What you need to know:
- The U.S. State Department issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Mexico due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping risks.
The U.S. State Department warned Americans traveling to Mexico about terrorism risks earlier this week, leaving some vacationers worried about canceling trips.
A Level 2 advisory means travelers should “exercise increased caution,” due to violent crimes such as terrorism, crime and kidnapping.
And in some parts of Mexico, outside of the major cities, emergency services for American tourists are limited.
“Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery,” the updated summary states. “There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico.”
But travel experts say the risk level remains largely unchanged and most visits are safe if you just take some basic precautions.
Some of the recommended safety measures include being aware of your surroundings, using pre-arranged transportation, and avoiding displays of wealth, ie, expensive wristwatches or jewelry.