17 Safest Places to Visit in Mexico in 2024

Want to explore Mexico, but looking for the safest places to visit? You’re in the right place.

I spent time living Mexico City, which wouldn’t win any awards for safety. (There are areas within the city that are very safe, but generally the crime rate for Mexcio City as a whole is very up and down.)

Generally speaking, the safest places to visit in Mexico are in the very south or southeast corners of the country:

• Yucatan state
• Campeche state (which is right beside the Yucatan.)

These are the only two Mexican states that the US government says you can take “normal” precautions in, currently. This crime map of Mexico will show you that there is very little reported crime in these states.

However, I had the opportunity to take many day, weekend and extended trips to areas all around the country (outside of the Yucatan and Campeche) to the safest, most culturally rich places:

• San Cristobal de Las Casas
• Puebla
• Morelia
• Guanajuato City
• Oaxaca city, and more.

Generally, these Mexican cities are safe; it is the open areas surrounding the cities that you need to be more cautious in. (And it varies by location.)

I’m going to share with you the safest places, and what you need to keep in mind about each one.

Using my own knowledge and familiarity with Mexico, coupled with the current events and statistics and government recommendations, I have formulated this list of the current safest places in Mexico to visit or live, along with what exceptions there are (if any.)

These are places that are statistically safe enough for solo female travellers, as well as families with kids.

So, let’s jump in!

Safest Places to Visit in Mexico in 2024

1. Playa del Carmen, the largest city on the Mayan Riviera

Population: 281,000
State: Yucatan

If you want to visit the state of Yucatan (which is the most popular place for tourists) and stay somewhere very safe along the coastline, then Playa del Carmen is a great option.

It’s a large beach town about an hour south of Cancun. Great for families, a babymoon, or solo travellers.

Anywhere along the Mayan Riviera is considered safe (the towns of Tulum, Puerto Aventuras and Akumal.) I’m going to be mentioning these towns separately, as they all have their unique qualities.

Playa del Carmen has the large Quinta Avenida pedestrian thoroughfare which is great for walking, and its beautiful beaches. You can also visit the Cenote Chaeek Tun which is a 5-minute drive from the town.

How to Get to Playa del Carmen

• The closest international airport to Playa del Carmen is the Cancun International Airport, about 55 km (34 miles) away. It’s about a 45-minute drive, which you can do via bus, private shuttle, or cab.

Where to Stay in or near Playa del Carmen

• Paradisus Playa del Carmen is an all-inclusive on the beach in Playa del Carmen, popular with couples and families. It serves a good breakfast, has a waterpark for kids, and spa treatments for adults

2. Merida, the capital of Yucatan

Population: 1.2 million
State: Yucatan

The city of Merida (west of Cancun and the Chichen Itza) has made headlines recently for being one of the safest places in Mexico. And it’s true – for a city of over a million, Merida has an exceptionally low crime rate.

The state of Yucatan has a slightly different background from the rest of Mexico and is more connected to its cultural roots than other areas of Mexico. So, most places in the Yucatan are very safe – Merida especially.

The rates of crime are low or very low in Merida, which is rare for any place. Even cities of similar size in North America don’t have the kind of safety track record that Merida does.

Merida is a good 30-40 minute drive from the coastline, but because of this I find the accommodations so much more affordable in Merida. You can visit beaches via a bus terminal in the city, uber or cab ride (which will cost about $15 USD each way.)

How to Get to Merida

• Fly into Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport, from there Merida is a 30-minute taxi or shuttle ride

Where to Stay in Merida

• The Diplomat Boutique Hotel is very central to the old town, has a swimming pool and serves a gourmet breakfast

3. Oaxaca City, capital of the Oaxaca state

Population: 747,000
State: Oaxaca

Oaxaca is an inland city in south central Mexico, famous for its artisan cheese, and beautiful colonial architecture. Definitely one of the best cities to visit in Mexico.

When I first visited Oaxaca, it was pretty unknown, but there’s been a huge uptick in its popularity over the past few years. If you’re looking to be near the beach, Oaxaca City may not be for you. It’s better for history, architecture and foodie enthusiasts.

It was one of the most interesting places I visited in Mexico, and is great for walking around, and discovering its food and culture. About a 20-minute cab ride from Oaxaca city, you can visit Monte Albán which dates back to the sixth century BCE, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pro Tip: The US government recommends exercising “increased caution” in the state of Oaxaca. Personally, I felt safer in Oaxaca than many other places in Mexico. Statistically, Oaxaca has very low crime rate

How to Get to Oaxaca

• There is Oaxaca International Airport which you can fly into to direct from Los Angeles. The other option is to fly into the Mexico City airport and get either a connecting flight or a bus to Oaxaca.

Where to Stay in Oaxaca City

• Hotel Hacienda Los Laureles has lush green space, outdoor swimming pool, unique rooms, just in the outskirts of downtown (5 km or 3 miles.)

4. Cholula, a town near Puebla

Population: 87,000
State: Puebla

Cholula is a colonial city located less than 2 hours from Mexico City by car, and only about 20 minutes from Puebla. (So the two can and should definitely be visited together.) It was chosen and labelled as one of the many “pueblos magicos” in Mexico, which is a town that really shows the culture and identity of Mexico.

The most distinctive thing about it Cholula the yellow church located atop a hill, which you can see from many places in the city.

You can also visit the Zona Arqueológica de Cholula (also known as the pyramid of Cholula) which dates back to over 2,000 years, as well as street markets.

How to Get to Cholula

• If you’re visiting Puebla, then you can Cholula by Uber, and it will be a 20-30 minute drive

Where to Stay in Cholula

• It makes more sense to stay in the city of Puebla rather than Cholula, as Cholula is small and you can see it all in a day. but if you prefer to stay in Cholula, then Hotel Tila is very close to the city centre, has a swimming pool and modern decor

5. San Cristobal de las Casas

Population: 215,000
State: Chiapas

San Cristobal de las Casas was the most memorable place I ever visited in Mexico. It’s a small city, very colourful, inhabited by both Mexicans and indigenous people of Mexico.

Chiapas is the poorest state in Mexico, which means things tend to run cheaper. While San Cristobal de las Casas is generally a very safe city, it has suffered from some drug crimes in recent years.

I had an amazing time in San Cristobal; it’s one of the places that comes to my mind first when I think of how underrated and beautiful Mexico is. I was visiting there with a female friend, and neither of us had any issues. We took day trips to Agua Azul, Palenque and Sumidero Canyon.

We also visited San Juan Chamula and did an experience with the Tzotzil Mayan people who taught us about their culture.

San Cristobal de Las Casas is small in terms of Mexican cities, but there’s quite a bit to do outside of it. The US government recommends just using “increased caution” (but not cancelling your trip) due to drug crimes in the state of Chiapas.

How to Get to San Cristobal de las Casas

• Fly into Tuxtla Gutiérrez’s Ángel Albino Corzo International Airport (TGZ). From there, it is a 1-hour taxi ride to San Cristobal (and the scenery in between is very scenic.)

Where to Stay in San Cristobal de las Casas

• I recommend staying somewhere right in the city centre. Taller de Juan – Casa Hotel has a warm, rustic and unique touch as well as a restaurant on site and a spa. Plus, it offers an airport shuttle

6. Puebla, capital city of Puebla state

Population: 3.3 million
State: Puebla

Puebla is a colonial city located about a 2.5-hour drive from Mexico City. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and a very common as a day trip from Mexico City. There’s also the nearby town of Cholula worth visiting as well.

I could not stop taking photos of all the unique churches in Puebla. We walked all around the city which is very walkable and safe, and spent time in the Zocola (which is the main square.)

I felt very safe in Puebla; had no issues at all. The most common crime in Puebla (by far) is petty theft and robbery – so take precautions to keep valuables secured, and passports locked up/hidden away.

How to Get to Puebla

• From international, fly into the Benito Juárez airport in Mexico City. From there, you’ll need to take a bus to Puebla which is about a 2.5-hour drive. Busses run about every 30 min between Mexico City and Puebla (opt for first class for a comfier trip, its only about $20 one way.)

Where to Stay in Puebla

• Look for somewhere in the Centro Storico, so that you’re within walking distance of the downtown core. Casona de los Sapos Hotel Boutique is nice for a special vacation – swimming pool, breakfast, and luxury amenities

7. Cabo San Lucas, capital of Baja California Sur

Population: 101,000
State: Baja California Sur

Baja California Sur is a peninsula in west Mexico, famous for its Pacific coastline, sandy beaches, and unique rock formations. It also has the prettiest beach in Mexico, according to Travel and Leisure – Playa del Amor (Lover’s Beach.)

It’s become very popular for tourists over the last 15 years. It’s also one of the least populated states in all of Mexico.

Having said that, if you venture to this peninsula, be sure to stay somewhere in Baja California Sur (in the southern tip) and not Baja California, which is north of there. (The US government recommends reconsidering travelling to anywhere in Baja California Norte, which is often just called Baja California.)

You likely wouldn’t travel to the north side anyway, as the international airport is in the south, and that is where all the visitor amenities are.

There was recently an article published by the Daily Express sharing some alarming statistics for crime in the Los Cabos (Los Cabos refers to the area in between Cabo San Lucas and its twin city San José del Cabo – they’re about 30 minutes apart from each other.)

However, given this information, if you want to be extra cautious, then you can avoid the area in between the two cities. Stay in the city of Cabo San Lucas, or on the coastline north of San Jose del Cabo, towards the city of La Paz.

How to Get to Cabo San Lucas

• Fly into San Jose del Cabo International Airport (SJD), from there Cabo San Lucas is a 30-minute cab ride or shuttle

Where to Stay in Cabo San Lucas

• There are a number of resorts right on the beach in Cabo San Lucas; one of them is The Cape, A Thompson Hotel By Hyatt. It has an oceanfront view and offers an Airport Shuttle so you don’t have to worry about how to get there

8. Tulum, a town in the Maya Riviera

Population: 26,000
State: Yucatan

Tulum is becoming a favourite for people wanting to explore Mexico. It’s a town near the coast on the Mayan Riveria; close to beaches, cenotes, Mayan ruins, and lush rainforests.

Tulum was once off the beaten path, but its now become a lot more popular so you will see other tourists. One of my favourite travel influencers, the Enlightened Globetrekker lived in Tulum and made me initially want to go there too.

Some people say Tulum has been ‘ruined’ by tourism. The travel influencers got to it, and although its still quieter than Cancun, it definitely has a more ‘built up’ feel than it used to.

This is good and bad news. Crime has gone up 488% in Tulum in the years following the pandemic. Having said that, the crime isn’t aimed at tourists. And although the crime has gone up, there is very little crime in the Mayan Riviera or Yucatan in general – so you are statistically safe as a tourist in Tulum; as long as you take all the precautions.

How to Get to Tulum

• From internationally, fly into the Cancun International Airport. From there, Tulum is 120 km (74.5 miles). you can either take a connecting flight to the Tulum airport, or get a private driver to take you the distance

Where to Stay in Tulum

• You can either stay right in the town of Tulum or on the nearby coastline which is about 5 km (3 miles) away. If you want the coastline, then Papaya Playa Project offers a unique place to escape to. It also offers an Airport Shuttle

9. Puerto Escondido

Population: 45,900
State: Oaxaca

Puerto Escondido is a 3-hour drive south of Oaxaca, so it can be a day or weekend trip if you want to visit Oaxaca too.

Puerto Escondido is a surfer’s paradise; with huge waves. It has a less ‘high-end luxury vacation’ feel than Cancun and many areas of the Yucatan, which some may like. But its still very safe; one of the safest destinations in Mexico.

How to Get to Puerto Escondido

• Fly into the Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM). It’s not an international airport, so most people fly into the Mexico City airport from international and get a connecting flight from there, which takes

Where to Stay in Puerto Escondido

• Posada Real Puerto Escondido is one of the only ‘luxury’ resorts in the area – it has access to a private beach, and 2 swimming pools, and serves a buffet-style breakfast.

10. Guanajuato City

Population: 194,000
State: Guanajuato

Guanajuato is one of the most distinctive places I have seen in Mexico. It’s so colourful; from the top of the El Pipila Monument. it looks like splatters of rainbow.

Guanajuato is a great walking city, with a lot to look at – it’s no wonder it has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Guanajuato city is safe with very little crime – there’s actually currently a world schooling community that is based in Guanajuato city. It’s worth mentioning that while Guanajuato City is very safe, the state of Guanajuato is not currently recommended for travel.

So, if you travel here, it would be recommended to stick to the city (and to San Miguel de Allende which is nearby) but not venture into the countryside.

How to Get to Guanajuato City

• I took a bus from Mexico City to Guanajuato, which took 3 hours. If you’re coming from international, the closest international airport to Guanajuato city is Leon/Guanajuato (BJX) which is about a 30-minute cab or shuttle ride

Where to Stay in Guanajuato City

• Casa del Rector Hotel Boutique offers an airport shuttle. It has a pool, a great view, breakfast, and air conditioning. Plus, it’s a short walk to the Centro Historico (old town)

11. Mazatlán

Population: 485,000
State: Sinaloa

Mazatlan is a beach town in western Mexico, over 400 km (250 miles) north of Puerto Vallarta.

It has become more popular recently as a tourist destination; it has a Marriot, Dreams, and other high-end resorts right on the beach. Even though its less busy than Cancun, Mazatlan, along with Puerto Vallarta, are very popular with expats and retirees from North America and Europe, and English is used quite a bit.

The crime rate in Mazatlan is very low, and it shows that the city is safer than many other places in Mexico. You can see some graphs and statistics on its safety here.

Mazatlan is home to live banda which is live music and a part of the city’s culture going back over 100 years. Due to some recent complaints from tourists, the city has put some limitations on the live banda, but there have been some protests from musicians.

So, while not a security issue – it might be something to keep in mind about visiting. you can read about the live banda controversy here.

How to Get to Mazatlan

• General Rafael Buelna International Airport (MZT / MMMZ) is just a 30-minute drive from Mazatlan.

Where to stay in Mazatlan

• The Courtyard by Marriot is a good option as a place to stay in Mazatlan, because its right on the beach and very close to the town centre as well

12. Cozumel

Population: 102,000
State: Quinta Roo

Cozumel is an island off the coast of the Yucatan state in Mexico. It’s very popular to tourists and known for being very safe. It’s crime index is very low compared with other places in Mexico.

Cozumel is very popular for snorkeling and diving, jeep tours, and viewing Mayan ruins which date back to 800 AD.

Even though it’s an island, Cozumel is not completely immune to security issues; the residents of Cozumel have recently been demanding that more be done to combat a recent wave of crime according to this article.

How to Get to Cozumel

• You can fly to the island of Cozumel from an airport on mainland Mexico; the closest would be Cancun. There are also ferries that can take you from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel; it’s about a 45-minute ride. You can view the timetables here.

Where to stay in Cozumel

• Presidente InterContinental Cozumel Resort & Spa is right on the beach – it has tennis and snorkelling, restaurants on site, swimming pools and saunas. You can also rent a car and explore Cozumel

13. La Paz

Population: 1.9 million
State: Baja California Sur

La Paz is another city in the peninsula of Baja California Sur, about a 2-hour drive north of Cabo San Lucas.

It’s a very picturesque place with a lot of beauty, and outdoor activities. There’s sea-kayaking, visiting the beaches, swimming with whale sharks, snorkelling and diving, visiting sand dunes.

How to Get to La Paz

• You can fly to Marquez de Leon International Airport which is only a 20-minute drive from La Paz but you’d have to fly there from Mexico City or somewhere else domestic in Mexico. The other option is to fly into Los Cabos International Airport, which is a 2-2.5 hour drive

Where to Stay in La Paz

• Hotel Catedral La Paz has a large outdoor pool with a view, serves breakfast, offers car hire, and even has a rooftop bar

14. Puerto Vallarta

Population: 568,000
State: Jalisco

Puerto Vallarta is a large beach town on Mexico’s Pacific coast, over 400 km (250 miles) south of Mazatlan.

It has a similar feel to Mazatlan – a similar-sized population, and Pacific coastline sandy beaches. Puerto Vallarta has more dining options, and is bordered by mountains to the east, so there are more dramatic ocean views. It’s also a bit hotter, as its further south.

Another interesting fact about Puerto Vallarta is that it’s known for being the most LGBT-friendly city in Mexico. You can read about its gay friendliness and LGBT culture here.

How to Get to Puerto Vallarta

• You can fly directly to Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) from most cities in North America

Where to Stay in Puerto Vallarta

• The Paramar Beachfront Boutique Hotel is one of the few highly-rated places in Puerto Vallarta that isn’t adults-only. (Children are welcome.) If you’re looking for an adults-only vacation, there are quite a few options in Puerto Vallarta – I would recommend Casa Vellas

15. Morelia

Population: 1 million
State: Michoacán

Morelia’s city centre, like many of Mexico’s gorgeous colonial cities, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has over 200 colonial buildings of Spanish influence architecture.

It also has a beautiful cathedral and zoo aquarium. Be sure to walk down the Callejón del Romance, a narrow, stone alleyway with a fountain and blooming flowers.

Morelia also hosts the most important film festival in México every fall. Overall, it wasn’t my favourite place in Mexico, but it is beautiful and worth a visit if you’re travelling extensively in Mexico.

Safety in Morelia has been debated for the last few years. It has suffered an increase in crime, and it’s not a place that I would say is “extremely” safe. But if you exercise caution and stay only in the city, then you can travel there safely. According to the Canadian government, the state that Morelia is located in (Michoacán) should be avoided – but not Morelia itself.

How to Get to Morelia

• Morelia has its own international airport, called Aeropuerto Internacional General Francisco J. Mujica. You can either fly there (via connecting from Mexico City if you can’t find it direct.) Otherwise, it’s a 4 hour bus ride from Mexico City to Morelia

Where to Stay in Morelia

• Hotel de la Soledad offers an airport transfer, is a short walk to the city centre and has a restaurant serving traditional Mexican food on site

16. Taxco

Population: 51,000
State: Guerrero

Taxco is a small city south of Mexico City known as the world’s capital of silver. You can buy silver items, which make a great keepsake gift or souvenir from Mexico.

One thing I found very distinctive of Taxco was all the white buildings and orange rooftops. It was an unusual kind of beauty; almost reminding me of Santorini in Greece (except its not on the water.)

Sadly, one thing you have to keep in mind when it comes to safety in Mexico is that things can be unpredictable, and recommendations change quickly.

There was recently an attack against public transport drivers in Taxco which resulted in a US travel advisory that you can read about here.

At the time of writing, the state of Guerrero is not recommended for travel by the US government. Generally, the city Taxco is very safe, but not the state surrounding it. I experienced no issues there and neither did this traveller, or countless others who have written about it. Be sure to make the decision that you feel most comfortable with.

How to Get to Taxco

• Taxco, although lovely, isn’t the easiest place to get to and you’ll need to be prepared for a few extra steps. The closest major airport to Taxco is the Aeropuerto Internacional Benito Juárez in Mexico City. From there, you would take a bus (about 3 hours) which will bring you to the Costa Line Bus Terminal in Taxco.

Where to Stay in Taxco

• De Cantera Y Plata Hotel Boutique offers an airport shuttle, parking and great amenities – a swimming pool, great views of the city, and superb breakfast

17. San Miguel de Allende

Population: 79,000
State: Guanajuato

San Miguel de Allende is another beautiful city in the state of Guanajuato (about a 90-minute drive from Guanajuato city.)

It was actually named the “best city in the world” several years by Travel and Leisure, and while it still maintains a small-town charm, it is very touristy as well.

How to Get to San Miguel de Allende

• there are two airport options for getting to San Miguel de Allende. There’s Querétaro International Airport (an hour an 15 minute drive) and Guanajuato International Airport (1.5 hour drive.) The ladder tends to be more common with tourists, even though it’s slightly further

Where to Stay in San Miguel de Allende

• Live Aqua San Miguel de Allende offers a shuttle from the airport, great breakfast and rooms, plus a swimming pool

Conclusion: The Safest Places in Mexico

If you want to be extremely cautious travelling to Mexico, then the Yucatan peninsula is probably your best bet.

It is far away from the rest of Mexico, has a slightly different atmosphere, and receives the most annual tourists out of any of the other states.

That doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t happen in the Yucatan; it has and does. (And it also fluctuates, as you can see here.)

This also doesn’t mean that every place outside of the Yucatan is inherently dangerous. I spend almost an entire year in Mexico (without going to the Yucatan once) and I never truly felt unsafe.

I wasn’t once robbed, or pickpocketed, nor did I ever feel that anyone meant be any harm. I did experience though the ‘rule’ not to walk alone at night in the particular neighbourhood that I lived in, in Mexico City. I took the precautions that I was are of needing to take.

Pro Tip: Regardless of where you go in Mexico, exercise caution. Keep valuables locked in a safe at your accommodation, or well hidden. Avoid walking alone at night in non-touristy areas. Also, take advantage of accommodations that offer airport shuttles

Which Areas to Avoid in Mexico

Safety and travel in Mexico can sometimes be a controversial and complicated issue. The biggest fears that tourists have when travelling to Mexico are the threats of (drug-related) crimes, kidnapping, and theft.

As someone who lived and travelled extensively in Mexico, I ventured to quite a few places that wouldn’t be considered “very safe.”

While I believe that Mexico is generally safe, I also believe that if there’s an advisory telling you specifically to “not” travel somewhere, then you should air on the side of caution and choose somewhere that doesn’t have an advisory.

Places to Avoid in Mexico According to the US & Canadian governments

The US government categorizes different cities and states in Mexico, by whether you should:

• avoid or reconsider travelling altogether
• exercise increased caution when travelling there
• take ‘normal’ precautions

You can check out the updated list of how different places are categorized by the US Government travel advisories here.

The Canadian government has issued advisories about travelling to several states in Mexico; excluding certain cities within those states.

The advisories were listed for the states:

• Chiapas
• Guanajuato
• Jalisco
• Chihuahua
• and several others

Keep in mind, several of the cities within those states are still considered safe, and it’s the outskirts you need to avoid. You can read the Canadian travel advisory for places in Mexico here.

Safe Places to Visit in Mexico FAQ

Here are the most commonly asked questions about choosing destinations based on safety in Mexico

What is the safest province in Mexico?

There are safe areas in all of the states of Mexico. However, the state that contains the most statistically ‘safe’ cities is Yucatan. In Yucatan, there are a few different cities and beach towns with virtually no crime rate and are safe enough for families and solo female travellers.

What is the safest part of Mexico to travel to?

Generally, the safest part of Mexico to travel to is the Yucatan state. It receives x tourists per year, and has many cities and beach towns with virtually no crime rate.

Which Mexican city has the least crime?

The city of Morelia in Mexico is known for having the least crime of any of the Mexican cities.

Final Thoughts on Safest Places to Visit in Mexico

When I told my family that I was moving down to Mexico to study, they had a lot of reservations. Mexico doesn’t have the greatest reputation for safety, and my family had some (valid) concerns about me living there, as a solo female.

I believe that Mexico is a highly underrated country, but also a diverse one that you should use some caution in. The safest places to visit in Mexico tend to attract quite a few tourists, have rich culture, architecture and heritage, and are some of the most amazing places you’ll ever visit. I hope that this article has filled you in on some places to visit in Mexico that are of interest to you.

In all the countries I’ve been to in the world (over 30) Mexico is one of the most memorable, because of its vibrant culture, gorgeous architecture, its food and its people. While you shouldn’t let fears hold you back; you should also plan carefully ahead (especially how you’ll get from place to place) and use caution.