The 15 Most Dangerous Cities in Mexico

Mexico is the 24th least peaceful country in the world. The Global Peace Index takes into account homicide rates, violent crime, political instability, and heavy weapons capabilities. While Mexico is a popular tourist destination for those wanting warm beaches and sparkling pools, this North American country frequently deals with homicides, theft, drug trafficking, political corruption, and organized crime. Discover the 15 most dangerous cities in Mexico and learn what makes them unsafe.

Chihuahua

The city of Chihuahua is the capital of the Mexican state of Chihuahua. As of 2017, it had a population of 878,062. It features gorges, canyons, and Spanish Baroque architecture. However, Chihuahua is not safe for tourists. The U.S. State Department urges travelers to reconsider visiting this Mexican city due to violent crime and gang activity. Chihuahua has 38 homicides for every 100,000 people. In 2018 alone, the city saw 352 murders.

Reynosa

The border city of Reynosa sits in Northern Tamaulipas, a state in Northeast Mexico near the Texas border. The population of Reynosa was 935,000 in 2022, nearly a two percent increase from 2021. While the city has many cultural attractions, the risk of carjackings and robberies is very high. Reynosa has a high crime rate, with drug trafficking, kidnapping, and violence common occurrences. There are 41 murders for every 100,000 people in Reynosa.

Tepic

As the capital and largest city of Nayarit, a western state, Tepic contains 425,924 inhabitants. It is an urban center of a rich agricultural region that produces sugarcane and tobacco. Unfortunately, Tepic is plagued by gang activity and is the 36th most dangerous city in the world. Citizens and tourists should avoid this city, as it is a cartel violent hotspot. There are 45 homicides for every 100,000 people.

Ensenada

Ensenada is the fourth-largest municipality in Mexico, featuring a population of 443,907 and a total land area of 7,500 square miles. Ensenada is a popular destination for its wine festivals and carnivals, but it has a dark side. Outside the city center, violent killings are relatively common. In 2018 alone, there were 253 murders.

Celaya

Located in Central Mexico and northwest of Mexico City, Celaya has a population of 767,104. It contains museums, interesting architecture, and candy manufacturers. However, Celaya has seen a spike in violence due to the Santa Rosa de Lima Cartel attempting to defend its enterprise. There are 47 homicides for every 100,000 people in Celaya.

Coatzacoalcos

Located in the southern region of Veracruz, Coatzacoalcos is a significant port city on the river estuary in the Gulf of Mexico. This city features cultural attractions, like museums and delicious restaurants. Despite is beautiful beaches, Coatzacoalcos is not a safe destination for tourists or locals. This city contains violent crime and gang activity, resulting in 48 homicides for every 100,000 people.

Ciudad Obredon

Ciudad Obregon is the second-largest city in the state of Sonora, where it resides in the southern region. It features a population of more than 430,000 and has a vibrant city center and cultural attractions. While it is a scenic area, Ciudad Obregon is one of the most dangerous cities in the world and had 179 homicides in 2018 alone.

Uruapan

Uruapan is an important economic city on the western edge of the Purepecha highlands, where it resides in the state of Michoacan. As of 2020, Uruapan had a population of 356,786 and is known for its lush scenery and beautiful Spanish colonial architecture. The areas surrounding the city is abundant with drug trafficking and ongoing violence from gang activities. There are 55 homicides for every 100,000 people in Uruapan.

Culiacan

Located in Northwest Mexico in the state of Sinaloa, Culiacan is an inland city known for its many attractions, like nightclubs and parks. However, in recent years, Culiacan has seen rising levels of violence and criminal activity. Assault and armed robbery are common occurrences in this city. There are 61 homicides for every 100,000 people and the city saw 585 murders in 2018 alone.

Cancun

Sitting on the Yucatan Peninsula and bordering the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is a popular tourist destination due to its white sand beaches and high-rise resorts. While most tourists don’t encounter violence, areas around the strip are prone to violent crime and people are advised to stay vigilant. Cancun has 64 homicides for every 100,000 people.

Irapuato

Situated at the foot of the Arandas Hill in the central region of Guanajuato, Irapuato is the second-largest city in the state and is known for its agricultural industry. Sadly, Irapuato suffers from drug-related violence, mainly an ongoing turf war between two cartels in the area. They city sees 81 homicides per every 100,000 people.

Ciudad Juarez

Located on the Rio Grande, Juarez is a border city just south of El Paso, Texas. This city features museums and other cultural centers, but the cons outweigh the pros. Juarez has a long history of intense violence and drug trafficking. It’s home to Mexico’s first cartel and much of the city has been torn apart from the crime and violence. Over 1,251 people were murdered in 2018.

Ciudad Victoria

Situated in Northeast Mexico, Victoria is the capital of Tamaulipas and lies at the foot of the Sierra Madre. The city is known for its manufacturing and agriculture. However, it is not safe for visitors. Organized crime, such as shootings, armed robberies, kidnappings, and sexual assaults are common in the area. Roughly 86 homicides occur for every 100,000 people.

Acapulco

Acapulco is a beach resort city along Mexico’s Pacific coast and is popular for its lively nightlife and beaches. However, this city is one of the most dangerous in the country. Most governments warn of traveling to Acapulco due to the high level of crime. Along with petty crimes, violence is common. A cartel controls much of the city and 948 people were killed in 2018 alone. There are 111 homicides for every 100,000 people.

Tijuana

Tijuana is the second-largest city in Northern Mexico and one of the most westernmost cities in the country. While Tijuana features a bustling main street, lively bars, and shops, the U.S. Government urges travelers to avoid it. This city has a high prevalence of crime, both large and small, and it is the most dangerous city in Mexico. Violent crime and gang activity is prevalent throughout and 2,640 people were murdered in 2018. For every 100,000 people there are 138 homicides.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © ooo.photography/Shutterstock.com