The U.S. State Department has updated its travel advisory for Mexico, urging Americans to exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping risks across parts of the country. The advisory — updated May 29 — emphasizes that conditions vary dramatically by region, with six states now under the most severe “Do Not Travel” warning. Here’s a complete state-by-state breakdown of where it’s safe, where to think twice, and where to avoid entirely.
Overall guidance: “Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping”
Issued by: U.S. Department of State
Key point: Risk levels vary widely by state — review location-specific guidance before traveling
Level 4 (Do Not Travel) states: 6 | Level 3 (Reconsider): 7 | Level 2 (Increased Caution): 17
Understanding the State Department’s Advisory System
The State Department uses a four-tier system to communicate travel risk for every country and, in Mexico’s case, for each individual state. Because Mexico is so large and conditions vary so dramatically from region to region, the country isn’t given a single blanket rating — instead, each of its 32 states (31 states plus Mexico City) receives its own advisory level.
This is critical for travelers to understand: a popular beach destination might carry a Level 2 rating while a state just a few hundred miles away sits at Level 4. The overall national guidance — “exercise increased caution due to crime and kidnapping” — is really a reminder to check the specific state you’re visiting rather than assume the whole country carries the same risk.
The lowest advisory level. Standard safety awareness applies, as it would anywhere.
Be more aware of heightened risks. Most of Mexico’s tourist regions fall here, including Mexico City and Quintana Roo.
Serious risks present. Travelers should think carefully and reconsider whether the trip is necessary.
The highest level. Life-threatening risks. The U.S. government may have very limited ability to provide assistance.
How Mexico’s States Break Down by Risk Level
The majority of Mexican states — 17 in total — sit at Level 2, including most major tourist destinations. Six states carry the most severe Level 4 warning. The chart below shows how the country’s states are distributed across the advisory tiers.
🚫 Level 4 — Do Not Travel (Terrorism, Crime, Kidnapping)
These six states carry the State Department’s most severe warning. The advisory cites terrorism, crime, and kidnapping as the driving risks. Americans are urged not to travel to these states for any reason, and should be aware that U.S. government assistance may be severely limited in these areas.
Notably, Guerrero includes the once-iconic resort city of Acapulco, which has seen a dramatic decline in tourism amid security concerns. Sinaloa and Tamaulipas are long-standing areas of organized criminal activity, while Michoacán and Colima — despite containing the popular port of Manzanillo — remain under the highest warning due to cartel-related violence.
⚠️ Level 3 — Reconsider Travel (Terrorism, Crime, Kidnapping)
These seven states carry serious risks that warrant reconsidering travel. Several contain popular tourist destinations, which makes the Level 3 designation particularly important for travelers to understand before booking.
Jalisco is especially significant for travelers — it’s home to Guadalajara and the beloved resort town of Puerto Vallarta. Baja California contains Tijuana and Ensenada, popular with cruise passengers and day-trippers. The Level 3 rating doesn’t mean these destinations are off-limits, but it does mean travelers should research specific areas carefully, as risk can vary even within a single state.
