10 Safety Tips to Travel Mexico Safely (Experience & Advice)

As someone who has traveled extensively across Mexico, I can confidently say that it’s an amazing destination filled with rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious food. But like any country, staying safe in Mexico requires awareness and preparation.

While headlines often paint a dramatic picture, the reality is that millions of tourists visit each year without incident—especially those who take the right travel safety precautions.

In this guide, I’ll share practical safety tips based on firsthand experience, expert advice, and real-world data. We’ll cover everything from safe cities in Mexico to avoiding common tourist scams, understanding Mexican laws, and knowing which areas to avoid. Whether you’re backpacking through Mexico’s beaches, exploring historic sites, or enjoying the nightlife in Mexico City, these tips will help ensure a safe and enjoyable trip.

Some key takeaways? Stick to well-traveled areas, use trusted transportation options, and be cautious with ATM withdrawals. It’s also crucial to understand local customs, avoid flashing valuables, and stay updated on U.S. travel advisories if you're visiting from abroad. With the right precautions, you can explore Mexico safely and make unforgettable memories. Let’s dive into the essential Mexico travel safety tips so you can plan with confidence.

Security in Mexico: Overview

We often read news about the country's (poor) security, and there is no doubt that it unfortunately has a bad reputation (drug trafficking, guerrillas and acts of violence). But it would be unfair to say that Mexico is not a safe country, or at least to extend this statement to its entire territory.

We visited the Yucatan Peninsula , one of the safest areas in the country, and if you have common sense you won't have any problems. We can say loud and clear that we have never found ourselves unsafe and in general, if you want to visit tourist places and you don't like getting into trouble, you shouldn't have any problems (except for the burning sensation caused by the chili XD). So, to sum it up: YES, it is safe to travel to Mexico.

But to be clear and honest, of course there are areas in Mexico that are still not recommended to visit and where extreme caution is necessary for various reasons. But these unsafe neighborhoods, areas or cities are also found in the United States or in Colombia , for example.

Below we will try to answer the question of whether it is dangerous to travel to Mexico on your own with some tips for traveling safely.

1. Which areas to avoid in Mexico

Not visiting certain unsafe areas of Mexico is the most obvious recommendation, but also the most important. The first thing you have to do is locate unsafe areas and try not to include them in your trip so as not to end up “in the lion's den.”

Unfortunately, there are several hot spots in the country and, taking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website as a reference , it is currently recommended to avoid the following areas :

Rural areas of Chihuahua, Durango, Sinaloa, Sonora, Nuevo Leon and Coahuila.
Ciudad Juarez
North of the State of Veracruz
State of Colima (especially the capital and port of Manzanillo)
Tierra Caliente, Morella and the Port of Lázaro Cárdenas (in the state of Michoacán)
State of Morelos (especially its capital Cuernavaca)
Avoid secondary roads in Jalisco
Caution in Acapulco

2. Best insurance for traveling to Mexico

Another basic and fundamental aspect, especially in these times of Covid-19 . Health is not a game and although it is not mandatory , taking out travel insurance that covers you in case of accident or illness is as essential as the plane ticket. Private hospitals are generally good, with quality care and facilities. If you have taken out good travel insurance, it will undoubtedly be safer to travel to Mexico.

As always, we are going to recommend IATI insurance , which we have been using for years. Here we tell you in detail about what, for us, is the best travel insurance (and yes, it includes Covid coverage).

Of all the policies on offer, we believe that the IATI Standard would be sufficient (it has medical expenses coverage of up to €300,000). If you want to take out the most comprehensive insurance, with coverage of up to €1 million, then go for the IATI Estrella . And if your plans include adventure activities, the IATI Mochilero would be the most suitable.

→ Here you can read our analysis of which is the best insurance for traveling to Mexico .

And to avoid having to call the insurance company after a big meal, watch out for spicy food ! If you're not used to it, it can cause serious intestinal problems :-p The good thing is that in most dishes the sauces are served separately (except for specific dishes, such as enchiladas ), so try not to abuse the spicy food and get your stomach used to it little by little. You don't have to. By the way, here we tell you which are the typical dishes that you must eat in Mexico.

Cancun Travel

3. Keep track of your belongings and don't be ostentatious

These are small actions that will save you a lot of trouble, especially in big cities. For example, don't leave your mobile phone on the table while you're having breakfast, don't take out your wallet and start counting bills in front of people, don't show off your camera as if it were a hunting trophy... In short, "don't go around showing off." Common sense, please!

4. Do not buy or consume drugs and watch out for tequila

Mexico will be safer for you if you don't buy or consume drugs, that's obvious, right? If you go out to party, always keep your drink under control, there are cases of poisoning with burundanga, and of course don't overindulge, muggers or express kidnappers take advantage of the confused state of a drunk or post-drug person, and the fines for possession of narcotic substances or for driving while intoxicated are harsh (even jail sentences ). Don't take any chances, a vacation trip can become your worst nightmare.

If you are still a scumbag and you are arrested for possession or consumption of drugs, the first thing you have to do is contact your consulate.

5. Be cautious in big cities

In Mexico City , as in all major capitals around the world, you have to be especially careful with pickpockets in areas with a lot of tourist traffic. Keep your eyes open and don't be careless, because the answer to whether it is safe to travel to Mexico can depend on a second of distraction.

6. Always use official means of transport

If you decide to take taxis , make sure they are official (it's better to ask the reception staff at your hotel or restaurant if they can order one for you), as there are cases of express kidnappings and robberies. You can also opt for services with a certain degree of security, such as Uber or transfers contracted with companies . If a taxi approaches you offering cheaper prices than normal, be wary.

If you need to travel by plane or bus over long distances, take with you valuables, documents and anything else that you would miss if you lose it.

7. Dangers when renting a car in Mexico

Travelling by rental car is not a bad idea, especially if you visit tourist areas such as the Yucatan Peninsula . We did it through the rental car comparison site Auto Europe and we had no major problems (neither with the reservation, nor with the pick-up or drop-off). But it is worth checking the comments of the company you rent from and it is usually advisable to take out comprehensive insurance .

In this case, always respect the speed limits , lock your doors even when you are moving (there have been cases of robberies by opening the doors at traffic lights or at speed bumps at the entrance/exit of towns or cities where you have to reduce speed), hide your luggage in the trunk , out of sight, park in private and guarded parking lots and whenever possible avoid traveling at night .

One thing we were advised to do is not to travel on secondary roads , especially in rural areas, and not to rent high-end cars , the more modest the more unobserved you will be.

Always drive with caution, obeying traffic regulations, watch out for traffic lights at intersections that are sometimes placed after the intersection, and if you are stopped by the police for an infraction, know that many are open to "talking about it."

⭐ Here we tell you how to rent a car and drive safely in Mexico.

car rental mexico

8. Precautions for withdrawing money in Mexico

When it comes to withdrawing money from ATMs, we always use both. Try to choose ATMs that are in shopping centres , where they are more difficult to manipulate, or in the banks' own branches on large avenues. Cover the keypad with your hand when entering the code, this way they won't steal your PIN in case of card cloning, and check the bank's app from time to time in case you see strange movements.

If you have a lot of money in a bank account, it is better not to carry or use the cards linked to those accounts. Both for security and to avoid excessive fees, it is advisable to use one of these travel cards . In case of robbery or duplication, they can only steal the small amount you have on these cards.

9. Climate and earthquakes

Generally, the best time to travel to Mexico is from November to April , during the dry season. Between June and October there can be hurricanes and nobody wants to spend their holidays locked up in a hotel in fear, right? Although of course, with climate change nothing is predictable. We went in October/November and found them to be excellent months.

Here you have more information about hurricane forecasts .

On the other hand, Mexico is a country with significant seismic activity , especially on the Pacific coast. If you experience one, don't lose your cool, find a safe place to take shelter (under a table), away from walls... and get over it.

10. Always stay calm and don't act like a hero

In the unfortunate event of finding yourself in a robbery (whether it be a kidnapping or any other type of struggle) staying calm and being cooperative is essential: it is better to lose a material asset than to suffer physical consequences.

And please, one last piece of advice: go with an open mind and free of prejudices … Even if you still have doubts about whether it is safe to travel to Mexico, we can say that the vast majority of Mexicans are honest, well-intentioned and very welcoming people. Don’t let your judgement be clouded by a few bad apples: go with an open mind, but be careful and you will enjoy an unforgettable trip.

These are our tips and recommendations for safe travel to Mexico . If you have any further questions about whether traveling to Mexico is dangerous or have specific questions, we are here for you.

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