Violent crime
Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, especially after dark.
Murder, armedrobbery,sexual assaultandkidnappingare high risks. These crimes can occur at tourist spots and resorts.
Criminals posing as police officers have committed sexual assault, extortion and robbery. They may drive fake police cars.
Gangs have attacked travellers after they've changed money at airports.
To protect yourself from violent crime:
- avoid travelling at night outside major cities, including on major highways
- monitor the media for new safety risks
- don't change large amounts of money at the airport
Crime on intercity buses and highways is common in Mexico.
Thieves have robbed tourists on buses along the Pacific Highway, including from Acapulco to Ixtapa and Huatulco.
Violent carjackings have increased. The northern borders and along the Pacific coast are high-risk areas.
Criminals have attacked tourists on toll roads and highways. The Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and border regions are high-risk areas.
Organised crime groups have targeted large campervans and SUVs travelling in and out of the United States.
To reduce the risk of crime when travelling by road:
- use ride-share services where possible instead of taxis
- use official taxis from airports and pre-pay your fare at an official taxi company booth in the airport terminal
- use radio taxis or taxis at assigned stands (sitios), especially in Mexico City
- use first-class buses
- only travel during daylight hours and allow enough time to get to your destination before dark
- drive via toll roads (cuota)
Watch out for drink and food spiking, which can occur in bars, clubs and restaurants. You're at higher risk of sexual assault and theft if you get drugged.
Drug and gang violence
Violent crimes related to the drug trade are widespread in Mexico.
Shoot-outs, grenade attacks and car bombings have occurred in public places.
Targeted attacks have increased on the military, government officials and journalists.
You may become a victim of violence directed against someone else.
Federal police and the military use roadblocks and random vehicle checks to deal with drug-related violence.
Drug cartels set up unofficial roadblocks in the northern areas of Mexico to obstruct military and police movement.
Stop at all roadblocks, or you risk getting killed. Comply with the instructions given.
Risks are higher in those areas most affected by drug-related and gang violence, including:
- Northern border states – Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas
- Pacific coast states – Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit and Sinaloa
- Central region states – Guanajuato, Durango, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas
- State of Mexico and the State of Veracruz on the Gulf coast
- Major cities along Mexico's border with the United States – Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Nogales, Piedras Negras and Reynosa
State of Guanajuato
Violence and drug cartel activity are on the rise across the State.
Gang members are known to erect roadblocks on major highways. Murders, including mass killings, occur regularly.
Even as a tourist, you risk getting caught up in violence inadvertently.
Avoid known hot spots such as Acámbaro, Celaya, Irapuato, León, Salamanca, Silao and Santiago.
State of Guerrero
The violent crime rate remains high, and the security situation is volatile.
Violent criminal gangs are more active in rural areas than cities.
Acapulco has high levels of violent crime, such as murder and shootings. The resort city is unsafe, especially outside tourist areas. Due to the precarious security situation following damage by Hurricane Otis, there's a threat of armed violence, banditry, and looting in cities and on roads.
Crime risks are lower in the tourist areas of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Taxco and on the toll road to Taxco than in other parts of Guerrero.
Protesters can disrupt toll booths along the road to Taxco, causing delays.
State of Michoacán
Many 'self-defence' groups have formed in the State. They are unpredictable, and the security situation is volatile.
Security near the Monarch butterfly reserves, including on the border with the State of Mexico, has deteriorated due to cartel activity.
Crime is lower in Morelia city.
State of Tamaulipas
Tamaulipas has widespread criminal activity linked to drug trafficking. Kidnapping and extortion are also common.
State of Quintana Roo
Violent crimes related to the drug trade have occurred in tourist areas of Quintana Roo, such as Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. Shoot-outs have occurred in public places, injuring or killing tourists.
State of Zacatecas
Zacatecas has widespread criminal activity linked to drug trafficking. Violence is increasing due to clashes between competing drug cartels. Kidnapping and extortion are common.
Other violent areas
High levels of violent crime and lawlessness occur in:
- the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains in southern Chihuahua State
- north-eastern Sinaloa State
- north-western Durango State
- south-eastern Sonora State
Organised crime gangs operate in these regions. The Chihuahua-Pacific Railway is less affected.
The State of Mexico has a high level of violent crime. Murder,assault, armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping are common.
According to Mexican Government statistics, Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo have reported significant increases in drug-related violence, particularly murder. The states with the highest homicide rates are Baja California Sur, Colima, Quintana Roo, Morelos, Zacatecas, Guanajuato, Baja California, Chihuahua, Michoacan and Sonora.
To reduce your risks if travelling to violent areas, stay in:
- tourist areas
- well-known and well-frequented public areas with good access to safe transport in the evenings
To protect yourself from crime in violent areas:
- avoid road travel, especially at night
- avoid isolated locations
- pay close attention to your personal security
- stay alert to possible threats around you
- follow the advice of local authorities
- monitor the media for safety or security risks
