The U.S. State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Mexico on Tuesday.
The popular North American country now receives a Level 2 travel advisory, with the August 12 update encouraging visitors to exercise increased caution due to terrorism, crime and kidnapping.
This Level 2 designation is on par with many other popular destinations around the world, including dozens of countries in Europe.
Previously, Mexico was listed more broadly as "Other," with threats and risk levels broken down by individual state.
The new advisory still breaks down risk level by states, however, with hotspots such as Baja California Sur (Los Cabos), Mexico City, Nayarit and Quintana Roo (Cancun and Riviera Maya) continuing to fall under Level 2.
Evening falls in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. (Photo Credit: Lark Gould)
"There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations," according to the Quintana Roo advisory. "Shootings between rival gangs have injured and killed innocent bystanders. U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas."
"Pay attention to your surroundings after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen," officials add. "Remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones."
Meanwhile, Guanajuato and Jalisco, home to coveted destinations such as San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta, respectively, receive Level 3 advisories, which encourage visitors to reconsider travel.
Two states, including Campeche and Yucatan, receive Level 1 advisories (exercise normal precautions) while six states—Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas—receive Level 4 (do not travel) designations.
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