If you plan to visit Mexico in Spring Break 2023, you may want to change your travel plans ASAP. Now, both the US Embassy and State of Texas issued warnings to avoid optional travel to Mexico for the time being.
Texas DPS Issues Stern Warning Against Spring Break in Mexico
The travel alert comes in the wake of the shooting and kidnapping of four Americans earlier this month. The Texas Department of Public Safety urges US residents to skip trips to Mexico this Spring Break. Not only then, but for a while.
Why? Well, it’s due to the continuing violence throughout the country. DPS Director Steven McCraw said, “Drug cartel violence and other criminal activity represent a significant safety threat to anyone who crosses into Mexico right now”.
He adds: “We have a duty to inform the public about safety, travel risks, and threats”. And based on “cartel activity… and violence we are seeing there…” they urges people “to avoid travel to Mexico at this time”.
They further advise that those planning Spring Break travel to any area there should read the travel advisories online (here).
And Americans who travel there are advised to “register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to their departure.”
State Department Issues Level 4 Spring Break Warning
The US State Department singled out six states for a level 4 warning, which is a “No Travel” caution. Those are: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
There are also level 3 “reconsider travel” warnings for seven other states. These include: Baja, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Senora.
So, is this where you wanted to go for Spring Break? The US State Department warns violent crime is “widespread and common” in Mexico. They list murder, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery in the advisory.
They add: “The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico.”
“Travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted”. And they said, “In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities”.
What’s a Level 2 Travel Warning?
AAA lists Mexico as a popular travel locale for Spring Break this year with beach resorts at the top of the list. Of course, the most common cities to visit include Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Mexico City.
So, the State Department issued a Level 2 warning for the areas. At level 2, travelers should “exercise increased caution” in certain regions. So, where ever you go, if you head south of the border, please be safe!
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