U.S. travel alerts: Feds update warnings for Mexico; states on do-not-travel list

The U.S State Department has updated its travel alerts for Mexico.

Citing “widespread and common” violent crimes such as homicide, kidnapping and robbery, parts of the country remain under a “do not travel” advisory – the most severe warning issued by the department. Only two states- Campeche and Yucatan – are under the lowest “exercise normal caution.” Neighboring Quintana Roo, home to popular tourist destination Cancun, is under “exercise increased caution” due to crime.

“Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities,” the advisory noted.

Special regulations, including limiting travel between cities after dark and not hailing taxis on the street, are in place for government employees.

Travel alerts are routinely updated by the State Department based on a country’s conditions.

READ MORE: US travel alerts: ‘Increased caution’ reissued for 2 European travel hotspots

Here are the Mexican state-by-state advisories:

Do Not Travel To:

• 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.

Reconsider Travel To:

• 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.

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

• Aguascalientes state due to crime.
• Baja, California Sur state due to crime.
• Coahuila state due to crime.
• Durango state due to crime.
• Hidalgo state due to crime.
• Mexico City due to crime.
• Mexico State due to crime and kidnapping.
• Nayarit state due to crime.
• Nuevo Leon state due to crime.
• Oaxaca state due to crime.
• Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Queretaro state due to crime.
• Quintana Roo state due to crime.
• San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
• Tabasco state due to crime.
• Tlaxcala state due to crime.
• Veracruz state due to crime.

Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

• Campeche state
• Yucatan state

You can go here to see recommendations for traveling in alert areas.