Mexico

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Protests, demonstrations and strikes are common in Mexico. They have the potential to cause major traffic congestion and restrict movement around the affected areas. You should avoid all large public gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. Participation in demonstrations by foreigners is prohibited. Travellers should monitor the local media for developments and follow the advice of local authorities.

The city of Oaxaca has experienced periods of violent civil unrest and underlying tensions remain.

Armed rebel and civilian groups are present in the state of Chiapas, particularly in remote areas, including jungle areas near the Guatemalan border. If you travel to Chiapas, you should remain in well-frequented tourist areas and familiarise yourself with the local security situation.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico because of high levels of violent crime and drug-related violence. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

If you are the victim of a crime, particularly if you wish to proceed to criminal investigation, you should immediately report the crime to the police.

Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping, occurs in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations and beach resorts, and the risks increase after dark. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and bag snatching, is prevalent in popular tourist destinations, airports, hotels, bus stations and on the metro in Mexico City.

There have been reports of sexual assault, extortion and robbery being committed by individuals presenting themselves as police officers, sometimes driving automobiles resembling police vehicles.

Incidences of kidnapping are increasing and there have been allegations of complicity by police officers. You should be cautious and discreet about discussing your financial or business affairs.

'Express kidnappings', where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, continue to increase, particularly in urban areas. People travelling on the metro in Mexico City have been among those targeted. The use of ATMs located inside shopping malls during daylight hours may reduce the risk.

It is increasingly common for extortionists to call prospective victims by telephone, often posing as law enforcement or other officials, and demand payments in return for the release of an allegedly arrested family member. This is known as “virtual kidnapping”. Avoid divulging personal information to strangers over the phone and if you receive such calls you should contact local police.

For more information about kidnapping, see our Kidnapping Threat travel bulletin.

Incidents of drink and food 'spiking' have occurred in bars and restaurants. Do not leave your drinks unattended in bars or nightclubs and do not accept drinks from new acquaintances.

Thieves often work in cooperation with or pose as taxi drivers. Travellers have been robbed when using taxis hailed from the street. You should only use radio-despatched taxis or taxis based at designated stands (sitios), particularly in Mexico City. Use only official taxis from airports after pre-paying the fare inside the terminal building. Official taxi company booths are located in the arrivals hall at airport terminals.

There have been a number of incidents involving travellers changing money at Mexico City airport. Gangs are known to have arranged attacks on travellers at the airport after they have changed money. You should avoid changing money at the airport if possible or change only small amounts to avoid attracting attention.

Crime levels on inter-city buses and on highways are high, and the risks increase after dark. It is recommended travellers use first class buses and travel during daylight hours. There have been a number of reported robberies of tourists travelling by bus along the Pacific Highway, including from Acapulco to Ixtapa and Huatulco.

Using toll (cuota) roads may reduce the risk of crime when driving, but you should remain vigilant, particularly when travelling on toll roads in Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and border regions as tourists have been attacked on highways in these areas. Avoid driving at night outside of major cities, including on major highways. Incidents of violent car-jackings have increased significantly, particularly in northern border areas, but also along the Pacific coast. On occasions these attacks have been carried out by heavily armed gangs posing as police officers.

Visitors travelling in large camper vans or sports utility vehicles (SUVs), on roads in and out of the United States, have been targeted by organised crime groups.

Drug-related Violence: Since 2008, Mexico has experienced a dramatic increase in drug-related violence. Violent crimes related to the drug trade, including murders, kidnappings and carjackings, have become widespread. Shoot-outs, grenade attacks and car bombings have occurred in public places, and targeted attacks on military personnel, government officials and journalists have increased. Travellers may become victims of violence directed against others.

The Mexican government has deployed large numbers of military personnel and federal police in an effort to deal with the increasing levels of drug-related violence.

The areas most affected are the northern border states (Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas), the states along the Pacific coast (Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit and Sinaloa), the central region incorporating the states of Durango, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, and the state of Veracruz on the Gulf coast. Major cities along Mexico’s border with the United States, including Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez (see below), Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Nogales, Monterrey, Piedras Negras and Reynosa, have been particularly affected.

There has been a significant increase in drug-related violence in Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) since 2010. Shoot-outs at busy intersections and in restaurants have taken place. Drug cartels have erected roadblocks without warning. Gunfire has been heard throughout the city at irregular intervals and grenade attacks, car-jacking and kidnappings have occurred in Monterrey and the surrounding areas. Violent incidents continue to occur on a regular basis, including shootings in bars and public places. On 25 August 2011, gunmen attacked a casino in Monterrey, resulting in the deaths of at least 52 people.

Acapulco (Guerrero): We advise you to exercise particular caution in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero. We strongly advise you to travel only within well-frequented tourist areas and to be alert to any suspicious activity. The general level of violence in Acapulco (Guerrero) remains high. Incidents have included shoot-outs and murders in public places. On 4 February 2013, six female Spanish tourists were staying in a beach-front house in Barra Vieja, outside the main tourist area of Acapulco, when a group of intruders broke into the house, held the women at gunpoint and raped them. The Mexican authorities are currently investigating the crime and have increased security in the area.

Drug-related violence has increased in the state of Veracruz. In September 2011, 35 bodies were dumped on a highway in Veracruz near a tourist destination. Guadalajara has also experienced increased drug-related violence.

Increased levels of drug-related violence have been reported in Zacatecas, particularly in the remote north-western region of the state, where robberies, car-jackings and violent crime are occurring with increased frequency.

Other cities affected by drug-related violence include popular tourist destinations such as Zihuatenejo, Cuernavaca, Mazatlan and the area around the Copper Canyon. Violent attacks on public bars took place in Puerto Vallarta and Cancun in August 2010.

On 24 August 2012, two US Government employees were shot at while travelling south of Mexico City on a local road in the vicinity of Tres Marias, Morelos.

Travellers should be prepared for roadblocks and random vehicle checks by the police or military. Drug cartels also set up roadblocks on roads in the northern areas of Mexico to hinder military and police movement. Deaths have occurred when motorists have not stopped at the roadblocks.

If you travel to the areas mentioned above, we advise you to be aware of your surroundings, pay close attention to your personal security, avoid isolated locations, and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks. Evening activities should be restricted to well-known and well-frequented public establishments where access to safe transport is available.

Ciudad Juarez: We advise you to reconsider your need to travel to Ciudad Juarez (Chihuahua) due to the very high level of drug-related violence. The city has a drug-related murder rate many times higher than the national average. While not normally targeted, foreigners and tourists have been victims of the drug-related violence in the city. If you do decide to travel to Ciudad Juarez, you should exercise extreme care. Pay very close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media and other local sources of information about possible security and safety risks.

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work in Mexico. US dollars are widely accepted in holiday resort areas of Mexico. For security reasons, you should only use ATMs during daylight hours.

Make two photocopies of valuables such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home. Store your passport and other valuables in the hotel safe where possible and carry a copy of your passport for identification purposes.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

Australians may be issued with an Emergency Travel document if their passport is lost or stolen and will need to get a US transit visa should their return travel be via the United States. This process requires a minimum of 48-72 hours.

Please refer to our air travel page for information on air travel.

Our Dual Nationals brochure provides further information.

The hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides and flash flooding may occur, including in Mexico City. In the case of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials.

The direction and strength of hurricanes can change with little warning. You can check the latest hurricane information at the National Hurricane Center website.

In the event of an approaching hurricane, you should identify your local shelter. Flights in and out of affected areas could be delayed or suspended. Available flights may fill quickly. You should contact your airline for the latest flight information. The hurricane could also affect access to sea ports in the region. In some areas, adequate shelter from a severe hurricane may not be available to all who may choose to stay. You should familiarise yourself with your hotel or cruise ship evacuation plans. You should carry your travel documents at all times (i.e. passport, picture identification, etc.) or secure them in a safe, waterproof location. We also suggest that you contact friends and family in Australia with updates about your welfare and whereabouts. For further information, see our Severe Weather page.

Mexico experiences a number of tremors/earthquakes each year. Visitors should ensure they are aware of the safety exits in their hotel or accommodation.

All oceanic regions of the world can experience tsunamis, but in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, there is a more frequent occurrence of large, destructive tsunamis because of the many large earthquakes along major tectonic plate boundaries and ocean trenches. See the Tsunami Awareness brochure.

There are several active volcanoes, including the Popocatepetl and Colima volcanoes. The Popocatepetl volcano currently has a Yellow (phase two) alert following significant recent activity. Information on volcanic activity can be obtained from the Humanitarian Early Warning Service.

If a natural disaster occurs, you should monitor the media and follow the advice of local authorities.

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling with Children brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.