Huatulco is quite a small city, but it is packed with incredible beaches and a vibrant downtown. With these measures in place, you can enjoy all that Mexico City has to offer without worrying about your safety. Anyway, last time we crossed. With a visitors visa, Americans can stay in Mexico for up to 6 months. Alternatively, you may use, Northern Mexico Hotels and Places to Stay, http://www.ci.laredo.tx.us/bridgesys/Cameras/bridge4cam.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laredo%E2%80%93Colombia_Solidarity_International_Bridge. My recollection is that the parking is easier @ Colombia and it's nowhere near as busy; that's where we always cross when we've got a (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Overall, La Paz, like much of the Baja Peninsula, is very safe, and petty theft and pickpocketing in the touristy spots are about the only real concern for most who live here. I am a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, and recovering foodie. Because it is one of the safest Mexican border towns in Texas, we chose to drive 60 miles to the border crossing in Nuevo Progreso. But the events of 2020 tightened those limitations. The highway heading into NL is like 6 lanes wide, but the speed limit I believe is 60 KM, but go the limit and you'll have no problems. The US State Department has classified Mexico as a Level 3 risk, indicating that there is an increased risk of illness. What is the most geographically close US-Mexican border? It is not the most direct route between Mexico City and the Rio Grande Valley, nor is the Anzalduas International Bridge safe. This is because the closer a town is to the border, the more likely it is to have a strong presence of border patrol and other law enforcement. 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. 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. Just a block away, former Democratic . One of the strongest economies in Mexico for the past few decades has led to many moving here from all over. Rural and close to the US border areas are some of the safest places in Mexico. Although there are some indicators of safety, especially in this part of the country, border towns along the Lone Star State line are well-known for being among the most dangerous places in Mexico. Living in Mexico does mean paying income tax. There are many great Mexican border towns to visit, each with its own unique charm and attractions. What is the Best Mexican Border town? It's only like 3 hours and change to Saltillo from the border. But Bacalar is also very inexpensive and safer. My favorite Mexican dish, cochinita pibil, comes from this area. Mexico is a vast country, with heaps of beautiful and interesting places to see, and some 28 million Americans safely travel there each year. Is San Antonio similar to Mexico? 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. 3 in the 2022 Safest Cities in America survey out this week by WalletHub. Now Playa Del Carmen is a big tourist area and resort town, and sometimes that does attract petty theft like pickpocketing. Like Todos Santos mentioned below, Bacalar holds the official designation as a Pueblo Magico, or Magical Town, due in large part to the lagoon. So in this article, we'll explore all of those and more in great detail. Drive time from U.S. border: 1 hour 10 minutes, 62 miles (100 kms). Lets dive in and explore all 23 of my picks for the safest places in Mexico: My mom used to basically live here in the summers when she was a tad younger. The Mexican border is also patrolled by the US Border Patrol, which works to prevent illegal crossings. 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. They are likely the best-known tourist towns in the state of Baja California Sur. There are always the odd, out-of-the-blue border towns to visit, as well as the usual suspects that you have never heard of. Why is Progreso Mexico a safe place to visit? But Lake Chapala is very safe in and unto itself and has a large ex-pat community. It is important to keep in mind that traveling to Mexico is not without risk; therefore, we recommend taking precautions to ensure your safety. The policy has been widely criticized by human rights groups, who argue that it puts asylum seekers in danger and violates their rights. Its relatively hot, with an average high of about 90 F all year. This is one of my favorite secrets spots in Mexico; the lagoon there is unbelievable.. So in this article, well explore all of those and more in great detail. Overall the crime rate here is very low and the low cost of living (the best in much of Mexico) helps keep it that way. This city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant cultural scene. 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. We will be crossing worth a 6x4 trailer and our (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. link to Should I Avoid Costa Rica During the Rainy Season? Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts if something doesnt feel right. It applies to aliens entering the country from Mexico (including those apprehended at the border) who are not clearly inadmissible or who are placed in removal. Furthermore, it will free up resources and personnel in order to better protect our nations sovereignty and rule of law. Petty crime is probably the most common issue. 30 minutes is just $100, and I offer discounts for repeat customers. Once n. Texas, if her car has Mexican plates, she won't have to pay the tolls, as Texas has no billing agreement with Mexico. Of all the places to visit Mexico, Mrida is the safest for a vacation with your family, with safe neighbourhoods and a charming vibe. 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. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. San Cristobal, by comparison, is largely in the mountains in Chiapas. Certain illegal immigrants are entitled to be returned to Mexico during the duration of their immigration proceedings as a result of MPP. See, it's not just gangs that are the central point of dodginess here in the country. More recently, many residents and tourists have declared that the city of Merida is the safest place to live in Mexico and the safest place to travel in Mexico due to its low crime rate. But its not just for older folks. U.S. citizens can visit within the frontera area (a 26-mile border area of Mexico) for up to 72 hours without a . Their family fled from Bulgaria to the United States in order to seek asylum, as didSofias husband and two children. Here youve got beaches, nightlife, seafood, coffee shops, amazing sunsets, a huge artist community, and the amazing 19th-century Nuestra Seora de La Paz Cathedral. Mexico City is a large and vibrant city, and like any large city, it has its own unique set of safety concerns. Kind of Vegas on the sea. 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. The warm days and cool nights of San Miguel de Allende make . San Cristobal de las Casas is one of the most landlocked cities on our list as many are beach towns. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Third, it is important to remember that the border is not the only place where crime and violence occur. It gets hot here too, with an average high of between 90-100 F all year. Another town that is nowhere near the beach. Ed Hewitt started traveling with his family at the age of 10 and has since visited dozens of countries on six continents. Its best to research the different areas, as some parts of Cancn can be dangerous. Once in the city traffic, as soon as you are near Aeropuerto Del Norte, you'll want to be in the right hand lane. Be sure to research the local laws before you travel so that you dont get into any trouble while youre there. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But heres a handy list of several well-known Mexican cities and parts of Mexico you may want to avoid, and the homicide rate. I'm of the opinion to avoid border towns. Where to Stay: The small, beautifully decorated Nima Local House Hotel is one of the best luxury hotel options in the city. However, there are some generalities that can be made about the safety of Mexican border towns. Foreign-born people have a lower felony conviction rate than US-born people, contrary to popular political beliefs about immigrants and crime. Make sure you have pesos for the tolls. But between San Luis Potosi and Saltillo, the only decent hotels to be found are in Matehuala. While I know it's pretty temperate all year, I've wondered should I avoid Costa Rica during the rainy season? There are 2.5% of respondents who have a felony conviction; foreigners are less likely to have a felony conviction. 1.2 Baja California Sur. Called the Lake of Seven Colors, the lagoon stretches for 42 kilometers and is fed by underground rivers. Collectively, they get called Los Cabos. A couple of other things. Where is she driving from? As a whole, Mexico is generally safe for travelers if you take proper precautions, do your research, and use your head. Already, several lawmakers have proposed a series of rail safety reforms in response to the Feb. 3 derailment that forced the evacuation of half the town of East Palestine, Ohio, near the . 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. [Expect] great seafood, great beaches, nice hotels, and none of the inflated prices.. In addition, these cities have seen an increase in kidnappings and extortion attempts by organized criminal groups. Some of the larger cities in Mexico with unusually low crime rates are Mrida, Campeche, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco. This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity. If you choose to cross the border by boat, the $5 fee also . Just keep to the speed limit and you'll be fine. 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. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65428530', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mexico city. I was a leader for Whole Foods Market for over 2 decades and then ran a large martial arts school (primarily) for kids. 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. The city also offers a variety of international cuisines as well as excellent shopping opportunities. Sure its a BIG city and tourist destination, and there are some dangerous places in Mexico City. After all, with more and more digital nomads, moving to other countries is becoming more and more common, whether thats from the United States, Latin America, or elsewhere. And we explored crime rates, common problems for US citizens living there (and European citizens too), as well as cartel issues, and how much money you need to live comfortably. Santa Teresa-San Jernimo NM 136 (Pete Domenici Boulevard), Santa . Blogging, WordPress, hosting, email, and social media marketing, SEO, and how to write content that ranks and gets traffic! Some of the best include Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez, Nuevo Laredo, and Matamoros. Middle Class Dad also participates in affiliate programs with Siteground, CJ, ShareASale, and other sites. The city of Merida is one of the safest cities in Mexico, ranking among the top ten safest places to live in the country each year. 4 hours south of Cancn lies this gem, also in Quintana Roo. The nearby Hierve el Agua hot springs are breathtaking too. 19 Amazing Reasons We Love it! Former Juarez drug war correspondent Joseph Furey is fond of Tijuana, Popotla, and Cuidad because of its charm. Many people regard Matamoros with pride, but we havent seen them in years. Would it be better and dagger to do the Lincoln bridge? The downtown area is small and centered on the main plaza. The surprising truth is that Mexico City is relatively safe. Its also a good idea to register with your embassy or consulate so they can contact you in case of an emergency. 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. As the United States continues to struggle with its own issues regarding immigration and illegal crossings at its southern border, the question of whether or not Mexican border towns are safe has become more relevant. With Bacalar, because its NOT a tourist destination, it also tends to be extremely safe. There are also significant Mayan ruins in the state of Campeche, of which the city is the capital; these arent as well known as the famous ruins to the east, and as such theyre less crowded. The Golden zone, Old Town, and the Malecon are considered the safest areas. It is located in the state of Guanajuato at the heart of Mexico, a three-hour bus ride northwest of Mexico City. THE U.S. SAFETY Mexico is statistically much safer than the United States. Ma Crosbys has a lot to offer, in addition to great food. 1 The Safest States in Mexico to Visit. We are crossing in three days and at times so much of the information found online makes me feel confused and afraid. My business currently grosses 5-figures each month, and yours can too! And does Mexico City make the cut? The Mexican border is a point of contention for many Americans. Is Tucson a border town? Where to Stay: La Casa del Atrio, across from the Museo de Arte, is both popular and affordable. Located in the state of Oaxaca, the city is home to some stunning resorts that sit amongst nine different bays. And, after we cross do we have to drive along the Rio Bravo road on the Mexican side? . But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. It used to be that visitors automatically got 6 months and then could just hop across the border for a couple of days and then get another 6 months. To use our mobile site, please enable JavaScript. The Lincoln Bridge is actually #2, with no immigration.