The State Department advises Americans to "rethink travel" plans to Mexico

The U.S. Department of State has released a travel advisory, urging all travelers to rethink their plans to Mexico. The primary reason for the Level 3 "reconsider travel" status is COVID-19. Additionally, the advisory issued on Dec. 8 highlighted an "increased risk of crime and kidnapping in certain areas."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has also issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Mexico due to the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the region.

The Dec. 8 travel advisory from the State Department includes serious warnings regarding safety.

"Violent crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery are rampant in Mexico. The U.S. government faces significant limitations in providing emergency services to its citizens in many parts of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government personnel to certain areas is either prohibited or restricted."

Given Mexico's vast size, the State Department evaluates risk on a detailed, state-by-state level. For instance, travelers are currently advised to rethink their plans for Jalisco and Nayarit states, which are known for popular destinations like Puerto Vallarta, Punta de Mita, and the Riviera Nayarit.

Travelers are also encouraged to "exercise heightened caution" when visiting Mexico City, primarily due to concerns about crime and kidnapping. This advice extends to the states of Oaxaca and Baja California Sur, also because of crime risks. The latter, located at the tip of the Baja Peninsula, includes the well-known area of Los Cabos.

Quintana Roo, located on Mexico's Caribbean coast, falls under the "exercise increased caution" advisory. This region boasts some of the country’s most popular tourist spots, such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, and is generally deemed safe for visitors.

Recent crime incidents have tarnished that image. Last week, gunmen on jet skis opened fire on the beach outside a Cancun resort, causing vacationers to flee.

In early November, a shootout resulted in two fatalities at a resort in Puerto Morelos, close to Cancun. Additionally, in October, a gang confrontation led to the deaths of two tourists at a Tulum restaurant.

In reaction to the rise in criminal activity, the Quintana Roo government has deployed nearly 1,500 National Guard troops to patrol tourist hotspots, including the beaches in Cancun's hotel zone.