Neighborhoods to avoid in Monterrey and the safest places to stay

Known for its mountainous landscape, thriving economy and rich culture, Monterrey attracts many tourists and business people from around the world.

However, as in any major city in Mexico , we will see that insecurity is a problem in Monterrey for both residents and visitors.

In this article, I will tell you the areas to avoid for your safety, as well as the safest neighborhoods where you can stay in complete peace.

Is Monterrey dangerous?

Like Guadalajara and Mexico City , Monterrey has long been one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico due to crime and violence linked to drug trafficking. However, in recent years, the situation has improved significantly thanks to the efforts of the authorities.

Despite this improvement, Monterrey will still be the least safe city in Nuevo León in 2024, according to INEGI's National Survey of Urban Public Safety (Encuesta Nacional de Seguridad Pública Urbana, ENSU). In fact, in the first quarter of 1, 2024% of residents did not feel safe in the city.

But the perception of insecurity is not necessarily the reality.

If we study the statistics, we see that the crime rate in Monterrey has decreased significantly in the last 5 years. In terms of crime, if we compare it to the world level, the city is average.

Indeed, with a crime index of 48.11 , Monterrey is as safe as Panama City , Tampa or New York!

However, some areas remain more sensitive than others and require increased vigilance on the part of visitors.

Neighborhoods to avoid in Monterrey

Here are the main neighborhoods I recommend you avoid in Monterrey due to higher crime rates:

Independence : This district located in the north of the city is known for its problems with delinquency, drug trafficking and violence.
Modern Colony : Located in the east of Monterrey, this neighborhood suffers from a high crime rate, particularly linked to gangs.
Colony Topo Chico : This popular and deprived district, located in the northwest of the city, should be avoided due to the presence of criminal groups.
Colony New Republic : Located southwest of Monterrey, this neighborhood is known for its security and violence problems.
Workers Colony : This industrial district in the east of the city has problems with delinquency and criminality.

Downtown Monterrey is no longer a safe neighborhood because it has experienced a deterioration in security. In fact, there have been shootings, raids, arrests and drug seizures recently. Several criminal groups operate in the city center. In addition, crystal meth use has increased and fentanyl has appeared in the city.

Safest Neighborhoods to Live in

According to the latest web publications, the safest areas to live in Monterrey are:

San Pedro Garza Garcia – This neighborhood is the safest in Monterrey and in all of Mexico. The perception of insecurity is only 11,7% according to INEGI, the lowest in the country. It is a wealthy neighborhood with modern avenues, luxury shopping centers and large green spaces. It is also home to important national and international companies.
San Nicolas de los Garza – This neighborhood is also safe with recognized universities such as the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León.
miters, central area that connects the important points of the city.
Ladrillera, tourist area with several museums, attractive for students.
Country, near Cerro de la Silla, with good access to the main avenues.
Summits, popular for its safe environment and wide range of accommodation.

Best neighborhood for tourists in Monterrey

For a safe tourist stay in Monterrey, the best area to stay in is San Pedro Garza Garcia.

Here are the main reasons:

It is one of the safest areas of the city.
It brings together numerous hotels, bars and restaurants in a chic and modern atmosphere.
There are large shopping centers like Calzada 401 and Paseo San Pedro.
The area is well connected to the city center, reachable in 15 minutes by taxi.
It is also a favorite area for business travelers.

When it comes to choosing a hotel, here is a great option in this area:

Hyatt House Monterrey Valle / San Pedro – Located on Lázaro Cárdenas Avenue, it offers an ideal location in the Valle Oriente area in the heart of the San Pedro Garza Garcia neighborhood.

See this hotel on Booking