Safest places in Mexico to travel
If you’ve watched Narcos or you’re Pablo Escobar’s secret fan, you have a picture in your head of what Mexico is like. Not your typical place to visit. We get it if you have doubts about safety. With the emergence of Mexico’s security alerts, it’s normal to be wary and search for the safest cities in Mexico before traveling there. Keep reading below for the overview of what we have compiled for you.
For worry-free travel, we’ve rounded up these safe locations in Mexico for you:
- Mexico City
- San Miguel de Allende
- Puebla
- Huatulco
- Tulum
- Bacalar
- Merida
- Guanajuato
- Oaxaca City
- Campeche
- Todos Santos
There are numerous attractions Mexico has to offer other than just its reputation of being unsafe. They boast of beautiful beaches with safe resort towns. Most of this country’s gems are also the safest place in Mexico to head onto.
The U.S. The State Department issued these security alerts with color-coded maps. This map is quite clear with the colors, red screams danger and is marked as the most dangerous place while blue are the safest places to be. As long as you stick to the blue marks on Mexico’s map, you’ll have a safe trip to the safest place in Mexico.
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What is the safest part of Mexico?
Mexico is known for its spring breakers party and people’s fears of the place’s safety. There’s plenty of tv shows and movies about the ever famous drug cartels in Mexico. Even with what the media has instilled in our minds, the safest place in Mexico still exists. If you’re planning to visit soon, keep reading as we’ve rounded up the safest cities in Mexico.
1. Mexico City
If you don’t feel secure visiting the outskirts of Mexico, then head on to the city. Mexico City has a reputation of being one of the safest places in Mexico. Head downtown as it’s the safest part to be. The city offers a lot of attractions for visitors.
From their 150 museums to their colorful markets and street art, you’ll forget any anxieties you have about this place. Be sure to pass by their historic center, Condesa, and Roma. Just like with any large city center in other countries, be aware and attentive to petty thieves.
2. San Miguel de Allende
This is the place with the most ex-pats, so no doubt that this is one of the safest places in Mexico to stay. Plus, you’ll be in awe once you step foot on the cobblestone streets and the Spanish colonial churches. The old city charm will make you feel like you’re in Europe.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers great restaurants. Travel for less than 10 miles, and you’ll get to the Sanctuary of Atotonilco, another World Heritage Site which is a go-to for pilgrims, religious Mexicans, and tourists.
3. Puebla
Whenever you’re in Mexico City, never miss visiting this primary destination that’s just a two-hour drive. A historical place to visit as this place is the heart of colonial architecture in Mexico founded by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century. The magnificent colorful buildings are evidence of its historical culture.
Puebla has a laid-back vibe with religious people who value their Catholic faith. You’ll also enjoy dining in their amazing restaurants. National Geographic Magazine named Puebla as one of the top 10 cities in the world to visit. So believe us when we say this is one of the safest places in Mexico.
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4. Huatulco
You know something Mexico isn’t famous for? Their beaches. We guarantee you they have great ones. Huatulco is a beach town located in Oaxaca, southwest of Puerto Escondido.
This place is heaven for people who love water activities as there’s a lot to do – scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. A Mexican city where safety is never an issue, Huatulco is a place where people leave their doors open. No doubt, it is one of the safest places in Mexico.
5. Tulum
Though Playa del Carmen had some troubling issues in the past, we won’t suggest you go here but to its south. Tulum in the south is one of the safest places in Mexico. With fewer tourists and party-goers on the side than other resort towns on Yucatan
Peninsula, you can see Mayan city wall ruins and other historical sites. Tulum has crystal clear water making it one of the luxury vacation spots. Also, head an hour up the road to visit Chichen Itza, a beautiful archaeological site.
6. Bacalar
Yucatan Peninsula, known for its great resort towns, is home to Bacalar. One of the safest places in Mexico, Bacalar has an amazing lagoon with crystalline waters that change colors to deep turquoise. The lagoon is named as Lake of Seven Colors, and the water source is the underground rivers. Aside from its mesmerizing beauty, it’s also uncrowded and very affordable.
7. Merida
Once you set foot on one of the safest places in Mexico, you can initially see the Spanish colonial influence. Merida can be reached thru Chichen Itza by the toll road. It is considered the safest way to pass by the streets of Mexico if you’re driving.
You won’t regret visiting after you’ve tried their exquisite Yucatan cuisine that’s distinct from any other Mexican food. Merida also offers premium services from its luxurious boutique hotels, 5-star resorts, and luxurious boutique clothing stores.
8. Guanajuato
From a bird’s view, this place seems freshly pulled out from a postcard. Guanajuato can be your side trip if you’re already in nearby San Miguel de Allende. It offers tourist attractions like mummy museums, old mines, and quaint narrow streets.
One of the streets is so narrow it’s named Alley of the Kiss because couples can be so close here they can kiss. Don’t forget to try the famous miner’s enchilada when you get to visit one of the safest places in Mexico.
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9. Oaxaca City
Oaxaca City is one of the safest places in Mexico where you can enjoy various tourist activities as each part of the city has something unique to offer. The divergence of its Southern part offers great beaches, antique ruins, colonial cities, and mountain greeneries. Head on to the metropolitan part and immerse yourself in authentic Mexican cuisines, cobblestone streets, impressive plazas, and colorful markets.
10. Campeche
Located on the western coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, this place is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As one of the safest places in Mexico, you can also find impressive Mayan ruins in the state of Campeche. Enjoy your visit with less crowd as this is not as popular as the famous ruins of the east. Campeche is a walled Spanish colonial center that has been renovated to maintain its glorious beauty.
11. Todos Santos
You’ll be surprised you can surf world-class waves in one of these surf towns located in Baja California Sur. Todos Santos has immense natural beauty.
Since this place is not so popular yet, you’ll get to enjoy uncrowded, stone streets and beaches. This place also gained the official Pueblo Magico designation. Cabo San Lucas is just an hour’s drive north of Todos Santos if you’re up for a more touristy spot.
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What places to avoid in Mexico?
Are you planning to visit Mexico? Then it’s vital to know the red-flagged places you should never set foot on. Even the safest cities of the world don’t guarantee a hundred percent safety.
What more if you’d like to visit a city with a bad reputation like Mexico. It would help if you steered clear of dangerous places. Read below to discover which parts of Mexico you need to avoid – mostly with high crime rates.
- Guerrero – crime
- Michoacan – crime
- Sinaloa – crime
- Tamaulipas – kidnapping and crime
- Colima – crime
- Chihuahua – crime
- Durango – crime
- Jalisco – crime
- Coahuila – crime
- San Luis Potosi – crime
- Sonora – crime
- Morelos – crime
- Nayarit – crime
- Nuevo Leon – crime
- Zacatecas – crime
Key Takeaway
Anywhere you are in the world, bad things can happen. Even if you’re in the safest cities of the world and you’re not cautious enough about your safety, the worst things can still happen. It’s up to you and your conscious effort to stay safe.
Mexico has a lot to offer, and you never want to miss out on those. Just be vigilant and do safety basics like never carry huge amounts of cash, drink moderately, and don’t stay out too late. Stick to the list of the safest place in Mexico to visit for a worry-free trip.
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