Mexico : Safety by City
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- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
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Queretaro is a city in central Mexico and the capital of the state of Queretaro.
The city’s full name is “Santiago de Queretaro” but nobody uses its full name.
For many, it’s an unbelievably safe city (safer than most US cities), has a great private education system, fantastic and affordable healthcare, some of the best restaurants in the world, the ideal weather, and one of the strongest economies in Mexico.
You also have a number of fantastic destinations within a few hours of driving.
San Miguel de Allende is an easy 45-minute drive and is a great place to wander, explore, and spend a day.
Bernal is another easy day trip.
Warnings & Dangers in Queretaro City
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Queretaro City is a very safe city: in fact, there isn't too much to worry about in this city compared to many other cities in Mexico. Just in case, you should apply all possible precaution measures, to minimize the chances of anything going wrong.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Even though public transport is an issue in Mexico, in general, Queretaro doesn't seem to have that problem. Still, be very careful as this is one of the primary places where pickpockets operate.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
Pickpocketing and bag snatching is a somewhat common issue in Queretaro, especially in public and crowded places like bus and train stations and airports. Keep your belongings by your side at all times and try to leave all your valuables in a security deposit box of your hotel.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Queretaro isn't prone to suffer from natural disasters except for occasional earthquakes happening in the near vicinity of the city.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
Muggings and kidnappings are not typical for this area since this is a very peaceful city when it comes to violent crimes. Still, avoid poorly lit and abandoned areas.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
There haven't been any terrorist attacks in Queretaro's recent history, but they shouldn't be ruled out. Remain vigilant at all times and aware of your surroundings.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
You should be very vigilant, decline all drinks sent by strangers, double-check all information and negotiate everything in advance. Be wary of people trying to distract you as it may be a scheme to try and steal from you.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Many women have traveled safely to Queretaro, without having any problems, and it's the norm here. Still, avoid parts of cities that are filled with bars and clubs, and visiting them alone, since there is a higher chance of running into intoxicated people.
So... How Safe Is Queretaro City Really?
Queretaro City is, overall, a safe place to be in and to visit: in fact, its residents claim that the quality of living in Queretaro is exceptionally high.
Queretaro certainly has a lower crime rate than most medium-large American cities.
Queretaro is considered one of the safest cities in Mexico.
Due to this, and to its buoyant industrial economy, it leads the country in internal migration statistics (people who migrate from other parts of Mexico).
Many of them are fleeing from the violence that is observed in other parts of the country.
While crime does happen, as it does everywhere in the world, your odds of being safe are very good if you stay in the tourist areas, keep a low profile and avoid lonely places – basically, just use good old common sense!
For the most part, crime in the city is isolated and limited to certain hot spots.
It would be best to avoid the areas around the boroughs of San José el Alto, Santa Rosa Járegui, Casa Blanca and Menchaca (where you probably have nothing to do anyway).
Downtown is beautiful and completely safe, the rural areas are great for a visit as well as the ancient ruins and the malls are safe, too.
How Does Queretaro City Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Queretaro City |
63 |
| Morelia |
46 |
| Cozumel |
85 |
| Nogales |
50 |
| Culiacan |
55 |
| Guadalajara |
62 |
| Ixtapa |
68 |
 Sault Ste. Marie | 82 |
| Fair Haven | 75 |
| Sturgis | 80 |
| Laconia | 74 |
| Daytona Beach | 83 |
| Frontenac | 72 |
Useful Information
Visas
Legally entering Queretaro (and Mexico, in general) is fairly easy: all nationals receive a traveler's permit upon entering Mexico, and it costs 15 USD, while there are still some countries do need to acquire a visa. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Mexican embassy for further details.
Currency
The Mexican peso is the official currency in Queretaro. ATMs are widespread throughout the country, and while credit cards are accepted in most top-end hotels, restaurants and stores, Mexico is considered largely a cash economy.
Weather
In Santiago de Queretaro, the wet season is overcast, the dry season is partly cloudy, and it is warm year-round. There is not much rainfall in the city throughout the year.
Airports
Querétaro Intercontinental Airport is an international airport located in the municipalities of Colón and El Marqués, in the city of Querétaro. It's one of the fastest-growing airports in the country.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Queretaro, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Queretaro City Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
22 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
| Low °C |
6 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 7 |
| High °F |
72 | 75 | 81 | 84 | 86 | 84 | 81 | 81 | 79 | 77 | 75 | 73 |
| Low °F |
43 | 45 | 48 | 54 | 55 | 57 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 52 | 46 | 45 |
We were there 2 years back, it is a very safe and expensive city. Rich folks live here and you will see expensive homes and cars. There is an airline related economy here, mostly businesses that supply to airlines hence the money flowing in. Very nice, safe as far as we experienced.
Very safe city, especially downtown. Been coming here for 20 years and feel safer than many US cities.
A Delightful City
My wife and I were in Querétaro about five years ago for about four or five days. I have done a lot of traveling and have never seen a cleaner city. No litter anywhere! Impeccably maintained! Gracious people, beautiful architecture, lovely parks and excellent restaurants. Overall appears to be a very well managed, prosperous and livable city. Readily visible affluence. Easy, short trip from there to nearby San Miguel de Allende. We were genuinely impressed with the city of Querétaro and will definitely go back in the future.