7 Safest Cities in Mexico to Visit in 2025
You know how the media loves to paint Mexico as this criminal enterprise scenario?
Well, spoiler alert: most of it's about as dangerous as your aunt's book club (okay, maybe your aunt's book club gets pretty wild, but you get the point! 😅)
Let's talk about some Mexican cities that are so safe, your biggest danger will be falling in love with them and never wanting to leave.
How do we know? It happened to us!
We have lived in Ensenada, Mexico for the past 3 years! And while it's not officially on the list of safest cities in Mexico, we have never felt unsafe in Ensenada.
Key Takeaways:
- Safest Mexican Cities: Merida, Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende
- Best Time to Visit: October-April
- Average Safety Rating: Higher than most U.S. tourist destinations
- Common Safety Features: Police presence, tourist police, security cameras
- Transportation: Reliable public transit and ride-share options
🏆 Merida: The Safety Champion
Imagine a place so safe it makes Switzerland look edgy! That's Merida for you – the safety superstar of Mexico. Merida is ranked in the top 10th percentile for safety in the world.
Lots of gringos are moving to Merida… in droves, really. There's even a growing Black expat community there.
As long as you can handle the heat and humidity (think Florida), it's golden.
Between the stunning colonial architecture and mind-blowing Yucatecan food, the biggest risk here is having to buy new pants because you couldn't stop eating cochinita pibil. Trust us, we speak from delicious experience!
🌴 Playa del Carmen: The Coastal Cool Kid
Picture a place where flip-flops are formal wear and beach time is basically a full-time job – that's Playa del Carmen!
Located less than an hour south of Cancun (but with way more personality), “Playa” as the locals call it has transformed from a sleepy fishing village into a vibrant coastal city that somehow manages to be both super trendy and totally laid-back.
The heart of it all is Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenida), a pedestrian street stretching about 3 miles where you're more likely to hear Italian, French, or German than English or Spanish – yep, it's that international.
Safety-wise, Playa scores high marks, especially in the tourist zones and beach areas where police regularly patrol (though keep an eye on your belongings at the beach – those seagulls are notorious thieves! 😉).
The biggest threats here? Getting addicted to street tacos, spending too much time snorkeling in the crystal-clear Caribbean waters, or “accidentally” missing your flight home because you were too busy exploring nearby cenotes (natural swimming holes that'll make your backyard pool look boring).
Photo by Jezael Melgoza
🌮 Mexico City (CDMX): The Misunderstood Giant
Remember that friend everyone thought was scary until they met them? That's CDMX!
Sure, it had its rough patch in the early 2000s (who didn't?), but now it's like that reformed bad boy who went to therapy and got really into yoga.
In fact, in 2016, Mexico City was the #1 New York Times destination recommendation!
Between the 24/7 tourist police, security cameras on every corner, and well-lit streets, Mexico's capital has become safer than many major U.S. cities.
The trick to a safe CDMX adventure? Stick to neighborhoods like Condesa (the Brooklyn of Mexico), Roma Norte (hipster heaven), Polanco (the Beverly Hills of Mexico), and Coyoacán (Frida Kahlo's old stomping grounds).
These areas are packed with amazing restaurants, gorgeous parks, and enough museums to make your brain explode – all with strong police presence and excellent lighting at night.
Remember to pack your appetite because your biggest danger here will be explaining to your friends back home why you need new pants after discovering late-night tacos al pastor. 🌮
Pro Tip: Save the local Mexico City emergency numbers in your phone, but the only emergency you're likely to have is running out of room on your phone for all those food pics! 📸
Photo by Daniels Joffe
🎨 San Miguel de Allende: The Expat Wonderland
Welcome to the city where crime rates are lower than your abuela's opinion of your cooking skills! San Miguel de Allende has become Mexico's unofficial capital of art, culture, and people living their “quit the corporate world to become a watercolor artist” dreams.
The only crime here? Those sunset photos that'll make your Instagram followers hate you out of pure jealousy.
This UNESCO World Heritage site, nestled in the highlands of central Mexico at 6,135 feet above sea level, has become a haven for creatives, retirees, and anyone who's ever dreamed of living in a real-life fairy tale (minus the evil stepmothers, plus lots of margaritas).
Strolling through San Miguel's cobblestone streets feels like walking through a movie set where every corner is the “perfect angle.”
The crown jewel is the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, that pink Gothic church that looks like someone asked a wedding cake decorator to design a cathedral – and somehow it totally works!
The historic centro is so well-preserved and safe that even the most directionally-challenged tourists (*ehem* us…) can wander without worry, especially in popular areas like El Jardín, Biblioteca, and the Arts District.
Safety stats? They're as impressive as the local art galleries (and trust us, that's saying something).
The biggest risks here are spraining your ankle on the historic cobblestones or getting caught up in one of the city's endless festivals – seriously, these folks will throw a parade for anything!
Whether it's Día de los Locos (“Day of the Crazy People” – yes, it's real!) or the International Jazz Festival, the streets are always alive with music, color, and enough security to make a helicopter parent feel at ease.
Speaking of Día de los Locos – imagine if Halloween, Mardi Gras, and a circus had a baby that was raised by Mexican grandmothers – yep, that sums it up!
Every June, this parade honors San Pascual Bailón (the patron saint of cooks and kitchens) by turning the whole city into the world's most colorful party. Locals dress up in elaborate masks and costumes, toss candy into the crowds, and dance through the streets to the San Antonio Church.
Pro tip: Stay in Centro or San Antonio neighborhoods for easy access to everything – though fair warning, you might “accidentally” start browsing real estate listings after your first week here.
Photo by Manuel Marín
🏖️ Puerto Vallarta: The Beach Party Safe Haven
Lower crime rates than most U.S. cities, with better beaches and tastier tacos? Sign us up! Numbeo places Puerto Vallarta 108th out of 352 entries, which is comparable to Boise, Idaho.
Just watch your wallet in the Romantic Zone – not because it's dangerous, but because you might spend it all on margaritas and sunset sailing trips. This Pacific coast paradise has transformed from Elizabeth Taylor's secret hideaway into Mexico's most inclusive beach destination, where families build sandcastles by day and the LGBTQ+ scene lights up the night.
Safety-wise, PV (as the cool kids call it) is about as threatening as a sleepy sea turtle on the beach. The tourist zones, stretching from the Marina through the Hotel Zone and into Old Town, are well-patrolled and lit brighter than your neighbor's excessive Christmas display.
The biggest risks? Getting a sunburn while watching humpback whales breach in the bay (December to March), or developing an expensive taste for oceanfront real estate after your third sunset at Los Muertos Beach.
Speaking of zones, let's talk neighborhoods: The Marina area is perfect for yacht-spotting and fancy dinners, the Hotel Zone keeps things family-friendly with all-inclusives, and the Romantic Zone (Zona Romántica) is where culture meets cocktails.
Old Town (Centro) offers that authentic Mexican charm, complete with cobblestone streets and local abuelas who might just invite you in for homemade tamales – say yes, by the way, they're always better than the restaurant ones!
Hurricane season runs June through November, but the city has excellent emergency protocols and weather warning systems.
Pro tip: Stay in the Romantic Zone or Centro for the best blend of beach access, dining options, and that magical Puerto Vallarta vibe that turns “just visiting” into “thinking we should really think abou moving here.”
Local Safety Bonus: Puerto Vallarta is so secure that the biggest drama you'll encounter is deciding between beach or pool, street tacos or seafood, and whether watching another perfect sunset counts as a productive use of your day (spoiler alert: it does!). 🌅
Feeding Oaxacan families in Baja
🎭 Oaxaca: The Festival Queen
This artsy paradise is so safe, your biggest worry will be deciding which amazing mole sauce to try first.
Though during Oaxacan festivals (which happen approximately every other Tuesday), the streets get wild – but in an “primas dancing with mezcal” kind of way, not a dangerous way.
Nestled in a valley surrounded by the Sierra Madre mountains, Oaxaca City manages to be both a UNESCO World Heritage site and Mexico's undisputed capital of “wait, there's ANOTHER festival this week?”
The historic center is like a rainbow exploded in colonial times and nobody bothered to clean it up – in the best possible way. Police presence is strong, especially around popular areas like the Zócalo, Santo Domingo Church, and the famous 20 de Noviembre Market (where you'll find the “smoke alley” – a carnivorous paradise that'll make your vegetarian friends need therapy).
Oaxaca's festivals are legendary. Guelaguetza in July brings indigenous communities together for traditional dances, while Día de los Muertos in November transforms the city into a magical celebration that makes Halloween look like amateur hour.
Despite the constant celebrations, the city maintains impressive safety statistics – though we can't guarantee your liver will feel the same way after discovering the mezcal tours…
🐋 Los Cabos: The Baja Beauty
So safe that even the spring breakers can't mess it up! From whale watching to beach lounging, your biggest risk here is getting a weird tan line or accidentally becoming a permanent resident because you “forgot” to go home.
This sun-soaked paradise at the tip of the Baja Peninsula is actually two cities in one – San José del Cabo (the sophisticated older sibling) and Cabo San Lucas (the party-loving younger one), connected by a 20-mile Tourist Corridor that's better patrolled than most celebrity weddings.
The biggest threats? Getting photobombed by a whale during your beach selfie (December to April), or developing champagne taste after your first sunset sail around El Arco.
Our cruise to Cabo was amazing, but hot! So. Hot.
Los Cabos is so secure that many international celebrities own homes here – though the only stars you're guaranteed to see are the ones filling the desert sky at night.
And remember, if you find yourself extending your stay “just one more day” for the fifth time, don't say we didn't warn you about that permanent resident risk! 🌴
Street Smarts and Safety in Mexico
While these cities are safer than your average mall food court (or school in the U.S. *ehem*), normal travel smarts still apply. You know, like not wearing your “I'm a tourist, please rob me” shirt.
There's danger everywhere; just stay smart and alert, don't flash money or expensive belongings, and enjoy your life!
The real danger in visiting these Mexican cities? You might just find yourself plotting your own great escape from the U.S., calculating how many tacos you can buy with your coffee budget, and practicing your Spanish with Duolingo at 3 AM. Don't say we didn't warn you! 😉
Hasta luego!
P.S. And yes, the tap water warning is real – stick to bottled water unless you want to make best friends with the bathroom!
