Is Nuevo Laredo Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Updated On November 7, 2023
Nuevo Laredo, Mexico
Safety Index:
40
* Based on Research & Crime Data
User Sentiment:
70
* Rated 70 / 100 based on 21 user reviews.

Nuevo Laredo is a city in Tamaulipas, Mexico, across the border from the smaller Laredo, Texas. It’s the busiest land port in North America.

It is the point where the PanAmerican Highway crosses into the United States via Mexico.

They’re not so touristic point in here, but sometimes travelers stop here to take a rest in their way.

In the city, there are plazas and monuments. You can visit the Mexican Professional Baseball League game or see a play or a Broadway-style show in the Centro Cultural.

Healthcare is far cheaper, and generally a higher quality (according to international rankings) than that in the United States.

So, many travelers come here to these options.

Warnings & Dangers in Nuevo Laredo

Overall Risk

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Nuevo Laredo is not a safe place enough. In general, tourists are advised to avoid this city. Disassembling drug cartels and weak police activity in the city makes the city uncomfortable for travelers. If you are in the city, you need to take increased measures to ensure your safety.

Transport & Taxis Risk

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

City buses aren't safe due to their crowded nature, lack of safety equipment, and vulnerability to robbery. Use only licensed taxi services, do not catch a car on the street.

Pickpockets Risk

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

In public transport, there is a high level of pickpocketing and being robbed. Also, it's unsafe to be in crowded places. Do not wear jewelry and other valuables to avoid the risk of being mugged.

Natural Disasters Risk

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW

Heavy rains may lead to flooding in the city. A little chance of hurricane also persists. Visitors should check authorized sources before traveling to Nuevo Laredo.

Mugging Risk

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

Armed criminal groups target public and private passenger buses in this region. Often passengers and lonely travelers become hostage and are for whom ransom is demanded.

Terrorism Risk

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There is a minimal risk of terrorism in Nuevo Laredo. But due to poor border controls and a bad criminal situation in the city, you must always be on the alert.

Scams Risk

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Financial scams, vehicle thefts, petty drug crimes continue to be a serious concern in the city. Be cautious when using ATMs. Cloning and scamming of ATM cards and credit cards occur. To avoid these problems you should provide extremely safety.

Women Travelers Risk

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Nuevo Laredo district is quite unsafe so women traveling alone have a great risk of falling into an unpleasant situation where they can not fight back. Female travel alone is not recommended in this city.

So... How Safe Is Nuevo Laredo Really?

Level Crime in Nuevo Laredo is very high.

Since every Mexican border city is quite unsafe, Nuevo Laredo isn’t an exception.

Transnational Criminal Organizations have been engaged in a vicious struggle with each other for control of lucrative drug trafficking routes.

The Government of Mexico trying to prevent it by deployed military troops and federal police throughout the country.

All showdowns are between military and gangs, but innocent bystanders can easily become a victim of these actions.

Violence in this area continued to rise. Homicides are increases and the overall security environment is not improving.

Financial scams, vehicle thefts, petty drug crimes are also a big problem in Nuevo Laredo.

The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory recommends deferring travel in this region.

If travelers anyway go to Nuevo Laredo they should exercise extreme caution.

Make use of hotel safes when available. Avoid wearing jewelry and other valuables.

Traveling at night and travel alone is unsafe. As and showing up in a bar in the late evening.

Be cautious when using ATMs. Cloning and scamming of ATM cards and credit cards occur.

Avoid using ATMs in isolated areas.

Theft of vehicle sound systems is a common crime. If you travel by car use a car alarm and park your vehicle in secure parka lots.

How Does Nuevo Laredo Compare?

CitySafety Index
Nuevo Laredo40
Playa del Carmen69
Cabo San Lucas68
Acapulco63
Cancun71
Guadalajara62
Mexico City45
Calgary (Canada)82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)60
Vancouver (Canada)82
Cordoba (Argentina)61
Toronto (Canada)81
Melbourne (Australia)80

Useful Information

Visas

Visas

No visas required for tourist proposals to enter Mexico for many countries of Europe, US citizens and so on. You should have a valid passport and a tourist permit. The maximum possible of stay is 180 days. For a longer stay or other options, you should visit the Mexican embassy.

Currency

Currency

The Mexican peso - is the official currency in Mexico. There are one hundred Mexican centavos to every peso. The symbol for the Mexican Peso is $, so you can see MX$ or MN$ in banks and exchange points.

Weather

Weather

The best time to visit Nuevo Laredo for ideal weather is from November to the end of March. The average temperatures in Nuevo Laredo vary somewhat. With humidity, temperatures feel hot for about half of the year. The chance of precipitation is very low throughout the year.

Airports

Airports

Nuevo Laredo has two airports. Nuevo Laredo International Airport, located near the U.S.-Mexico border. It handles national and international air traffic for the city of Nuevo Laredo. Quetzalcóatl International Airport also is an international airport located south of the city.

Travel Insurance

Travel Insurance

The medical travel insurance is required for travelers in any country as well as Mexico. On the border, any traveler may be asked by a customs officer to show insurance.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Nuevo Laredo Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 15° C
Feb 18° C
Mar 22° C
Apr 26° C
May 29° C
Jun 31° C
Jul 32° C
Aug 32° C
Sep 29° C
Oct 26° C
Nov 20° C
Dec 16° C
Choose Temperature Unit

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High
°C
212428323537383834312521
Low
°C
91216192325262624201410
High
°F
70758290959910010093887770
Low
°F
485461667377797975685750

Mexico - Safety by City

CitySafety Index
Acapulco63
Aguascalientes80
Cabo San Lucas68
Cancun71
Chichen Itza70
Chihuahua40
Cozumel85
Cuernavaca65
Culiacan55
Durango75
Ensenada90
Guadalajara62
Guanajuato53
Hermosillo90
Huatulco85
Isla Holbox85
Isla Mujeres80
Ixtapa68
Juarez32
Leon68
Los Cabos80
Manzanillo68
Matamoros40
Merida78
Mexicali42
Mexico City45
Monterrey55
Morelia46
Nogales50
Nuevo Laredo40
Oaxaca74
Piedras Negras67
Playa del Carmen69
Puebla80
Puerto Morelos85
Puerto Vallarta70
Queretaro City63
Reynosa35
Saltillo70
San Luis Potosi80
San Miguel de Allende75
Sayulita90
Tijuana41
Tulum80
Valladolid90
Veracruz70
Zacatecas70
Zapopan70
Zihuatanejo70

Where to Next?

21 Reviews on Nuevo Laredo

  1. L
    Lone traveler says:

    Only visit if you want to die

    1. Does not seem to be a high recommendation for visiting the city

    2. A
      Anonymous says:

      I go there every year it’s only unsafe if u don’t have family there and ur going by yourself if u have family there u good the cartel might stop you and ask u to pay like 1000 pesos=49.53 but they won’t mess with u

  2. L
    Lonely traveler says:

    If you want to die feel free to visit

    1. B
      Border Rat says:

      Time of day to visit if you want to live

      If you want to visit; and live, then go into the downtown area early in the morning (~9:00 a.m.) and do your business and shopping then. Not too bad in day time and even early evening but best to leave when it gets dark.

  3. R
    Retired says:

    It is a 5 star place to have your funeral

  4. Safe but use common sense

    It’s not as bad as it used to be. As of mid 2020 it has become more safe, but common sense should prevail. Stick to down town area at night and suggest crossing back to USA before late night. Cabs are plentiful and safe but suggest agreeing on price before getting in. People here are friendly, military and Federal police are everywhere so it’s quite safe now, especially in the downtown area. Lots of dentists but few have an xray machine so suggest bring your own xrays if possible. All n all, come and enjoy Nuevo Laredo, just use common sense and leave expensive jewelry behind.

    1. Question

      Hi, do you know how safe are the bust stations now? If they have police or Military personnel around. I’m asking because las year there was no security guards or police personnel and they had groups of guys questioning you without any authority. I’m planning a trip but I’m trying to find out how’s the situation over there right now

      1. yeah there’s no police or military people around. If you have family there its best that they pick you up from the bus station. just be careful… especially at night. daytime is pretty good just be cautious of your surroundings.

  5. Picture on this site is not correct

    I’m pretty sure the picture above is not a picture of Nuevo Laredo. I used to live there and there wasn’t that much color or mountains.

  6. r
    rmanbike says:

    I have never been asked for medical travel insurance crossing into Mexico or flying into any other country. Now they do require liability auto insurance, so maybe thats what the author should have said. But not medical.

  7. S
    SKIP BRYANT says:

    Be smart! Dental care is very affordable. Do what you went there for… not the one time fun zone.
    Casual dress is best… do nothing to indicate you are uncomfortable ! As anywhere your life is in your good judgement … fly under the radar!

    1. c
      chrissouthsideslaughter says:

      Be alert it's Pretty Safe but it depends if you're gonna crumble with fear

      As a white man who goes over at different points along the.border I’ve never feared for my safety but be aware have your destination planned before hand don’t draw attention to.yourself ..Don’t look worried or weak be decisive.. Get over early and get back early..Have a plan if stopped by anyone have a good reason for the visit and maybe have a good will $50 to donate as money is why they are at War..Why it’s a risk Say I was going.to the dentist..But the Cartels are in with the.people..But they are worried about their turf rivals or the Mexican Military..Don’t take Pictures don’t panic if stopped but stay alert. ..

  8. Not safe at all. Even driving through the town to go south should be considered very very dangerous. July 2021

  9. None stay clear of this place

  10. We just went to our hometown Nuevo Laredo and it was very safe and pleasant. We visit here 2 times a year except for the last 2 years. Lots of soldiers but very safe.

  11. I’m irish. And want to cross from here in to the USA. Do I need an American visa to cross the border?

  12. Scared for my life

    I came here because the company I work for started to produce here to make our products because of cheaper labor. Let me tell you this will be my last visit. I was terrified for my life. I was asked for money at gun point in broad day light with a group of people. I gave them everything I had. The police are not helpful at all. Almost didn’t care. They know who the tourist are and who aren’t. Stay away..

  13. A
    Anonymous says:

    I was headed to Nuevo Laredo, but I was turned backed by my people, so no it’s not safe to go right now, I lost a lot of family over there due to the violence, I use to live there but I would rather be in prison in USA than to live over there again , even if u have ties to the big dogs nobody is safe, to my family I got left over there I love yall ill try to see yall again soon.

  14. M
    Michelle says:

    I’ve never seen such poverty in my life . It’s very scary and the whole place looks like a zombie town. You need a gun but probably won’t do any good most definitely and some bribe money. Don’t stop for stop sighs and just run for the border. You better have God on your side visiting this place and dress poor and talk little as possible or you will be targeted

  15. M
    Michelle says:

    You need Jesus to go there unsafe

    Death trap

Nuevo Laredo Rated 3.48 / 5 based on 21 user reviews.

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