Mexico travel advisory: US warns not to visit these states over increased kidnapping, crime

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File photo of the beach in Playas de Tijuana, Baja California State, Mexico on February 14, 2021. (Photo by GUILLERMO ARIAS/AFP via Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES - A travel warning has been reissued by the U.S. Department of State for multiple states in Mexico due to the high risk of crime and kidnapping.

This comes after a shelter-in-place alert was issued for U.S. government employees in Tijuana after a sudden outbreak of violent crime.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: US government workers told to shelter in place amid surge in Tijuana violence, cartel threatens 'mass chaos'

Approximately 350 National Guard troops were flown in to support the thousands of federal troops already in the state of Baja California, Reforma reported. There were no reported injuries in the Tijuana hijackings that tangled up traffic throughout the city and temporarily blocked access to the busiest U.S. border crossing.

Armed members of the National Guard drive past the site of a burnt collective transport vehicle after it was set on fire by unidentified individuals in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on August 12, 2022. - Several vehicles were set on fire on

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Hijackings in four other Baja cities led to the arrests of at least 17 people, according to Milenio TV.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: The Jalisco New Generation Cartel threatened violence against anyone seen on the streets over the weekend in Northern Baja California

The Jalisco New Generation Cartel threatened violence against anyone seen on the streets over the weekend in Northern Baja California.

Here is a list of Mexican states where travel is not advised at this time:

Do Not Travel To:

Colima state due to crime and kidnapping.
Guerrero state due to crime.
Michoacan state due to crime and kidnapping.
Sinaloa state due to crime and kidnapping
Tamaulipas state due to crime and kidnapping.
Zacatecas state due to crime and kidnapping.

Reconsider Travel To:

Baja California state due to crime and kidnapping.
Chihuahua state due to crime and kidnapping.
Durango state due to crime.
Guanajuato state due to crime and kidnapping.
Jalisco state due to crime and kidnapping.
Morelos state due to crime.
Sonora state due to crime and kidnapping.

Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To:

Aguascalientes state due to crime.
Baja California Sur state due to crime.
Chiapas state due to crime.
Coahuila state due to crime.
Hidalgo state due to crime.
Mexico City due to crime.
Mexico State due to crime.
Nayarit state due to crime.
Nuevo Leon state due to crime and kidnapping.
Oaxaca state due to crime.
Puebla state due to crime and kidnapping.
Queretaro state due to crime.
Quintana Roo state due to crime and kidnapping.
San Luis Potosi state due to crime and kidnapping.
Tabasco state due to crime.
Tlaxcala state due to crime.
Veracruz state due to crime.

Firefighters work at the scene of a burnt collective transport vehicle after it was set on fire by unidentified individuals in Tijuana, Baja California state, Mexico, on August 12, 2022. - Several vehicles were set on fire on August 12 in the city. (

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Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To:

If you must travel to Mexico, officials strongly recommend the following:

Review the U.S. Embassy's webpage on COVID-19.
Visit the CDC’s web page on Travel and COVID-19.
Keep traveling companions and family back home informed of your travel plans. If separating from your travel group, send a friend your GPS location. If taking a taxi alone, take a photo of the taxi number and/or license plate and text it to a friend.
Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
Follow the U.S. Embassy on Facebook and Twitter.
Review the Country Security Report for Mexico.
Mariners planning travel to Mexico should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, which include instructions on reporting suspicious activities and attacks to Mexican naval authorities.
Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.