{"threatLevel": "Level 3: Reconsider Travel", "description": "

Reissued after periodic review with general security updates, and the removal of obsolete COVID-19 page links.

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Country Summary: Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.

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U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel. State-specific restrictions are included in the individual state advisories below. U.S. government employees may not travel between cities after dark, may not hail taxis on the street, and must rely on dispatched vehicles, including app-based services like Uber, and regulated taxi stands. U.S. government employees should avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas. U.S. government employees may not drive from the U.S.-Mexico border to or from the interior parts of Mexico, except daytime travel within Baja California and between Nogales and Hermosillo on Mexican Federal Highway 15D, and between Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey on Highway 85D.

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Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Mexico.

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Do Not Travel To:

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Reconsider Travel To:

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Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

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Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

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Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.

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If you decide to travel to Mexico:

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Aguascalientes state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Aguascalientes state.

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Baja California state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Transnational criminal organizations compete in the border area to establish narco-trafficking and human smuggling routes. Violent crime and gang activity are common. Travelers should remain on main highways and avoid remote locations. Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana. Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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U.S. government employees must adhere to the noted restrictions:

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There are no other travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Baja California state. These include high-traffic tourism areas of border and coastal communities, such as Tijuana, Ensenada, and Rosarito.

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Baja California Sur state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.

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Campeche state – Exercise Normal Precautions

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Exercise normal precautions.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Campeche state.

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Chiapas state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Chiapas state.

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Chihuahua state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Violent crime and gang activity are common. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Battles for territory between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens and U.S. government employees, including restaurants and malls during daylight hours. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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U.S. government employee travel is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

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U.S. government employees may only travel from Ciudad Juarez to the city of Chihuahua during daylight hours via Federal Highway 45, with stops permitted only at the Guardia Nacional División Caminos station, the Umbral del Milenio overlook area, the border inspection station at KM 35, and the shops and restaurants on Federal Highway 45 in the city of Ahumada.

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U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Chihuahua, including Copper Canyon.

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Coahuila state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Violent crime and gang activity occur in parts of Coahuila state. 

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U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

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There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Coahuila state.

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Colima state – Do Not Travel

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Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.  

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Violent crime and gang activity are widespread. Most homicides are targeted assassinations against members of criminal organizations. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.  

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Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with noted restrictions: 

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U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Colima state. 

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Durango state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime.

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Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Durango state.

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U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

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There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Durango state.

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Guanajuato state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Gang violence, often associated with the theft of petroleum and natural gas from the state oil company and other suppliers, occurs in Guanajuato, primarily in the south and central areas of the state.  Of particular concern is the high number of murders in the southern region of the state associated with cartel-related violence. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

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There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Guanajuato state, which includes tourist areas in: San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato City, and surrounding areas.

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Guerrero state – Do Not Travel

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Do not travel due to crime.

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Crime and violence are widespread. Armed groups operate independently of the government in many areas of Guerrero. Members of these groups frequently maintain roadblocks and may use violence towards travelers. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping in previous years.

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Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following area with the noted restrictions:

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U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Guerrero, including to tourist areas in Acapulco, Zihuatanejo, and Ixtapa.

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Hidalgo state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Hidalgo state.

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Jalisco state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Jalisco state. In Guadalajara, territorial battles between criminal groups take place in tourist areas. Shooting incidents between criminal groups have injured or killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

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There are no other restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Jalisco state which includes tourist areas in: Guadalajara Metropolitan Area, Puerto Vallarta (including neighboring Riviera Nayarit), Chapala, and Ajijic.

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Mexico City (Ciudad de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico City. Use additional caution, particularly at night, outside of the frequented tourist areas where police and security patrol more routinely. Petty crime occurs frequently in both tourist and non-tourist areas.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico City.

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Mexico State (Estado de Mexico) – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Both violent and non-violent crime occur throughout Mexico State. Use additional caution in areas outside of the frequented tourist areas, although petty crime occurs frequently in tourist areas as well.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Mexico State.

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Michoacan state – Do Not Travel

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Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Crime and violence are widespread in Michoacan state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

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U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of the state of Michoacan, including the portions of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve located in Michoacan.

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Morelos state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime.

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Violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Morelos state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Morelos state.

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Nayarit state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout Nayarit state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Nayarit state.

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Nuevo Leon state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Nuevo Leon state.

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Oaxaca state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence occur throughout the state.

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U.S. travelers are reminded that U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees to other parts of Oaxaca state, which include tourist areas in: Oaxaca City, Monte Alban, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco.

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Puebla state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Puebla state.

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Queretaro state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Queretaro state.

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Quintana Roo state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.  Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. 

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While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have injured innocent bystanders.  Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. However, personnel are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.

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San Luis Potosi state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.  U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in San Luis Potosi state.

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Sinaloa state – Do Not Travel

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Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Violent crime is widespread. Criminal organizations are based in and operating in Sinaloa. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

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U.S. government employees may not travel to other areas of Sinaloa state.

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Sonora state – Reconsider Travel

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Reconsider travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Sonora is a key location used by the international drug trade and human trafficking networks. Violent crime is widespread. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping. Travelers should maintain a heightened level of awareness of their surroundings in all their travels in Sonora.  Security incidents may occur in any area of Sonora.

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U.S. government employees must adhere to the following travel restrictions:

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U.S. government employees may travel to other parts of Sonora state in compliance with the above restrictions, including tourist areas in: Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, and Puerto Penasco.

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Tabasco state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tabasco state.

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Tamaulipas state – Do Not Travel

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Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Organized crime activity – including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault – is common along the northern border and in Ciudad Victoria. Criminal groups target public and private passenger buses, as well as private automobiles traveling through Tamaulipas, often taking passengers and demanding ransom payments.

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Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo.  In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime. Law enforcement capacity is greater in the tri-city area of Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira, which has a lower rate of violent criminal activity compared to the rest of the state.

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U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

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U.S. government employees may not travel to other parts of Tamaulipas state.

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Tlaxcala state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Criminal activity and violence may occur throughout the state.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Tlaxcala state.

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Veracruz state – Exercise Increased Caution

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Exercise increased caution due to crime.

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Violent crime and gang activity occur with increasing frequency in Veracruz, particularly in the center and south near Cordoba and Coatzacoalcos. While most gang-related violence is targeted, violence perpetrated by criminal organizations can affect bystanders. Impromptu roadblocks requiring payment to pass are common.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Veracruz state.

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Yucatan state – Exercise Normal Precautions

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Exercise normal precautions.

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There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in: Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.

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Zacatecas state – Do Not Travel

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Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping.

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Violent crime, extortion, and gang activity are widespread in Zacatecas state. U.S. citizens and LPRs have been victims of kidnapping.

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Travel for U.S. government employees is limited to the following areas with the noted restrictions:

\n", "pubDate": "Tue, 22 Aug 2023", "country": "See State Summaries"}