Yearly Mexico attracts roughly 42 million worldwide vacationers, with many selecting the Mexican Caribbean—broadly considered one of many most secure locations within the nation.
The US stays the main supply market, accounting for over 13.5 million air vacationers yearly, adopted by Canada with round 2.5 million. Different rising markets embrace Colombia, the UK and Spain.
Official U.S. Journey Advisory
The U.S. State Division up to date its journey advisories for all of the Mexican states in September 2024. Listed below are the states that it is best to keep away from or rethink visiting because of excessive ranges of violent crime.
Don’t journey to:
Rethink journey to:
UPDATE: on January 27, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate issued a LEVEL 4 (DON NOT TRAVEL) warning for Mexican State Tamaulipas, particularly across the areas of Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando.
The consulate experiences an increase in gun battles throughout late night time and early morning hours in Reynosa, together with an escalating risk from improvised explosive units (IEDs) within the space.
Most Frequent Crimes Witnessed in Mexice (Newest Stats by statista.com
10 Most Harmful Cities in Mexico In accordance with Murder Fee
Methodology Defined
The info assortment and choice course of is predicated on a nationwide warmth map by Mexican knowledge scientist Diego Valle-Jones. This map visualizes murder charges throughout particular person cities based mostly on statistics from the Mexican Justice System over the previous twelve months. The dataset was filtered to incorporate solely cities with populations exceeding 100,000, as smaller populations can produce outliers because of restricted pattern sizes.
10. Tijuana, Baja California
Only a 30-minute drive separates San Diego from the beautiful Tijuana seashores. Up to now, this vacation spot was a favourite amongst People, however vacationer numbers have been lowering because of a big improve in drug trafficking actions.
In consequence, the murder charge has surged to 80.8 deaths per 100,000 residents.
9. Zamora, Michoacán
Since 2021, Zamora within the state of Michoacán has persistently ranked among the many most violent cities in Mexico, with a murder charge of 91.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in a inhabitants of 108,000.
This alarming degree of violence is primarily pushed by conflicts amongst native drug cartels, notably the Jalisco New Technology Cartel, which controls the area.
8. Tecate, Baja California
With a inhabitants of roughly 112,000, Tecate, Baja California—one other border metropolis—has skilled a staggering 146.9% rise in intentional homicides, in accordance with official knowledge.
This sharp rise is linked to violent clashes between drug cartels, together with the Jalisco New Technology Cartel and the lethal Sinaloa Cartel.
Vacationers are strongly suggested to train warning and keep up to date on native situations earlier than crossing the border.
7. Yautepec de Zaragoza, Morelos
Yautepec de Zaragoza is a well-liked vacation spot situated only a brief drive from Mexico Metropolis. Sadly, town presently has a murder charge of 97.2 per 100,000 residents.
As soon as once more, this degree of violence is the results of clashes amongst prison teams working within the space.
American and different worldwide guests ought to stay vigilant and preserve knowledgeable about native information each earlier than touring and through their journey.
6. Cuatla, Morelos
Cuautla, one other metropolis in Morelos, ranks among the many most harmful locations within the nation, with its 192,000 residents dealing with a murder charge of 113.1 per 100,000 folks.
This variety of deaths has been attributed to conflicts amongst prison organizations working within the area. Current experiences of kidnappings and violent crimes have additional heightened security issues, prompting worldwide businesses to suggest warning.
To scale back dangers, keep away from distant or high-risk areas and prioritize touring throughout daylight, which may considerably scale back potential kidnappings.
5. Villa de Álvarez, Colima
Situated within the Mexican state of Colima, this metropolis has a murder charge of 114 per 100,000 inhabitants inside a inhabitants of 158,000.
This determine locations Villa de Álvarez among the many most harmful locations within the nation. As in lots of different Mexican cities, organized crime is the main driver of violence.
Guests are strongly suggested to extend warning, keep away from unfamiliar areas after darkish and keep up-to-date about native advisories to make sure a safer journey.
4. Temixco, Morelos
This municipality, comparatively near Mexico Metropolis, struggles with a murder charge of 115 per 100,000 residents, reflecting the dangers vacationers might encounter when visiting this municipality.
A lot of the violence stems from territorial disputes amongst prison organizations. Guests are suggested to keep away from secluded areas and restrict pointless outings at night time.
Remember that crimes equivalent to armed robberies and random shootings can occur on this metropolis with out discover. To reduce dangers, guests ought to follow well-populated areas and plan their journey fastidiously earlier than touring.
3. Apatzingán, Michoacán
Apatzingán, within the state of Michoacán, faces a regarding murder charge of 128.3 per 100,000 residents, making town the third most harmful place within the nation.
Lately, the vacation spot has develop into the house of lethal drug cartels and a key hub for methamphetamine manufacturing, which fuels violence and instability.
Authorities presently work on methods to curb cartel affect, however security challenges nonetheless persist. This forces vacationers to maintain their guard up always.
2. San Luis, Sonora
San Luis, Sonora, situated simply south of Yuma, Arizona, usually attracts American guests who might overlook security issues because of its proximity.
Regardless of this, with a inhabitants of 209,000, this metropolis has a murder charge of 128.5 per 100,000 inhabitants, making it the second most harmful metropolis for worldwide vacationers in Mexico.
Its quick access to the US facilitates smuggling and drug trafficking by prison teams, rising dangers for guests.
1. Manzanillo, Colima
This time round, Manzanillo, within the state of Colima, has earned the grim distinction of changing into Mexico’s most harmful metropolis for vacationers in 2025, with a staggering murder charge of 134 per 100,000 residents.
Opposite to what one would possibly assume, Manzanillo is way from deserted. The truth is, it serves as a significant delivery port and home air journey hub, and that’s precisely what makes it a important hotspot for cartel exercise.
That being stated, Manzanillo is the worst place in Mexico to go to by knowledge, however surprisingly it stays pretty visited by vacationers.
Listed below are some suggestions for touring safely in Mexico:
- Keep knowledgeable: Sustain-to-date with native information and journey advisories.
- Use respected transportation: Select official taxis, rideshare apps, or rental vehicles from trusted businesses.
- Keep away from dangerous areas: Analysis neighborhoods and keep away from areas with identified security issues.
- Safe your belongings: Preserve valuables in a protected place and be aware of your environment.
- Journey throughout the day: If doable, keep away from touring late at night time or early morning.
- Keep linked: Share your itinerary with household or mates and be in contact repeatedly.
- Use ATMs properly: Select ATMs in well-lit, safe areas, equivalent to inside banks or purchasing facilities.
- Study fundamental Spanish: Familiarize your self with important phrases to speak in emergencies.
- Comply with native customs and legal guidelines: Respect the native tradition and observe any rules, particularly relating to alcohol and medicines.
- Have emergency contacts: Know the native emergency numbers and your embassy’s contact info.
