The U.S. State Department has issued a travel advisory for Mexico, cautioning tourists to "exercise increased caution" and specifically advising against travel to six regions considered high-risk due to crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. The affected areas are Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
Alongside the advisory, U.S. personnel are prohibited from traveling between cities at night, hailing taxis on the street, and are encouraged to use regulated taxi services or rideshare apps such as Uber or Cabify. The guidance also advises against traveling alone and driving between border cities.
The advisory places Mexico at a "Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution," indicating a heightened risk for safety and security. However, certain regions, including the aforementioned states, are categorized at the highest risk, Level 4: "Do Not Travel." Potential travelers should be particularly cautious if considering visits to Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora which are under Level 3 advisories.
For travelers heading to Mexico, it is advised to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for potential updates from the U.S. embassy, comply with road checkpoints, and secure travel insurance that includes evacuation assistance and medical coverage.
To ensure safety while traveling, it is essential to check the current travel advisory and stay informed about conditions in Mexico. More details can be found on the U.S. State Department travel advisory page.