Mexico : Safety by City
Mexico safety as a country
Being the capital city of the central state of Jalisco in Mexico and the second most populous metropolitan area in Mexico, Guadalajara is divided into several districts.
It is a lovely city which contains many nice areas for walking. It is not just in the city centre which is the main area of interest to tourists due to its historical sites, old and modern buildings and temples that has its charisma. Outside of the downtown area are three areas also of interest to the tourist and those are Tlaquepaque, Tonalá and Zapopan, a site of pilgrimage known for its old-town charm. The University of Guadalajara serves as a centre of cultural activity such as the Ballet Folclórico and the Cineforo Universidad.
Warnings & Dangers in Guadalajara
OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM
Considering all the types of crimes, Guadalajara can be considered a medium safe city, since there are drug-related crimes, robbery and auto-part theft which should be worrying for tourists. Guadalajara is a big city and it is a normal thing that there is crime.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK : MEDIUM
Taxis which are marked and registered are reliable and safe, unlike the public transportation which is generally unsafe for travelers, due to the pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and armed robberies that are happening there. However, be aware that there is a risk that the driver will not the take the shortest possible route, if he/she perceives that you do not know where exactly he/she should drive. If you decide to drive, you should be alert for changing road conditions, drive defensively and leave space to maneuver.
PICKPOCKETS RISK : MEDIUM
Pickpockets operate in tourist places as in any other big city. They usually work in teams and focus on tourists to steal valuables. Sometimes, they even use motorcycles for a quick escape. The tactic they use is the accidental spills which will distract the victims. There are numerous reports of robbery, auto-part theft and non-violent crimes.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK : LOW
When the natural disasters are in question, there are no hazards in Guadalajara, except of some Pacific hurricanes which might occur.However, Mexico is prone to earthquakes, hurricanes and active volcanoes so it is good to get informed about it when traveling to this country.
MUGGING RISK : MEDIUM
Kidnapping is a serious problem in Guadalajara, either virtual or real kidnapping must be immediately reported to the police and your consulate. Types of virtual kidnappings include communicating via text message from stolen or lost cell phones in order to extort money from their families. Auto-theft commonly involves the threat of force and in these cases if the victim does not resist, thieves rarely do any physical harm, since they are after money.
TERRORISM RISK : LOW
Even though the terrorist threat exists everywhere in the world, Guadalajara is considered as being a low-threat location for terrorist activity.
SCAMS RISK : MEDIUM
When it comes to scams, telephonic extortion by which the caller tricks the victim into transferring money by pretending to be a member of a cartel who kidnapped the victim’s family member and asking for the ransom is developing and the reports of these incidents are increasing.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK : LOW
Just as in any other city, female travelers need to be cautious and pay special attention when traveling by public transportation. There are frequent reports of sexual harassment, especially in bars and nightclubs, but as long as you remain vigilant, there is no risk of being assaulted.
Useful Information
- Visas - Whether you need a visa when entering Mexico depends on the country you are coming from. The citizens of the US, Canada, EU, Israel and Japan are exempted from obtaining a visa. The valid passport during your stay is obligatory for everyone.
- Currency - The Mexican Peso is the official currency of Mexico and it is believed to be an inexpensive country to visit. There are various types of accommodations both for not so rich travelers, and the wealthy one as well.
- Weather - In Guadalajara, the temperature is warm year-round, with very strong seasonal variation in precipitation. March is the driest month and July is the wettest. Winters are relatively warm and January daytime temperatures reaching about 25 °C.
- Airports - Besides all the major airports in Mexico City, Cancun, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Tijuana which can be used when coming to Guadalajara, there is the Libertador Miguel Hidalgo International Airport, located south of the city, which also serves Guadalajara.
- Travel Insurance - When coming to Mexico, the travel insurance policy should be obtained, in case of an accident or loss of personal belongings.
My wife and I went to Guadalajara for our 5 year anniversary and while I didn’t feel unsafe or uneasy, my wife did. She was tense the entire trip there. We had some issues with items being stolen out of our hotel room and a group of men following us a few times who didn’t speak English. I know she don’t want to ever go back but I wouldn’t mind it. I am not intimidated very easily.
Uncertain
I loved the area when I traveled there back in 2008 but since all the issues with immigrants, I am a bit put off on going to Mexico. I am not sure if it would be safe. I know most areas in Mexico are risky but usually cities like this are okay. Anyone go more recently know?