Think twice.
No major changes since yesterday.
Governments, one trip
What they're telling their own citizens about Mexico
The real score
The breakdown
See it from your perspective
Think twice.
The general Sketch Score, unweighted for any specific traveler.
Don't fall for it
Scams to know
Pickpocketing by beggars
In urban areas, beggars may surround tourists to pickpocket them. Giving two pesos can end the encounter, though it may attract others.
Distraction theft
Criminals work in teams in busy places like restaurants and bars. They spill something on a target to create a distraction for theft.
Fake taxi robberies
Criminal gangs have operated fake taxis to rob or kidnap riders. Use Uber or radio taxis called by hotels to avoid these.
Don't do this
Laws that jail tourists
Political demonstration participation
Mexican authorities do not approve of foreigners participating in demonstrations or voicing support for groups like the Zapatistas.
Possession of restricted items
Buying or carrying prescription medicines with abuse potential, pornography, or weapons can lead to police harassment or arrest.
Illegal drug laws
Mexican police are strict regarding illegal substances. Carrying them can lead to arrest and prosecution.
Confrontations with police
Disagreements with police can result in poor treatment and demands for payment to regain freedom. Respect and cooperation are advised.
Staying healthy
What to watch out for, health-wise
Active notices
- • Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico
- • Global Measles
Vaccines
Required: Yellow Fever
Recommended: Chikungunya, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Measles, Rabies, Typhoid
Source: CDC Travelers' Health →Getting in
What you'll need at the border
Foreign nationals wishing to enter Mexico must obtain a visa unless they are nationals of one of the visa-exempt countries or are eligible for the Electronic Authorization System. Visas are issued by the National Institute of Migration, dependent on the Secretariat of the Interior, with the stated goal of regulating and facilitating migratory flows into the country.
Source: Wikipedia →Real, not invented
Terrorism
Terrorist attacks in Mexico cannot be ruled out.
Source: UK FCDO →Real, not invented
Cultural & legal notes
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relations in Mexico are generally tolerated, rather than accepted. Civil unions between same-sex partners are legal in Mexico. People may frown on same-sex couples showing affection in public. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers .
Source: UK FCDO →Right now
In the news the last few days
Real talk
What travelers actually say
Travelers report feeling safe in major tourist areas of Mexico City and Oaxaca, noting that fears of crime are often exaggerated compared to the reality on the ground. Visitors emphasize that staying in established neighborhoods, avoiding known dangerous areas, and exercising basic caution prevents most issues. While some express concern regarding travel advisories for regions like Sinaloa, others with long-term experience in Mazatlan maintain that safety is manageable with smart behavior. Concerns about kidnapping or violence in resorts are frequently dismissed by those who have actually visited. The primary consensus is that Mexico is a viable destination if you stick to tourist zones and maintain situational awareness.
“As far as safety goes, I felt perfectly safe in the city (unlike in Bogota). Now maybe it was because I was in touristy areas doing touristy things, but I also got lost quite a bit and just wandered around. Not once did I feel threatened or as if I was in danger.
— r/travel
“My biggest concern was safety, and happy to report that I don't think I felt unsafe at any point during the trip. Granted, I did stay in and visited touristy areas, but even when we ventured out into less-visited neighbourhoods, it never felt too sketchy or dangerous.
— r/travel
“Then we have another family member (who goes to Mazatlan every year for the last 10 years) saying that as long as you are smart about it, it's safe, and will be safe for a same sex couple/family.
— r/travel
Pack this, know this
The little things that trip people up
Plug & voltage
A / B · 120V
Driving side
right
Emergency
police: 911 / ambulance: 911 / fire: 911
Tipping
Tipping in Mexico is similar to the United States. It is usually from 10 to 15%. Meals have a 10% to 15% tip (this includes fast food deliveries). This tip is usually left by most people in restaurants, although it is not so common in street restaurants or stands, where the tenders usually have a can or box where people deposit coins.
Cash vs. Card
The currency of Mexico is the peso, denoted in Mexico as "$" (ISO code MXN) and in Wikivoyage as "M$". It is divided into 100 centavos. Prices in US dollars (in tourist areas) are labeled "US$" or sport an S with a double stroke. Coins are issued in denominations of 5, 10 (steel), 20, and 50 centavos (brass; new 50-centavo coins issued from 2011 onwards are steel and smaller in size) and 1, 2, 5 (
Zoom in
10 Mexico cities on SKETCH.WORLD
Real, resident-submitted Numbeo crime data at the city level — the same national picture above, with crime swapped for what people who actually live there report.
Show the receipts (8 sources)
- us-state — observed 2026-09-09
- uk-fcdo — observed 2026-09-09
- ca-gac — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-political — observed 2026-09-09
- worldbank-policeTrust — observed 2026-09-09
- cdc-health — observed 2026-09-09
- reddit — observed 2026-09-09
- lgbtq-legal-wikipedia — observed 2026-09-09