Should I Still Travel To Mexico? Security Expert Weighs In On Updated Terrorism Risks

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• The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Mexico due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping risks.
• Security experts say the risk level remains largely unchanged and most visits are trouble-free with precautions.
• Recommended safety measures include using pre-arranged transportation, staying aware of surroundings, and avoiding displays of wealth.

The U.S. State Department warned Americans traveling to Mexico about terrorism risks earlier this week, leaving some to wonder whether they should continue or cancel their trips.

The agency updated its travel advisory on Aug. 12 for the beloved Caribbean destination to Level 2, meaning travelers should "exercise increased caution," due to violent crimes such as terrorism, crime and kidnapping. In some areas of the country, U.S. government assistance and emergency services are limited in reaching anyone who might need help.

"Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery," the updated summary states. "There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico."

The news may be unsettling for many Americans, given Mexico's popularity, specifically regions like Cancún, Tulúm, Cabo, Mexico City and more. In 2022, 33.5 million Americans traveled to Mexico, making it the most popular international destination that year.

However, travelers don't need to cancel their trips just yet. According to security expert Mike Ballard, although the travel advisory was updated, the safety landscape in Mexico remains mostly the same as it has been and travelers can still enjoy their visits as long as they keep some precautions in mind.

"Ninety-nine percent of (our clients') visits have no issue, and it's probably a similar percentage for your average American that's visiting Mexico," said Ballard, who's the director of intelligence at international security firm Global Guardian. "But, you know, I would just say you want to maintain situational awareness." 

Here's what travelers should know about going to Mexico right now.

According to Ballard, the travel advisory for Mexico was likely updated following the U.S. government's recent designation of Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations rather than an incident involving tourists.

"The penalties obviously are going to be quite a bit stiffer, and it's a bigger deal to be involved and to be found guilty of aiding and abetting a terrorist organization than a drug trafficking or arms trafficking organization," he said. "So, I think this move was really to maintain consistency. If we're labeling the leading drug cartels in Mexico as terrorist organizations, then we probably should include a risk and an advisory about terrorist groups and terrorism in Mexico."

The State Department did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

For the most part, yes, depending on where you go. "We're not really seeing a particular uptick (for violent crimes) in some of the tourist spots," said Ballard.

Travelers should continue to keep their guard up, especially in some regions of Mexico, where violent crimes are known to occur. "You still want to avoid those areas that are hotly contested by the cartels or are under outright total control of the cartels," said Ballard. "There are certain states within Mexico that are really hot zones for this, but those typically are not your prime vacation spots."

Mexico's most popular destinations, such as Cancún, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, and Playa del Carmen, should still be relatively safe to visit as long as you're being a smart traveler.

However, there is one vacation spot people are advised to stay away from, the coastal Acapulco. "It's in one of the most dangerous states, Guerrero in Mexico, and it's not a place that I would go personally," said Ballard. The State Department designates Guerrero with a Level 4 "do not travel" advisory because of a risk of violence from drug cartels.

Here are some safety precautions to keep in mind, according to Ballard.

• Avoid hailing taxis. According to Ballard, taxis have been known to "shake down" passengers through extortion, sometimes for hundreds of dollars. "Our preference at the top would be a vetted, secure transportation with a company," he said, so do your research and reserve a shuttle or car ahead of time with a reputable company.
• Stay on resort property. Most resorts have around-the-clock security keeping watch of the property. If you do want to go into town, don't go alone or at night.
• Be aware of your surroundings. "Don't walk around with your head buried in your phone," said Ballard, also noting to ensure you watch your drinks when you're out.
• Maintain a low profile by not wearing expensive or flashy jewelry.