There's a high rate of violent crime in Mexico, especially after dark. Kidnapping and extortion are serious risks (see 'Safety'). We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall due to high levels of violent crime.
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The U.S. State Department recently updated Mexico's Travel Advisory 2023 for U.S. Tourists traveling to Mexico due to crime in several Mexican states popular with American tourists. “Violent crime—such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery—is widespread and common in Mexico,” warns the State Department.
TRAVEL ADVICE: IS CANCUN SAFE? If you're thinking about a vacation and wondering, “Is Cancun Safe?” … the short answer is: the Yucatán Peninsula, including Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera, is the safest area of Mexico in 2023, according to the US State Department.
Five days is just enough time to enjoy the highlights of one region in Mexico. With a full week or 10 days, you can combine three or four areas to create an eclectic beach/city/culture/food tour. However, if you want to see the most of Mexico without having to rush, aim for two weeks or longer.
In general, the most popular resort areas are safe to travel to, and many tourists have no intention of leaving the resort. However, if you plan on venturing off your resort to explore, you should still take necessary safety precautions even if you are not visiting a “Do Not Travel” state.
Latest update:There's a high rate of violent crime in Mexico, especially after dark. Kidnapping and extortion are serious risks (see 'Safety'). We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall due to high levels of violent crime.
Avoid visiting during Christmas, New Year's, and especially Spring Break as these are the most hectic travel periods for Cancun. If possible, avoid Mexico's hurricane season, which stretches from late-July to late-October.
Mexico has 10-12% of the world's biodiversity, making it the fourth most biodiverse country in the world. The wildlife includes tourist favorites like spider monkeys, ocelots, and macaws. Chocolate originated in Mexico, where the Aztecs and Mayans first cultivated the cacao plant thousands of years ago.
No, US citizens do not need a Mexica Visa. US citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Mexico for up to 180 days. Although US citizens do not need a Mexican Visa, they must apply for a Mexican Tourist Card.
Citing crime and kidnapping, the U.S. State Department advises Americans not travel to 6 of Mexico's 32 states: Guerrero, Colima, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. The northern state of Tamaulipas is home to Matamoros, which is just across the Rio Grande from Brownsville, Texas.
Is Mexico safe for solo female travelers? Mexico is safe for solo female travelers as long as they take the same precautions they would elsewhere. This includes things like keeping an eye on your drink at the bar and avoiding walking around alone at night (especially after drinking).
Yes, Cancun is generally safe for tourists. The government of Mexico has taken measures to enhance security in popular tourist areas like Cancun. It's important to exercise common sense and remain aware of your surroundings, just as you would in any other tourist destination.
No, you can't drink unfiltered tap water in Mexico. The local water isn't safe for consumption so everyone, including locals, usually drinks bottled or filtered water. We've stayed at many Airbnbs throughout Mexico and it's always a plus when we find a water dispenser or water purifier.
Conclusion: How Not to Get Sick in MexicoTo recap, avoid consuming tap water, be cautious of food and drinks, don't avoid street food altogether, and stay hydrated. An upset stomach will not be the only sickness tourists contend with in Mexico. Heat exhaustion is also one of the most common conditions.
Our recommendation, take with you between $1000-$1500 in cash which will serve you during the trip and will allow you a smooth process without having to get involved with conversions and withdrawals from the card. Once you've landed in Mexico, go to one of the nearest money changers' stands and make the conversion.
In Mexico, a good rule of thumb for tips is to leave 10-15% of the bill. 50 pesos would be a standard tip for a bill that was around 500 pesos. For example, if you go out for dinner and get drinks, you should expect to spend around 400 MXN. That would mean your tip would be between 40-60 MXN.