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. It is possible to find a safe and secure place to live near the Mexican border, but it is important to do your research and make sure that you are making the best decision for your family. It is important to keep in mind that traveling to Mexico is not without risk; therefore, we recommend taking precautions to ensure your safety. Basically the drug war that made it so dangerous ended when one cartel was victorious (the army helped), and there was more government effort about the same time, and it's considered pretty safe today. Yelapa is Mexicos last authentic beach town, says Pacheco, and is definitely under the radar. According to a Border Network for Human Rights survey of 1,222 residents from ten major border cities from California to Texas, 67.2% feel safe living in a border community, and 69.7% feel the same about their border neighborhood. But the events of 2020 tightened those limitations. In the Axios story , reporter Russell Contreras wrote: "The latest crime data collected by the FBI from 2019 contradicts the narrative by President Trump and others that the U.S.-Mexico border is a "lawless" region suffering from violence and mayhem." There is probably some cartel activity here, but its not typically directed at tourists, and even if youre now living there, many will still see you as a tourist. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. baroque colonial architecture but lots of Mayan structures too. As a result, many college students fly into McAllen and stop for gas at Progreso en route to South Padre Island. Middle Class Dad also participates in affiliate programs with Siteground, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. But for the first time traveling family, I understand wondering is Costa Rica kid friendly? 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. Long-term options include temporary and permanent residency. Lots of ex-pats and families live here, and most love their life here and never have an incident. A visit to Merida is not only a chance to see the city, but it is also a chance to meet expats. Called the Lake of Seven Colors, the lagoon stretches for 42 kilometers and is fed by underground rivers. I had a 9 millimeter pulled on me once just for trying to change lanes while driving. Its also important to respect local customs and traditions while living in Mexico as a foreigner. Dont expect frequent visits to the beach here; its over 6 hours away. Why is Progreso Mexico a safe place to visit? Many people regard Matamoros with pride, but we havent seen them in years. But youve likely heard of San Miguel already. You can also take a road trip south to Baja California Sur in the car. In terms of crime, Mexico City is generally considered safe compared to other cities in Latin America. Copyright __ez.scxr.getDW(document).write(new Date().getFullYear())All Rights Reserved, The DARK TRUTH about why AMERICANS LEAVE MEXICO. After all, its not a small village; Puebla is Mexicos fourth-largest city, with some of the countrys best examples of Spanish colonial architecture. Campeche is a safe city to live and vacation in, making it one of the safest cities in Mexico. But Cabo is really unlike the rest of the Baja Peninsula. Now technically, the US does currently have a do not travel travel advisory for Mazatln. This is the best Mexican town to visit when traveling to Texas. And, after we cross do we have to drive along the Rio Bravo road on the Mexican side? Crime in U.S. border cities remains low even though sister cities in Mexico are among the most dangerous in North America because of cartel violence. There have been no major incidents in recent years. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65513395', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Monterrey, Mexico and a regular user of the highways that conects my city with the Texas' borderline. Walk in, though. Cabo San Lucas safety score 54.65 Villahermosa One of Mexico's many underrated destinations, Villahermosa is located in the jungle state of Tabasco, which borders Chiapas and Campeche. So, what is the truth? The MPP was first implemented in January 2019 and has since been expanded to include additional ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border. Popotla sits on the same oceanside lot as Baja Studios, where Twentieth Century Fox filmed Titanic. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Violent crime is incredibly rare here. 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 9th Circuit Court of Appeals is currently hearing arguments on the Migration Protection Protocol. But lets also be honest, there are a lot of safety concerns about Mexico. It is located in the state of Guanajuato at the heart of Mexico, a three-hour bus ride northwest of Mexico City. Youll find an active life living here with tons of nightlife and restaurants. Petty crime is probably the most common issue. The plusses of living in Baja California Sur include being a port city but also surrounded by mountains. U.S. citizens can visit within the frontera area (a 26-mile border area of Mexico) for up to 72 hours without a . It is not the most direct route between Mexico City and the Rio Grande Valley, nor is the Anzalduas International Bridge safe. But yes, you can pre-pay if you wish to donate your $4. Unfortunately, there are some cities in Mexico that are unsafe to travel. Not only that, but people in Mexico will really appreciate the effort and will be warmer towards you too. Where to Stay: For a cozy stay right near the funicular into the center of town, book one of the eight rooms at Casa Zuniga B&B. Lastly, you say you'll spend the first night in Saltillo, but wonder if Colombia bridge opens at 8? Make sure you understand the laws regarding drugs and alcohol before engaging in any activities that could put you at risk of breaking them. But Lake Chapala near Guadalajara is also very safe with a large ex-pat community. Blogging, WordPress, hosting, email, and social media marketing, SEO, and how to write content that ranks and gets traffic! 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. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the safety of any given town depends on a variety of factors, including its proximity to the border, the presence of drug cartels, and the overall level of crime in the area. Santa Teresa-San Jernimo NM 136 (Pete Domenici Boulevard), Santa . Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas, and if you do find yourself in an unfamiliar area, stay alert and trust your instincts. Then there is the V.A.T. Photo byHugo DerramaderofromPexels,Image by StevenReid from Pixabay Image by jcesardelapaz from Pixabay Image by pennakyp from PixabayImage by Joaqun Enrquez from Pixabay Image by Kevin Alexandro Reyes Casillas from Pixabay Image by Alvaro Bejarano from Pixabay Image by studiokca0 from Pixabay, Jeff Campbell is a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, and recovering foodie having spent over 2 decades as a leader for Whole Foods Market. Lots of baroque colonial architecture but lots of Mayan structures too. My business currently grosses 5-figures each month, and yours can too! I cant blame you although Costa Rica also tops my list of places I would love to move to. It's too expensive here in the US so that is not an option. The tortilla curtain allows you to see a wide range of foods, art, and culture. Texas residents are permitted to carry concealed firearms after completing firearm training and conducting a thorough background check; however, it is illegal to transport any guns or ammunition into Mexico. These cities are typically well-protected by law enforcement and have little to no gang activity. 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). A safe border city is a place where people can live without fear of violence or crime. Make sure you have pesos for the tolls. Theres a homemade Mexican-style breakfast every morning. Editors note: This story was originally published in 2018. Colombia bridge is the least busy, if that's a concern. The Middle Class Dads Guide to Budgeting e-book, 7 Top Fatherhood Challenges and Solutions for Your Family, How Mindful Meditation Can Improve Your Parenting Style, 15 Flavorful and Healthy Family Meals That are Perfect for Picky Eaters, 34 Kids Yoga Exercises That Boost Self Esteem (And Physical Flexibility), The Ultimate Guide to Make Saving Money Fast and Easy, The Best 10 Types of Exercise for Kids Who Get Too Much Screentime, https://immigrationtomexico.mx/pros-cons-temporary-or-permanent-residency-in-mexico/. The year 2019 saw the highest number of murders in history (34,608). If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Huatulco is considered one of the safest places in Mexico. Campeche is a safe city to live and vacation in, making it one of the safest cities in Mexico. These numbers are the 2016 crime statistics compiled by the FBI and Texas Department of Public Safety. Mrida is the capital and largest city in the state of Yucatn. The higher the number, the safer the city! Where to Stay: There are numerous places to stay in Puebla that wont break the bank. As Playa del Carmen has been the site of some troubling violence in the past, the coastal town of Tulum to the south may be a safer alternative. Some areas of Mexico have increased risk of crime and kidnapping. Much of the area is somewhat fragile ecologically speaking. Puerto Vallarta is consistently regarded as Mexicos most secure city. This is one of my favorite secrets spots in Mexico; the lagoon there is unbelievable.. 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. According to Human Rights First, 636 crimes against migrants have been committed in the first quarter of this year, including rape, kidnapping, and torture. Guadalajara is a beautiful city that is constantly in the news for security problems. The first step to staying safe in Mexico City is to be aware of your surroundings. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. I guess in the end we will have our own story to tell you all. Now, theres no guarantee they will grant you 6 months, and many find they only get 40 days. Here's a link to the wiki page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laredo%E2%80%93Colombia_Solidarity_International_Bridge. Kind of Vegas on the sea. 16 Acapulco - Dangerous Outside Of Resorts Acapulco is easily one of the most recognizable beach resort towns in Mexico. Along with the cities of San Jose del Cabo, San Lucas, Loreto, and Todos Santos, there are numerous other great places to visit. Typically the safest areas in Mexico in terms of cartel violence are the most touristy areas such as Cancn, Playa Del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta, and San Miguel de Allende. Report inappropriate content 1-3 of 3 replies Sorted by 1 5thGenTexan The MPP will provide a safer and more orderly process for those attempting to enter the United States illegally and making false claims to stay. For now, Ill just have to settle for the cookbook I bought there years ago. Some of the best include Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Matamoros. One of the best things on my trip was renting a car and driving to Chichn Itz and climbing the giant pyramid (which I dont think they let you do anymore. Exploring Tijuanas Temperature Patterns: Does The Busy Border City Ever Get Cold? 2023 Tour By Mexico. 2023 Tour By Mexico. In terms of safety, Mrida actually has the honor of being considered the safest city in Mexico. The hotels/motels between Laredo and (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? First, it is important to remember that the border is a large and diverse place. The most important thing to remember when considering safety in Mexico is to research the area you plan to visit or live in. There are areas that are more dangerous than others, and it is important to be aware of the risks before making the decision to live near the border. Take a look at this chart showing the relative safety index for Cabo and some other well-known cities in Mexico. Mexico is safe for expats when you look at the numbers. Here are the bridge's webcams: http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/bridgesys/Cameras/bridge4cam.html. And get full coverage on your auto insurance. However, even towns that are close to the border are not immune to the dangers of the drug cartels. As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided. Despite this, the city does not have the funds to cover every shelter and cannot provide round-the-clock coverage. Take a look at this chart showing the relative safety index for Huatulco and some other well-known cities in Mexico. In terms of safety, most forms of crime rarely happen here and the most common issue is pickpocketing. Bear in mind that unless you actually become a Mexican citizen, youll also likely still be required to pay income tax in your home country too. Theres so much to do, and its easy to get everywhere on foot. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. Maybe google it spelled as Colombia, not Columbia, a common mistake. Check out this page (not affiliated with me) for more info on temporary and permanent residency in Mexico https://immigrationtomexico.mx/pros-cons-temporary-or-permanent-residency-in-mexico/. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. 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