The options for temporary or permanent residency also can allow for work permits. We are crossing in three days and at times so much of the information found online makes me feel confused and afraid. But dont think about day trips to San Diego from here. This is my attempt at a data-driven analysis of the safest places to visit in Mexico from the perspective of the people who live there. 13 Safest Places to Visit in Mexico Tulum Puerto Vallarta Mexico City Huatulco Mrida San Miguel de Allende Puebla Oaxaca City Bacalar Izamal Los Cabos Queretaro Acapulco MEXICO VS. Bill Morrow: How do border residents feel about security and crime? But the volume of traffic makes that crossing quite safe. About 6 hours north of Puerto Vallarta lies Mazatln. So in this article, we'll explore all of those and more in great detail. Campeche is a safe city to live and vacation in, making it one of the safest cities in Mexico. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide which border town they believe to be the most dangerous. Like its sister city to the south, it is a beach resort town with a bustling malecn (boardwalk). Where to Stay: The Hotel Lagunita is right on the water, with amazing views and a pool from which to enjoy them. Part of the Riviera Maya that also includes Playa Del Carmen and Cancn, Tulum is known for both beautiful beaches and Mayan ruins. In 2016, the city of Juarez was ranked one of the worlds most dangerous, with 282.3 homicides per 100,000 residents. Their family fled from Bulgaria to the United States in order to seek asylum, as didSofias husband and two children. Surrounded by lush jungle mangroves and, on its Southern side, a vast array of fascinating fossil formations, this beautiful piece of lagoon paradise is not only one of the safest places in Mexico, but one of the most affordable too. The easiest is to pay the duty. Juarez, a city of distinction on the border with Mexico, is known for its outstanding Mexican food, including classic Mexican steaks and Chinese food. The Lincoln Bridge is actually #2, with no immigration. Because Juarez is one of the most dangerous cities in the world, you should plan ahead of time for a safe driving route, and keep an eye out for traffic. Another option is to use the toll road to Reynosa (it will cost her around $15USD) and cross to Texas using Anzalduas Bridge, using these last bridge she won't cross the Reynosa downtown area, this city has a bad reputation on security issues. The higher the number, the safer the city! There are 2.5% of respondents who have a felony conviction; foreigners are less likely to have a felony conviction. The policy, also known as remain in Mexico, prevents most asylum seekers from appearing in court in Mexico during their stay. Yes, texas border towns are safe. Columbus-Puerto Palomas State Road 11, Columbus, New Mexico - Calzada 5 de Mayo, Puerto Palomas, Chihuahua. San Miguel de Allende is one of the safest places in Mexico, as evidenced by its popularity with expats. Explore The Music Scene In Tijuana Baja California: Check Out The Top Headliners In The City, Explore The Cost Of Tijuana Hotel Tickets Discover The Discounts And Tips For The Best Experience, Exploring Tijuana: Exploring The Convenient Stops Of Tourismo Express In Downtown Tijuana, Exploring A Vegan Lifestyle In Tijuana: Delicious Vegan-Friendly Options And Tips For A Plant-Based Diet. In terms of safety, its difficult to get statistics as Guanajuato is both a city, but also the state that city is in. Is it safe to visit mexico, especially the border towns? But unlike La Paz, which lies on the interior on the Gulf of California, Todos Santos faces the Pacific ocean. And theres also nearby Guadalupe Island. Expats can explore the citys many museums, take part in its vibrant nightlife scene, or visit one of its numerous parks or plazas. But its also a bustling resort town with tons of restaurants and a place where a number of celebrities have 2nd homes here or come here with great regularity. Walking is the only way to go. Any help would be appreciated. In terms of safety, Mrida actually has the honor of being considered the safest city in Mexico. But lets also be honest, there are a lot of safety concerns about Mexico. The city has taken steps to reduce crime by increasing police presence in certain areas and implementing programs such as Ciudad Segura (Safe City). It's too expensive here in the US so that is not an option. A visit to Merida is not only a chance to see the city, but it is also a chance to meet expats. Be aware of your surroundings, follow local laws and customs, and take advantage of programs such as Ciudad Segura for added security. But heres a handy list of several well-known Mexican cities and parts of Mexico you may want to avoid, and the homicide rate. Is the Safety Situation improving in Mexico? During October, November, and December of 2018, an average of 2,000 illegal and inadmissible aliens crossed the border into the United States every day. To help you plan your own trip, Ive gathered some of the safest places to visit in Mexico, complete with information on why you should go and where to stay. The Mayan influence remains strong here, and the area has its own style of cuisine that diverges considerably from what you will find in other parts of Mexico. Middle Class Dad is owned and operated by Jeff Campbell/Middle Class Dad. What is the Safest place in Mexico to vacation with family. The city is 108 miles (174 km) southeast of Phoenix and 60 mi (97 km) north of the U.S.-Mexico border. It takes a while to get to and theres not an easy way to get back, so gang and cartel activity are pretty minimal if it even exists here at all. My hometown of nearly five years was Mexico City, which I consider to be one of the best cities in the country. Such travel advisories can be confusing, but this one is pretty clear and even includes a color-coded map revealing the most dangerous (marked in red) and safest places in Mexico (marked in blue). In many cases, tourist towns tend to be safe since the cartels and other criminal organizations dont want to mess with the tourism dollars that flood their country. Expect expenses in Mexico to be roughly 50% lower than the average in the United States. But theres also plenty of yoga, surfing, scuba diving, and snorkeling. Think old mines, a mummy museum, and streets so narrow that one is called the Alley of the Kiss because couples can smooch one another from opposite sides. Do exercise caution if moving to the city just as you would if moving to a big city in the US like New York. And about the safest crossings between Mexico and Texas, Colombia will be the quickest and safest highway due is a toll road administrated by Texas' authority. The turnoff to Saltillo is easy to miss in Monterrey. Some people may consider any town along the border to be dangerous due to the high levels of crime and violence that are often associated with the area. The walk across from this location is relatively simple, but the drive across from this location is also relatively simple. The policy has been widely criticized by human rights groups, who argue that it puts asylum seekers in danger and violates their rights. But I was also mostly in the hotel zone. link to Should I Avoid Costa Rica During the Rainy Season? Great for wine, artists, fantastic restaurants, museums, open-air markets, food carts, and a big dose of not only Mexican and Spanish culture but a melting pot for a lot of cultures. Where to Stay: The small, beautifully decorated Nima Local House Hotel is one of the best luxury hotel options in the city. You can visit Guanajuato as a day trip from nearby San Miguel de Allende or use it as a home base in itself. It is home to some of the countrys most beautiful beaches and ancient Mayan ruins. Queretaros streets are a wondrous mix of old and very old, as grid-like Spanish streets connect to the pre-Hispanic winding lanes from the time of the Otomi. I'm of the opinion to avoid border towns. Ed Hewitt is a seasoned globetrotter who brings you a monthly glimpse into the latest travel news, views, and trendsand how they could affect your travel plans. As of right now we are choosing to go through the downtown Laredo bridge. That way you can make an informed, and hopefully safe, choice! The Best And Safest Border Crossings Between Mexico And Texas Colombia, the safest border crossing between Mexico and Texas, is the safest border crossing. Tipping in Mexico: The Mexico Tipping Guide, 10 Puerto Vallarta Hotels for Every Type of Traveler, 10 Incredible Places to Celebrate Day of the Dead. Bacalar is very safe, and far enough away from Cancun and Playa Del Carmen to avoid some of the touristy petty theft that can happen in big tourist towns. Its one of the best-known Mexican cities for North Americans. Thanks for the web cam link to the bridges; pretty cool! The U.S. State Department has elevated travel advisories due to crime in several Mexican states popular with tourists. Ensenada is part of the Baja California Peninsula. And in general, Tijuana excepted, the Baja Peninsula is generally one of the safer places in all of Mexico. He's passing his love of travel on to the next generation; his 10-year-old son has flown some 200,000 miles already. As the name implies, it is located on the Baja California Peninsula. Narrated by Mindy Kaling and Ben Stiller, both UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and high-profile supporter of the agency. Colombia bridge is the least busy, if that's a concern. One of the safest beach towns in Mexico is Puerto Escondido. Is Mexico safe? Its a question many American travelers have asked themselves, especially in the wake of a sweeping security alert for Mexico issued by the U.S. State Department. 16 Acapulco - Dangerous Outside Of Resorts Acapulco is easily one of the most recognizable beach resort towns in Mexico. If you have questions, I have answers! Mexicos President Andrs Manuel Lpez Obrador has come under fire for failing to stem the countrys violent crime, as evidenced by Mexicos ranking among the top five cities in the world in 2019. In addition to being one of the safest places in Mexico, Bacalar is also very affordable. Cities in Mexico with the safest neighborhoods (and some that arent). Not only for safety, but also for eating, the best sites, logistics etc. The cities of Cancun and Playa del Carmen are particularly popular among expats due to their vibrant nightlife and numerous restaurants and bars. In fact, just to drive to Ensenada (on the list above), would take you 19 hours, and then its still a short drive to the border crossing from there. It is also less touristy than other resort towns on the Yucatan Peninsula, offering well-preserved ruins of the former Mayan city walls and other historic structures right in town. Very little violent crime, and a beautiful Caribbean shoreline to top it off. Mexico City is a large and vibrant city, and like any large city, it has its own unique set of safety concerns. . Baja, of course, provides the easiest access to the US as its fairly close to San Diego. Brownsville, Texas, on the Gulf Coast, is listed twentieth. My husband and I are moving to the Yucatan area and will be crossing the border this Friday to head towards Saltillo the first night. The UN Refugee Agencys animated series explains what it is like to seek asylum in the United States. Bahas de Huatulco, which means Bays of Huatulco, is located in the state of Oaxaca on the southern coast of Mexico. It gets hot here too, with an average high of between 90-100 F all year. Oaxaca is the capital city in the state of Oaxaca. Residents of El Paso, Texas, are very safe living near the Mexican border. Mazatln is a resort town along the Pacific coast in the state of Sinaloa. Dont expect frequent visits to the beach here; its over 6 hours away. There are many great Mexican border towns to visit, each with its own unique charm and attractions. According to Human Rights First, 636 crimes against migrants have been committed in the first quarter of this year, including rape, kidnapping, and torture. In Juarez, 314 years of tradition has resulted in warm, inbred politeness and charm. I do not represent World Nomads. I am a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, and recovering foodie. But its not just for older folks. In terms of safety, while the state of Oaxaca is one of the poorest in Mexico, there is less disparity in Oaxaca City itself. Its relatively hot, with an average high of about 90 F all year. By comparison, Bacalar is in Quintana Roo, and, in fact, is the largest city in Quintana Roo. The most important thing to remember when considering safety in Mexico is to research the area you plan to visit or live in. Dont forget to grab a mojito from La Bodeguita del Medio, the place that invented it. Oaxaca has a number of stunning resorts that are located along nine different bays. That being said, there are some general things that can be said about living near the Mexican border. Which is the safest bordertown full of tourists and lots of security? baroque colonial architecture but lots of Mayan structures too. #1 has immigration. Click to learn more about me. What kind of info? But youve likely heard of San Miguel already. For a more affordable option, consider the Chillout Flat Bed & Breakfast, which earns plaudits for friendly service and homemade granola.