I love traveling through Mexico, but it has to be said, the Mexican border zone is dangerous!
The Mexican/American border will always be a huge magnet to drugs gangs who need to get their stuff over the border. Many gang relates violence is reported in the border zone.
Honestly these things mainly happen at night, but it’s not all gang related violence in the border zone.
Mexico is not at rich as the USA and many people have to fight for a living.
Unfortunately, some of them see us tourist as an easy way to make ends meet.
This could happen anywhere in Mexico (and any other country basically), but 95% of the incidents will be at the border where all tourist pass by.
ADVICE
My advice is to cross the border early in the morning. That way you have all the time you need to do the paperwork and drive straight through the border zone towards the friendly Mexican inland.
SAFETY TIPS
- Never Drive At Night
- Don’t Walk The Streets At Dark
- Drive Through The Border Zone (about 60 miles at least) Without Stopping
- Avoid Driving Into The Bigger Cities Right After The Border (try to drive around them)
- Use Only The Highways (toll roads are even safer)
- Prepare Your Next Destination In Advance
- Only Stop At The Bigger Gas Stations
- Keep Your Vehicle Locked While Driving
- Have Copies Of Your Car Papers, Insurance Papers And Passports By Hand.
- When Pulled Over, Cooperate
- When In An Accident, Call 911 (yes its 911 in Mexico aswell) And Ask For Assistance (try to keep track of where you are! City, road name, kilometer, house number.)
- Stay Calm!
When you follow these safety tips, mainly needed for the border zone, you will be just fine!
These safety tips are meant to keep you safe, not to scare you!
Mexico has much to offer you, enjoy it with these tips in mind!
