Home to the ultra-popular resort destination that is Cancun, a plethora of ancient Mayan ruins, and vibrant city breaks, Mexico is the number one country for Americans planning a trip abroad, but no trip south of the border is exactly risk-free.
As safe as Mexico may be in general, with very few travelers being affected by crime when vacationing on its Caribbean coast or bustling capital, there are more dangerous parts of the national territory it would be best to avoid altogether.
As customary every year, the U.S. State Department has updated the Mexico Travel Advisory, and a total of 6 states are now placed at Level 4––up from 4 since the last count.
In other words, Americans are being urged to refrain from traveling to these regions due to crime:
Colima
A small state straddling the Pacific coast of Mexico, Colima has never been a much sought-after destination for Americans, and now it may be a longer while until it regains whatever little prestige it used to have, following its inclusion on the State Dpt.’s Level 4 list.
It is best known for its namesake colonial-era capital, endless miles of golden sand beaches hugged by azure waters, and Manzanillo, a whitewashed resort town dubbed the ‘Mexican Santorini‘––though undoubtedly beautiful, the state is one of Mexico’s worst hotspots for crime.
According to U.S. authorities, most killings are ‘targeted assassinations’ involving gang members, but U.S. citizens have also been victims of kidnapping and other forms of violence.
The State Dpt. does not, however, that Downtown Manzanillo, which comprises both the hotel zone and port, is considered safer, and government employees themselves are not barred from visiting.
Guerrero
Similarly to Colima, Guerrero is a Pacific state that, ironically, is far from being ‘Pacific,’ having been dominated by rivaling gangs in recent decades.
Its main resort hub, Acapulco, used to be a prime destination for Hollywood stars in the 50s and 60s, and despite its efforts to regain the long-lost popularity––since then, Cabo’s taken up that mantle––it continues to struggle as crime levels worsen.
U.S. authorities warn Americans heading to this state that armed groups operate ‘independently of the government’ in many areas and have been known to enforce roadblocks, use coercion tactics, and even force against visitors.
There are no ‘exceptions’ in Guerrero, with travel discouraged to all tourist zones, including not only Acapulco but also Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Ixtapa.
Michoacan
Yet another beautiful state on the Pacific coast plagued by endemic violence, Michoacan had been rising in popularity as an off-the-beaten-path destination for travelers until being blacklisted by the State Dpt.
It is home to many indigenous groups, a diverse landscape comprising central highlands and unspoiled patches of coast, and its stately capital, Morelia is arguably one of Mexico’s most beautiful, with a UNESCO-protected historic center.
Sadly, Michoacan is not somewhere you should go unless you have a very compelling, strong reason to do so or you’re used to traveling to high-risk areas:
‘Crime and violence are widespread’, as reported by U.S. officials, and employees of the U.S. government are only allowed to travel into Michoacan by air, landing at Morelia Airport, or by using Federal Highways 43 or 48D, from Federal Highway 15D.
The beach town of Lazaro Cardenas is the only other destination left out of the blanket ban on travel, yet those who visit are expressly told to limit their activities to the center and port areas.
Sinaloa
The fourth Pacific state to feature here, Sinaloa, has been the epicenter of turf wars for many years, as countless criminal organizations base their operations there.
This hasn’t stopped major resorts like Mazatlan, Los Mochis, and Topolobampo from being added to cruise itineraries or favored by adventurous Americans who are eager to experience a more authentic side of Mexico beyond the glitz and glamor of Cancun, Cabo, and the like.
Indeed, Mazatlan seems to be relatively safe for tourists and the State Dpt. seems to echo that feeling, as it does not restrict its employees from traveling to the city’s well-frequented Zona Dorada and the picture-perfect colonial center.
We have reported extensively on Mazatlan as a destination, and based on feedback from our own readers, they have rarely felt unsafe or threatened in any way when vacationing there.
Nevertheless, traveling in the wider state of Sinaloa, especially in between municipalities, and further inland, is massively discouraged.
Tamaulipas
As it is a tiny Gulf state sharing a shot border with Texas, you may be thinking there’s not an awful lot to see and do in Tamaulipas anyway for its downgrading to Level 4 to be deemed a tragedy.
We’d beg to differ.
It lays claim to numerous well-preserved pre-Columbian archaeological zones, most notably the Huastec-era El Sabinito, distinguished by its overgrown pyramids and charming small towns yet to be spoiled by mass tourism and verdant preserves.
Tamaulipas’ nature is equally fascinating, from the waterfall-dotted jungle expanse that is El Cielo to the bustling Miramar Beach, a tried-and-true sunny getaway for Mexican locals… as you can see, there’s many a reason why this lesser-known state is worth a visit.
Regrettably, it is currently a no-go zone, with crime and kidnapping cited as main threats to the safety of visiting Americans.
The border zone is particularly dangerous, namely from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo, where local law enforcement is limited, whereas safety levels are higher in the ‘tri-city zone’: Tampico, Ciudad Madero, and Altamira.
Zacatecas
An unfortunate addition to the blacklist this year, Zacatecas is a historically-significant state in central Mexico best represented by its namesake capital, a pink sandstone city that traces its origins back to the 16th century.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising an ornate cathedral, a largely intact colonial core, with narrow streets lined with colorful facades, and a monumental Palacio de Gobierno Estatal, a Spanish-era edifice where the state government still convenes.
On the outskirts of town, the El Eden Mine is a colonial system of mines now housing guided tours––and even descending to its depths is a fun business, as it involves going on a bumpy, vertiginous mine-cart ride.
The main downside, of course, is that visiting Zacatecas is being discouraged by U.S. authorities at the minute, following reports that U.S. citizens have been subject to kidnapping and other forms of crime.
The city center of Zacatecas itself presents fewer dangers, but any travel outside the touristy zones, especially the suburbs and smaller towns in the vicinity, is advised against.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
