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Year after year, the love and appreciation Americans have for Mexico always seem to grow no matter how grim a picture is painted of their southerly neighbor.
It is, by a long mile, the most popular international destination for U.S. passport holders, regardless of concerns about petty crime and gang activity, which time and again make mainstream media headlines.
While it’s true there are certain Mexican states that you wouldn’t want to find yourself traveling alone as a foreigner––like any other country with good and bad parts––most tourist hotspots south of the border are relatively safe for visiting.
You don’t need to trust a complete stranger who writes travel articles for a living online: trust U.S. authorities.
If you’re planning on escaping to Mexico in the coming weeks for some much-needed time in the sun or a cultural immersion, here are 4 of the safest destinations as confirmed by the U.S. State Department itself:
Los Cabos
Mexico’s top destination for unwinding, boasting an enviable concentration of luxurious hotels, Los Cabos, is one of the least-dangerous beach destinations for risk-averse travelers.
For starters, most travelers heading to Cabo will be staying in an all-inclusive resort with their own private beach and world-class amenities, and even those who dare venture outside will find a strictly surveilled downtown area.
Police officers regularly patrol public beaches along the resort strip between the twin cities of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, and there is a presence of CCTV and security guards in touristy districts.
When it comes to tourists being affected by crime, very few, if any at all, report complaints: in fact, it’s the exact opposite, as they’re spending a longer time in Cabo than other coastal destinations in Mexico, drawn to its safety and laid-back vibe.
Riviera Nayarit
An up-and-coming leisure hotspot stretching for over 200 miles along the Mexican Pacific, from Nuevo Vallarta, on the Jalisco-Nayarit state border, to San Blas, the Riviera Nayarit is dotted with peaceful beachfront settlements and pristine marine reserves.
It is often skipped altogether by tourists landing in Puerto Vallarta, the trendy resort city on the Jalisco side, but as it turns out, the state of Nayarit is much safer:
In fact, U.S. authorities urge Americans to ‘reconsider’ traveling to Jalisco due to elevated crime and gang activity, while they simply encourage them to exercise ‘greater caution’ in the state of Nayarit, including its beautiful coast.
Be it surfer paradise Sayulita, the picture-perfect Bucerias, with its cobbled Main Street leading down to the ocean, or a well-frequented Guayabitos Beach, Americans are under no particularly significant risk vacationing up and down Nayarit.
Tulum
The crown jewel of the Mexican Caribbean, Tulum is a historic coastal town combining both Old World allure and wellness:
Its main beach is bounded by a series of five-star resorts and exclusive villas, while Tulum’s ancient archeological zone is highly sought-after by culture enthusiasts, thanks to its well-preserved temples and a scenic fort overlooking the Caribbean.
Similarly to other municipalities in the state of Quintana Roo, like Cancun and Playa Del Carmen, Tulum is considered a Level 2 destination by the U.S. State Department––in other words, crime is largely kept under control and reduced to petty incidents.
Though violence can take place, it is mostly restricted to suburban zones not visited by foreigners, and when it does spill over into Downtown, it typically involves individuals engaging in illicit activities and participating in gang culture.
Merida
The only destination on this list that American authorities consider perfectly safe to visit, Merida is a much-overlooked cultural gem of the Yucatan Peninsula that’s only recently started gaining traction, thanks to its improved connectivity with the Maya Train.
Capital of Yucatan (the state), it is distinguished for being one of the best-preserved colonial cities of the Americas, home to the oldest Spanish-built cathedral in the mainland continent, and a near-intact historic center with brightly-painted facades and leafy, cafe-bordered plazas.
Other than its notorious charm, Merida has attained popularity for its low-risk status as a destination: at Level 1, according to the U.S. State Department, Americans should exercise ‘normal’ precautions when visiting.
This means that, while petty crime and theft can occur, violent approaches are extremely unlikely, and the overwhelming majority of tourists will have a stress-free experience in Merida.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
