How safe is Mexico? I’ll see your question and raise you one: How safe is your country?
When I first came to Mexico over 20 years ago, people would often ask me things like “Are you sure it’s safe there?” The implication, of course, was that it wasn’t, and that I was a dummy for moving here.
Nowadays, it doesn’t come up nearly as much. While there’s been quite a bit of violence in Mexico since then, most of it has not been unleashed on tourists. Meanwhile, in my home country, the United States, mass shootings have become horrifyingly common. “Are you scared, going back there?” is now a question I get from Mexicans.
And the answer, I’m sad to say, is yes. You can avoid known narco-infested communities. Avoiding mentally anguished people with easy access to weapons is another story.
Say what you will about Mexico’s security issues. There are plenty of bad guys with guns, it’s true, but they’re worker bees with an agenda. Average citizens looking to hurt members of the general public are mostly absent.
And yet.
The right questions
The better question, in fact, is a different one: What is safe to do in Mexico, and what is not?
With that second, better question in mind, let’s dive in!
What’s not safe
Most of the items below, if you ask me, should be obvious. Still, there are plenty of people who seem to think they have some kind of magic shield. But remember, my friends: vacation does not protect you from harm.
So beware of the following activities:
Trying to buy illegal drugs
This should be a given, right? First, trying to procure drugs will likely put you into contact with certain kinds of people whose radar you do not want to be on. Trust me.
Then there’s the risk of getting caught. Think the police around here will be happy to let you go? True, it’s possible you could buy them off with a bribe, but why take the risk? I don’t know you personally, but I do know that prison in Mexico ain’t the place for you.
Driving on routes known to be patrolled by narcos
Look, it’s not easy to bring your car here anyway, okay? Unless you’re hopping right over the border, come by plane. Use the country’s excellent bus and taxi system while you get your bearings. Once you’re settled in, you can buy a car if you want to.
The main point is this: your status as a foreigner will not protect you. If you get off with “only” a bribe (which would likely be extra high for you), consider yourself lucky.
Taking part in political protests
There are quite a few activist types that come to Mexico. I get it! I’m one of them.
But there’s something you need to remember. Political “meddling” — that’s the actual wording — by foreigners is prohibited by the Constitution. That includes political protests, so be smart and sit out. There are enough Mexicans to fight for whatever cause you find dear, I promise.
Accepting blame for an accident right away
Many of us hail from countries where, if something happens, there’s a reasonable expectation of fairness and justice.
Not so in Mexico. In fact, you might notice that legal fees are covered by most vehicle insurance policies here.
When there’s a car accident here, your insurance agency should be the first number you dial. Don’t be surprised if the other party immediately calls various friends and family members to go. Strength — and intimidation — in numbers!
If you accept blame immediately, you are essentially accepting to pay for everything. Legal action is also a possibility, so zip it. Yes, make sure everyone is all right. But do not apologize to anyone; let the insurance adjuster be the one to determine what happened.
Trusting that anyone has your best interest at heart
This sounds cold, I know. And hey, most people are trustworthy. But there will always be people pushing to see how much they can get out of overly-trusting dummies.
So get deals in writing, and do not prepay for any service if you can help it. If materials need to be bought, for example, buy them yourself!
You are not street smart here. You are street-idiotic. That’s not to insult you, but to remind you to accept that in a foreign country you’ll be clueless a lot of the time.
Tips for staying safe
But not all is lost. Knowing that you are in a place where the system is not necessarily on your side, there are some precautions you can take.
Keep your home country embassy’s emergency number on your phone. Your embassy exists, at least in part, to support you. If you get stopped by a uniformed officer, tell them you need to inform your embassy of the situation. Asking for ID is normal; attempting to detain you without reason is not.
Technically, you should also be carrying around your passport and ID card. To be honest, this is not something I do, though I do have clear pictures of both stored on my phone.
But about the number: a friend of mine got out of a scary car accident situation with that call. I personally had bogus claims against me withdrawn when I said I’d need to seek counsel from my embassy. The embassy did not care at all, but the other person didn’t know that. Keep them around! The idea of a foreign embassy getting involved is usually enough of a deterrence if people’s intentions are not 100% pure.
If you’re at a resort or on a packaged tour, don’t stray. Stay with the group. Tourists — especially those who don’t speak Spanish — make for easy prey. Again, most people, like everywhere, are okay. But not speaking the language or understanding the culture makes it easier for the unscrupulous ones to find you.
Mexico isn’t necessarily a scarier place than others. But so many heavenly features can make you forget to keep your guard up. Be safe out there!
Sarah DeVries is a writer and translator based in Xalapa, Veracruz. She can be reached through her website, sarahedevries.substack.com.
This a good article to be read along Tamanna’s about being a kid again. Some of you may have heard a New Zealand tourist was killed this week in Newport Beach, California by 3 blacks. Newport Beach is one of the wealthiest parts of the US. I would argue race issues and safety are getting worse in the US.
Sadly white Americans over 50 taking 10 antidepressants daily are the ones spreading all this “Mexico is not safe narrative.” They have never embraced their child as Tamanna’s piece talks about. When it rains in Los Angeles 911 lines are jammed because people have a puddle in front of their house.
By three “blacks”? Would you have said, “by three whites” if they had been white?
So we should avoid routes known to be patrolled by narcos? Any advice on how to find out what routes those might be? I would be eager to avoid narco-controlled roads but I need to know which ones they are first.
Speak to local residents and avoid driving after sunset
Sarah. I always enjoy your articles but saying on a tour don’t stray is not what I consider fun. What about the many that go on their own to small beach places and towns to explore. That’s sort of straying so if that is unwise than what’s the fun of living in a country where you stay with a group. I travel this way and always have my radar out for suspicious characters or situations in the USA Canada and in other foreign countries I have travelled
It seems that you might be implying you have to even more aware in Mexico than up north.
Hombre, you are an experienced traveller and with your family name, I‘m assuming you speak some Spanish😉
However, as Sarah points out, those that don’t speak the local lingo (and are less streetsmart) are more vulnerable to getting ripped off, so are best advised to stick with their group or in familiar surroundings e.g. their tour group with their guide.
Staying safe is usually practiced anywhere you travel, common sense is the key. We’ve been living in Mexico for 15 years and have alway felt safe and traveled throughout the country, just make sure you open your eyes before doing something stupid.
Another great article from Sarah. I feel that Americans especially, need to use the common sense tips you mention. The sense of entitlement many US citizens carry causes them to “forget” that they should refrain from the way they behave at home. Instead of being loud, demanding, and argumentative drawing everyone’s attention, try to remember that you’re in a foreign Country – NOT at home. Mexico is not a social media site. Remaining anonymous is the best policy, especially if on vacation and not living in Mexico. As I acclimated, I did venture out from the tourist destinations and have made amazing friends and found wonderful shops, restaurants and locales. I need to improve my Spanish but that aside, I assume positive intent, treat everyone with respect, be myself (no loud jewelry, clothing, words, spending/tipping large, etc. that would cause others to see me as a target) and avoid stupid situations such as looking for a joint – regardless of the legal status of a person’s home State in the US. At the end of the day, we are not in Kansas anymore Toto. One’s US status means very little here except maybe to the service industry depending upon tips for a living. Mexico is an amazing Country and I feel much safer here than in the US. As you state, in MX you have to (mostly) insert yourself into a dangerous situation. In the US, simply going to a concert, school, work, etc. puts one in the path of gun shots and violence.
Thanks for another practical article.
Having lived in Lops Cabos for almost 12 years after moving from California (where we lived for 25 years), we feel much safer here than in the USA, even more so now. Crime is out of control there. One additional suggestion to stay safe….leave your jewelry and anything that suggests wealth, at home, or at least tone it down, even when going out socializing or dining. My wife loves her jewelry but rarely wears any when we go out. Bottom line….do not draw attention to yourself. Good article overall.
She loves her jewelry but doesn’t wear it out. Where does she wear it?
Good, sound and solid advice 👍
Particularly re how to react when confronted by uniformed officials or when involved in a car accident.
If you have to rent a car, check out the local situation e.g. Cancun is now known to a be trap for unsuspecting tourists who want to rent a vehicle. It’s also advisable to organise international insurance coverage for your rental before arriving in Mexico to avoid costly local insurance and hidden charges.
Good article. I’d add, be hyper aware when using 🏧 s & don’t let anyone near you when using one, even if you have to be rude.
Thank you!! I have entered the appropriate phone numbers in my phone. I could have used those numbers a month ago, but I feel better knowing this information and advising any uniformed police or federal agent that I will use it. Not all police are ethical and target foreigners and items of interest. I hope I never experience that situation again in broad day light on a major highway from Morelia to Patzcuaro. The motorcycle cops (if you want to call them that) stopped us for no apparent reason except the trailer we were towing had a plastic cover to protect from rain. Once they discovered there was nothing under the plastic they wanted, and they discovered all our papers were in order, they insisted on a bribe. When asked for their ID’s they refused and when they threatened to take our trailer with contents, I put my foot down and went to the side of the rode to wave down help. This annoyed them and sent them on their way, but not without punching my fiancée upside his head. My fiancée wanted to retaliate, but I forcefully held him back as two against one and giving them any opportunity to arrest us was the last thing we wanted. We drove off completely angered, mentally anguished, and disappointed in Mexico’s Law enforcement, not to mention the amount of calming conversation I had to have with my Fiancée to take his mind off his anger and focus on the road ahead. The Police need to work on cleaning up their personnel. We should be able to trust the Police, not run from them! I’m sure this is a rare occurrence, but one that should NEVER HAPPEN from POLICE!
The run in with the police is not unusual especially if you look like you are traveling. We have often traveled to shop for a store and typically get shook down my local police for a bribe which we have set aside and planned for on each adventure. We have been stopped at road blocks set up by cartel dressed as cops which is particularly alarming because they have real guns in addition to their fake badges. We also do rentals and tell all of our renters that nothing good happens after 11pm and never be caught alone any time of day especially after dark and never be publically intoxicated and alone. If you don’t have money the police will drive you to an ATM and gladly wait while you empty out your account
An important additional suggestion in the Do Not Stick Out department – grey-haired folks, particularly ladies, can be a target for Mexicans out for some easy money by means of kidnapping, the consequences of which are traumatic and sometimes fatal. 99% of Mexican senior ladies – and also many gentlemen – dye their hair black or dark brown. A gringa/gringo is considered rich by locals, and therefore a grey haired foreigner is a tempting target for unscrupulous individuals. Kidnapping is not a new phenomenon in Mexico – it pre-dates the cartels and their influence. In recent years, prominent Mexicans have been choosing to get ID chips implanted so they can be easily located if they are kidnapped. Very serious, indeed. Moral of story: Brunettes blend in better. A very pertinent tip for those of us now with grey hair.
Well-this does not sound like a safe place. Dyeing one’s hair to stay safe is ridiculous.
I always travel as if I were a fugitive. Nothing that draws attention. Nothing visible that says wealth.
I have enjoyed reading this publication for quite awhile. We travel to Mexico often and I like to keep updated on the news there. However-I am really tired of the USA bashing on here and I will not be renewing my subscription, which I realize is very inexpensive. Perhaps the editor will have to go back to closing the forum. Which is too bad. Thank you 😊