13 Safest Cities in Mexico to Visit in 2025
Are you wondering what the safest cities in Mexico are?
Mexico has recently taken a hit as a destination of criminals of the worst kind. While not all of this misleading, this picture is definitely exaggerated. Many places there remain lovely and some of the most beautiful to visit.
Today, we will take a look at 13 of the best of these destinations. Beyond the usual precautions that people in a new place take, any of these cities is safe enough for you to have nothing to worry about. We have double-checked with the crime rates there and it is very low. Police presence is equally evident.
The data shared has been arrived at by consulting the relevant authorities as well as hearing from people (both natives and tourists).
Mérida
Mérida is not only safe by Mexican standards but also those of the Americas on a whole. According to the CEO magazine, only Quebec in Canada beats it on this metric. In part, this owes to the fact that it is a state capital (Yucatan) so enough resources go into maintaining its stature including keeping it safe.
About the things you will explore whilst there, they include marvelous pieces of architecture e.g. the Cathedral of San Ildefonso, several archeological sites and museums, as well as the different delicious cuisines served.
There is no shortage of cultural engagements either not least the art work and music of its people. The city has even put it upon itself to organize free public events everyday showcasing these very products.
San Miguel de Allende
In 2020, this city received a Safe Travels Stamp from the World Travel and Tourism Council in recognition of the extent to which it went to ensure the safety of residents as well as tourists. Importantly, it was the first city that is not located along a beach to reach this mark. The huge number of expats living there (over 17,000) are testament to this fact.
San Miguel de Allende has a culture of its own too that makes it a favorite for most. Here, I cannot fail to mention its artists.
Every corner of the city welcomes you with well imagined works telling the stories of the city’s inhabitants. Interestingly, churches have not been left out in this endeavor not least the pink painted Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel.
Festivities are another regular in San Miguel de Allende one of the most anticipated ones being Día de los Locos (standing for day of the crazy people). The other is the marking of the international jazz festival.
UNESCO recognizes this place as one of its world heritage sites.
Oaxaca
This city is pretty safe with the popular destinations being even more so including Zócalo, 20 de Noviembre Market, and Santo Domingo Church.
It is also best to think of Oaxaca as the capital of Mexican food i.e. most Mexican dishes served in restaurants across the world originated here and continue to be best prepared there.
Some of these are; tlayudas, mole sauces, and roasted chapulines.
If you want to keep with your home cuisines even in the face of this however, Oaxaca has got you covered too as they have places for just that.
The location is big on tradition too holding several festivities in this line e.g. Día de los Muertos. It is no wonder that it is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The only difficulty with Oaxaca is the necessity to know some bit of Spanish in order to get along.
Playa del Carmen
The city is the fastest growing in the country for several reasons one of which is its international appeal. Quinta Avenida thus, which is one of the most popular streets for pedestrians is, frequented by German, Italian, and French speakers.
As a result, nice complementary facilities have sprung up in Playa del Carmen e.g. state-of-the-art apartments, yoga studios, and quality cafes. The apex of this adventure is the sandy beaches that are within an arms distance of the main parts of town.
Police equally makes regular patrols particularly in the locations where tourists frequent. The only hindrance is corruption which often means that law implementation is not done to its fullest. A shooting at Xcaret Ecopark in 2020 thus, cost the lives of two Canadians.
Cozumel
Located approximately 20km from Playa del Carmen, Cozumel is an equally safe place to be. The bonus here is that it is an island (the biggest in Mexico) with all the amenities that are to be expected.
First, the natural attractions there are exquisite. Among them are swamps, coral reefs, aquatic life beaches, and forests. There is a host of activities to participate in while there as well including snorkeling and scuba diving– it is one of the best locations to dive anywhere in the world as a matter of fact.
If you are into history and tradition, Cozumel is a good place to start investigating and studying about Mayan culture.
Finally, it is relatively secluded in comparison with most of the other places mentioned on the list (if you are an introvert like myself that is).
Valladolid
This small city is often under looked by most travelers usually opting to stay there for a night when visiting Chichen Itza. That does not have to be the case though as Valladolid has enough to offer and its security is no doubt. You can walk without fear even at night.
It is another place that is heavily populated by the Mayans and these peoples continue to influence its present as they did the past both of which are times that you can tap into at this locale.
Traditional dishes and dances are a good start here and so is visiting artefacts like the cenotes.
If you are a fine art geek, then you will equally enjoy Valladolid cobblestone streets and the radiantly colored houses. More specifically, Calzada de los Frailes street brings out this picture best.
La Paz
La Paz is the safest city in Baja California. Its most secure part is Malecon but the entire La Paz is safe really thanks to the tourist police that ensures for it. There is an airport too which makes connecting to different destinations smooth and fast.
For the leisure side, La Paz has some of the most stunning beaches you want to be to e.g. Playa Balandra and Tecolote Beach. Of course, where there is water, there is swimming and seafood too.
Things will get even better if you can make it to the bays of Magdalena and La Paz because there you can get a chance to swim with whales and sharks.
Isla Espiritu Santo Island of La Paz is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Puerto Vallarta
The crime rate of Puerto Vallarta (PV) is lower than that of many states in the US thanks to strong measures of security adopted by combining both the law and technology. They include; surveillance cameras systems and proper enforcement.
Locals in the area equally have a strong sense of community so they are always looking out to protect its image. The city has also built firm protocols to monitor and respond to its hurricane prone nature.
PV mixes modernity with infrastructure via its division system. Old town has cobblestone streets hence, whereas other parts have good internet connectivity. There is an embrace of inclusivity in PV that is to be commended. Some beaches thus display LGBTQI+ themed lights in the night.
And, to the extent that tourists are always in search of stuff to look at, the Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe and several art galleries will be waiting on you.
Los Cabos
Los Cabos can better be understood as two cities within one (i.e. San José del Cabo on one hand, and Cabo San Lucas on the other) connected by a stretch of 20 miles or so where tourists hang out for the most part. No doubt you can check out either of the twin divisions but be mindful that each of them has an identification; San José del Cabo for the serious stuff and Cabo San Lucas for those that want to catch on some more of the fun.
Los Cabos is safe enough that several American celebrities have bought properties in the area while others spend vacations there. George Clooney and Jennifer Aniston fall in the latter category.
The attractions in the city are both artificial and natural. You will find plenty of beaches therefore and golf courses as you will find wildlife.
Please note that the weather conditions in the city can be hot.
Ensenada
Neighboring California, this city is one of the easiest to connect to from the United States. It is secure too with data on the residents’ trust in law enforcement being very impressive.
Ensenada is a good place to have fun thanks to the beaches that are all around e.g. Playa Sur, Playa Norte, and Playa Chapultepec. There is a regular port too where you can travel on very high end ships as you relax.
As for the human augmenting niceties; the seafood and wine at Ensenada are memorable. In fact it is within proximity for Valle de Guadalupe which thanks to its brewing has come to be called the “Napa Valley of Mexico.
Ensenada is more expensive than most of the country’s cities though but still cheap in comparison to US prices.
Mexico City
Many people will know about the not so good name that this city made for itself in the early 2000s. Thanks to new administration however, reforms for the better have been introduced in the recent past. Mexico City’s street lights are well lit at night for instance, and police officers work 24/7.
The best locations in the city include; Polanco, Condesa, Coyoacán, and Roma Norte. The things to explore while there include museums, parks, and restaurants.
Please note that even in its current state, you should do not go to any of these parts of Mexico City; Tepito, Iztapalapa, Ecatepec, Neza, and Doctores.
Other Safest Cities in Mexico for Tourists
- Tulum
- Puebla
