The U.S. State Department Is Warning Travelers About These 16 States In Mexico

Last Updated 11 months ago

The U.S. State Department has placed warnings for 16 Mexican states on its website as it looks to keep Americans safe in their most popular destination. Whilst Mexico’s travel advisory page as a whole has no specific warning level – categorized as “other” – each state has its own specific threat level and list of risks to travelers, which sees travelers asked to either not travel or reconsider travel to 16 of Mexico’s 32 states.

Whilst the vast majority of travelers can head to such locations and come away with only positive memories and experiences, travelers should always be aware of what types of problems they may run into overseas.

Here’s a closer look at which of Mexico’s states carry such warnings, and which threats are listed in some of the country’s most popular destinations for American travelers.

Mexico’s Travel Warnings – What Travelers Should Know

Last updated on April 20th, Mexico’s travel advisory page features a comprehensive guide on the risks travelers face in each state. According to the U.S. State Department, travelers are explicitly asked not to travel to the following states:

Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas.

According to the travel advisory page, travelers should not travel to these destinations because of the threat of crime and kidnapping, with violent crime and gang-related activities said to be widespread.

There are also several destinations that American travelers are advised to reconsider travel to due to security concerns. These are as follows:

Baja California, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Mexico, Morelos, Nayarit, Sonora and Zacateca.

Each of the travel advisory sections for these states also warns of the risk of either crime, kidnapping, or both. For each of the remaining states in the country, travelers are asked to either exercise normal or increased precautions.

Several of Mexico’s most popular destinations are located within states that have been included in the recent travel warnings.

Mazatlan is located within Sinaloa, a state that travelers have been told not to travel to due to the risks they may face in doing so. However, most areas of Mazatlan such as the Zona Dorada and the historic town center are thought to be very safe and have plenty to offer travelers, especially those who might be visiting on a cruise.

In fact, Mazatlan is seeing a huge rise in ex-pats and snowbirds relocating from the U.S. to the city, choosing the destination to retire or even raise a family in.

The popular resort town of Puerto Vallarta is located in Jalisco, a state that travelers have been asked to reconsider traveling to. The travel advisory page warns of the risks of travelers getting caught up in gang battles in places like Guadalajara, but there are no restrictions on travel for U.S government employees in Puerto Vallarta itself, suggesting it is relatively safer for travelers than other parts of the state.

Colorful Houses In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Los Cabos is located within Baja California Sur, a state where travelers have been asked to exercise increased caution in. With the state’s warning level lower than other resort destinations, Los Cabos may be one of the safer options for American travelers looking to visit Mexico, along with Cancun and Playa Del Carmen – though no destination is completely risk-free.

Regardless of what the travel advisory says about the threat a destination has, there are always ways that travelers can mitigate the risks they face. By exercising caution in places such as bars and casinos, not flaunting valuables, being discreet when it comes to withdrawing cash and not traveling alone at night, travelers can ensure they are not drawing any unwanted attention from the wrong people and enjoy their vacations.