The map of safe travel in Mexico is constantly changing.

For years, the standard advice for traveling in Mexico was to stick to the well-known tourist destinations, which were largely insulated from the country’s security problems. Recently, however, that sense of security has been fractured. A combination of shifting cartel dynamics and the rapid, often unchecked growth of tourism has led to a rise in crime and violence in several towns once considered safe havens.
As a result, in 2025, many savvy travelers and expats are sadly crossing these once-beloved destinations off their list, at least for now.