The State Department has explicitly stated there are no restrictions on travel to Tulum or to Chichen Itza, the magnificent archaeological site just an hour up the road. It's a real shame that such a beautiful place has no been outlawed, for the most part. The conflict also revolves around land. This state in northern Mexico is home to cities like Monterrey, Linares, Abasolo, Agualeguas and Montemorelos. A spate of incidents, including a kidnapping and the death of two Americans near the border, have prompted travel warnings from the U.S. government. Where to Stay: There are numerous places to stay in Puebla that wont break the bank. However, Oaxaca City has stepped up to the plate, consistently topping the list of favourite food cities by locals and foreigners alike. Safe or not, border cities aren't worth it. This local guide . Located on the lapping waters of the Sea of Cortez, La Paz sits within the popular Baja California Sur region. #1 has immigration. From its hotels to its cuisine to its beaches, PV screams sophistication. It is one of Mexicos oldest and most famous beach resorts, which used to be the getaway for 1950s Hollywood stars and millionaires. Travel to its seaside city, Manzanillo, is in fact still allowed, according the U.S. government. If only the place itself were as cute as the dog. You can also read about a little adventure I had during my crossing. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. With more news making headlines in recent days and weeks in the wake of Michoacns municipal elections, and no sign of the action slowing down anytime soon, you can bet your bottom peso, that travel to this west-central Mexican state is not only strictly prohibited by the U.S. State Department, but one you should certainly avoid traveling to these days. The barrage of possible activities make for a perfect romantic getaway. Like many of the best cities in Mexico, Oaxaca City is and quite rightfully so - a UNESCO World Heritage site, complete with cobblestone streets, beautiful brightly coloured buildings and remarkably well-preserved colonial architecture. After dark, travel restriction extend to west of Eje Juan Gabriel and south of Boulevard Zaragoza. Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook. . Despite local police efforts to shield tourists from seeing the worst of what is happening, with two club shootings in Playa del Carmen last year, the recent explosion on a ferry in the resort town this year, and a string of violence in Acapulco over the past several years, cartel-related crime seems to be crouching on tourist territory. 12. It's only like 3 hours and change to Saltillo from the border. The group was found Thursday morning in Sonoyta, a border town where there are many safe houses that coyotes usually use to cross . Where is she driving from? Which is exactly why it could be particularly dangerous and vulnerable to misplaced lack of caution. After all, its not a small village; Puebla is Mexicos fourth-largest city, with some of the countrys best examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Heres What You Need to Know. This place is picture-perfect how could we ever get bored with those views? Yet, this is not exactly the case. Safe for the northern tips overzealous waters, Campeche is a perfectly hassle-free Mexican marvel to travel to. And the State Department has warned tourists to steer clear of six states, including the state of Tamaulipas, where the recent kidnapping occurred and to exercise increased precautions in other popular destinations like Playa del Carmen, Cancn, Tulum and Mexico City. She will need to pay a very cheap fee in advance ($3 or $4USD, can't remember the exact amount) using a major credit card. Otherwise you get stuck on the libramiento; you for sure want the toll road. I am hoping to find explanation on the columbia crossing, I can't find info on it. Two Americans found dead after they were attacked and kidnapped near the border. With events unfolding as they are, Im going to venture a wild guess that prices are going at an all-time low. With dozens of untouched beaches and the emerald peaks of the Sierra Madre del Sur providing a lush background, its a huge shame that Michoacan as a state is brimming with unlawful activities. Browse all 3,814 Northern Mexico topics , Tourist Cards when Exiting Mexico at Monterrey. Read More FILE - Migrants who crossed the border from Mexico into the U.S. wait next to the U.S. border wall where U.S. Border Patrol agents stand guard, seen from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico . 5. Reynosa, Mexico is across the border and has lots of food and drink. A group of Americans crossed here before being kidnapped on Friday. Don't drive. Its hard to choose a favourite place in Mexico. These cookies do not store any personal information. Todos Santos is widely considered a haven awayfrom the cartel violence of its Northern counterpart state above, Baja California (safe for a few recent incidents said to be isolated). No matter where you go while traveling abroad, youll want to follow common-sense rules such as drinking only in moderation, getting a cab instead of wandering around after dark, and leaving your valuables at home. Theres a homemade Mexican-style breakfast every morning. But in the past many participants have continued on to the U.S . A spasm of violence at the end of 2021 and early 2022 rattled the tourist industry along the Riviera Maya, the 80-mile strip of Caribbean resorts south of Cancn. As far as safety goes, it's really not much of an issue at either crossing. The hotels/motels between Laredo and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Building on an already rich culinary history, its signature sandwich-like dish cemitas, its famous chili-chocolate flavoured mole poblano(where the national dish actually originates), and its so-local-its-exclusive-to-the-state raisin shot drink, thepasita, are only among some of the reasons visitors flock to this incredible city in droves year after year. The Matamoros incident shows how violence can flare up in places that have been quiet recently. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. It's a must-visit, especially for first-timers, despite thedevastating earthquake that hit the city late last year. Unfortunately, despite the countrys fascinating beauty and rich culture, not all of Mexico is a cheerful tapestry of cobblestoned streets and brightly coloured colonial buildings. Bridge #2 has customs/immigration. It's just a short hours drive away, makingtourists opt to stay far longer than the usual one-day outing made to the town. The only 2 crossings I'm familiar with are Laredo and Colombia, just to the north of Laredo. San Miguel de Allende oozes old Mexico charm from the cobblestone streets, colonial-era buildings, and the neo-Gothic steeples that are high above the skyline. The joint approach led to a lull in gangland gun battles in Quintana Roos tourist areas, and experts say that drug sales to meet foreign demand no longer take place on the street, although they are continuing more discreetly. But thats not all: Its also considered one of the top cities in the world. Even in states where crime is very high, tourist areas have generally been spared. El Paso, the site of the two rallies, has been considered one of the safest cities in the nation for the last 20 years, long before any border fencing was built. Its a great pity because some of Guerreros beach resorts are beautiful and offer so much to tourists. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65428530', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mexico city. But dont throw the mezcal out with the tequila just yet. 6. What might be news to you, however, is that, just this week, Mexican marines captured the head honcho of the regions drug cartel. For those linguistically challenged, English is widely spoken in the area, understandable given its proximity to the U.S. Payne-Camp has tried studying Spanish but is still at the basic level: the ability . However, therest of the state remains under the highest-level travel warning for potential danger. A stray bullet fired by cartel gunmen shooting at a Mexican military plane as it landed at the airport in the state capital, Culiacn, clipped an Aeromexico plane preparing to take off for Mexico City. Its no surprise, of course, that Tamaulipas is one of the five now-notorious states in states Mexico for which the U.S. State Department issued its highest warning Level 4: "Do Not Travel" - under its new guidelines. Couple things. Though located on the beautiful Pacific coast, Sinaloa is a state where nefarious organizations are known to be based and operating. This 80-mile stretch of coast runs along the Yucatn Peninsula from Cancn to Tulm. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-74777759', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car load of stuff. It is also bordered by the US state of Texas. Bordered by Coahuila and Tamaulipas, we can see why that would be the case. When were not sunbathing on one of its white sandy beaches, we can enjoy snorkelling and scuba diving. If you're trying to get to Mexico on the cheap, my border town friends recommend getting to Laredo, taking a bus to Monterrey ($20), and catching a cheap flight to anywhere else in Mexico from there. Youre a fish out of water.. A little bit of background. Visually, its not a bad place. In this blog post I share my thoughts on whether I think Mexico is currently safe for solo travel and share some tips for ensuring safety when traveling around Mexico. Regardless of its multiple plus points, were not going to mask Mexicos darker side. Home to the city of Guadalajara, the lakeside lucky-bummer expat community of Chapala, the infamous Puerto Vallarta resorts, and Ajijic, the state of Jalisco, as you would only imagine, has no U.S. travel restrictions. Local authorities, flush with tourism revenues, invested in the police, which is typically the weakest link in Mexican law enforcement. Mexico is a vast country, with heaps of beautiful and interesting places to see, and some 28 million Americans safely travel there each year. One of the most surprising parts of my research is how dangerous the Mexico side of the border is, but just a few feet into America, it's so much safer. It was considered one of theleast safecities in the world just a few short years ago. Would it be better and dagger to do the Lincoln bridge? Surrounded by lush jungle mangroves and, on its Southern side, a vast array of fascinating fossil formations, this beautiful piece of lagoon paradise is not only one of the safest places in Mexico, but one of the most affordable too. [29] Questions are being asked about the level of harm in the state. Its biggest culprit? This surf town in Baja California Sur features world-class waves and lots of natural beautyand its just far enough north of touristy Cabo San Lucas to offer respite from the crowds. Country Summary: Violent crime - such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery - is widespread and common in Mexico. Top 5 safest & top most dangerous Mexico/Texas border Re: Top 5 safest & top most dangerous Mexico/Texas border http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/bridgesys/Cameras/bridge4cam.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laredo%E2%80%93Colombia_Solidarity_International_Bridge, Get answers to your questions about Northern Mexico. When we visit exotic countries, most of us want to witness its traditional culture and cuisine. 2. Mexico still offers safe places to visit without the travel caution. Crime in U.S. border cities remains low even though sister cities in Mexico are among the most dangerous in North America because of cartel violence. . Another fun fact, although, Cholula was once the most important city in the Aztec Empire and one ofthe majorpilgrimage destinations in the central highlands, the city is now a hotbed oflucha libre. Personally, we would just keep our noses out of it and travel elsewhere. However, it is also important to stay wary of rural areas in Mexico. Queretaros streets are a wondrous mix of old and very old, as grid-like Spanish streets connect to the pre-Hispanic winding lanes from the time of the Otomi. Playa del Carmen is a beachy tourist destination so were not really going to get a taste of Mexicos culture, but we still can soak up its delightful scenery and amazing food. Though, of course, this is except for pretty much everywhere else in the state. Margaritas and enchiladas might be some of the best things to come out of Mexico, but theyre not the onlygreat things Mexico has to offer. One of the best is the Casona Maria Hotel Boutique, with its pretty courtyard and convenient location within walking distance of the historic center. I wrote this post the first time I crossed the Mexican border in 2017 during my solo trip . And its not surprising it boasts spectacular views. That's right, it is now home to masked wrestling. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. 74.81 / 100. Wish us luck! Residents of El Paso, Texas, are very safe living near the Mexican border. Located in the very heart of the country, amid its high desert mountains, and only five and a half hours from Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende is, as you would expect from any UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the safest places in Mexico be it day or night. Airports shuttered amid gang violence in Sinaloa. Nor did they even bother to check our cat's papers. And whether youre into art or not, youll no doubt be blown away, whether it's by the recently opened Soumaya Museum owned by the richest man in the world, Carlos Slim,orthe historic murals and public art peppered throughout the city by some of the countrys most famous artists, including the likes of Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiro. Coahuila is a strange beast. In Valladolid, you cant go wrong at the centrally located Hotel Posada San Juan. Its hard to believe that this is the same part of the world that is also the scene of the Great Monarch butterfly migration, when the most delicate creatures gather in the millions from all over the world into Michoacns very own forests. Its actually a real shame that Coahuila has become so limited to us because its natural sprawling beauty is spectacular and something all travellers deserve to see (like in the image below). The Lincoln Bridge, or bridge #1, has no customs or immigration,and the customs caseta @ KM 21 is longer. Another option is to use the toll road to Reynosa (it will cost her around $15USD) and cross to Texas using Anzalduas Bridge, using these last bridge she won't cross the Reynosa downtown area, this city has a bad reputation on security issues. The State Department says Americans should reconsider travel to Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica and El Salvador, popular . Head to Palancar Beach, Paradise Beach or Faro Celerain Eco Park for amazing views and spectacular diving. And even still, the safest area in Mrida is Paseo de Montejo. Life. With a seemingly endless barrage of headlines reporting some of the grisliest cartel violence in the country, its hard to think about traveling to Mexico without checking in with your own personal risk tolerance level, at least to some degree whether we like to admit it or not. The state of Quintana. Three airports in the state of Sinaloa, including the beach destination Mazatln, were closed on Jan. 5 amid gang violence after Mexican security forces arrested Ovidio Guzmn Lpez, a son of Joaqun Guzmn Loera, the crime lord known as El Chapo, who is serving a life sentence in the United States. The border bridge between Brownsville, Texas . For the time being, however, the state of Jaliscos Level 3 Travel Advisory focused mainly on the states Michoacn and Zacatecas borders and travel after dark, insisting that cartel violence does not target tourists or touristic areas, but can be present in other parts of these States so some caution is advised.. The new U.S. travel advisory system goes so far as placing Sinaloa on the same warning level as war-torn countries like Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia for its "greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.". Sonora, the state where Nogales is located, is considered one of the most dangerous places in Mexico. Nogales, a city. With the highest rate ofillegal activity in the country, Colima isnt somewhere wed want to spend our vacation. Located in Baja California, Algodones is just seven miles south of Yuma, Arizona, off Interstate 8. It is also known for being a spa town. A slight addition to #3's post, since TX toll roads have no casetas like in Mexico, they take pictures of your license plates if you don't have a TXtag and then send the bill to the address listed on your registration. Where to Stay: Posada La Poza has a fantastic oceanfront location at very reasonable rates. Violence in Sonora. And sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to receive expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. And in two popular destinations for foreign tourists Los Cabos, at the tip of the Baja California peninsula, and the Caribbean coast local and state officials have recently sought help from the United States to take on organized crime that threatened to drive off tourists. By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Take out Mexican Pesos before leaving Getting your hands on the local currency is pretty easy, and saves you the hassle and anxieties of figuring it all out after a long flight. Not only are some areas of Mexico indeed seeing the worst homicidefigures in decades, but the country recorded its most violent year on record last year, ultimately pointing to an alarming rise in cartel activity. An overwhelming majority of visitors enjoy a safe vacation in Mexico, and tourists are largely sheltered from the violence that grips local communities. Doesn't mean things work well, but usually safe enough. It's been made into not only one of the longest-running Mexican states plagued by cartel violence, which has claimed the lives of gangsters, police and civilians alike, but a long-forgotten travel destination already absent on the tourist radar.

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