At the moment, the US Department of State lists Mexico with a Level 2 security advisory. Level 2 (out of four total) advises Americans to exercise increased caution due to crime, including kidnappings.
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But some parts of Mexico have the higher Level 4 warning, meaning travel is strongly discouraged by the DOS. That includes six Mexican states: Zacatecas, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa, Michoacan, Guerrero, and Colima. Another seven, including popular states like Baja California and Jalisco, are listed at Level 3.
It’s worth noting that the DOS’s Level 2 status given to Mexico, as a whole, has been in place for years, and wasn’t changed following violence in Puerto Vallarta earlier this year. Jalisco, the state where Puerto Vallarta is located, isn’t on the Level 4 list, either.
In fact, I argued that the upheaval guaranteed travelers would be even safer in the Puerto Vallarta area. Security always ramps up following major incidents in tourist areas.
Still, it’s never a bad time to re-up on security tips. If you want the lowdown on how to stay safe in Mexico, whether you’re headed to a resort in Tulum or off the beaten path in Puerto Escondido, check out this short list. It has the latest advice from locals, travel experts, and security buffs who adore the country and want you to have a great experience.
7 tips on how to stay safe in Mexico
#1: Double-check your rideshare before getting into the car
Uber is considered the safest way to get around Mexico compared to taxis—even official taxis. When you book an Uber, you set your destination, meaning fares are fixed. That’s not the case in taxis, which can extend your route without you knowing to hike up your fare.
But there’s another important factor: You can verify your Uber before stepping into the vehicle. You have a record of the trip, too, in case something goes wrong. You can use your Uber app to report a driver, if needed, or get in contact with them, like if you leave something behind by accident.
#2: If you’re not using apps like Uber, use hotel-arranged pickups
If you don’t use Uber, let your hotel or resort arrange transportation for you. Again, local taxis (even those that are certified and licensed) can extend your route to drive up fares. But they can also be more direct about their runaround.
They might say they can’t accept cash, because it’s too dangerous to keep cash in the car. They’ll pull out a card machine, then quietly overcharge you. I’ve been overcharged once in Mexico with this scheme (not in a taxi but at a kiosk shop), which was around $150 over what I wanted to pay. (Ouch. I know.) It happens quickly.
In short, official taxis are battling Uber drivers for passengers. I’ve seen some locals say that the scams have ramped up as tourists flood in and regular taxi drivers face more competition from Uber drivers.
#3: If you’re driving, avoid trips by night and know about mordidas
If you’re renting a car in Mexico, you need to know three things. First, have your rental insurance and paperwork down pat. You need to know the ins and outs. I also recommend keeping a copy very handy, in case you’re pulled over.
Second, avoid trips by night. You might end up off the highway and onto a road where you could be targeted by dangerous groups. (I’m putting that lightly.) Third, know that if you’re stopped by police, you might be forced to pay a mordida (mor-dee-dah), or a little bribe. I’ve seen locals recommend keeping 100 pesos on hand for these situations.
Lastly, and most importantly, you should avoid driving at night because many areas have speed bumps, called topes (toe-pays). They’re hard to see, and if you make the mistake of cruising over one, you could do serious damage to your rental. It’s not the most dangerous risk you’ll face at night when driving in Mexico, but it’s definitely the most common.
#4: Don’t drink too much in public
Don’t get drunk in destinations with security advisories in place. Even if there aren’t security advisories in place from the DOS, I recommend against it. Getting visibly drunk, especially in public, puts a target on your back for crimes like pickpocketing. It also makes you prone to more dangerous run-ins, from having a drink spiked to ending up in a fake taxi.
#5: Know the rule of ‘advertising’ yourself
This touches on being drunk in public, but it’s much broader. One of my favorite tips on how to stay safe in Mexico and beyond is to understand how you look to locals. How you dress, what jewelry you wear (or don’t), how you speak, and how you walk are an advertisement to anyone who wants to scam or harm you.
It’s important to understand how others see you, in other words. Don’t judge yourself according to standards back at home. Judge yourself based on what’s normal at your destination. In Mexico, that means not getting drunk, not wearing luxury jewelry, and not wandering around like you’re lost.
#6: Avoid solo adventures at night, even if you’re a man
I recommend using caution when going out at night alone, even if you’re just staying on the resort. You can, of course, party all night at your resort as a solo traveler… but don’t assume everyone around you is also staying at the resort.
This advice is par for the course for women. But I also want to point out that men are becoming targets for thieves who want to drug and rob them. The idea is that men might have too much pride to admit they were lured to a second location by a woman, then woke up without their wallet.
That being said, you can still enjoy a night out in Mexico, especially with friends and family—I just recommend doing a lot of research about where you’re going beforehand. And don’t go alone.
#7: Speak Spanish as often as possible
My last tip on how to stay safe in Mexico is the most important: speak Spanish. Americans are exposed to more Spanish language than ever before, and especially Mexican slang. The more often you flex your Spanish skills, the more bad actors will have to think twice about trying to scam you.
They might also feel less inclined to do you harm if they see you putting in the effort to speak Spanish and embrace Mexican culture. Remember: some thieves are opportunistic, meaning they don’t make a living from pickpocketing tourists. The more chances you give locals to see you as a responsible, caring person, the better. (Even when scams aren’t involved.)
Additionally, if something does go wrong, and you need to ask someone for help, you’ll be happy that you know the basics. Similarly, if someone is trying to warn you that you might be targeted, you’re going to want to understand every word.
