Is Mexico Safe for Travelers? Here's What We've Learned.

It was no surprise that when Carla and I announced our plan to visit Mexico for four months that the initial reactions from our friends and family was concern for our safety. This reaction is not unusual in the U.S., where we are continually bombarded with warnings about traveling to Mexico. After spending a month here and talking with lots of people, I’d like to offer a balanced perspective on safety based on what we’ve learned and through plenty of research.

In the US, Mexico has the reputation of being dangerous and violent due to the high-profile drug trade and powerful cartels. This viewpoint, predominantly spread by sensational media reports and often politically motivated discourse, does not at all represent the true nature of Mexico's safety situation. In fact, the actual condition in many Mexican cities contradicts these widely held perceptions.

While it is true that Mexico faces challenges related to organized crime, it’s important to understand that most of the violence is concentrated in specific areas and is often linked to criminal activities such as drug trafficking and human trafficking. These incidents primarily affect only those directly involved in these illicit operations.

Many Mexican cities and regions, including popular tourist destinations, are very safe for both visitors and residents. In fact, several Mexican cities have lower crime rates than our hometowns in the United States (Nashville, TN and Asheville, NC). It’s important to consider that safety can vary within a country, and generalizations can perpetuate misconceptions.

For instance, in my research I learned that my hometown for the past 30 years, Asheville, NC, has a higher crime rate than the city we are currently visiting in Mexico; San Miguel de Allende, as well as the next three stops on our itinerary: Queretaro, Puerto Vallarta, and Oaxaca. Despite Asheville’s being a popular tourist destination, I can't recall ever coming across an article or report in the United States advising people to avoid visiting or to exercise caution while there.

The misconception that Mexico is broadly unsafe overlooks the reality that if an individual is not directly involved in the drug trade or human trafficking, their risk of falling victim to violence is very low. Many Mexican cities and towns are characterized by a strong sense of community, vibrant cultural traditions, and local police efforts to maintain safety and order. The country's tourism hubs and hotspots are heavily patrolled and secured due to the industry's importance to Mexico's economy.

The metrics that we use to measure safety can't be blanketly applied to all of Mexico, just as it isn't for any other country. It’s important to emphasize that cases of violent crime or homicide in Mexico are typically more localized and targeted compared to the random acts of violence often seen in the U.S.

One of the most damaging, misleading, and inaccurate warnings published about crime in Mexico (and places to avoid) comes from The U.S. State Department, which unfortunately garners a considerable amount of credibility with its assessments. Their reports and warnings about Mexico often paint a grim and generalized picture of the entire country, which can be both misleading and damaging to Mexico's reputation and tourism industry.

These warnings frequently fail to differentiate between regions, suggesting that the entire country is equally dangerous. This would be like issuing a warning against travel to the entire U.S. because of high crime rates in Chicago or Los Angeles. The advisories from The State Department rely on crime statistics that can be quite misleading. For instance, a city may have a high crime rate due to specific types of crime that are unlikely to affect tourists.

In the process of researching this article and examining the online crime reports on Mexico made available by the U.S., I realized that they were often presented as if coming from a country that was viewed globally as a beacon of safety. This naturally piqued my interest regarding the crime rates in the United States. So, in the spirit of fairness and impartiality, I need to explore this angle as well.

in recent years, there has been growing concern internationally for the prevalence and seemingly random nature of gun violence in the United States. It has caused many to reconsider or outright cancel their travel plans to the U.S. due to concerns for their own safety. This growing concern is rooted in the frequent reports of random mass shootings, random gun-related crimes, and the widespread accessibility of firearms in the U.S., which together create a perception of a heightened risk compared to other developed nations.

The essence of the concern lies in how random the violence is in the United States. Unlike in many other countries where safety risks might be more predictable or localized to certain areas, the nature of gun violence in the U.S. is such that it can occur in places traditionally seen as safe and neutral, like schools, places of worship, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. This unpredictability creates an added risk that is difficult for travelers to navigate or mitigate through planning. The fact that such incidents have occurred in tourist-popular cities only heightens the anxiety.

This growing concern is not unfounded. According to my research, the U.S. has a significantly higher rate of gun-related deaths compared to other high-income countries. Furthermore, high-profile mass shootings and the media coverage that accompanies them have contributed to a global perception of the U.S. as a country grappling with a serious gun violence problem. This perception is bolstered by travel advisories from several countries, warning their citizens of the risks associated with travel to the U.S.

For international visitors, the issue is compounded by their unfamiliarity with local gun laws, which can vary dramatically from state to state. The ease of access to firearms, including high-capacity weapons, in some areas of the country contrasts starkly with the tight gun control measures in place in many other developed nations. This all contributes to a sense of unease and vulnerability for visitors who are unaccustomed to such lenient firearm regulations.

Random gun violence is giving our country the reputation as a destination where safety isn't guaranteed. Recent reports from reputable sources such as USA Today, Travel Weekly, CNN, Newsweek, Sports Destinations, The Conversation, and Travel Pulse highlight a common theme: the fear of gun violence is deterring international travelers from visiting the United States. Countries such as Australia, Canada, the U.K., New Zealand, Ireland, and Germany have all issued warnings or advisories to their citizens, pointing out the risk "of being in the wrong place at the wrong time" due to gun violence in the U.S. These advisories often reassure tourists that violent crime, including gun crime, "rarely involves tourists," but they still advise travelers to exercise caution. While tourists may not be the targets of gun violence, the indiscriminate nature of such incidents means that no one can be considered entirely safe.

No doubt, it is wise to be cautious when traveling, but it's equally important to differentiate between caution and fear. One of the most valuable resources for accurate information about travel safety is the firsthand experience and data provided by people who have visited the destinations you're considering. So, do your homework. This includes talking to people or reading blogs and articles written by people who have actually been to Mexico or the specific cities and towns you plan to visit. Reading about their experiences and understanding their state of mind can provide invaluable insights into what to expect and how to navigate potential challenges.

It's natural to feel vulnerable when traveling to a foreign land with a different language, culture, and customs. This vulnerability can serve as a reminder to exercise caution and remain alert to your surroundings. However, it's essential to strike a balance between caution and embracing the adventure of exploration.

Traveling is an adventure, and part of that adventure involves immersing yourself in new places and experiences: embracing the opportunity to learn about different cultures, trying new foods, and engaging with local communities. The joy of exploring Mexico's vibrant cities, historic sites, and beautiful beaches is more the reality that you’ll encounter than the fear instilled by distorted reports. In our experience so far, Mexico is a country that welcomes visitors with open arms and offers a unique blend of experiences that far outweigh the fear propagated by inaccurate reports of violence. Don’t let the fear hold you back from experiencing the joy of visiting Mexico.