.

Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions: Campeche and Yucatan

Campeche and Mérida, popular destinations in the states of Campeche and Yucatan, are currently rated as Level 1 by the State Department. This means that normal precautions should be taken, similar to those you would take in your everyday life.

Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution: Quintana Roo, Baja California Sur, Mexico City, Nayarit, Oaxaca, Veracruz, and More

Several Mexican states, including some major international tourist destinations, are rated as Level 2. These include Quintana Roo (home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum), Baja California Sur, Mexico City, Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Veracruz. Consular officials advise visitors to these areas to be vigilant, especially after dark, and to stay in well-lit pedestrian areas and tourist zones. Violent crimes and gang activities have been reported, and while visitors are not usually the target, there have been incidents of bystanders being caught in the crossfire.

Level 3 – Reconsider Travel: Chiapas, Jalisco, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas

The states of Chiapas and Jalisco are rated as Level 3 by the State Department, with recommendations to reconsider travel due to reports of crime and gang activity. In Jalisco, the warning primarily concerns the city of Guadalajara outside of tourist areas. However, the State Department strongly advises against travel to the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. These states have high levels of crime and violence, with armed groups operating independently of the government in many areas.

General Recommendations

Regardless of the destination within Mexico, the State Department recommends that US travelers register with the State Department via the STEP program and make note of the nearest US Embassy or Consulate. It is also important to follow the advice of local authorities and stay informed about the local crime situation. Additionally, it is advised not to become involved with drugs of any kind, as drug-related violence is prevalent in Mexico.

Frequently asked questions