The Mexico Guides

Is Mexico Safe to Visit? An Honest Guide

· 3 min read Practical
Mexico City street scene

Contents

  1. The honest picture
  2. Areas to be cautious about
  3. What the numbers mean
  4. Practical safety
  5. Mexjico City specifics
  6. What to do if something goes wrong

Mexico’s safety reputation is often distorted by sensationalised media coverage. The country is enormous — 2 million square kilometres, 130 million people — and safety varies dramatically by state, city, and context. Most visitors to the well-trodden tourist areas have no safety incidents whatsoever.

The honest picture

Mexico has real security problems in specific areas, primarily related to organised crime. Violence between criminal organisations is concentrated in specific border states, drug-producing regions, and transit corridors. This is different from random violence against tourists, which is rare.

The tourist areas that most visitors travel to — the Riviera Maya (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum), the colonial cities (Oaxaca, Mérida, San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato), Mexico City’s main neighbourhoods, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos — have safety profiles broadly comparable to major tourist cities in Europe or North America.

Areas to be cautious about

Certain states have elevated risks for independent travellers. As of 2025–2026, the US State Department and UK FCDO issue Do Not Travel or Reconsider Travel advisories for parts of:

  • Colima, Guerrero (outside Taxco and coastal areas near Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo): significant cartel activity
  • Tamaulipas: border area with ongoing security issues
  • Parts of Michoacán, Zacatecas, Chihuahua: cartel-affected areas

Check current government advisories before travelling — the situation changes, and advisories are updated regularly. The FCDO and State Department country pages name specific states and often specific routes within states.

What the numbers mean

Mexico has a high national homicide rate, but this is not evenly distributed. The vast majority of violence is between organised crime groups fighting over territory. Crimes specifically targeting tourists (kidnapping for ransom, violent robbery) are rare compared to the total crime figures.

Practical safety

Transport:

  • Always use Uber or Cabify in cities — do not hail street taxis
  • Long-distance ADO buses are safe (first and executive class)
  • Avoid driving at night, particularly on highways in less-visited areas
  • Night bus travel: the main intercity bus lines on tourist routes are considered safe

Theft:

  • Pickpocketing is the primary risk in crowded areas (markets, Metro, tourist sites)
  • Keep phones in a pocket rather than in hand on busy streets
  • Use a crossbody bag with a zip
  • Don’t leave valuables visible in rental cars

ATMs:

  • Use bank-branch ATMs (Banamex, Santander, HSBC) during business hours
  • Standalone ATMs in tourist areas carry higher skimming risk
  • Cover the keypad when entering your PIN

Food and water:

  • Tap water is not drinkable
  • Street food from high-turnover stalls is generally safe

Mexjico City specifics

The city’s main tourist and expat neighbourhoods (Roma, Condesa, Polanco, Coyoacán) are safe for walking during the day and evening. Centro Histórico is safe in the main pedestrianised areas; avoid straying into less-travelled side streets at night.

What to do if something goes wrong

  • Tourist police (policía turística) operate in major tourist areas; they’re specifically trained to help visitors
  • SECTUR (the tourism ministry) operates a tourist assistance hotline: 078 (in Mexico)
  • UK FCDO, US State Department, and other embassies have emergency lines for citizens
  • Most travel insurers have 24-hour emergency lines