Mexico Travel Warnings

If you are planning a trip to Mexico, first thing you should look at is the Mexico travel warnings that has been updated recently for the benefit of travelers to Mexico. Millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year for study, tourism and business. That is more than 150,000 visitors crossing the border every day. The Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect US citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations. However, before you start packing for your holiday in Mexico, consider these Mexico travel warnings.

Mexico Travel Warnings

Travel Warning Stickers | (c) Photo By Beaumont Enterprise

There is no evidence that Mexico target visitors and residents based on their nationality. Resort areas and tourist destinations in Mexico generally don’t see the levels of drug-related violence and crime reported in the border region, and in areas along major trafficking routes. The major Mexico travel warnings are about the activities of criminal organizations. These organizations clash with the Mexican authorities, which results in a surge of violence in certain areas of the country.

Other Mexico travel warnings include increased number of kidnappings and disappearances of both locals and expats. With Mexico travel warnings, one important advisory to tourists is to avoid displaying money or other signs of wealth. Travel only during the day and stick to main roads. Also, abide by all checkpoints on roads and highways, regardless of whether they appear to be Mexican authority figures or not.

In the beginning of this year, the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs issued an updated Mexico travel warnings for USA travelers to Mexico. While the Mexico travel warnings report indicated that there has been no evidence of travelers being targeted, the number of US citizens reported as murdered in Mexico had more than tripled in the past four years. 2011 is at a total of 120 deaths.

Map of Mexico Indicating Mexico Travel Warnings

Mexico Travel Advisory: State by State | (c) Photo By CBC

Though there are risks involved in traveling to any country, they also offer unique attractions. Mexico is no different. Below vacation spots are safe to visit as they are not listed under the Mexico travel warnings.

Safe Cities in Mexico

• Cancun
• Cabo San Lucas
• San Miguel de Allende and Leon
• Cozumel
• Chiapas
• Playa del Carmen
• Riviera Maya
• Tulum
• Oaxaca
• Mexico City

Find cheap hotels in Mexico

Cities To Avoid

Below places should be avoided as per common Mexico travel warnings.

• Ciudad Juarez
• Chihuahua
• Copper Canyon
• Baja California
• Guadlajara
• Veracruz
• Monterrey
• Mazatlan
• Acapulco

The full list of cities and states with Mexico travel warnings is available at the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

So the questions is, should you defer a trip to Mexico because of these Mexico Travel Warnings? Security expert Gregory Bangs, an exec with the insurance firm Chubb & Son who specializes in protecting clients abroad from crime and kidnapping, says “Vacationers are generally safe, if they stick to resort areas that aren’t in high-crime locales. So far the tourist zones in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and big resort destinations other than Acapulco haven’t seen crime waves. However, visitors can be targets anywhere.”

How To Be Safe In Mexico?

To stay safe while in Mexico, don’t be pretentious. Flashy jewelry is a big no no. Don’t have loud drunken conversations or engage in rude behavior because they are invites to become a victim of a crime. Use official taxis or rent one through your hotel. If you’re at a restaurant, have the restaurant call a taxi for you. If you jog, check with a concierge for routes that are safe for jogging. Always pay attention to what’s happening around you. Americans are use to an overwhelming police presence in a relatively safe country. Even still, you know there are parts of your own home town that you would avoid at night. Do the same while abroad and follow all these Mexico travel warnings.

The State Department now urges those visiting or living abroad to enroll in a “Smart Traveler” program that lets local consulates know who’s in a given country and where, so Americans can be aided in an emergency. Remember, hundreds of thousands of US Citizens travel to Mexico every year, and only a handful ever experience a violent or negative incident on their visits. So just follow the given Mexico travel warnings and enjoy your holiday in Mexico.

Find cheap hotels in Mexico