Mexico

Violent crime

Mexico has a high risk of violent crime, especially after dark.

Murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping are risks. These crimes can occur at tourist spots and resorts.

Criminals posing as police officers have committed sexual assault, extortion and robbery. They may drive fake police cars.

Gangs have attacked travellers after they’ve changed money at airports.

To protect yourself from violent crime:

• avoid travelling at night outside major cities, including on major highways
• monitor the media for new safety risks
• don’t change large amounts of money at the airport

Crime on intercity buses and highways is common in Mexico.

Thieves have robbed tourists on buses along the Pacific Highway, including from Acapulco to Ixtapa and Huatulco.

Violent carjackings have increased. The northern borders and along the Pacific coast are high-risk areas.

Criminals have attacked tourists on toll roads and highways. The Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and border regions are high-risk areas.

There is increased law enforcement activity in the city of Culiacan, Sinaloa state. This is due to gunfights between security forces and drug cartel members in October 2019.

Organised crime groups have targeted large campervans and SUVs travelling in and out of the United States.

To reduce the risk of crime when travelling by road:

• use official taxis from airports, and pre-pay your fare at an official taxi company booth in the airport terminal
• use radio taxis or taxis at assigned stands (sitios), especially in Mexico City
• use first-class buses
• drive via toll (cuota) roads

Watch out for drink and food spiking. This can occur in bars and restaurants. You’re at higher risk of sexual assault and theft if you get drugged.

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag-snatching, is common. Take care on public transport, at tourist spots, and in airports, hotels and bus stations.

Thieves often work with or pose as taxi drivers. Travellers have been robbed when using taxis hailed from the street.

More information:

Kidnapping

Kidnapping is a serious risk in Mexico. It’s common in rural and inland areas.

Some victims claim police officers are involved in kidnapping.

Express kidnappings target travellers on metro and public transport in Mexico City. Kidnappers force victims to withdraw funds from ATMs before they are released.

Virtual kidnappings target people over the phone. Kidnappers pose as officials and demand payments for the release of a family member they have allegedly detained. If you receive a call or message, contact local police.

To reduce the risk of kidnapping:

• avoid talking about your money or business affairs
• use ATMs inside shopping centres during daylight hours
• check for cameras directed at your screen or keyboard if you’re using the internet in public
• avoid giving personal details to strangers online or over the phone

The Australian Government’s longstanding policy is that it doesn’t make payments or concessions to kidnappers.

More information:

Drug and gang violence

Violent crimes related to the drug trade are widespread in Mexico.

Shoot-outs, grenade attacks and car bombings have occurred in public places.

Targeted attacks have increased on the military, government officials and journalists.

You may become a victim of violence directed against someone else.

Federal police and the military use roadblocks and random vehicle checks to deal with drug-related violence.

Drug cartels set up roadblocks in the northern areas of Mexico to obstruct military and police movement.

Stop at all roadblocks or you risk being killed.

Risks are higher in those areas most affected by drug-related and gang violence, including:

• Northern border states – Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon and Tamaulipas
• Pacific coast states – Colima, Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacán, Nayarit and Sinaloa
• Central region states – Durango, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas
• State of Mexico and the State of Veracruz on the Gulf coast
• Major cities along Mexico’s border with the United States – Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Nogales, Piedras Negras and Reynosa

State of Guerrero

Government efforts to increase security in Guerrero haven’t helped. The violent crime rate remains high and the security situation is volatile.

Violent criminal gangs are more active in rural areas than cities.

Acapulco has high levels of violent crime, such as murder and shootings. The resort city is unsafe, especially outside tourist areas.

Crime risks are lower in the tourist areas of Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Taxco, and on the toll road to Taxco, than in other parts of Guerrero.

Protesters can disrupt toll booths along the road to Taxco, causing delays.

Crime in the states of Baja California, Colima, Jalisco, Tabasco and Veracruz is increasing. The risk is greater on roads outside major cities.

State of Michoacán

Federal authorities took full control of public safety in Michoacán in early 2014. Organised crime had been increasing.

Many ‘self-defence’ groups have formed in the state. They are unpredictable and the security situation is volatile.

Crime is lower in the cities of Morelia and Lázaro Cardenas and in the Monarch butterfly reserves on the State of Mexico border than in other parts of Michoacán.

State of Tamaulipas

Tamaulipas has widespread criminal activity linked to drug trafficking. Kidnapping and extortion are also common.

The government took control of security in May 2014 after a sharp increase in violent crime.

Other violent areas

High levels of violent crime and lawlessness occur in:

• the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains in southern Chihuahua State
• north-eastern Sinaloa State
• north-western Durango State
• south-eastern Sonora State

Organised crime gangs operate in these regions. The Chihuahua-Pacific Railway is less affected.

The State of Mexico has a high level of violent crime. Murder, assault, armed robbery, extortion and kidnapping are common.

Baja California Sur and Quintana Roo have reported large increases in drug-related violence, particularly murder, according to Mexican Government statistics. The states with the highest homicide rates are Baja California, Chihuahua, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Jalisco, State of Mexico, Michoacán, Puebla, Tamaulipas and Veracruz.

To reduce your risks if travelling to violent areas, stay in:

• tourist areas
• well-known and well-frequented public areas with good access to safe transport in the evenings

To protect yourself from crime in violent areas:

• avoid road travel, especially at night
• avoid isolated locations
• pay close attention to your personal security
• stay alert to possible threats around you
• follow the advice of local authorities
• monitor the media for safety or security risks

Read the original advice at SmartTraveller.gov.au by Australian Government