Safety — Important Notes

Mexico's security situation is the topic that concerns most travelers — and rightly so. It is important to know the reality: Mexico has real security issues, but the tourist regions are generally safe if basic rules are followed.

🟢 Safe Regions for Tourists

• Yucatán Peninsula: Mérida is considered one of the safest cities in Mexico. Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Valladolid are well-secured tourist areas.
• Mexico City: The tourist districts (Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán, Centro) are safe during the day. Use Uber instead of street taxis at night.
• Oaxaca (City & Surroundings): Very safe, relaxed atmosphere.
• Central Mexico: Guanajuato, San Miguel de Allende, Puebla, Querétaro — safe and tourist-friendly.
• Chiapas (tourist routes): San Cristóbal, Palenque — generally safe, but be cautious on highways (→ travel advisories).

🔴 Regions Tourists Should Avoid

• Tamaulipas: (border region) — cartel violence, kidnappings. Do not travel!
• Sinaloa: (except Mazatlán hotel zone) — drug war center.
• Michoacán: (parts) — cartels control entire areas. Morelia and Pátzcuaro are okay.
• Guerrero: (except Taxco and certain beach locations) — Acapulco has high crime rates.
• Zacatecas, Colima, parts of Jalisco: cartel activity.

Basic Rules

• At night: Do not walk in unfamiliar areas. Use Uber/DiDi.
• Taxis: ONLY authorized taxis (Sitio) or Uber. Never a random street taxi.
• ATMs: Only use indoors (banks, malls, OXXO) — never on the open street.
• Jewelry & expensive watches: Do not wear conspicuously.
• Night drives: Avoid driving long distances at night — highway robbers, animals, unlit speed bumps.
• Drugs: Do not buy marijuana/cocaine, even if offered. It funds cartels, and police use it for extortion.
• Copies: Store photos of passport and credit cards in the cloud.