Is Mexico Safe? New State Department Warning Lists Danger Zones

Before taking any international trip, it’s always good to check out the U.S. State Department’s travel website, travel.state.gov. Aside from country specific information, along with tips and suggestions for international travel, the U.S. Department of State issues travel warnings and alerts specific to countries and regions. These are issued periodically and are based on security and intelligence information.

Mexico has been hit hard by drug-related violence. Given its proximity to the U.S. and our hungry market for illegal drugs, the country serves as the final transit point for many drug shipments from South and Central America. It’s this lucrative drug money that causes the violence and battles over territory.

On February 8, the U.S. State Department issued an updated travel warning regarding travel to Mexico. The warning cites the ongoing drug-related violence and the Mexican government’s efforts to destroy the drug gangs, known as Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs). This violence and related crime can happen anywhere and U.S. citizens have been the victims, both intentionally and as innocent bystanders.

The State Department report provides a good overview of the violence in Mexico and shows where the violence has been happening. It goes on to advise Americans which cities and areas are considered safe for tourist travel.

Safe Areas
Most of the big tourist areas are considered safe, with no advisories for them. Areas like Cabo San Lucas, Mexico City, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa Del Carmen, the Riviera Maya, Tulum in Quintana Roo and the entire state of Oaxaca. Also listed with no advisories are Merida and the ruins at Chichen Itza in the Yucatan. I just traveled to Cozumel and Playa del Carmen and felt safe. I did notice armed policemen in several areas.

Tijuana
Americans are warned to “exercise caution” especially at night in Tijuana. 34 Americans were killed in this border city in 2011. The city is just south of San Diego and a popular and easy destination for tourists, especially those under-21 who go there to drink and party.

Other areas of concern
The “exercise caution” warning is also given for the city of Monterrey in Nuevo Leon and Mazatlan, which is a resort city and popular cruise ship port.

Places to avoid completely
The warning advises Americans to avoid traveling to the states of Chihuahua, Durango, San Luis Potosi, Sinaloa, parts of Sonora, Zacatecas and some other areas. While these are not popular tourist cities, they are where many families of American citizens live. I spoke with several of my friends who have family in Mexico and those cities are where many people in Los Angeles came from.

Freddy Sherman is a world traveler and editor of the travel blog travel4people.com. You can follow him on twitter, @thefredsherman

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