The Show on KJZZ

Listen live weekdays at 9 a.m.

U.S. officials urge spring breakers in Mexico to 'travel smart'

By Kendal Blust
Published: Friday, March 17, 2023 - 2:49pm
Updated: Monday, March 20, 2023 - 9:08am
Audio icon Download mp3 (955.05 KB)

U.S. officials are urging people traveling to Mexico for spring break to be prepared and use caution. They aren’t, however, telling people to stay away from the country entirely.

Thousands of U.S. citizens visit Mexico for spring break every year, and the vast majority travel safely — that’s according to a travel advisory from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico this week.

"Travel smart — be informed," it urges travelers, asking them to take some precautions while in Mexico, including watching out for criminal activity, avoiding drug use and possession and purchasing prescription medications only from reputable establishments.

The alert comes in the wake of the kidnapping of four U.S. citizens in Matamoros, in the northeastern state of Tamaulipas. Two of the victims were killed.

Tamaulipas is among six of Mexico’s 32 states with a State Department “Do not travel” warning. Visitors to most states are simply advised to use “increased caution.”

The advisory for Sonora says "reconsider travel," but details that while some parts of the state are off-limits to government employees, others — like Hermosillo, Rocky Point and San Carlos - are considered safe to visit.

Fronteras Sonora Southwest Border Tourism