Its just unfortunate that its another one on the list thats deemed dangerous for visitors. Uber has been challenging the taxi unions for the right to operate in Cancn and won a court decision in its favor on Jan. 11. World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. The murder rate soared in Los Cabos in 2017 amid cartel wars, and although tourists were not targeted, that year police chased gunmen into the lobby of a luxury hotel in San Jos del Cabo, and a cooler containing two heads was left in a tourist area. Over the past 50 years, San Miguel de Allende has evolved into a hub for tourists wanting to experience the music, food, and arts of truelocal culture. Coahuila is a strange beast. Old film stars like Gary Cooper and John Wayne used to come to Mazatlan. Is Mexico safe? Its a question many American travelers have asked themselves, especially in the wake of a sweeping security alert for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department. Huatulco is quite a small city, but it is packed with incredible beaches and a vibrant downtown. Medical Tourism in Mexicali, Mexico. The federal government sent National Guard units to patrol the beaches, and Quintana Roo state authorities asked U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration, to provide intelligence, Mr. Guerrero said. He added: If youre staying in a place that has a report of strikes or demonstrations, dont go there. Playa del Carmen is a beachy tourist destination so were not really going to get a taste of Mexicos culture, but we still can soak up its delightful scenery and amazing food. As you'll inevitably discover, this city is literally pulsing with creativity and is a magical mecca in its own right for writers, musicians, artists, dancers or photographers both gringos and Mexicans alike. Mexicali Safety: The whole of Baja California is safe for American tourists. Where is she driving from? Guadalajara is famous for its mariachi bands, stunning architecture, tequila distilleries and excellent nightlife. California Mexico Border Crossings | Where to Cross the Border Mr. Guerrero said that the authorities will try to negotiate some kind of compromise, but there was a probability of more violence ahead. Hundreds of thousands of Americans travel across the Mexican border every year to the tiny town of Los Algodones, in search not of sun and sand, but root canals and . The Laredo bridges get very busy on the weekends, as you might imagine. The road that connects Colombia to 85 that goes on to Monterrey is mostly 4 lane and has a fair amount of truck traffic. No matter where you go while traveling abroad, youll want to follow common-sense rules such as drinking only in moderation, getting a cab instead of wandering around after dark, and leaving your valuables at home. In early March 2023 in the . Little towns are scattered all along the coast, and one, Playa del Carmen, has matured into a fully-fledged city. Seven of the safest cities in Mexico | Faraway Worlds Top 5 safest & top most dangerous Mexico/Texas border Where to Stay: Try for a balcony room or suite at the modestly priced Hotel Socaire. The U.S. State Department provides state-by-state information about travel risks in Mexico. Beingjust two hours from the more popular Merida, it's easy to travel from one to the other. The U.S. State Department might be right to ask visitors to reconsider travel due to crime while underscoring the point that violent crime and gang activity are common in parts of Nuevo Leon state. Plus, its not too far away for most US residents. We have read that the Colombia bridge doesn't open until 8am. #1 has immigration. Living in Mexico Just South of the Border - Expats In Mexico With the highestunnatural deathrate in Mexico, you might want to avoid traveling to Colima. 13 of the Safest Cities in Mexico for Travelers to Visit - SmarterTravel By Wall Street Journal May 01, 2023 2:30 am. Huatulco is considered one of the safest places in Mexico. Once in the city traffic, as soon as you are near Aeropuerto Del Norte, you'll want to be in the right hand lane. Withcartel conflictscaring the locals, many are avoiding this state like the plague. Asked to steer clear of all adult clubs and gambling establishments when traveling to Coahuila, U.S. travelers are only permitted to visit the areas of Saltillo, Bosques de Monterreal, and of course, the lovely Parras de la Fuente. Officials later said that two of the group were found dead at a rural location alongside the other two, who had survived. Like Todos Santos mentioned below, Bacalar holds the official designation as a Pueblo Magico, or Magical Town, due in large part to the lagoon. Thankfully, with both the city and the state under zero travel restrictions, they can continue to do so. [29] 11,820) Western Area Power/Flickr Even for those stunning untouched beaches, we dont think well take the risk; especially as there are plenty of nicer options to visit in Mexico. Just a few years ago, Chihuahua City the states capital - was considered one of thesketchiest cities in the world. Where do I find information about Kino Bay / Bahia Kino? My mexican fiancee is driving up from mexico to Mississippi next weekend to visit. Although it's situated in Sinaloa, Mazatln is one of Mexico's safest cities . Mr. de Hail also suggests buying travel insurance in case of a medical emergency or theft, and recommends that tourists keep a low profile to avoid attracting attention, he said, warning that it is easy to misread situations. But before you do, read this. With its powdery sands and turquoise waters, Cozumel is practically the epitome of paradise. These elements create the perfect storm for a different, and much less appealing kind of adventure. As you can imagine, this left Mexico's federal tourism department scrambling and "not immediately available to comment". Is It Safe To Visit The Texas-Mexico Border? - Tour By Mexico (By comparison, the same Level 2 advisory is applied to France and Spain.). Topped by the Spanish colonialVirgen de Los Remedios church, and only a 20-minute ride by collectivofrom Puebla City, the Great Pyramid of Cholula is covered in vegetation. This beautiful spot will make for numerous unforgettable memories that you will treasure for ever. Eight Sonoran cities made the list of the 121 Mexican municipalities with the most violence per capita: Visitors to the border region, including cities such as Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Nogales, Reynosa, and Matamoros should remain alert and be aware of their surroundings at all times. Hi! This sparked headlines about how violence in Mexico is beginning to affect both tourists and the tourism industry. Go watch Nacho Librefor clarification or at the very leastto see Jack Black as Luchador. Though located on the beautiful Pacific coast, Sinaloa is a state where nefarious organizations are known to be based and operating. 12. Its brimming with refurbished museums and theatres as well as great things to see like Old Mazatlan, Malecon and Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. There are also significant Mayan ruins in the state of Campeche, of which the city is the capital; these arent as well known as the famous ruins to the east, and as such theyre less crowded. Located in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, and home to some of the most visited archeological sites, like the incredible Templo Dios del Viento (God of Winds Temple) off the Yucatan coast, Tulum does attract its fair share of tourists (over 2.2 million in last year alone). Wish us luck! A group of Americans crossed here before being kidnapped on Friday. But it also has some of the best mezcal in the country. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Driving to Mexico: Absolutely stupid or doable? [Serious] - Reddit A veritable paradise for those who love to get around by bicycle, Tulums rustic, back-to-nature style offers visitors a decidedly different type of vacation experience. A spasm of violence at the end of 2021 and early 2022 rattled the tourist industry along the Riviera Maya, the 80-mile strip of Caribbean resorts south of Cancn. My husband already had his temporary visa, we got two dogs and we typed a pretty thorough manifest with all our household goods. Are Texas border cities actually safer than other cities? - KTSA But theres nothing fake about this place. Mexico City has become a magnet for digital nomads and shorter term visitors, and concerns about violence there have receded. Tipping in Mexico: The Mexico Tipping Guide, 10 Puerto Vallarta Hotels for Every Type of Traveler, 10 Incredible Places to Celebrate Day of the Dead. Is Mexicali safe to visit in 2023? Your complete guide This is another state located on the border and one thats been placed under level three of the US advisory. The Mexican border towns of California are some of the safest in the world. And its not surprising it boasts spectacular views. Read More FILE - Migrants who crossed the border from Mexico into the U.S. wait next to the U.S. border wall where U.S. Border Patrol agents stand guard, seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico . However, therest of the state remains under the highest-level travel warning for potential danger. Vibrant, mesmerizing, and just plain gorgeous, its no wonder the city is teeming with expats from Canada, the U.S. and Europe studying Spanish, learning to cook, or just plain enjoying la dulce vita. For a more affordable option, consider the Chillout Flat Bed & Breakfast, which earns plaudits for friendly service and homemade granola. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. There are occasional reports of violence, but for the most part, the border is peaceful. 1. Walk up and through its massive Plaza de la Constitucin(themain square is called the Zcaloby locals, if you want to fit in), andbe sure to check out Frida Kahlo's old studio, the 13th-century Aztec Templo Mayor and its baroque-style Catedral Metropolitana de Mxico. But its search for a new identity, as part of a bilingual cross-border tech hub with serious cultural cred, has paid off. This number includes two dams, one hand-drawn ferry, and 25 other crossings that allow commercial, vehicular and pedestrian traffic. Still, many are left wondering if Mexico is undergoinga war of perception. The state of Quintana. Where to Go in Mexican Border Towns for Pharmacies It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. With its multi-hued crystalline freshwater lake, the second largest in all of Mexico, Bacalar Lake, also known as the Lake of Seven Colors, stretches out for over 40 kms. All of these cells are operating not only (though mainly) in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara and its municipalities, but also throughout the state. Unfortunately, it was only to pick up again, as it often does with these things, three years later in 2016. I wrote this post the first time I crossed the Mexican border in 2017 during my solo trip . Why visit Guanajuato? Otherwise you get stuck on the libramiento; you for sure want the toll road. Over 40 narco cells are currently in Jalisco dedicated tothe harming ofextortion targets. Where to Stay: The Hotel Lagunita is right on the water, with amazing views and a pool from which to enjoy them. In this blog post I share my thoughts on whether I think Mexico is currently safe for solo travel and share some tips for ensuring safety when traveling around Mexico. Located on the Texas border between Mexico and the U.S., Tamaulipas offers a key strategic opportunity thats been all too irresistible to the areaskingpins looking to smuggleillegal substancesto the United States. The word Chihuahua usually conjures up images of the cute little dog we used to see Paris Hilton carrying around in one of her Louis Vuittons. 1. Midway between Merida and Cancun is Valladolid, a colorful and friendly city thats within easy driving distance of several beautiful cenotes. Even so, we shouldnt let a few warnings put us off the country altogether. A stray bullet fired by cartel gunmen shooting at a Mexican military plane as it landed at the airport in the state capital, Culiacn, clipped an Aeromexico plane preparing to take off for Mexico City. Juarez is a great place to experience authentic Mexican culture along the border. Lastly, you say you'll spend the first night in Saltillo, but wonder if Colombia bridge opens at 8? On top of all that, Mexico City is both affordable and pretty safe. Texas border city struggles with large arrival of migrants "It is relatively safe for travelers to head to tourist destinations and major urban centers such as Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey," Lopez-Aranda told CNN Travel. Airports shuttered amid gang violence in Sinaloa. In Valladolid, you cant go wrong at the centrally located Hotel Posada San Juan. Street crime is still a problem almost everywhere, especially in bigger cities and crowded spaces. 2023 Smarter Travel Media LLC. Where to Stay: There are numerous places to stay in Puebla that wont break the bank. Granted, Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza is often on everyone's bucket list. There's a vast list of services that can solve practically any medical situation here. Yet it still offers plenty of vacation-worthy attractions, like the excellent seafood restaurants along its waterfront, an incredibly warm vibe thanks to its friendly Campechanos, a city square often brilliantly aglow at night with stunning views onto its Plaza Principale, and even a 7km-long boardwalk (malecn). These cookies do not store any personal information. To boot, it is quite possibly one of the most wonderfully walkable places on earth. And theres more. Visitors can expect an unforgettable stay when they come to Mexico City. As Playa del Carmen has been the site of some troubling violence in the past, the coastal town of Tulum to the south may be a safer alternative. 2 U.S.-Mexico Border Cities Boast Lowest Crime Rates, New - HuffPost One of the main reasons, a lot of Arizona border town residents cross over to Mexico is to take advantage of the low costs for dentistry work and refilling prescriptions in pharmacies. Then, in late February, one gang moved into the city to wrest control of drug sales from another, said Eduardo Guerrero, the director of Lantia Intelligence, a security consulting company in Mexico City. Isla Mujeres, Chichen Itza and Playa Tortugas are some of the best things to do in Cancun. Walk in, though. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Safest Cities in Mexico: Safe Places to Visit (2023) Outside of the city limits of Nuevo Casas Grandes are prohibited after dark. If you cross @ #1, you'd have to double back through town to get to immigration, so if you cross at downtown Laredo, #1 is what you'd want. This is due to the growth of the Jalisco New Generation cartel, making even some of its once-safest towns, not-so-safe anymore. In the summer people come to see sights like the Zona Romantica or Los Arcos and El Malecon, but if we come in the winter, well be able to go on whale watching tours. . With its amazing arts and culture scene, Mexicos capital is one of the liveliest cities in the world and one of the largest. Advertisement Statewide Texas-Mexico border crossings Texas and Mexico share 1,254 miles of common border and are joined by 28 international bridges and border crossings. Still, tourists do come here to Nuevo Leon,despite its reputation. The Laredo bridges get very busy on the weekends, as you might imagine. A beach town located in Oaxaca to the southwest of Puerto Escondido, Huatulco offers tons of water activities such as snorkeling and scuba diving, some nearby surf spots, and tours of coffee farms to boot. But the rule doesnt always hold. And whilelikeany other place along the Pacific coast, the usual natural hazards (sharks for swimmers and your odd rogue wave during hurricane season), Todos Santos is continually growing in popularity. In this case, try not to wear fancy clothing or flash money around that will only attract unwanted attention. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-74770397', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car, we will need a temporary import for the car.