Do you want to take a trip to the land of the Mayans, but you wonder whether or not it is dangerous to go to Mexico currently in 2026?

Indeed, with reports of drug-related violence, kidnappings, and murders, it's understandable that travelers are concerned about safety before booking their tickets to Mexico. However, despite the violence that plagues some regions, some parts of the country are safer for travelers.

By being aware of the risks you are willing to take, of the current crime situation, you will be able to make the right decisions regarding the destination you choose in Mexico.

So here is a guide for 2026 on travel safety in Mexico City by region and state.

Mexico among the most dangerous countries in the world

• In 2017,, Mexico was ranked the second most dangerous country in the world after Syria, with an average of 28 homicides per 100 people.
• In 2021,, after the Covid19 crisis, homicide rates, mainly linked to organized crimes and political crimes, have continued to increase. This was confirmed by the article in the French newspaper Le Monde " Mexico under the sprawling grip of the Mafiocracy“. According to the Canadian newspaper lapresse.ca, in 2021 Mexico was one of the most dangerous countries in the world with an average of 91 murders per day.
• In 2022,Mexico remained one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Indeed, it was the 4th most crime-ridden country globally and the 2nd most dangerous in the Americas, according to the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime report.
• This is also confirmed by the article on the Mexican newspaper in 2023: elfinanciero.com.mx or site statistics populationu.com where the 9 most dangerous cities in the world are Mexican.
• In February 2026The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs is advising its citizens in the state of Jalisco to remain indoors due to armed clashes, roadblocks, and vehicle fires. The United States, Canada, and other countries have taken similar measures.

Is Mexico dangerous in 2026?

Over the past two decades, Mexico has been engaged in a bloody struggle against drug-related crime and violence.

Indeed, the Mexican government has launched a number of initiatives to combat drug-related violence, including increased police and military presence in high-risk areas, increased investigations, monetary rewards for information and murders, and the extradition of drug cartel leaders.

But when we study the figures of the Numbeo world rankingMexico ranks behind Venezuela, Honduras, and the rest of the world in terms of crime.South Africa or PeruBut it still ranks among the 20 most crime-ridden countries in the world in 2026.

And some Mexican cities top the lists of the world's most crime-ridden cities: The mexico city, Tijuana, Acapulco, Ciudad Victoria, Ciudad Juárez, Irapuato, Cancun, culiacan.

Is it safe to go to Mexico right now?

It is worth recalling that in recent years, violence has affected tourists, particularly in the seaside resort of Tulum where a German woman and an Indian woman were killed and Cancún where a shooting broke out on the beach of a luxury hotel.

And yes, right now, it's even more dangerous to go to Mexico. This is what the French government indicated on February 22, 2026:

Security operations are underway in the state of Jalisco, particularly in Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, and Tapalpa. Armed clashes, roadblocks, and vehicle fires have been reported. French nationals, whether residents of the state or those temporarily staying there, are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and remain indoors for the duration of the operations.

Furthermore, incidents have also been reported in the states of Michoacán, Guanajuato, Nayarit, Colima, Aguascalientes, and Tamaulipas. French nationals in these regions are urged to exercise extreme caution and strictly adhere to current security guidelines, including recommended precautionary measures.

Most dangerous areas to avoid in Mexico

According to the recommendations of the French governments, canadien, Belgian, British, SwissHere are the areas and cities to avoid in Mexico in 2026, in addition to the state of Jalisco:

1. Certain areas of Mexico are strongly discouragedThis includes the states of Tamaulipas, Guerrero (except for Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and Acapulco, which are only accessible by air), Colima, southern Michoacán, and certain cities such as Tijuana, Tecate, and Culiacán. Several specific highways should also be avoided. The Guanajuato region (the Celaya-Irapuato-Salamanca triangle) is particularly dangerous due to violent clashes between criminal organizations.
2. Other areas are Not recommended unless absolutely necessaryParticularly the border area with the United States and several northern and central states (Baja California, Chihuahua, Sinaloa, Durango, Nayarit, Zacatecas, Morelos). Parts of states such as Jalisco, Michoacán, Guanajuato, Veracruz, Chiapas, and Nuevo León also present heightened risks. Several specific cities and roads should be avoided, and leaving urban areas in these sensitive regions is strongly discouraged.
3. The rest of the country is placed in enhanced vigilance, including certain tourist destinations such as Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo and the city of Chihuahua, where it is recommended to favour air travel and strictly adhere to safety guidelines.

Concerning Mexico City, if we refer ranking of crime in Central American cities, the city comes in 3rd position among the most criminal cities. See my post: Neighborhoods to avoid in Mexico City

Map of dangerous areas in Mexico

For greater clarity, here is the map published on the France Diplomatie website which indicates in red and orange the areas most inadvisable to tourists:

If you decide to travel to Mexico, I recommend that you visit the site diplomatie.gouv.fr which gives more details on the areas of vigilance and whose information is updated regularly.

What do tourists risk in Mexico?

Travelers to Mexico should be aware of the risks they take if they are not careful:

• Indeed, kidnappings and kidnappings for ransom are numerous. Attacks often with armed robbery in restaurants are frequent.
• The most common scams are taxi scams. In fact, unlicensed taxi drivers often try to drive tourists to remote areas to rob them.
• Hotels in Mexico are generally safe, but travelers should beware of scammers posing as hotel employees.
• On the other hand, scammers also pose as government officials and pressure travelers to hand over money.
• Crime and violence against women have risen sharply, especially in large cities.
• Finally, tourists are the target of pickpockets, pick-pocketing and armed attacks on public roads and in public transport.

Safety measures for travelers

While no travel destination is completely risk-free, prepared travelers can reduce their risk and increase their safety.

Before traveling to Mexico, travelers should research the current security situation in the destination(s) they plan to visit and familiarize themselves with the risks unique to each region.

• Research the current security situation in Mexico before you book your trip, learn about the current security situation by reading travel advisories, government reports, and local news articles.
• Establish an itinerary and keep it up to date. This will help you keep track of all your travel plans and make adjustments if needed.
• Stay informed once you're in Mexico: Keep up to date with the latest developments in the areas you're traveling to.
• Take the precautions recommended on France Diplomatie.

What to do in case of assault or theft?

The cities of Mexico and Cancun have a special police unit that patrols the city center. They are trained in assisting and informing tourists who have been attacked, robbed or who have a problem.

Here are the contact details of the 2 tourist assistance offices:

• In Mexico City : ZonaRosa – Attention the tourist
  Calle Florencia 14 – Col. Juárez – Del. Cuauhtémoc – Tel: 55 4891 1166
• In Cancún : Tourist Police – Blvd. Kukulcan, Zona Hotelera de Cancun – Tel: 998 885 2277

Here is the map showing where the police stations are located throughout Mexico: Map of police stations