North America · Capital Mexico City
Each opens that government's own advisory for Mexico — the authoritative version, updated far faster than this page.
Mexico is the clearest example of why a single national score misleads. Yucatán state has a homicide rate comparable to parts of Europe; Colima's is among the highest in the world. Most of the country's violence is between criminal organisations and is geographically concentrated.
Tourists are rarely targeted deliberately, but they are affected by robbery, highway crime after dark, and — increasingly — adulterated alcohol and counterfeit medication.
Each region is coloured by the advice that applies to most of it, drawn by hand from the wording of all five government advisories. Numbered markers flag localised warnings — usually a border strip or remote interior — that cover only a small part of an otherwise lower-risk region.
This map reads stronger than the world map's colour, and both are right. The world map shades Mexico by its Atlas Risk Score — 50, Moderate — which blends government advice with crime, health, roads and natural hazards. This map shows the advice alone, and the strongest level anywhere in Mexico is “essential travel only”.
Overseas territories, shown separately so the main map stays readable
A numbered marker warns about the small area described in its note — the rest of that region carries the base advice. Mapped by hand from the official wording in July 2026; always check the current advisory before you book.
Each pillar is scored 0–100 against every other country. Longer bar = more risk.
Biggest factor here: conflict & terrorism. Armed conflict, political violence and terrorism exposure.
The things worth knowing before you land.
Average daytime high and nightly low for Mexico City, over 2010-2019. Bars are rainfall; the colour band is how hot the days get.
Mildest and driest around Almost all year.
Patterns reported repeatedly by travellers and local police. None of this is about individual businesses — it's about set-ups you can learn to spot in seconds.
Standalone ATMs in convenience stores and clubs carry skimmers, and a helpful stranger may shoulder-surf your PIN or swap your card during a staged difficulty.
How to avoid it: Use ATMs inside bank branches during opening hours. Cover the keypad. Decline the machine's own currency-conversion offer.
Sources US State Department Mexico information r/mexico ATM scam threads
A 'welcome desk' at the airport or hotel offers free tours or transfers in exchange for a short presentation, which becomes a multi-hour high-pressure sale with contracts that are difficult to cancel.
How to avoid it: Skip the welcome desk. Book transfers in advance. Mexican law gives a five-day cancellation right on timeshare contracts — in writing, and keep proof.
Sources PROFECO consumer protection
An officer stops you for an invented infraction and asks for an immediate cash payment to avoid paperwork or a trip to the station.
How to avoid it: Ask for the officer's name and badge number and for the ticket to be written so you can pay at the station. Mexico City has a tourist assistance line and dedicated tourist police.
Sources Mexico City tourist assistance
A very low online rate becomes several times the price at the counter because Mexican third-party liability insurance is mandatory and not included, and credit-card cover does not satisfy it.
How to avoid it: Assume the real price includes compulsory liability cover. Get the full quote in writing before you fly and photograph the car thoroughly at pickup.
Sources PROFECO guidance on car rental
Specific places that come up again and again — either in government advisories or in traveller reports. Everywhere else in Mexico is not automatically fine, but these are the areas worth a plan.
US Level 4 'do not travel' states. Includes Acapulco, in Guerrero, which is no longer a routine tourist destination.
Carjacking and illegal roadblocks are far more common at night. Toll roads by day are the standard precaution.
Shootings tied to drug-market disputes have occurred in and around beach clubs, with bystanders hurt.
Roma, Condesa, Polanco and the Centro Histórico are the normal visitor areas and are comparatively safe by day.
The US State Department issues a separate level for each Mexican state, which is far more useful than the national figure. Some states carry Level 4 'do not travel' while neighbouring ones sit at Level 2. Check the specific state you are going to, not the country.
The practical rules that follow from it: travel between cities by day, use toll roads (cuotas) rather than free roads (libres), and use ride-hailing apps or hotel-booked cars rather than street taxis.
Adulterated spirits have caused deaths and serious illness at resorts, and pharmacies in tourist areas have been found selling counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. Buy medication from established pharmacy chains, and treat unbranded spirits with suspicion.
Vaccinations, malaria and outbreaks. This atlas does not give medical advice — it is personal, it changes, and it is the one thing worth getting from a doctor. Both national services publish current advice for Mexico:
Check the official advisory before you book. This page reflects data as of August 2026. Advisories change without warning, and only your own government's advice affects your travel insurance.