US Embassy Warns Travelers About Safety in 8 Mexico Destinations

United States. The winter season, when thousands of Americans seek refuge from the cold on Mexican beaches, arrives this year with an official warning. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a Level 2 security advisory directed at travelers planning to visit Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and La Paz, destinations where crime and violence continue to reach tourist areas.

Although the advisory does not ask for trips to be canceled, it does demand increased precautions, especially at nightfall and outside hotel areas. The warning adds to the national scenario, where entities like Guerrero remain at Level 4 risk, categorized as do not travel.

The message comes as Mexico maintains records of foreign visitors, but also an undeniable reality: crime can occur anywhere in the country. The embassy details risks ranging from violent crimes, clashes between criminal groups, extortion attempts and illegal checkpoints, to dangers derived from transporting prohibited objects or failing to meet immigration requirements.

According to the statement, travelers should remain alert on tourist routes, avoid nighttime travel, use reliable transportation and protect their official documentation. They also remind that medical services may be limited in rural areas and that private hospitals often require advance payments.

The alert includes specific recommendations for each destination. In Cancún and Playa del Carmen, they advise restricting activities to daytime hours. In Mazatlán, they only suggest travel along defined routes between the boardwalk and the historic center. In Tulum and La Paz, they ask to avoid urban areas after nightfall, while in Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo they recommend organized tours and transfers only during the day. In Puerto Vallarta, the instruction is clear: remain within hotel zones and avoid nighttime movement.

With a winter that promises a new wave of tourism, the U.S. warning once again highlights the country’s contrasts: crowded beaches, moving economy… and an environment where insecurity forces visitors to travel cautiously, even in the most promoted destinations.