The United States has issued official “Do Not Travel” warnings for several states and cities in Mexico as a result of the high risk of violent crime and kidnapping. This is an update to the usual “Exercise Increased Caution” that often applies to Mexican destinations.
At the time of writing, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) has not updated its Mexico advice since October 2024 and its guidance is to avoid all but essential travel to 11 of the country’s states, most of which overlap with the information below.
Do Not Travel
Areas where the risk level is judged by US authorities to be at a red alert, or Level Four, its most serious, meaning the US State Department advises against travel there, are:
- Colima state, due to crime and kidnapping;
- Guerrero state, due to crime;
- Michoacan state, due to crime;
- Sinaloa state, due to crime;
- Tamaulipas state, due to crime and kidnapping;
- Zacatecas state, due to crime and kidnapping.
SECURITY ALERT: Level 4 – Do Not Travel Due to Crime and Kidnapping
Location: Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, San Fernando, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Information: https://t.co/iPp8lDaUam pic.twitter.com/HbtEaYutIs— US ConGen Matamoros (@USCGMatamoros) January 27, 2025
Gun battles and improvised explosive devices
Although violent crime and gang activity are common in Mexico, often the incidents are targeted rather than random or opportunistic attacks. However the risk of bystanders and others being injured or killed has now increased. In Reynosa, according to the US embassy in Mexico, there are “increasingly frequent gun battles”, with incidents occurring “in the late night and early morning hours.”
Mexico: We are aware of increasingly frequent gun battles occurring in and around Reynosa in the late night and early morning hours. Separately, the state of Tamaulipas has issued a warning to avoid moving or touching improvised explosive devices (IEDs), discovered around the… pic.twitter.com/UK0F1eRIPK
— Travel – State Dept (@TravelGov) January 28, 2025
As well as avoiding unpaved roads and night-time travel, citizens should not touch unknown objects, the consulate’s warning says, because criminal gangs are increasingly deploying improvised explosive devices “which have been found in and around the area of Reynosa, Rio Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando along dirt and secondary roads,” it said.
🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨
Violent Clashes Erupt in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico 🇲🇽
– Gun Battles: Heavy gunfire reported, leading to the closure of Quetzalcoatl International Airport.
– IED Attacks: Mexican security forces targeted by Improvised Explosive Devices, including an attack in Rio… pic.twitter.com/fpomdEyax2— Quincy Norton (@Bear_Battleborn) February 6, 2025
Will spring break be affected?
The warnings come ahead of the US spring break holiday season and could therefore affect vacation bookings, especially given the warning for the Tamaulipas region where popular destinations include Reynosa, Rio Bravo, San Fernando and Valle Hermoso. The Do Not Travel alert means that people with existing travel plans for these Mexican destinations may be able to draw down on travel insurance policies.
Following the official risk update, some vacation operators have halted trips to affected destinations and vacationers should check arrangements with their provider. Royal Caribbean for example, has stopped cruises to Manzanillo, Colima, because of the “Do Not Travel” alert.
Are there other warnings?
In addition, and again due to the prevalence of violent crime and kidnapping, US citizens should be aware of a Level Three alert, meaning “Reconsider Travel”, in:
- Baja California state, due to crime and kidnapping;
- Chiapas state, due to crime;
- Chihuahua state, due to crime and kidnapping;
- Guanajuato state, due to crime;
- Jalisco state, due to crime and kidnapping;
- Morelos state, due to crime and kidnapping;
- Sonora state, due to crime and kidnapping.
Elsewhere in Mexico, as well as remaining vigilant and following local guidance and rules, such as curfews, travellers are advised to enrol in Smart Traveller programmes that aim to keep them informed of ongoing security situations.