Celebrated for its breathtaking beaches, ancient Mayan ruins and magical towns, Mexico is a very popular destination for travellers. However, concerns about safety often arise, fueled by reports of violent crimes linked to organized crime and drug cartels.
Despite this, many places in Mexico are reasonably safe and have welcoming communities, intriguing cultural sites and scenic surroundings.
We've put together the below list of some of the safest cities in the country, based on the city's size (it needs to be a city, not a town), appeal to visitors and, of course, safety. Popular areas in the country are covered, and we've also included a few fascinating, less-visited cities.
Just keep in mind that there are some precautions you should take while travelling to Mexico, no matter where you stay.
Stick to well-lit areas at night, leave your passport in your room, and don’t carry excess cash on you. When out at night, keep an eye on your drinks, don't walk home alone at night, and stay away from drugs (they are readily available on the streets).
If you take these basic precautions and choose your destinations well, you should have a fun and safe trip to Mexico. Here are just a few of the safer cities in Mexico that are well worth visiting.
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3. Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
Playa del Carmen is a well-known coastal city in Mexico, with close proximity to Mayan ruins and beautiful cenotes.
Its long white beaches and blue waters make it a popular tourist destination, and Playa del Carmen is a relatively safe place to visit in Mexico, suitable for solo travellers and families.
Despite some incidences of drug-related violence in nearby Tulum, Playa del Carmen is generally isolated from these issues, and the state of Quintana Roo has minimal violent crime directed at tourists.
That said, it's worth taking some safety precautions in Playa del Carmen, including not walking around alone at night and staying away from recreational drugs while you're in town.
Planning your trip to Playa del Carmen
Stay at Suites Corazon, an easy walk to the beach and the main street of town
Book a tour to discover Tulum's ruins, snorkelling and caves
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6. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
Known for its beaches, bustling nightlife and beautiful marine life, Puerto Vallarta is one of the safest places in the country to visit. The city is also a haven for art lovers, with numerous galleries and a vibrant art scene.
Puerto Vallarta has largely remained uninvolved in cartel conflicts and crime rates are very low - significantly lower than the crime rates of major cities in the United States. As well as being family-friendly, it's also a good destination for same-sex couples.
There is a small amount of petty crime, such as bag snatching, pickpocketing or theft, so use all normal precautions.
Planning your trip to Puerto Vallarta
Stay at Vallarta Shores Beach Hotel, a beachfront hotel near the old town
Book a day trip to the Hidden Beach in the Marietas Islands
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7. San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage site, a popular destination for expats and one of the safest places in Mexico.
Over 8,000 Canadian, British, and American expats live in San Miguel de Allende, which has beautiful Spanish colonial churches, great restaurants, and heritage sites.
While crime rates in San Miguel de Allende are relatively low, be cautious when out at night and keep an eye on your belongings on public transport.
Planning your trip to San Miguel Allende
Stay at Hotel Casa Blanca 7, a beautiful hotel in the historic part of town
Book a guided tour to the Cañada de la Virgen pyramid and discover one of Mexico's fascinating but less-visited archaeological sites.
Planning a trip to Mexico? Read our travel guides
