Expats And Tourists Take Note Of Hefty US Mexico Travel Warning

Tourists heading for Mexico as well as expats already resident might be alarmed by the inclusion in the latest US travel warning of what seems to be most of the country!

Mexico is an all-time favourite for US expats due to its climate, inexpensive cost of living and ease of travel to and from America. In addition, it’s now being discovered by retirees from Europe fleeing political confusion and ever-rising prices. Traditionally, several states have been infamous for drug wars and related violence, but the latest US travel warning seems to be taking matters to a new high.

The entire country is rated level 2 by the US Department of State, implying visitors and residents alike should take increased care due to growing concerns over crime. Five states out of the 33 have a level 4 rating, interpreted as ‘don’t go there’, with another eleven rated at 3, meaning ‘please go somewhere else’. Today’s warning states violent crime including kidnapping, homicide, robbery and carjacking is widespread, and is increasing in many areas.

Sinaloa, Guerrero, Colima, Tamaulipas and Michoacan are all no-go areas, according to the official warning, with potential visitors to Chihuahua, Estado de Mexico, Jalisco, Nayarit, Coahuila, Sonora, Durango, Morelos, San Luis Potosi, Zacatacas and Noeva Leon urged to choose another destination. That’s tough news for expat residents in Jalisco’s popular Puerto Vallata resorts and the retiree haven lakeside communities in Ajijic and Chapala.

Worse still, areas such as Yucatan and Campeche apparently have little or no emergency response teams or police presence outside the state capital, and Baja California Sur with its tourist hubs of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas has Mexico’s second-highest rates of homicide. The remainder of the states, although they’re only rated at level 2, also seem to be enduring increases in extremely anti-social behaviour, even although most is being blamed on gang wars. However, bystanders can and do get caught up in gang-related violence, often with fatal consequences. For visitors as well as aspiring expats, Mexico in general seems not to be such a great idea.