As you probably know, Mexico is a southern border country of the United States.
The Pacific Ocean lies to the west, and Guatemala to the south.
The current population of the country is about 129,830,000.
Mexico as a whole tends to get a bad rap.
However, for millions of us that have visited, we can attest that it’s not exactly what it’s made out to be.
From the beautiful resort areas of Cancun and Playa Grande to the amazing historical landmarks like the Tulon Ruins and the ancient Aztec Templo Mayor, Mexico has a lot of awesome qualities.
However, like every other country, Mexico does have a dark side.
Due largely to the drug cartels and organized crime (which includes human trafficking).
In 2021, there were over 43,900 murders and 625 kidnappings in the country.
Sadly, a recent Gallup poll revealed that only 48% of Mexican people feel safe at night in their neighborhoods.
Over the years, the United States has issued several warnings to Americans traveling to tourist destinations.
Just recently,(March of 2023), 4 American tourists were kidnapped, and 2 were found murdered.
Vacation seekers visiting Mexico are asked to use caution and common sense.
That being said, it’s probably a good idea to avoid the following 10 most dangerous cities in Mexico.
We’ve based our rankings on murder rate data, government advisories, and overall reports of crime by locals and visitors.
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10 Most Dangerous Cities In Mexico
10. Obregon, Mexico
With a population of 436,400, Obregon is known for its lush mountains and food culture.
But the natural beauty and delicious food are unfortunately overshadowed by crime.
The overall rate of crime is 93 per 100,000 and includes a high number of muggings, carjackings, robberies, and drug dealing.
A poll conducted on local residents found that only 22% of people felt safe walking around during the day.
9. Uruapan, Mexico
Uruapan is a large city with a population of just over 356,700 people.
Founded in 1533, this historic town is filled with beautiful architecture and several bodies of water.
People often visit just to see the cascading waterfalls.
However, tourists must also be on the lookout when coming to this bustling city.
The crime rate is 89 per 100,000 people.
There is a large amount of drug use and dealing that goes on within Uruapan.
This often leads to muggings, carjackings, and armed robberies.
Many of the businesses are also used by drug dealers as fronts, so even going to a bar or arcade can be dangerous.
8. Culiacan, Mexico
Once a low-level crime area, Culican crime rates have increased over the past 3 years.
The overall crime rate is 84 per 100,000 people.
The city has also become embroiled in cartel wars.
It was the site of a deadly turf battle that occurred after the arrest of Ovidio Guzman, son of the infamous organized crime leader, El Chapo.
The homicide rate in Culiacan is 61 per 100,000 people, making it an unstable place to live and visit.
7. Coatzacoalcos, Mexico
Coatzacoalcos is a major port city at the southern end of the Gulf Of Mexico.
Founded in the 1500s, it’s rich in history, from ancient architecture to cultural artifacts.
Sadly, it’s also got an overall crime rate of 92 per 100,000.
Though the murder rate is lower than in other places, there are very high rates of assaults, robberies, muggings, and drug dealing.
6. Irapuato, Mexico
Known for its strawberry fields, as well as corn and chickpea crops, Irapuato is also a dangerous place for residents and visitors alike.
Last year, there were 81 homicides per 100,000 people.
The violence the drug cartels wage on each other often spills over onto innocent people.
Several disturbing videos have surfaced showing mass shootings occurring in bars and clubs.
The US government recommends not traveling to Irapuato, because tourists are often the victims of assault, armed robbery, and kidnapping.
5. Cancun
Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cancun has been an iconic vacation destination for decades.
The city is divided into 2 specific areas, the downtown center and the hotel zone (resorts).
Though the resorts are, for the most part, well-patrolled and secure, recently, several incidents have made Cancun less attractive to visit.
While the murder rate is lower than in other areas, at 64 per 100,000 people, cartel-related crime has increased.
Crimes against tourists have been on the rise, including robbery, assaults, and scams.
The Mexican government instituted several regulations regarding Airbnb, bars, and nightclubs in an effort to keep tourists safe.
It is recommended that people stay within the resort areas.
4. Juarez, Mexico
The city of Juarez has a population of 1.5 million and is situated on The River Grande just south of the Texas border.
In fact, residents of El Paso can see Juarez from the other side of the river.
While Juarez is rich in history and culture, it’s also gotten a reputation as a staging area for drug smuggling, gun running, and human trafficking.
The murder rate in Juarez is 86 per 100,000 people.
If you must visit Juarez, it’s strongly recommended that you stay with a group, don’t wander into less populated areas, and don’t go out at night.
Also, be especially weary of taxis and pickpockets.
3. Victoria, Mexico
Victoria has a population of approximately 380,000.
The city is a major manufacturing hub, producing auto parts, clothing, and microchips to name a few.
The rural outskirts also produce citrus fruits, sugarcane, and corn.
For the most part, Victoria is full of hard-working people.
Unfortunately, it’s yet another Mexican city that is used by the drug cartels to move their products.
This leads to many shootouts between rival gangs, as well as the police.
This is the main reason it has a murder rate of 86 per 100,000 people.
Street gangs are also common in the city, which leads to robbery and assaults on innocent people.
2. Acapulco, Mexico
If you’re a person of a certain age, Acapulco may stir up thoughts of the Love Boat, as it was a usual port of call for the ship.
Once known as a vacation spot for the rich and famous, Acapulco now has the second-highest murder rate in Mexico.
With 111 homicides per every 100,000 people.
The main reason for this is the many poppy fields that exist in the rural areas of Guerrero (of which Acapulco is a part).
Presently, there are 20 drug cartels fighting over control of those fields so they can produce heroin.
The turf wars, drug trade, assaults, and kidnappings have become so common that the United States has banned all government officials from visiting Acapulco.
1. Tijuana, Mexico
Literally, at the border of San Diego, California, Tijuana sees many folks day-tripping to the city.
There are stark differences in the experience most tourists have as opposed to what it’s like for its 2,050,000 residents.
Once the Mexican wedding capital, it’s now the murder capital of the country, as well as one of the most dangerous cities in the world.
In December of 2022, Tijuana reached over 2,000 murders for the year.
That’s 138 per 100,000 people.
The city is overrun with cartels that manufacture, deal, and transport fentanyl.
Unfortunately, drugs breed violence and other crimes.
Common occurrences in Tijuana include robbery, drive-by-shootings, and kidnappings.
However, the majority of day tourists say they’ve never had a problem.
If you plan on visiting, it’s important to stay within the well-patrolled areas.
Also, don’t draw attention to yourself, beware of scams (hotels, taxis, tours, etc), and, for goodness sake, don’t make trouble for yourself.
This includes trying to buy anything that may be illegal.
5 Safety Tips For Traveling To Mexico
- Be careful when renting a car, hailing a taxi, or ordering an Uber. There are tons of scams surrounding transportation. Take the bus if you can. Mexico’s public transportation is great!
- Don’t travel outside of resort areas at night.
- Avoid protests. Not only can they turn violent, but it’s illegal for foreigners to take part in them. You don’t want to be caught up in the Mexican legal system.
- Avoid isolated areas. Stay with a group in well-populated and patrolled areas.
- Don’t draw attention to yourself. That means, don’t flash money, don’t overdress, wear a lot of jewelry, or look like you’re lost.
Mexico Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Mexico Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: HIGH
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to travel to Mexico?
The best time to visit Mexico is from December to April.
That’s the dry season.
What languages are spoken in Mexico?
Spanish is the official language of Mexico.
English is often spoken, especially in the resort area.
Is the water safe to drink?
Foreign travelers should avoid drinking tap water.
Bottled water is fine to drink.
It’s essential to be aware of safety concerns, and lists like these provide a valuable reminder of the challenges some cities face. Let’s hope for community efforts to improve safety.
These lists serve as a reminder that safety is a shared responsibility. Let’s hope for positive changes in these cities to create safer environments for everyone.