Written by:undefined undefined
Published: 12-06-2023
Mexico is one of the most popular and visited countries in the world, for its spectacular beach destinations, vibrant cultural heritage, delicious and unique food, and many incredible natural and cultural attractions. Unfortunately, too many times recently, Mexico has been on the mainstream media only for violent crime episodes committed by drug cartels and various criminal organizations and those are for real. It is important to mention that most of the time it’s drug-related violence, and if you stay away from that “drug trade” environment you, as a tourist in Mexico should not be affected during your Mexico vacation.
Mazatlan
The U.S. Embassy recently issued a travel alert, urging visitors to exercise caution by avoiding dangerous situations and drinking responsibly, among other recommendations. “Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations,” the alert said. And the State Department has warned tourists to steer clear of six states, including the state of Tamaulipas, where a recent kidnapping occurred, and to exercise increased precautions in other popular destinations like Playa del Carmen, Cancún, Tulum, and Mexico City.
Mexico City Streets
Early 2023
An overwhelming majority of visitors enjoy a safe vacation in Mexico, and tourists are largely sheltered from the violence that grips local communities. But the attack and kidnapping of four Americans in the border city of Matamoros, two of whom were later found dead, along with recent disorder in Cancún and violence in early January that forced the closure of three airports in northwest Mexico, is prompting questions about whether the country’s broader unrest is spilling into other destinations. Uber has been challenging the taxi unions for the right to operate in Cancún and won a court decision in its favor on Jan. 11. The ruling infuriated the powerful unions, which are believed to have links to local organized crime figures and former governors. Taxi drivers then began harassing and threatening Uber drivers.
Cancun Taxi
In general, local disruptions in Mexico´s towns and cities are kept to a minimum and not usually involving tourism. But the rule doesn’t always hold. And in two popular destinations for foreign tourists — Los Cabos, at the tip of the Baja California peninsula, and the Caribbean coastal region near Cancun local and state officials have recently sought help from the United States to take on organized crime that threatened to drive off tourists. At the end of 2021 and early 2022 rattled the tourist industry along the Riviera Maya, the 80-mile strip of Caribbean resorts south of Cancún. Two visitors were killed in crossfire between local gangs in Tulum; a gunfight on a beach in Puerto Morelos sent tourists running for cover into a nearby hotel; a hit man gained entry to a luxury hotel in Playa del Carmen and killed two Canadian tourists believed to have links to organized crime.
Mexican Drug Raid
Tourism Elsewhere in Mexico
Even in states where crime is very high, tourist areas have generally been spared. San Miguel de Allende, a haven for U.S. retirees, is an island of relative peace in a state, Guanajuato, that has been riddled with cartel violence. The Pacific Coast state of Jalisco, home to the resort of Puerto Vallarta, picturesque tequila country, and the cultural and gastronomic attractions of the state capital, Guadalajara, is also the center of operations of the extremely violent Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The cartel’s focus of violence is in the countryside; Puerto Vallarta and the beaches to its north, including the exclusive peninsula of Punta Mita and the surfers’ hangout of Sayulita, are all booming — and, despite drug sales, the cartel’s control seems to limit open conflict. Mexico City has become a magnet for digital nomads and shorter-term visitors, and concerns about violence there have receded. The city’s police force has been successful in reducing violent crime, particularly homicides, and the number of killings has been cut almost in half over the past three years.
Mexico Police
Are there any other safety concerns?
Street crime is still a problem almost everywhere in Latin America, especially in bigger cities and crowded places. Mexico is no exception to this rule. Kidnapping and carjacking are a risk in certain regions and many businesses that cater to tourists operate under extortion threats. While tourists may not be aware of underlying criminal forces, their power sometimes spills out into the open in spectacular shows of violence.
Extortion
Three airports in the state of Sinaloa, including the beach destination Mazatlán, were closed on Jan. 5 amid gang violence after Mexican security forces arrested Ovidio Guzmán López, a son of Joaquín Guzmán Loera, the crime lord known as El Chapo, who is serving a life sentence in the United States.
The U.S. State Department provides state-by-state information about travel risks in Mexico. As of early March, the department had issued its strongest possible warning. These are the states you should probably avoid at the moment for safety reasons.
Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
Guerrero state due to crime.
Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping.
Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping
Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping
Level 4: Do Not Travel — for six states, including Tamaulipas and Sinaloa.
Level 2: Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur are at Level 2, indicating that visitors should exercise increased caution. (As a comparison, the same Level 2 advisory is applied to France and Spain.)
Tulum
So, Is Mexico Safe to Visit?
The short answer is Yes, however, it can be dangerous in specific areas and random incidents happen, like everywhere in the world. It’s important to be cautious when you travel, especially if you are alone, and to know which areas are safe to travel to and which are to avoid. Like anywhere else in the world, following certain common-sense rules is always a good practice, regardless of any ongoing situation. As anywhere, common sense should prevail. Mexico is safe if you take precautions and avoid problematic areas. The majority of crime that happens in Mexico is not aimed at tourists. However, to say that Mexico is completely safe would be a total disservice to the many women and men that have disappeared in Mexico and if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time, you could get caught up in cartel activity way out of your depth. It is important to remember that on an organized tour, you will be staying in safe touristic regions and transport is private so you will have no problems on your vacation. Tourism sectors are heavily protected and not affected by local disturbances. Ask here if you have any concerns about your Mexico vacation!
