Safety should always be a concern for travelers venturing off to a foreign country. Although Mexico is so close to the U.S., it doesn’t always seem as if we’re traveling abroad.
To enjoy this extended home away from home, a passport is definitely needed to gain access to our phenomenal neighbor packed with cultural sites and incredible beaches.
When Americans are planning a trip to Mexico, most often it’s a beach getaway. Not only is Mexico hugely popular for all-inclusive resorts and some of the best beaches in all of Latin America, but safety is a key factor as well.
The reality is travelers wouldn’t flock in droves to Mexico if it wasn’t safe. Repeat business is essential for tourism after all.
For peace of mind in determining which Mexican destination feels right for you, these are the current U.S. travel advisories for the 6 most popular destinations in Mexico:
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is among the top 3 most popular destinations in Mexico, but the top choice to splurge on a luxurious getaway.
The state of Baja California Sur has a lot to offer between the ritzy region of Los Cabos and charming small towns, such as Todos Santos.
Between pristine beaches, world-class resorts and fun excursions, such as whale watching tours this time of year, Cabo is perfect for relaxing or filling your day with fun things to do.
Right now, the current advisory for southern Baja is minimal at best for criminal activity with the region labeled Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
The Mexican Caribbean – Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen
Americans’ top choice for an international beach vacay is none other than beautiful Cancun. Like Cabo, vacationers have the choice to spend their days relaxing poolside at a luxe resort or go out and about seeing all the sights.
Cancun tends to save a few bucks in terms of travel costs since Cabo has skyrocketed to hotel stays over $500 per night!
Plus, Cancun is more centrally located, while Cabo is tucked away at the southernmost point of the Baja peninsula.
Not every vacationer stays in Cancun proper either, as there are plenty of worthy beach getaways in the area, especially with the new addition of the exciting Maya Train.
Nearby Playa del Carmen and Tulum are shooting to the moon in popularity as well. Tulum has become a powerhouse in the area with soon-to-launch flights direct from the U.S. to Tulum’s new airport.
In terms of safety, there’s not too much to worry about in the Mexican Caribbean either. All three cities have increased security presence in a variety of ways over the past year.
The U.S. State Department categorizes the state of Quintana Roo Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, where tourists should have ‘situational awareness’ in tourist areas.
Most crimes involving tourists have been a rare “wrong place, wrong time” occurrence.
Puerto Vallarta
Fishing off Mexico’s top beach destinations is the picture-perfect city of Puerto Vallarta. Here in the state of Jalisco is where the U.S. State Department believes the safety situation gets dicey.
As the only designation of Level 3: Reconsider Travel for Mexico’s most popular destinations, that’s not stopping travelers from flocking to Puerto Vallarta’s beaches.
So much so that this stunning city has broken tourism records multiple times in 2023 with no signs of tapping the brakes any time soon.
While the current travel advisory does list Puerto Vallarta, the main focus in terms of violence is the city Guadalajara, almost 5 hours away from the beach.
Mexico City
Enough beach talk. What about a trip to one of the biggest cities in the world? Lounging at the beach or resort pools is awesome, but a gargantuan cultural playground full of markets, historical sites and delicious food isn’t a bad alternative.
In fact, travelers love Mexico City so much that it’s a top 3 destination in Mexico right now. With such a huge population, it’s actually quite impressive how Mexico City is so safe.
The U.S. warns of ‘petty crime’ of in and out of tourist areas. Police presence is minimal on the outskirts so it’s encouraged to remain vigilant at night.
Traffic is heavy here, but Uber is a great safe option for short rides. The State Department lists Mexico City as Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.
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