I have lived and traveled throughout Mexico for over 30 years, and I have visited a wide range of beautiful and safe cities and towns. Make sure you have pesos for the tolls. It is possible to find a safe and secure place to live near the Mexican border, but it is important to do your research and make sure that you are making the best decision for your family. The nearby Sanctuary of Atotonilco, less than 10 miles away, is also a World Heritage Site and an important pilgrimage site for penitent Mexicans and tourists alike. A visit to Merida is not only a chance to see the city, but it is also a chance to meet expats. Tijuana is a modern, prosperous city that has a rich culture. Now technically, the US does currently have a do not travel travel advisory for Mazatln. Its very family-friendly too with well-lit streets and a police force committed to keeping the town safe. Ive walked the streets at night there many times and never felt unsafe. Under MPP, the number of aliens who take advantage of U.S. law and file false claims for asylum will be reduced. There are always the odd, out-of-the-blue border towns to visit, as well as the usual suspects that you have never heard of. Some of the larger cities in Mexico with unusually low crime rates are Mrida, Campeche, Puerto Escondido, and Huatulco. Every time I used to visit Mexico, I would dream of living there. Like Todos Santos mentioned below, Bacalar holds the official designation as a Pueblo Magico, or Magical Town, due in large part to the lagoon. It is a popular tourist destination with lively nightclubs and restaurants. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide which border town they believe to be the most dangerous. See state summaries and advisory levels below for information on your specific travel destination. The Middle Class Dads Guide to Budgeting e-book, 7 Top Fatherhood Challenges and Solutions for Your Family, How Mindful Meditation Can Improve Your Parenting Style, 15 Flavorful and Healthy Family Meals That are Perfect for Picky Eaters, 34 Kids Yoga Exercises That Boost Self Esteem (And Physical Flexibility), The Ultimate Guide to Make Saving Money Fast and Easy, The Best 10 Types of Exercise for Kids Who Get Too Much Screentime, https://immigrationtomexico.mx/pros-cons-temporary-or-permanent-residency-in-mexico/. Already, several lawmakers have proposed a series of rail safety reforms in response to the Feb. 3 derailment that forced the evacuation of half the town of East Palestine, Ohio, near the . What you will find, however, are historic ruins that date to 300 BC, beautiful and colorful Baroque architecture, and youll be surrounded by mountains. Mexico City is a very safe city for both expats and foreigners to live in. Middle Class Dad is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Bacalar is very safe, and far enough away from Cancun and Playa Del Carmen to avoid some of the touristy petty theft that can happen in big tourist towns. Once in the city traffic, as soon as you are near Aeropuerto Del Norte, you'll want to be in the right hand lane. But lets also be honest, there are a lot of safety concerns about Mexico. THE U.S. SAFETY Mexico is statistically much safer than the United States. He is now a regular contributor to SmarterTravel. Campeche is a safe city to live and vacation in, making it one of the safest cities in Mexico. Here's the list of cities and towns with the largest expat populations in Mexico (excluding border towns): Guadalajara, Lake Chapala, Ajijic, Jalisco (the largest per-capita population of . I can usually be found practicing martial arts, making music, or blogging on my many blogs. Theres a homemade Mexican-style breakfast every morning. Huatulco is considered one of the safest places in Mexico. Is it safe to visit mexico, especially the border towns? I am hoping to find explanation on the columbia crossing, I can't find info on it. And a visit to El Reppollo Rojo (the Red Cabbage Cafe) is a must if you go. So, Colombia would be the easiest, I think. The year 2019 saw the highest number of murders in history (34,608). A typical San Cristobal de las Casas resident can be either a retiree or a young family. By following these tips, expats can enjoy their time living in Mexico without worrying about their safety or breaking any laws or customs. But most residents dont find themselves crime victims. Drug organizations don't like unnecessary violence. Maybe google it spelled as Colombia, not Columbia, a common mistake. By comparison, Bacalar is in Quintana Roo, and, in fact, is the largest city in Quintana Roo. Bahas de Huatulco, which means Bays of Huatulco, is located in the state of Oaxaca on the southern coast of Mexico. As in any other border town, it is always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings. Petty crime is probably the most common issue. These cities have policies in place that protect the rights of immigrants and provide them with access to resources and services. Mexico is a vast country, with heaps of beautiful and interesting places to see, and some 28 million Americans safely travel there each year. Even further down the Baja Peninsula from La Paz lies Todos Santos. The best restaurants, hotels, and chain stores in town make this a great place to visit. According to a Border Network for Human Rights survey of 1,222 residents from ten major border cities from California to Texas, 67.2% feel safe living in a border community, and 69.7% feel the same about their border neighborhood. But the events of 2020 tightened those limitations. The policy has been widely criticized by human rights groups, who argue that it puts asylum seekers in danger and violates their rights. 2023 Smarter Travel Media LLC. The Historic Downtown Urban Development Master Plan has helped to restore historic buildings and revitalize the tourist and business districts that were devastated by the violence. Collectively, they get called Los Cabos. In terms of safety, it is relatively safe here as like with other tourist areas, the government goes to great lengths to crack down on crime. Oaxaca is the capital city in the state of Oaxaca. However, it is important to remember that the vast majority of people who live in Mexico are not involved in the drug trade or other illegal activities. The Laredo bridges get very busy on the weekends, as you might imagine. At the banks of the Rio Grande, separating the United States from Mexico, you have two options. The walk across from this location is relatively simple, but the drive across from this location is also relatively simple. One time I actually wanted to declare some stuff and they just waved me through. Mexico is a popular destination for expats, with many choosing to move there for its vibrant culture, beautiful scenery, and friendly people. Where to Stay: For an indulgent resort experience you cant do much better than Secrets Huatulco Resort & Spa, where amenities include multiple swimming pools and tennis courts, yoga classes, watersports, and seven restaurants. Middle Class Dad is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies, but in no way increases the cost to you if you opt to make a purchase from my links. The Mexican border is a point of contention for many Americans. After all, with more and more digital nomads, moving to other countries is becoming more and more common, whether thats from the United States, Latin America, or elsewhere. However, that is the maximum time, and the officer in charge could mandate less time. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-65428530', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Mexico city. It is not the most direct route between Mexico City and the Rio Grande Valley, nor is the Anzalduas International Bridge safe. While it is safe to drive through El Paso, it is critical to keep an eye out for crime in the city. As of right now we are choosing to go through the downtown Laredo bridge. more, You seem to have JavaScript disabled. The Mayan influence remains strong here, and the area has its own style of cuisine that diverges considerably from what you will find in other parts of Mexico. But for the first time traveling family, I understand wondering is Costa Rica kid friendly? The State Department has explicitly stated there are no restrictions on travel to Tulum or to Chichen Itza, the magnificent archaeological site just an hour up the road. It is an excellent base for exploring Chiapas or living in a small-town setting. In addition to being sister cities, both Del Rio, Texas, and Ciudad Acu*a, Mexico, are commercial centers. And the pyramid at Chichen Itz isnt too far away either. Couple things. Guanajuato state does have some very dangerous parts with a lot of drug cartel action and gang violence. Report inappropriate content 1-3 of 3 replies Sorted by 1 5thGenTexan Lots of ex-pats and families live here, and most love their life here and never have an incident. Its relatively hot, with an average high of about 90 F all year. With Bacalar, because its NOT a tourist destination, it also tends to be extremely safe. Unlike most other cities on my list, I would not recommend Guanajuato for families or solo females. The Lincoln Bridge is actually #2, with no immigration. Unfortunately, there are some cities in Mexico that are unsafe to travel. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Called the Lake of Seven Colors, the lagoon stretches for 42 kilometers and is fed by underground rivers. Photo byHugo DerramaderofromPexels,Image by StevenReid from Pixabay Image by jcesardelapaz from Pixabay Image by pennakyp from PixabayImage by Joaqun Enrquez from Pixabay Image by Kevin Alexandro Reyes Casillas from Pixabay Image by Alvaro Bejarano from Pixabay Image by studiokca0 from Pixabay, Jeff Campbell is a father, martial artist, budget-master, Disney-addict, musician, and recovering foodie having spent over 2 decades as a leader for Whole Foods Market. The low crime rate makes it a great place to live or visit. This city has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its well-preserved colonial architecture and vibrant cultural scene. It seems the aduana folks there are pretty gringo friendly, too. But its also a bustling resort town with tons of restaurants and a place where a number of celebrities have 2nd homes here or come here with great regularity. What is the Safest place in Mexico to vacation with family. MPPs are U.S. Government-imposed measures designed to protect migrants in the United States. Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and a number of other popular Mexican tourist destinations are not at risk of earthquake damage. In many cases, tourist towns tend to be safe since the cartels and other criminal organizations dont want to mess with the tourism dollars that flood their country. Lastly, you say you'll spend the first night in Saltillo, but wonder if Colombia bridge opens at 8? Now Playa Del Carmen is a big tourist area and resort town, and sometimes that does attract petty theft like pickpocketing. As a whole, Mexico is generally safe for travelers if you take proper precautions, do your research, and use your head. For safety, being close to the big tourist destinations of Cabo San Lucas and San Jos del Cabo, you dont see much crime here. That being said, there are some general things that can be said about living near the Mexican border. 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