U.S. Issues 'Travel Advisory' for Mexico Before Summer
Mexico is the most common international tourist destination for American travelers, due in large part to its proximity to the United States, with more than 30 million Americans visiting the country every year, according to the National Travel and Tourism Office.
It's an especially popular vacation destination during the summer due to its beautiful white-sand beaches, and it will be even more popular this summer as Americans travel to games for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
However, as the summer months approach, the United States has issued a travel advisory for the country, offering a warning to travelers before they head south.
U.S. Travel Advisories
The United States Department of State classifies its travel advisories using four categories, with Level 1 representing the lowest level of concern and Level 4 representing the most serious warnings.
A Level 1 advisory serves as a basic travel notice that encourages travelers to "exercise normal precautions" while abroad. Countries generally viewed as safe destinations like Canada, Australia, and Greece commonly fall under this category.
Level 2 advisories are a little more serious, urging travelers to "exercise increased caution" in destinations where issues such as crime or theft may pose a greater risk or tourists could be targeted. Countries like Brazil, France, Italy, and India are currently listed at this level.
Level 3 advisories are even more severe, warning travelers to "reconsider travel" because of heightened safety or security risks. This category includes countries like Colombia, Pakistan, and Uganda.
Level 4 advisories, meanwhile, are the most severe, warning Americans to simply "do not travel" to those destinations. Countries in this category include North Korea, Russia, and Iran.
Level 2 Travel Advisory for Mexico
On May 26, the United States issued an updated Level 2 travel advisory for Mexico, warning Americans to "exercise increased caution" in the country due to "terrorism, crime, and kidnapping."
"Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault, and robbery. There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico," the advisory warns.
"The U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of Mexico, a large country in which conditions can vary widely from state to state and even within a state. U.S. government employees may not travel to certain high-risk areas, which may be within states that include low-risk areas."
'Do Not Travel' Areas
While the country of Mexico as a whole is under a Level 2 advisory, there are some areas of the country that are listed as Level 4 "do not travel" areas, including the states of Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas. Americans are urged to avoid those areas altogether.
That said, there are some areas that are considered quite safe, as well, with the State Department listing the states of Campeche and Yucatan, popular tourist destinations, with Level 1 advisories that state to just "exercise normal precautions."
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jun 3, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published June 3, 2026 at 2:53 AM.