most dangerous places in mexico | Map (2023)

There are manyReasons to visit Mexico. Beautiful beaches, delicious food, a rich culture with a complex history and friendly people are just some of the reasons why the country attracts millions of tourists every year.

However, it's also true that there are places in Mexico that just aren't very safe. Some of the main reasons for unstable areas are the presence of drug cartels and unreliable law enforcement. Violent crime and kidnapping are some of the most concerning things to look out for, and some states are much worse than others.

The 16 most dangerous states in Mexico

In this post we analyze themmost dangerous places in mexicoas defined byUnited States Department of Stateand the travel advice it lays out. We'll also look at crime rates in Mexico and see how they compare to other countries.

MexicoTravelWarningMapa

5 states not to travel

Do Not Travel is the strictest travel advisory issued by the US Department of State of the four possible levels of travel advisory. It's what the department issues when there are significant life-threatening hazards in an area.

currently therefive Mexican states with a “Do not travel” sign:

1. colima
2. Guerrero
3. Michoacán
4. Sinaloa
5. Tamaulipas

1. By car

A small Mexican state on the Pacific coast of Mexico, Colima is home to Manzanillo, a beach town with resorts and consistently warm weather. It is designated as a "No Travel" state due to the widespread prevalence of violent crime, kidnapping and gang activity.

US government officials are prohibited from traveling to the city of Tecomán, the Colima/Michoacán border and the non-tourist areas of Manzanillo.

2.Warrior

Located between the states of Michoacán and Oaxaca, Guerrero is also listed as a state to avoid. The reasons for this are violent crimes and kidnappings. This state is home to several armed groups that operate independently of the government and are known for setting up barricades and inflicting violence on travelers.

The very popular tourist cities of Acapulco and Ixtapa are located in Guerrero. Both places annually attract a large number of tourists in search of sun and beautiful beaches. Agriculture and livestock are other important sectors of the country's economy.

Most of Guerrero is off limits to US government officials, with the exception of parts of Taxco.

3. Michoacan

Located between Colima and Guerrero, Michoacán forms three neighboring states on Mexico's Pacific coast labeled "Don't Travel". This occurs for the same reason as the other two: high prevalence of crimes and kidnappings.

Part of the Monarch Butterfly Reserve is located in Michoacán, as are many Spanish colonial towns, making it an attractive location for tourists.

4. Sinaloa

The Sinaloa Cartel is one of the most notorious drug cartels in the world, responsible for trafficking most of the illegal drugs that enter the United States. They are also one of the main reasons this state is so dangerous.

Mazatlán, a popular vacation destination for tourists arriving in Mexico, is located in the state of Sinaloa and is one of the few places where US government officials can travel.

5. Tamaulipas See More

Tamaulipas is located on the Gulf of Mexico and borders the US state of Texas to the north. It is an important center of the Mexican fishing industry.

The status is listed as No Travel due to high rates of violent crime and kidnapping. There are armed groups that engage in organized criminal activities such as kidnapping, carjacking, armed robbery, murder and more, particularly along the northern border.

11 rethink travel states

States in this "Rethinking Travel" category are listed as such due to "severe security risks" as described by the US Department of State. The Department of Foreign Affairs provides additional advice specific to these areas.

1. baja california
2. chihuahua
3. Coahuila
4. Durango
5. Guanajuato
6. jalisco
7. Mexico
8. morelos
9. Nayarit
10. Sonora
11. zacatecas

In Mexico, the term "reconsider travel" is generally attributed to the increase in violent crime and kidnapping in the area. Most violent crimes in thesemexican statesoccurs between members of criminal organizations, but these incidents sometimes happen in areas frequented by tourists. Collateral damage is often the biggest risk for visitors.

How dangerous is Mexico?

It's not easy to say how dangerous Mexico is. The truth is that the level of danger in the country varies from one region to another, as in any other country. Some people are also more at risk than others. For example, young men make up the vast majority of murder victims.

With that in mind, it's certainly true that it's important to take more precautions to stay safe in Mexico than in many other countries.

How many murders are there in Mexico?

As the table above shows, the homicide rate in Mexico is significantly higher than in the United States or the United Kingdom.

Is Mexico 2022 safe for tourists?

There are many safe places for tourists in Mexico in 2022, but it is important to be careful and carefully plan your travel destinations. Mexico is one of the top countries in the world for tourists in general: tens of millions come to the country every year and the vast majority have a problem-free stay.

However, there are tourists who are occasional victims of violent crime. Sometimes it's because the tourists were involved in illegal activities, and other times it's just collateral damage from gang violence. In general, resorts and popular tourist areas are safe. The Mexican government sometimes sends marines into these areas to ensure the safety of visitors.

Some measures visitors can take to protect themselves include not traveling alone or at night, being aware of their surroundings and being extremely careful when using ATMs. Learning basic Spanish can also boost your confidence level.

What are the safest states in Mexico?2022?

The only states in Mexico that do not have US State Department travel advisories are Yucatán and Campeche. It is recommended that you take the usual precautions that should be taken when traveling anywhere, but none of these states pose a greater security risk. You are on the Yucatan Peninsula, an area that made up a large part of the Mayan civilization.

Yucatan

The Mexican state of Yucatan is a popular travel destination for many. It is known for beautiful beaches, tropical jungles, cenotes and being home to the ancient Mayans. Here are the ruins of Chichén Itzá, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The pink lagoons of Las Coloradas, on the coast of the state of Yucatan, are another attraction that attracts many tourists.

The capital of Yucatán is Merida, sometimes known as the "White City". It is the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula and the cultural capital of the state. It is also one of the safest cities in Mexico.

campeche

The state of Campeche is located on the Yucatán Peninsula, along with Yucatán, Tabasco, Quintana Roo and Guatemala. Its capital is San Francisco de Campeche and it has one of the smallest populations of any Mexican state. Mining and oil exploration are the biggest contributors to the state's economy.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Campeche is the coastal town of Ciudad del Carmen. It has calm beaches and colonial buildings that create a beautiful and relaxing environment. While the coastal areas of Campeche are known for their tranquility, Mexico's most beautiful beaches can be found elsewhere.

Other states generally considered safe include Mexico City, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Quintana Roo and Puebla.

Crime rates by state

While information on Mexico's most dangerous states focuses primarily on violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping, and violent robbery, the crime rates described below also represent non-violent crimes. These types of crimes include shoplifting, theft and others that do not endanger your physical well-being.

Crime rate per 100,000 population in 2020 by state in Mexico.

Crime rate in Mexico in 2020 by state (per 100,000 inhabitants), Source:political

Mexico City is by far the region with the highest crime rate in Mexico. But that doesn't mean it's necessarily the most dangerous condition. It is important to realize the size of Mexico City when thinking about security. Greater Mexico City has over 20 million inhabitants and ranks fifth among the most populous cities in the world.

The incredible size of the Mexican capital means that there are many very different parts of the city, and the most dangerous parts are not the ones that tourists and foreigners tend to frequent. It is common for residents of these safer parts of Mexico City to feel much safer in the city than when traveling to other parts of the country.

The table above also shows that the state of Tamaulipas has the third lowest crime rate in the country. This can be misleading, as the US Department of State lists the state as one of five "No Travel" states. While there are fewer minor crimes, more cases of kidnapping and violent crime make it one of the least safe states in Mexico.

At least three of Mexico's five most dangerous states are in the middle of the list with the lowest crime rates. It is also possible that crime reporting in these states is not as thorough or effective as in states with higher crime reporting rates.

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