Kidnapping is a “significant security risk” in large parts of the country.
Mexico’s travel advisory has been updated several times over the past year and includes several warnings for early 2024.
The Government of Canada continues to advise travelers to use extreme caution in the North American country. Additionally, there are some areas where all travel should be avoided.
Mexico is the second-largest tourist destination for Canadians after the United States, and travelers from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) enjoy affordable flights year-round to top destinations like Cancun. However, the country has seen a rapid increase in violent crime and kidnappings in recent years.
In November 2023, the United Nations announced that more than 100,000 people were at risk. Currently missing in MexicoReuters characterized the mass disappearances as “alarming.”
What should I do if I’m kidnapped?
Canada warns that Mexico has one of the highest kidnapping rates in the world. It is a “significant safety risk” for people traveling in the country. Although many tourist destinations are considered safe, this problem is widespread.
Many contract Canadians working for Mexican companies have been kidnapped, but “kidnappers target all classes.” They often work in areas not under the control of security forces or police.
If you are kidnapped:
- comply with the kidnapper’s demands
- don’t try to resist
The second type of kidnapping is called express kidnapping and occurs in large urban areas. Criminals demand small, immediate ransoms and often work with (or pretend to be) taxi drivers. They force the victim to withdraw money from her ATM using a debit or credit card in exchange for release.
- Use only trusted taxi companies or trusted ride-hailing apps
- Book a taxi through your hotel or an authorized taxi stand (On-site)
Do not travel to Guerrero
Hurricane Otis made landfall in Mexico in October 2023, but damage remains in parts of the country.
Due to the unstable security situation, people should avoid traveling to Guerrero completely. The threat of “armed violence, robbery and looting in cities and roads” continues.
The cities of Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo and Taxco are excluded from the advisory.
Updated Travel Advisory from Mexico to Canada in 2024
In 2022, Canada and its neighbors south of the border issued updated advisories for parts of Mexico due to violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery.
Popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum) and Acapulco continue to experience high rates of this type of crime. There are also criminal organizations and drug cartels in the tourist area, and bystanders can get caught up in the crossfire.
In these popular tourist destinations, conflicts can arise between taxis and rideshare app drivers. Drivers don’t usually target tourists, but you “could be involved in these incidents and end up being harassed or injured.”
In Mexico City, government-approved taxis have license plates that begin with “A” or “B.” Other taxi stands have both the company logo and plate number stamped on the side of the vehicle. Authorized taxi users in Mexico City can verify pink and white taxis on his CDMX app.
Buses are relatively safe in the capital, but if you’re traveling to other cities, you’ll need to take VIP or executive class transportation.
Penalties for violating laws in Mexico may be more severe than in Canada for similar violations. Travelers may be held in pretrial detention and face long delays before trial.
“Many misdemeanors (such as public urination, failure to pay a bill, and disorderly conduct) can lead to 72-hour detention by police. Payment of a fine may result in early release from detention. There is a possibility that it will be done.”
Smoking is prohibited in all public places except in clearly marked designated smoking areas. Places where tourists are not allowed to smoke include beaches, parks, hotels, and restaurants. If you are caught smoking in public, you can be fined.
Avoid non-essential travel to these areas of Mexico
The Government of Canada warns against non-essential travel to the following areas due to high rates of violence and organized crime:
- all chihuahuas
- All of Colima except Manzanillo city
- Entire state of Coahuila (excluding the southern part of the state below the Saltillo-Torreón highway corridor)
- All of Durango except Durango City
- in guanajuato
- Highway 45 between Leon and Irapuato
- Area south of and including Highway 45D between Irapuato and Celaya
- All of Michoacán except Morelia City
- in the state of Morelos
- Lagunas de Zempoara National Park and surrounding areas
- Sosocotla City
- in Nayarit
- Areas within 20 km of the border between Sinaloa and Durango
- Tepic town
- Entire state of Nuevo Leon except Monterrey
- Entire state of Sinaloa except Mazatlan City
- All of Sonora except Hermosillo, Guaymas/San Carlos, and Puerto Peñasco
- Entire state of Tamaulipas
- all zacatecas
What if I need help while in Mexico?
If you have an emergency in Mexico, dial 911.
If you have a problem on the highway, call roadside assistance. Angeles Verdes is a highway patrol service that provides free assistance on all major toll highways from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.
For inquiries to Angeles Verdes, please contact: Download the app on your mobile device. In case of an emergency, you can also contact us by dialing 078 or 800 006 8839 (toll-free in Mexico).
Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance should call 001-800-514-0129 (toll-free from Mexico only), +1 613 996 8885, or text +1 613-686 to contact Global Affairs Canada Emergency. Please contact our Monitoring and Response Center. -3658, via WhatsApp (+1 613-909-8881), via Telegram Canada Emergency Overseas, or Email.
What to do before traveling to Mexico
Please visit a travel medical clinic before booking your ticket. Your health care professional will inform you about any required vaccinations and what to expect during your trip. You are at risk of contracting several viruses spread by mosquitoes, including dengue, Zika, and chikungunya.
Travelers should always check the latest government advice before booking flights from Vancouver to Mexico. You should also purchase comprehensive travel insurance when booking your flight. This will cover the cost of your flight ticket in case you are unable to depart due to unforeseen health or other emergency reasons. Accidents such as missed connections, interrupted or lost baggage are also covered.
A Canadian travel advisory with a “Level 3” or “Level 4” warning may be filed under the Travel Cancellation and Disruption Plan. However, if travelers book flights or accommodation after the advisory has been issued, they will not be able to make a claim.
Unless you plan to stay within the northern border area for less than 72 hours, you must fill out a tourist card to enter Mexico.
If you don’t get Tourist card on arrivalyou may face issues such as:
Canadians must always register for travel online before leaving so that the government can contact you in case of an emergency.
