Mexico danger map: Latest warnings from U.S. State Department

Even as travel is discouraged to all of Mexico because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. State Department continues to update its warnings concerning kidnappings and other crimes in the country’s states.

Level 4: The five states with the sternest “do not travel” advisory, because of kidnappings and other crimes, are the northern border state of Tamaulipas and the Pacific coast states of Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacán and Guerrero. They are shown in red on the map above.

Level 3: Baja California (Norte) has been added this year to the list of states for which visitors are advised to “reconsider travel” because of crime. The 10 other states in that category are Chihuahua, Coahuila, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Mexico, Morelos, Nayarit, Sonora and Zacatecas. They are shown in orange on the map.

The warning for Baja California, which includes Tijuana and Ensenada, cites violence by criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking and human smuggling. “Of particular concern is the high number of homicides in the non-tourist areas of Tijuana,” the advisory says. “Most homicides appeared to be targeted; however, criminal organization assassinations and territorial disputes can result in bystanders being injured or killed.” It also mentions that U.S. citizens have been kidnapped in the state. Baja California Sur, which includes the beach resorts of Los Cabos, remains in Level 2.

Level 2: Except for the two Level 1 states, travelers to all the rest are advised to “exercise increased caution.” These are shown in yellow. They are: Aguas Calientes, Baja California Sur, Chiapas, Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretara, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Tlaxcala and Veracruz. Mexico City (Distrito Federal) is Level 2, though it is surrounded by Level 3 states.

Level 1: The State Department advises “normal precautions” when traveling to Campeche or Yucatán, shown in green.

In addition to the general tourist warnings, specific prohibitions are issued to U.S. government employees staying or traveling in Mexico.

Click here for the full document on the warnings.