Us Citizens' Travel To Mexico: Open Or Off-Limits?

Mexico is open for US citizens to travel to, but the country's travel advisory rating varies depending on the state. Most of Mexico's top tourist destinations are safe to visit, with crime being the top concern. US citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico, and should be aware of the latest travel advisories for each state. The US State Department advises citizens to exercise caution in certain areas, particularly in relation to crime, drugs, alcohol, pharmaceuticals, and sexual assault.

Travel advisories for each Mexican state

Mexico is currently open for US citizens to travel to, but its travel advisory rating varies depending on the state. Here is a breakdown of the travel advisories for each Mexican state:

Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions:

• Campeche
• Yucatan: Visitors can exercise normal precautions in beloved places such as Chichen Itza and Merida.

Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution:

• Baja California Sur (Los Cabos, La Paz, Todos Santos)
• Coahuila
• Mexico City
• Nayarit
• Oaxaca
• Puebla
• Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum)
• Aguascalientes
• Chiapas
• Hidalgo
• State of Mexico
• Nuevo Leon
• Queretara
• San Luis Potosi
• Tabasco
• Tlaxcala
• Veracruz
• Durango: The State Department advises exercising increased caution due to reports of crime, violent crime, and gang activities.

Level 3 – Reconsider Travel:

• Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara): Officials warn of the potential threat of crime and kidnapping.
• Chiapas: The State Department advises reconsidering travel due to reports of violent crime and gang activities.
• Colima: The State Department advises against travel to the resort area of Manzanillo.
• Guerrero: The State Department strongly warns against all travel to the resort areas of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
• Michoacan: The State Department advises against travel to this state due to widespread crime and violence.
• Sinaloa: The State Department advises against travel to the resort area of Mazatlan.
• Tamaulipas: The State Department advises against travel to this northern border state due to kidnappings and other crimes.
• Zacatecas: The State Department advises against all travel to this central state.

Level 4 – Do Not Travel:

• Chihuahua
• Guanajuato
• Morelos
• Baja California (Norte)
• Sonora

It is important to note that travel advisories can change periodically, so it is recommended to check for the latest updates before planning any travel to Mexico. Additionally, US citizens are required to have a valid US passport for travel to Mexico.

Required documents for US citizens

Mexico is open for US citizens to travel to, but the US State Department has issued varying travel advisories for each state. US citizens need a valid US passport to enter Mexico. Here is a list of documents that US citizens may need when travelling to Mexico:

• A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air. US citizens attempting to enter at an airport with only a US passport card may be denied admission.
• For travellers entering Mexico by land, a valid passport book or card is required. If entering Mexico by land and travelling beyond the immediate border area (approximately 12 miles or 20km into Mexico), you must obtain an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) from an INM office.
• If you are bringing a US-registered vehicle into Mexico, you will need a temporary vehicle import permit. These are processed through Banjercito and require a deposit, which will be refunded when the vehicle leaves Mexico.
• If you are bringing goods worth $300 or more into Mexico, you must declare them to Mexican customs, or risk having them confiscated.
• If you are travelling with children, you may need to carry additional documentation.
• If you are bringing electronics that are less than six months old, it is suggested that you carry receipts or registration documents.
• If you are bringing your dog, you will need proof of rabies vaccination. Check requirements for other pets at www.aphis.usda.gov.
• If you are bringing restricted animal or plant products, you will need permits and/or certificates.
• If you are bringing medication, ensure it is in the original packaging and only bring the amount you will need. Prescription medication must be under the traveller's name.
• If you are bringing new electronics, such as a camera or laptop, it is suggested that you carry receipts or registration.
• A valid driver's license is required for driving overseas, and can be used as a second form of photo ID.

It is recommended that you carry, rather than pack, all travel documents.

Crime and safety concerns

Mexico is currently open for US citizens to travel to. However, crime is a significant concern, with violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, and sexual assault, being widespread and common throughout the country. The US government has limited ability to provide emergency services to US citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by US government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In addition, local emergency services are often limited outside of major cities.

US citizens are advised to follow the restrictions on US government employee travel and to take precautions such as avoiding travel at night, staying in well-lit areas, and not displaying signs of wealth. Crime on intercity buses and highways is common, and violent carjackings have increased, with the northern borders and the Pacific coast being high-risk areas. Criminals have also targeted tourists on toll roads and highways, particularly in the Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and border regions.

Several Mexican states have been assigned a Level 3 travel advisory, including Jalisco, home to the popular cities of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, due to the potential threat of crime and kidnapping. Other states with a Level 3 advisory include Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.

The State Department advises against all travel to the state of Guerrero, including the resort areas of Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa, due to widespread crime and violence. In Sinaloa, travel is restricted to the city of Mazatlan, and even then, visitors are advised to use extreme caution due to violent crime.

The British Foreign Office, in contrast, does not advise against essential travel anywhere in Mexico, and its advice for other resort areas is similar to that issued by the Government of Canada.

US citizens travelling to Mexico are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and make it easier to be located in an emergency. It is also recommended to keep family and friends informed of travel plans and to avoid travelling alone, especially in remote areas.

Health and safety concerns

Mexico is currently open for US citizens to travel to, but there are some health and safety concerns to be aware of.

Violent Crime

Violent crime, including homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, robbery, and sexual assault, is widespread and common in Mexico. Criminal gangs and cartels are active throughout the country, and there have been reports of bystanders being injured or killed in crossfire. While tourists are not usually the targets of violent crime, it is still a significant risk, and US citizens have been victims of kidnapping.

Travel Advice

The US State Department has issued a range of travel advisories for different Mexican states. Two states, Campeche and Yucatan, currently have a Level 1 advisory, meaning visitors can exercise normal precautions in places such as Chichen Itza and Merida. However, most Mexican states have a Level 2 advisory due to the potential for crime, and several states have a Level 3 advisory, meaning travelers should reconsider travel to those areas.

Health Risks

There are several health risks to be aware of when traveling to Mexico. These include insect-borne diseases such as malaria, Zika virus, dengue fever, chikungunya, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis. Foodborne and waterborne illnesses are also common, so it is important to drink bottled water and avoid raw or undercooked food. Parts of Mexico are at high altitudes, and air pollution can also cause health issues, particularly during the winter months.

Other Safety Concerns

In addition to violent crime and health risks, there are several other safety concerns to be aware of when traveling to Mexico. These include natural disasters such as hurricanes and earthquakes, as well as road safety issues. Mexico has a high rate of motor vehicle accidents, and driving at night or on rural roads can be particularly dangerous.

Mexican immigration rules

Mexico is currently open for US citizens to travel to, but the travel advisory rating varies depending on the state. US citizens need a valid passport to enter Mexico.

The US State Department has issued a Level 1 travel advisory for the states of Campeche and Yucatan, which means visitors can exercise normal precautions.

The following Mexican states are rated Level 2, which means travellers should exercise increased caution:

• Baja California Sur (Los Cabos, La Paz, Todos Santos)
• Coahuila
• Mexico City
• Nayarit (Punta Mita, Riviera Nayarit)
• Oaxaca
• Puebla
• Quintana Roo (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Tulum)
• Veracruz

Jalisco, which includes the popular cities of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, is rated Level 3, which means travellers should reconsider travel.

The US State Department advises against all travel to the following states:

• Colima
• Guerrero (Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, Taxco, Ixtapa)
• Michoacan
• Sinaloa (Mazatlan)
• Tamaulipas
• Zacatecas

Frequently asked questions