Visiting the most popular tourist sites in Mexico is generally considered safe or only moderately risky. In simple terms, the U.S. Department of State has classified them as Level 1 or Level 2 destinations, with Level 1 being the lowest risk level a place can have and Level 2 being the second lowest.
Under Level 2, you will find:
- Aguascalientes (State of Aguascalientes)
- Calakmul (State of campeche)
- Cancun (State of Quintana Roo)
- Los Cabos (State of Baja California Sur)
- Mexico City
- Monterrey (State of Nuevo Leon)
- Pachuca (State of Hidalgo)
- Puebla (State of Puebla)
- Puerto Escondido (State of Oaxaca)
- Saltillo (State of Coahuila)
- San Cristobal de las Casas (State of Chiapas)
- Tepic (State of Nayarit)
- Toluca (State of Mexico)
- Torreon (State of Coahuila)
- Tulum (State of Quintana Roo)
What Does It Mean To Be A Level 2 Destination?
American citizens should exercise “increased caution” when visiting any of the cities mentioned, as ” crime may occur” in the states where they are located. Nevertheless, a Level 2 classification does not always mean that there is a higher level of danger: Cancun is one of the safest vacation destinations in Mexico and has consistently been on this list.
Cancun has really managed to keep the crime rate down. This is due to the local government’s tough stance against crime and quick response to crises. Los Cabos has also been named the safest place to visit in Mexico for 2023. This shows that a city with Level 2 status is no less safe than a Level 1 city.
Which Mexican Destinations Are Under Level 1?
Only two Mexican states, Campeche and Yucatan, both located on the Yucatan Peninsula and bordering Quintana Roo, are classified as Level 1 destinations by the U.S. Department of State. Merida and Valladolid are two of Yucatan’s best-known cities, with the former recently attracting media attention as one of the country’s fastest-growing cultural hotspots:
- Merida (State of Yucatan)
- Valladolid (State of Yucatan)
- Calakmul (State of Campeche)
- San Franscisco de Campeche (State of Campeche)
Travel within a Level 1 zone means that Americans are not at special risk and can take “normal precautions.” For example, taking extra safety precautions in public, such as keeping valuables at home and being on the lookout for suspicious activity, may not be necessary. However, they are still a good idea because less crime does not mean there is no crime.
