The State Department updated its Mexico travel advisory on 2 June, placing Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas at Level 4: Do Not Travel. The advisory cites kidnapping, carjacking and homicide rates that exceed previous thresholds. US government employees are prohibited from travelling to these states except for specific approved missions.
Level 4 status triggers automatic travel insurance exclusions for many US-based policies and may affect cruise line itineraries that include port calls in affected regions. The advisory will be reviewed again on 1 September.
Mexico received 11.2 million US visitors in 2025, making it the top international destination for Americans. Tourism officials in unaffected states such as Quintana Roo and Baja California Sur have reported no change in visitor numbers since the announcement.
The advisory follows a spike in cartel-related incidents reported by the US Embassy in Mexico City during the first quarter of 2026. State governments in the five affected areas have disputed the classification and continue to promote tourism corridors they claim are safe.
What this means for you
US citizens should cancel or reroute any non-essential travel to the five Level 4 states immediately. If travel is unavoidable, register with the STEP program and obtain comprehensive insurance that explicitly covers high-risk destinations before departure.
Travellers already in Mexico should avoid driving after dark and use only pre-booked hotel transfers rather than rental cars in the affected regions. Monitor the State Department website for any further geographic restrictions announced during the summer holiday period.
The advisory is expected to remain in place through at least September, giving travellers time to adjust Mexico itineraries toward states still rated Level 2 or 3 such as Yucatán and Jalisco.