While Mexico is generally a very safe vacation destination that welcomes over 35 million American travelers in search of everything from beach resorts to visiting family a year, certain areas are not recommended for tourists.
Ranking foreign destinations according to a four-level system ranging from "exercise normal precautions" to "do not travel," the U.S. State Department has Mexico at level two's "Exercise Increased Caution" as a country but warns against travel to seven of its 31 states — the government agency recently issued a new travel advisory to the border town of Reynosa amid an increase in crime and kidnapping.
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Located in the northern state of Tamaulipas on the border with Texas, Reynosa often serves as a passing point for those going to other parts of Mexico or traveling north to the U.S.
State Department warning: Heavily armed members of criminal groups'
"Heavily armed members of criminal groups often patrol areas of the state and operate with impunity, particularly along the border region from Reynosa to Nuevo Laredo," the State Department writes in the advisory for the wider Taumalipas state. "In these areas, local law enforcement has limited capacity to respond to incidents of crime."
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Reynosa, meanwhile, has seen a recent string of attacks and kidnappings on the cross-city buses that are taken by visitors to the city.
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'Specifically targeted passengers with connections to the United States'
"The U.S. Consulate General in Matamoros continues to receive reports of organized kidnappings for ransom occurring on intercity buses departing Reynosa, Tamaulipas, operated by the transportation company Omnibus," reads the travel advisory for Reynosa issued on July 11. "[...] These kidnappings have occurred predominantly in the evenings on Omnibus buses departing south from the main Reynosa bus terminal. Kidnappers have specifically targeted passengers with connections to the United States, including U.S. citizens and residents."
In the incidents reported, the victims were either held at gunpoint and told to transfer money from their bank accounts on the spot or taken to an unknown destination to call family members demanding thousands of dollars in ransom.
While Tamaulipas is not a state known for its high tourist numbers, places like Playa Miramar are still popular destinations; some will also make a day trip from other areas to see Reynosa or Ciudad Victoria. The State Department also warned that crime tends to rise during the summer months.
For those who do not heed the advisory to avoid traveling to Tamaulipas, the State Department encourages travelers to "be aware of surroundings" and "notify friends and family of your plans."
Earlier this month, the State Department also issued a new advisory for the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. While it is a popular stop for cruise stops and has been seeing increasing numbers of regular tourists, the advisory warned of rising incidences of "murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion and kidnapping" particularly in areas such as Laventille, Beetham, Sea Lots, and Cocorite in Port of Spain.
"Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants," the new advisory reads.
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