In my last post, I debunked some myths regarding travel safety in the Aztec country. In the end, I may have left you wondering about safe places to vacation in Mexico. That’s why I came up with a list of them for your review.

I’m glad to welcome first-time visitors to my site and regulars as well. If you still haven’t read the post I mention above and you would like to have more context, I invite you to read my previous post.

Below I will talk about some safe places to vacation in Mexico not only according to me but to many other travelers as well. Without much further ado, let’s get started.

Mexico City

Golden winged angel on a pedestal with several marble figures below it and a few buildings in the background.

A million things could be said about the Mexican capital. It had a bad reputation for being an unsafe place to visit, even other Mexicans had that perception. I must confess I belonged to that group for some time until I visited it and changed my mind. Like I’ve said before, we tend to fear the unknown. Once we experience something firsthand, then and only then are we able to make a proper judgment.

The truth is, the perception many people have about that destination is slowly starting to change. In all fairness, its city center and Roma/Condesa neighborhoods are very safe. However, remember to always watch your surroundings and exercise caution. It’s just common sense.

Now, let me warn you. Mexico City is safe for the most part, but there are areas like Tepito you should avoid altogether. Keep in mind there will always be neighborhoods you might want to stay away from, but if you stick with the tourist areas, you will be fine. Even Paris and New York City have dangerous areas, so you’re not 100% safe anywhere.

Cancún and Riviera Maya

Blue sea with a strip of land to the left and a green trees.

Sun, beaches, gentle weather, jungle, pyramids. This is an old-time favorite for tourists visiting Mexico. Both domestic and international tourists alike love Cancún and Riviera Maya, and that explains why it’s one of the most visited destinations in the country. You can find Americans, French, German, Spanish, English, South Americans, Asians, and the list goes on and on. Spring breakers, honeymooners, young and old visit this region each year.

The hotel strip in Cancún is very safe for tourists. You can see people leaving clubs and bars late at night and walking to their hotels. No need to take a taxi or worry excessively about safety. Just exercise normal caution and enjoy your time.

I remember visiting with friends once. We left Coco Bongo around 5 a.m. I was amazed to see so many people walking the streets at that time of day. I felt safe the whole time.

There are many resorts in the area, and you won’t probably need to venture out into town. However, if you decide to go, don’t be afraid of the city. You will be safe.

Mérida

Circular monument in the center of the street with Mayan motifs and a Mexican flag on top.

A favorite of mine. Mérida is located in the Yucatán Peninsula, about 3 hours away from Cancún. It’s a very safe place, so much that many foreign retirees have made it their residence.

The first time I visited Mérida I was in college. That was a long time ago lol. We were really hungry one night. It was around 1 a.m. We headed out to the city center and walked until we found a hot dog stand.

Mérida is not famous for its nightlife, but you can still see people out in the streets at night. It was very peaceful and I felt safe the whole time.

Los Cabos

Blue waters with huge rocks in the back and a few boats.

Our American friends know it simply as Cabo, while we Mexicans know it as Los Cabos. Anyway, it’s the same place we’re talking about in the Baja California Peninsula.

Tourists love Mexican beaches, especially this one. You can see crystal water and participate in a lot of water-related activities. Most importantly, you will be safe during your stay.

Just like Canúun, Los Cabos has a lot of resorts. Many people prefer to spend their whole time in resorts to keep their peace of mind. However, you have nothing to worry about if you decide to venture into town. Try it at least once. You won’t regret it.

Puebla City

Yellow building with colorful letters in the fron in purple, blue, yellow, orange and green.

This list couldn’t be complete without Mexico’s fourth-largest city. It’s only 2 hours away from Mexico City. If you’re staying in the Mexican capital, you can make visiting Puebla City a 1-day trip.

Puebla City is a very safe place to visit. You will see beautiful Spanish architecture and enjoy some of Mexico’s best dishes. Mole and chiles en nogada originated here.

Puebla City was once a small town, but it has grown so much in recent years. Fortunately, it hasn’t seen a significant increase in crime levels. If you visit, you can stay downtown with peace of mind. Don’t miss out!

Querétaro City

Three colorful jugs with the word Queretaro written on them.

Another destination in central Mexico. Querétaro City is a combination of history and modernity. Its aqueduct is outstanding in its landscape.

It’s close to Mexico City as well, so if you’re in Mexico City, you might want to give it a try.

I will talk about this destination in more detail in another post very soon.

San Miguel de Allende

City landscape with several colonial buildings in the back with an outstanding pink, neo-Gothic style cathedral.

This destination is a favorite spot for American retirees. Its peaceful streets and small-town air make it the perfect place to unwind and de-stress.

There are art galleries, you can visit the wineries and even go on a hot air balloon ride!

San Miguel de Allende boasts a bohemian ambiance. Sit on the terrace of a restaurant and enjoy a glass of wine or a cup of coffee while looking at the magnificent church in the city center.

You can never go wrong with it.

Campeche City

Seawall with a running track and colorful round sculptures to the right and the sea to the left.

According to the 2018 Mexico Peace Index report, Campeche City is the second safest city in Mexico, just behind Mérida. You may have never heard of Campeche City, but it’s a dream place to visit. It hasn’t been exploited too much tourist-wise, but it has so much potential. I visited it for the first time this year and I fell in love with it.

It’s such a colorful city with culture, music, folklore, amazing history, and so much more that I can’t understand why not many tourists know about it.

It is very underrated in my opinion, but I’m glad to see it’s starting to gain importance. I will talk about it very soon. Stay tuned!

Yucatán Peninsula

Maya pyramid with the sky behind it full of clouds.

This is actually a region comprised of several destinations like Cancún, Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Mérida, Campeche City, among others.

The Yucatán Peninsula is one of the safest areas to visit in Mexico. The roads are well-connected and in good condition for the most part. You can rent a car and tour the region at your own pace. Just remember to exercise normal caution and always travel during daylight hours.

The weather is perfect if you want to escape from the cold. It can get hot during the summer, but you will be rewarded with white-sand beaches, beautiful architecture, and delicious food. Make sure to include it in your list.

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Conclusion

To summarize, the safe places to vacation in Mexico are located in the Yucatán Peninsula, central Mexico (Mexico City, Puebla City, Querétaro City, San Miguel de Allende), and Los Cabos in the Baja California Peninsula.

The list above is not exhaustive as we could include more places, but for practical purposes, they are the major safest destinations in Mexico. They are in no particular order either, so feel free to visit them all and make a judgment of your own.

Remember Mexico is a big country, so don’t think what you see or hear on the news happens nationwide. There are safe places and I have to let you know about them.

As always, feel free to leave your comments, opinions, or questions below. I will make sure to get back to you as soon as possible. See you soon!

Book your trip now!

Book your flight

The first thing you have to do is find cheap flights. But where do you find those? There are many search engines, but the one I highly recommend is Skyscanner. Here you can compare fares from all over the world and pick the one that suits you best.

Book your accommodation

The next thing you have to do is secure your lodging. Whether you prefer a hostel, a guesthouse, a B&B, or a hotel, you can find them all on Booking. You can find lodging of all kinds ranging from cheap to expensive and somewhere in between. Many people have scored good deals using it.

Another popular option is Hostelworld. This website focuses on hostels as opposed to hotels.

Book a tour

In some places, you might want to hire a tour. Not all places are equally accessible to visit by oneself. It helps enormously when you visit with a local guide who can show you around and answer any questions you might have…all in your native language. My to-go place is Viator as they offer tours of all kinds and have a presence all over the world.

Rent a car

Public transportation is usually cheaper than renting a car, but it’s sometimes more complicated and time-consuming. That’s a reality. In some cases, it’s more convenient to rent a car. My recommendation is Rentalcars.com. Here you can compare rates and choose the one that fits you best.

Book your bus tickets

You can save money by booking bus tickets online. My favorite site to do this is Busbud.

Get travel insurance

Never travel without a travel insurance policy, especially these days! Travel insurance can save your life. My recommendations are World Nomads and Insured Nomads. Both companies cover COVID-19 related incidents, which is crucial these days.

More resources

Just click on the “Plan your trip” tab at the top of this page, and you will find more resources like getting Mexican insurance for your foreign car, buying travel accessories, and learning Spanish. And, of course, don’t forget to check back often to read more tips on Mexico travel.

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16 Replies to “Safe Places to Vacation in Mexico – A Few Ideas”

  1. Low Cabos looks unreal!!! I cannot wait to visit Mexico it has been on the list for a long time. One thing holding us back was that we didn’t know if it was really safe enough. After reading this post we feel so much more confident in holidaying there and are super exited about Los Cabos, never even heard of it before! 

    1. Hi, Mike,

      Yes, it definitely looks unreal. But it’s real lol.

      I totally understand your concerns. There are many people who avoid visiting because of what they see on the news.

      I hope you visit someday. Let me know if you need any recommendations.

      Thanks for commenting.

  2. I have been in the Sates more than 15 years and sadly never made my way down to Mexico yet. Been wanting to go there but like you mentioned it is not so safe to go down there. Thank you for changing my assumption about Mexico city, who knew that it is safe! That is great! I have also wanted to visit Cancun and Los Cabos as well, usually see them on the all inclusive package, so pretty. I also want to visit Yucatan Peninsula as well. Thank yiu for the lost of the safest place to visit in Mexico. Will make sure to visit in 2020.

    Happy holidays!

    1. Hi, Nuttanee,

      I don’t blame you. There is so much bad press out there and the perception about Mexico many people have is not that good.

      The truth is there are many safe places you can visit. I sincerely hope you do someday. You will love your stay.

      You can read more about Cancun here.

      Thanks for dropping by.

  3. Great pointers here on Mexico travel destinations. I especially like the references to Merida, Puebla City and San Miguel de Allende, as these are places you don’t hear about often. Of these choices Merida really catches my eye. This would be a great complement to a Cancun trip since it is pretty much opposite of Cancun’s nightlife. I will save your post for my next Cancun trip. Thanks again for reaffirming that Mexico is a safe place to visit and keep up the good work!

  4. Very nice review of destinations in Mexico.  Yes I have always had the perception that it was not safe to go to Mexico, but as you said, even places in New York have dangerous areas, so just don’t go to those dangerous areas. 

    It seems like the Yucatan Peninsula is a popular place with tourists, and yes, staying in the resorts area is probably what a lot of people do to stay safe, but as you said, go and visit the town, they are safe.

    1. Hi, Phil,

      Yes, unfortunately many people don’t have a good perception about Mexico. However, that seems to be changing slowly. 

      Like you said, the Yucatan Peninsula is a very popular among tourists. I’m not a fan of resorts, but I can understand why many people like them. It’s all a matter of perspective.

      Thanks for commenting.

  5. Hi Enrique

    Thank you very much for writing this article, as often people do not think about safety. This to me is the most paramount importance as you do not want to be injured, robbed or worse the end of your life.  It is very much appreciated to find out where the best and safest place to visit in Mexico. This is a country that is on my bucket list and one day I hope to visit it. The biggest problem I can see is that no matter where you go in Mexico, you will be at risk as it is impossible to circumvent all of them, as there will be crime. Criminals will always target touristy areas, so you will need to practice good security procedures.

    Thank you for an interesting article.

    Antonio

    1. Hi, Antonio,

      Safety is always an important factor to consider when planning a vacation.

      Keep in mind crime is everywhere. Even in safe areas, it’s impossible to say you won’t encounter anything. I’ve known people who have been robbed in Paris and New York City. It’s not exclusive to a particular city or country.

      I sincerely hope you visit someday. Feel free to ask any questions you have. Thanks for commenting.

  6. Hi, Enrique.
    Thanks for sharing the ideas on safe places to vacation in Mexico.As you correctly said it is the perception that creates the impression od any destination until the challenge is taken ourselves to explore the destination and reveal the truth. The fear of the unknown must be conquered to enjoy our life. I will surely plan to visit Mexico in the near future.
    Warm Regards,
    Gaurav Gaur

    1. Hi, Gaurav,

      Fear is a tough enemy to overcome. We miss out on a lot because of it. But once we decide to take that step and fight it, we discover a whole new world of possiblities. This applies to all areas in life.

      I’m glad to hear you’re considering visiting. Let me know if you need any recommendations.

      Thanks for dropping by.

  7. Hello Enrique. Thank you for sharing these few ideas of safe places t vacation in Mexico.

    Like you have said earlier, the unknown is always feared. We never can tell what’s in it; now wonder they say experience is the best teacher. Sometimes, it is better to have some experience about a thing before leaving a conclusion about it. Well, one needs to be careful and vigilant while gaining the experience too… All about common sense that isn’t common at all. Lol.

    And of course there are bad eggs everywhere. It’ll be hard to see a city or country that is 100% safe all through the areas in it. Thanks for the warning.

    Your experience looks exciting and fun too in those cities you have recommended and I would be excited to have such experience in Mexico too. Wish me good luck.

    Regards!

    1. Hi, Biizy,

      Experience is definitely the best teacher. We can learn from others, but firsthand experience will always be better. After all, one person may be speaking based on a bad experience he had. I’m pretty sure there will always be others who experienced only good things. Been there.

      No place is 100% safe. Chances of getting robbed may be lower in some areas, but they still exist. We have to be vigilant of our surroundings and use common sense everywhere we go.

      I’ve had a myriad of good and bad experiences. I’ll be more than glad to share with them with all of you.

      I sincerely hope you visit someday. Thanks for commenting.

  8. Hiya Enrique

    You live in a very beautiful place, I’ve never been to Mexico but I want to go now after reading your article. I like the sound of Merida as it’s also the name of the heroine in the film Brave, my daughters would love that! Are there any accessible hotels available? 

    I also like the sound of Los Cabos, I wonder what other treasures there are to be found? Is there still an issue with Zika virus in Mexico?

    Thanks for a very informative site, I look forward to the answers to my questions, krs PurpleLioness 

    1. Hi, PurpleLioness,

      Thank you very much. Mexico is indeed beautiful.

      Merida is a favorite of mine. There are several options available. You can stay at Los Aluxes in the downtown area. It’s not expensive and it has all the amenities you might need.

      Los Cabos is also another great option. You can go in February during the whale season.

      Regarding the Zika virus, there is still some risk although there are no travel restrictions in existence. Just take the necessary precautions to avoid being bitten like wearing longsleeved shirts, wearing repellent, etc. and you should be fine.

      I hope you visit someday. Thanks for commenting.

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