US State Department advises against visiting these areas of Mexico right now

I’m a sucker for Mexico. Maybe it’s the mezcal. Maybe it’s the tacos. Maybe it’s the fact that I can fly to Cabo in two hours, and drive to Valle de Guadalupe for wine tasting in under four hours. As spring break nears, there’s undoubtedly many of you planning trips south of the border but the US State Department is advising against it. 

Following last month’s advisory warning tourists against using rideshare apps in the Quintana Roo state of Mexico, which remains in place, the US State Department is now cautioning its citizens from visiting various areas of Mexico altogether due to criminal organization activity and violent crimes. 

The State Department has implemented its strongest “do not travel” warning on six Mexican states and placed an “exercise extreme precaution” warning on 25 more. 

The “do not travel” restriction has been assigned to Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Among the 25 states the department urges travelers to reconsider, top destinations include Baja California, Chihuahua, and Jalisco “due to crime and kidnapping.”

Meanwhile, areas like Mexico City, Nayarit, Oaxaca, and Quintana Roo should be visited with “increased caution.” Find the full list here. 

How can you stay safe?

While you can still technically travel to any of these states regardless of the warnings, the department urges you to keep travel companions and family back home updated on your travel plans and whereabouts. This might be a good time to finally entrust loved ones with access to your location using Apple’s Find My Friends app. 

The US State Department suggests taking a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate If taking a taxi alone, then texting the information to a friend. “Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.” You can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts.