Is Mexico Safe for First-Time Travelers?
Safety Scores / Mexico
Travel verdict: Use Caution. The scores and risks below say why.
Key Risks
- Safety varies greatly by region (resort areas generally safer)
- Avoid certain states with higher crime rates
- Tourist scams and petty theft
- Stick to tourist areas, use registered taxis/rideshares
Regional Safety
Yucatan Peninsula (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Merida), Mexico City historic centre & Polanco, Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara tourist zones
Mexico City outer neighbourhoods, Tijuana tourist zones, Monterrey business districts, Mazatlán resort area
Tamaulipas, Guerrero (incl. Acapulco), Michoacán interior, Colima, Zacatecas, Chiapas border zones, Sinaloa interior: avoid all non-essential travel
Stick to resort areas; research specific regions before travel
Good private hospitals in tourist areas; travel insurance essential
Pesos preferred locally; USD accepted in resort areas
Emergency: 911
Latest for Mexico
Updates for Mexico will appear here as they are published. Every update cites official sources, so you can plan on it.