Dangerous Vacation Spots In Mexico

Once a seaside playground for the Hollywood elite, Acapulco took a turn for the worse in the mid-2000s when drug-related gang violence took over the city. Over the past 20 years, headlines coming out of the seaside city have reported everything from gun battles to headless bodies being dumped in the streets. Cartels are still operating in the area today, although it's rare for them to target tourists. The heavy police presence along the beaches and streets can be either comforting or disconcerting, depending on your disposition.

Another blow to Acapulco's already dwindling tourism industry was Hurricane Otis, which ripped through the city in October 2023. The hurricane left a death toll of dozens and billions of dollars of damage. In the days following the storm, looting was rampant. When the Mexican government stepped in with financial aid for reconstruction, many officials believed this would be an opportunity to restore Acapulco to its former glory. Analysts pointed to the fact that it would only create opportunities for organized crime groups to gain more power. Only time will tell which direction Acapulco will go.

The state of Tamaulipas has so much going for it, including idyllic beaches, rugged mountains, and historic towns. It's a shame that it also has some of the most crime-ridden cities in the country. The state is notorious for gang violence, forced disappearances, and kidnappings. And it's not just locals that are targeted. In 2023, four Americans were kidnapped at gunpoint from the city of Matamoros. Two of them were killed.

Tamaulipas' location on the Gulf of Mexico just below Texas has long made it prime territory for organized crime. Matamoros is the birthplace of the Gulf Cartel, one of the oldest cartels in Mexico. The cartel rose to prominence in the 1980s when it partnered with the Cali Cartel of Colombia to traffic cocaine into the United States. Much of the violence in Tamaulipas today stems from conflicts between Gulf Cartel factions, rival groups, and the military. Travelers should be aware that shootouts are common, and civilians are sometimes caught in the crossfire.

At first glance, Playa Zipolite looks like a seriously chill spot. The small seaside town has laid-back vibes and is home to a gorgeous, golden-sand beach that spills into the Pacific Ocean. Gazing out at the surfers and hippie types lounging on the sand, you wouldn't necessarily consider this a dangerous beach in Mexico. But threats are lurking in the water. Just offshore, there are powerful currents that can make swimming hazardous.

Located on the coast of Oaxaca, Playa Zipolite is also called the "Beach of the Dead." Legend has it that the name comes from the dangerous waters that have taken many lives over the years. Groundswells create large waves that can be overwhelming for some, and the circular currents can pull swimmers out to sea. It's a great spot for surfers, but those who aren't strong swimmers may run into trouble. Thankfully, lifeguards on duty keep an eye on the water and perform rescues if necessary.

Tulum used to be one of Quintana Roo's best-kept secrets. If you traveled there 20 years ago, you would have found a sleepy beach town with just a few rustic hotels. Fast forward to the present and Tulum is now party central. As tourism has exploded, so too has the crime rate. The party scene fuels the demand for drugs, and that brings the cartels to town. In October 2021, two tourists were killed and three others injured when rival gang members opened fire on a busy street. Just a few months later, two men were gunned down by gang members at the Art Beach Restaurant.

Even with the rising crime rate, tourists are still traveling to Tulum in droves. After all, it's hard to resist the allure of pristine white sand beaches, sparkling blue waters, and ancient ruins hidden in the jungles. If you're planning a trip to Tulum, you'll be happy to know that the local government has increased the number of National Guard troops in the area to help keep Tulum tourist-friendly. That being said, it's important to be aware that petty crime is still rampant. Corrupt police have also been known to shake tourists down. 

If you've watched "Narcos," you're probably familiar with the infamous Sinaloa cartel. It's one of the most powerful cartels in Mexico, and members are not opposed to using violence to seize territory and maintain control of their operations. The state of Sinaloa has seen its fair share of turmoil stemming from cartel conflicts. When El Chapo's son, Ovidio Guzmán López, was arrested in January 2023, cartel members retaliated by lighting cars on fire, blocking highways, and opening fire on airplanes at the Culiacán International Airport. Following the unrest, the U.S. State Department gave Sinaloa a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory. 

While many areas of Sinaloa do experience high crime rates, Mazatlán is somewhat of an exception. The seaside city is Sinaloa's most popular tourist destination and relatively safe compared to the rest of the state. It's worth a visit for its historic buildings, lovely beaches, and lengthy malecon that offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The city is also famed for its superb seafood dishes like ceviche, aguachile, and smoked marlin. Gang violence is not common in Mazatlán, but petty crimes like pickpocketing and robbery do happen on occasion. 

For a small state, Colima has some big problems. The capital city (also named Colima) earned the number one spot on the list of the "50 Most Violent Cities in the World" in 2022, according to the Citizen Council for Public Security and Criminal Justice. That year, there were 601 murders in a population of just 330,329. The increase in violence is mostly attributed to cartels fighting for access to Colima's coastal drug trafficking routes. Some of the most powerful cartels in Mexico are operating in the state, including the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel. The U.S., Canada, and the U.K. advise against traveling anywhere in Colima except for the city of Manzanillo.

Spread out along a large bay on Colima's coast, Manzanillo is home to numerous hotels, resorts, and beachfront restaurants. It's not the prettiest place for a beach holiday, but many people choose it because it tends to be cheaper than other Pacific Coast vacation spots like Puerto Vallarta. The city is also home to one of the largest ports in Mexico. According to the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control, Manzanillo is a strategic gateway for shipments of cocaine and fentanyl. While many people travel here without incident, it is important to be aware that the city is at the center of cartel interests.

Michoacán is a huge state that extends from the Pacific Ocean into Mexico's interior. There's much to explore here, including volcanic mountains, vast lakes, and charming colonial towns. Travelers should be aware though that Michoacán is also known as cartel country. The state has a long history of drug trafficking that dates back to the 1970s. Over the years, numerous cartels and gangs have battled for control over Michoacán, leaving death and destruction in their wake.

Some of the most shocking stories of cartel violence in Mexico have come out of Michoacán. These include massacres at funerals, decapitations, road bombs, and military-style sieges on entire towns. Much of the criminal activity takes place in cities like Morelia, Uruapan, and Zamora. However, rural areas are also targeted, with residents falling victim to extortion, roadblocks, and killings. The violence has gotten so bad in some places that residents have been forced to flee their homes.  Although numerous National Guard troops have been deployed to the state, the government has little control over cartel activity. This makes travel throughout the state very risky.