Heading South in 2026? What Travelers Should Know About Safety Advisories

When colder weather settles over the Pacific Northwest, many travelers start looking south for warmer destinations. Mexico remains one of the most popular options, offering a mix of beaches, cultural landmarks, and well-established resort areas that continue to attract visitors year after year.

At the same time, it’s important to stay informed about current travel guidance. The U.S. Department of State regularly updates safety advisories based on factors such as regional crime trends and local conditions. While many areas across Mexico are considered safe for tourists, others may require additional awareness or planning.

This guide breaks down what travelers should understand about current safety advisories in 2026, including how they’re determined and what they mean in practical terms. With the right information, visitors can confidently choose destinations, plan itineraries, and enjoy their trips while staying mindful of local conditions.

Guerrero

Roadblocks and other methods of coercion are utilized by criminal organizations based in the state of Guerrero. International travelers are advised to avoid visiting this state, despite its huge tourism economy and beautiful scenery. Guerrero can be dangerous if adequate precautions aren’t taken.

Guerrero

Should you choose to visit Guerrero, you may be interested in checking out the Triangle of the Sun region. This portion of the state includes the extremely popular cities of Zihuatanejo, Taxco, and Acapulco, gorgeous locales worth seeing and traversing safely.

Tamaulipas

With over 200 miles if its border touching the state of Texas, Tamaulipas is in a unique position and may be easy for you to visit. However, Tamaulipas is on the U.S. Department of State’s “Do Not Travel” list due to its criminal presence and the high number of armed robberies and carjackings involving these organizations.

Tamaulipas

Tamaulipas continually loses money and has hindered economic growth due to these criminal organizations. Still, its capital city, Ciudad Victoria, is full of many tourist attractions and activities. The sanitation services and available hospitals in Ciudad Victoria may make it a popular destination, so long as caution is exerted when visiting.

Zacatecas

Located in central Mexico, Zacatecas is a state with reportedly widespread gang activity. It’s not advised to travel here due to the possibility of extortion and kidnapping. While well-known for its silver mining industries and significant role in the Mexican Revolution, caution should be exercised should you choose to visit Zacatecas.

Zacatecas

Still, tourism is a primary economic boon in Zacatecas, with archeological sites and shrines bringing in thousands of international guests annually. Zacatecas is also special in that it produces most of Mexico’s chili peppers, beans, and mezcal. It’s worth visiting for its history, but be safe and aware should you make such a choice.

Sinaloa

Reportedly home to the largest organized crime syndicate in the Americas, Sinaloa is considered another state in Mexico you shouldn’t travel to. Many drug cartel-related kidnappings and crimes have occurred, with some victims being U.S. citizens. However, Sinaloa is a beautiful region, resting along the very end of the Gulf of California.

Sinaloa

Should you choose to visit Sinaloa, there are plenty of gorgeous beaches to peruse such as Olas Altas. Plus, the city of Mazatlán remains safe in tourist areas; it does not have the same travel warnings as the rest of the state. This city gains plenty of international guests during its famous carnival season.

Michoacan

Crime rates in Michoacan skyrocketed in 2000 when political powers shifted, threatening the overall safety of the entire state. Kidnappings, homicides, and drug trafficking are common issues, with criminal organizations reportedly better armed compared to local law enforcement officials. Travel here is restricted for U.S. officials and U.S. citizens are advised not to visit Michoacan.

Michoacan

With all of this in mind, Michoacan is worth a visit– so long as you exercise caution. It’s known as the “soul of Mexico” for a reason; the Day of the Dead celebrations held here are some of the most iconic in the country. The State Department continues to include Morelia in its ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory for Michoacán, as of September 2025, so visitors should exercise extreme caution if considering travel to the city.

Colima

The fourth-smallest state in Mexico, Colima, is labeled as a “Do Not Travel” location because of its crime and kidnapping rates. Accidental homicides have been reported as part of the frequent gang activity in this state. Despite this state’s incredibly high murder rates, it maintains some of the highest standards of living in all of Mexico.

Colima

Colima has some locations you may consider visiting, such as Manzanillo. While the tourist portions of Manzanillo may be safe compared to the rest of this state, it’s important to exercise caution due to the potential for crime in its ports. Still, Manzanillo is a wonderful city to visit, particularly for its sailfish competitions and unique architecture.