Is mexico safe to visit?

Despite what you might see and hear from mainstream media, Baja is generally a safe place to travel. You might even find the Baja Peninsula to feel safer than many U.S. cities. Most of the violence that you hear about in Mexico is related to drug trafficking and takes place along its northern border or in isolated incidents in areas with high cartel activity. Tourists and travelers are rarely involved in these violent conflicts but it is still good to be aware of the increased risk when visiting or driving through these areas.

The Baja Peninsula is made up of two Mexican states, Baja California and Baja California Sur. According to the US State Department’s website, U.S. citizens are advised to “reconsider travel” for Baja California due to “crime and kidnapping” and to “exercise increased caution” in Baja California Sur due to “crime”. Yet, millions of Americans travel to Baja Mexico every year. Those precautions are important to take into consideration, but it shouldn’t stop you from traveling there altogether.

Chicago, for example, one of the cities with the highest crime rate in the United States is considered equally unsafe as Tijuana, Mexico. But this fact doesn’t stop many tourists from visiting the city, it just means they are more aware of crime risk as they travel. These warnings are issued with an overabundance of caution since they cross borders. Use common sense and you will likely experience Baja like most tourists do every year, without any crime.

Baja, Mexico safety

If you decide to travel to Mexico, remember that you’re a visitor in a foreign country and there are some precautions to take. The most common safety issue Americans will experience in Baja California is petty crime. Pickpocketing, muggings, corruption and bribery are all concerns to be aware of.

Here are a few common sense rules to follow when traveling through the Baja Peninsula.

• Make copies of your passport, drivers license and other important documents in case they are stolen or lost. 
• Keep your valuables secure and out of sight, whether that is in a hotel room, car or RV. 
• Pickpockets are common especially in crowded areas. Keep your belongings secured. 
• Try to avoid walking around alone at night and stick to well-lit areas.
• Don’t drink too much and always be alert. 
• Don’t carry an excessive amount of cash on you, it’s a good idea to divide up your cash and store it in different places in case you are a victim of pickpocketing.
• Don’t make yourself a target with flashy jewelry or expensive devices (phones, big cameras, laptops, etc.)
• Only drive during daylight hours and don’t drink and drive.
• Do not buy drugs in Mexico, the risks are just not worth it.