Customized travel safety plans are essential for a trip to Mexico due to the diverse security landscape that varies significantly across regions. While Mexico offers vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and rich history, certain areas pose unique safety challenges that travelers need to consider to ensure their well-being.

 While popular destinations like Cancún and Mexico City are generally safe with proper precautions, it is important to be informed about the security situation as safety can vary significantly within these areas. Some places may not be as secure as others, and the risks can differ from one location to another. Routes between less-traveled destinations or regions such as Michoacán, Zacatecas, or parts of Guanajuato may involve heightened risks, including roadblocks or armed encounters.

Tailored plans help travelers navigate these challenges. This includes avoiding high-crime areas, staying updated on recent security developments, and having contingency plans. For instance, travelers journeying from Tequisquiapan to Mazapil or planning road trips through areas known for recent incidents, such as those in Culiacán or parts of Tamaulipas, need specialized guidance that considers current safety advisories and the nature of travel.

Customized travel safety plans are not just a precaution—they are a necessity for any trip to Mexico. By taking into account the unique risks associated with each region, personal travel profiles, and up-to-date local information, these tailored plans empower travelers to enjoy Mexico’s many offerings while prioritizing their safety and peace of mind.

Travel alert due to escalating violence in Sinaloa

1st November 2024: The U.S. government issued a new travel alert due to escalating violence in Sinaloa, specifically in Culiacán and Mazatlán, urging its citizens to avoid traveling to this region of Mexico.

The U.S. Department of State categorized Sinaloa as a Level 4 alert, meaning “do not travel,” emphasizing that this state is the birthplace of the Sinaloa cartel. The alert highlights increased violence following the alleged capture of cartel co-founder Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada, now in U.S. custody, which has involved American citizens in incidents such as robbery.

U.S. authorities reported that violence in the region surged after the arrest of Joaquín Guzmán López, son of Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán, and “El Mayo” on July 25. This situation has led to clashes among cartel factions, fueling widespread violence in Sinaloa.

The U.S. Consulate in Hermosillo, Sonora, noted reports of armed carjackings, shootings, security operations, roadblocks, and burned vehicles near Culiacán, including along Federal Highway 15, which connects to Mazatlán. The alert also pointed out that American citizens have been victims of robbery and assault on this highway.

Travelers are reminded that Sinaloa is rated Level 4 due to significant dangers, particularly on the Mazatlán-Culiacán route, due to the presence of criminal groups in the area.

Wave of kidnappings in Fresnillo, Zacatecas

2nd November 2024: Fresnillo is currently experiencing a severe wave of insecurity. The area is notably impacted by frequent kidnappings and attacks on authorities, often escalating to armed confrontations and pursuits. Several recent abductions from October to early November underscore the security concerns:

• On October 3, two 17-year-old teenagers were abducted while riding a dirt bike near a beer shop in the Industrial neighborhood of Fresnillo, close to Benito Juárez Secondary School. Witnesses reported that several armed individuals forced the teens into a vehicle before fleeing the scene.
• On the night of October 4, shortly before 10:00 pm, authorities in Fresnillo were alerted to the reported abduction of a woman who was last seen riding a bicycle in the Del Sol neighborhood.
• On October 16, around 4:00 pm in Fresnillo’s San Javier neighborhood, armed individuals attempted to break into a home to abduct a person but failed, according to sources close to the investigation. Police reports indicate the suspects rammed their vehicle into the gate and fired gunshots to intimidate.
• On the afternoon of October 25, in Fresnillo’s Lagunilla sector, armed suspects entered a home and abducted a 49-year-old man, taking him away in a vehicle. Around 6:00 pm, a witness alerted authorities, who arrived at Manuel Acuña Street to find the home’s door open and unoccupied.
• On October 31, 2024, in Fresnillo, three 15-year-old students from High School No. 3 of the Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ) were abducted by armed men. Witnesses reported the incident through an anonymous call, noting that the students were in a gray vehicle when approached by the suspects. Authorities received the report around 3:30 pm and immediately mobilized to Niño Artillero Street, at the corner with Daniel Peralta.
• On the morning of November 1, 2024, in Fresnillo, a man between 30 and 40 years old was forcibly taken by armed individuals from a business at the Mercado de Abastos. The incident occurred around 8:30 am on Fresnillo Street in the municipal center.

Multiple homicide in Acapulco, Guerrero

4th November 2024: Seven members of a family of business owners were killed in their home in Acapulco, Guerrero, during the early hours of Monday morning. Reports indicate that between 6:00 and 7:00 a.m., armed men entered a house on Vicente González Street, near Technical Secondary School No. 93, and opened fire on the family, who were involved in the restaurant business at the Princess beach in Tres Palos. The victims included two women, three men, and two youths, with injuries reported for an 11-year-old girl and a 20-year-old man, both taken to a local hospital.

Firefighters from the Civil Protection Secretariat responded to extinguish a burning Ford F-50 truck and a Nissan Tilda car left at the scene. The house was also set ablaze, damaging two vehicles and part of the roof.