Safest Vacation Destinations in Mexico
Mexico has long received a bad reputation as a crime-filled place that’s unsafe for tourists, but the truth is far from that. According to the U.S. Department of State, Mexico is only under a Level 2 advisory which suggests American travelers should visit it under “Increased Caution,” which is the same rating as France and the United Kingdom. Mexico is large and spacious, and while there are some areas unsafe for travelers, there are plenty of destinations for travelers of all kinds to explore in a completely safe environment, and we’ve listed them here.
Cancun
Cancun has some of the most extensive security plans in all of Mexico, like establishing a military police base in Isla Mujeres to protect the millions of visitors who visit every year. Granted, there were 342 homicides in the first 8 months of 2018 compared to the same period the year before, but those crimes rarely affect tourists who tend to stay in resorts or visit commercialized tourist spots. Cancun has an even lower crime rate than popular U.S. vacation spots like New York City, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos is one of the safest and popular destinations in Mexico, and it will assuage your worries to know that they have a five-point security system in effect that resulted in a 90 percent decrease in crime. Like Cancun, it has a better crime rate than most major U.S. cities. Don’t fear leaving the resort in Los Cabos to go to the art walk in San Jose del Cabo or party throughout the night in Cabo San Lucas. You’ll be completely safe.
Guadalajara
Guadalajara is a thriving city in western Mexico well-known for its art and food scene, historic churches and as the jumping off point to the town of Tequila. In terms of crime statistics, Guadalajara is safer than New Orleans, Chicago and Houston. If you’re looking for an opportunity to visit a city that’s free of resorts and maintains an authentic and distinct Mexican personality, you’ll want to head to Guadalajara.
Merida
Merida sits in the Yucatan peninsula and attracts people for its vibrant markets, proximity to cenotes and Chichen Itza and its amazing art museum. Plus, Merida offers a small city vibe that Cancun and Playa del Carmen can no longer provide with their large Americanized resorts. The best part? The crime rate is so low that if it was located in the U.S., it’d be among the top three safest cities.
Mexico City
According to the U.S. Department of State, “Both violent and non-violent crime is prevalent in Mexico City. Mexican government statistics indicate criminal incidents in the capital city occur at a significantly higher rate than much of the rest of Mexico.” Yet, if you stay in the main tourist areas, like the historic city center and away from neighborhoods like Tepito and Guerrero, you’ll be fine. If you still need more convincing, Mexico City has a slightly lower crime rate than Chicago and is also safer to walk around at night.
Mexico City
According to the U.S. Department of State, “Both violent and non-violent crime is prevalent in Mexico City. Mexican government statistics indicate criminal incidents in the capital city occur at a significantly higher rate than much of the rest of Mexico.” Yet, if you stay in the main tourist areas, like the historic city center and away from neighborhoods like Tepito and Guerrero, you’ll be fine. If you still need more convincing, Mexico City has a slightly lower crime rate than Chicago and is also safer to walk around at night.
Tulum
Tulum is one of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations, so it makes sense that more than 300,000 people visited in the summer of 2018. If you break down the numbers, Tulum has a lower crime rate than U.S. beach destinations like Miami, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and Fort Myers, according to Numbeo.com. With cenotes, archeological sites and a hipster vibe, it’s one of the most happening destinations in Mexico right now.
San Miguel de Allende
Tourists love San Miguel de Allende for its colonial-era architecture and art and cultural festivals, which is why it was awarded the American Capital of Culture 2019. The crime rates are slightly elevated in San Miguel de Allende, but once again, lower than the United States’ most crime-ridden cities.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta falls under the U.S. Department of State’s “Reconsider Travel” rating, and and that’s because the tourism destination had a few incidents in the past. Even then, the crime ratings for Puerto Vallarta are still extremely low. Comparatively, the beachy destination is as safe as Boise, Idaho, the 10th safest city in the U.S. according to WalletHub. It’s even safer than Cancun.
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