Mexico's Beaches Under New Safety Warnings: What You Need to Know

Recent Travel Advisory Updates Hit Popular Mexican Coastal Destinations

In late January 2025, the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico advised travelers to avoid visiting the northeastern state of Tamaulipas due to violence, and on January 27, 2025, the U.S.

Government issued a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" alert for specific municipalities including Reynosa, Rio Bravo, San Fernando in Tamaulipas due to cartel violence and kidnapping risks. Meanwhile, on February 19, 2025, the U.S.

Embassy issued a broader safety message ahead of spring break, warning of crime, drug-related incidents, unregulated alcohol, and sexual assault in downtown areas of Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. These warnings signal that even Mexico's most popular beach destinations aren't immune to evolving security concerns.

Mexico is a paradox – an incredibly popular destination for American tourists that has the most active State Department travel advisories of any country in the world. Despite this, there were more than 36.7 million visits by Americans to Mexico in 2023, according to Statista.

Level 4 Beach Destinations You Should Avoid Completely

The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for the entire state of Colima, and this applies to popular beach destinations like Manzanillo, known for its picturesque bays and worldwide recognition as the "Sailfish Capital." For 2025, the U.S.

Department of State has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for the entire state of Sinaloa, with crime concerns cited as the reason for this high-level travel warning. This affects destinations like Mazatlán, often referred to as the "Pearl of the Pacific," which offers a blend of attractions from its charming historic district to its appealing beaches and is home to one of the world's largest carnival celebrations.

It is crucial for anyone considering travel to understand the significance of a Level 4 advisory, as this is the highest warning level issued by the U.S. government and indicates a determination of a very high risk to travelers, including the potential for life-threatening situations.

The Sewage Crisis Contaminating Mexico's Coastal Waters

Mexico is currently releasing up to 5 million gallons of untreated sewage per day into the Tijuana River as part of emergency infrastructure repairs, and this sewage flows into the ocean and drifts up the California coastline. The International Boundary and Water Commission has reported that over 100 billion gallons of untreated sewage, industrial waste, and urban runoff have spilled into the Tijuana Estuary and the Pacific Ocean via the Tijuana River and its tributaries over the last five years.

Heavy metals, toxic chemicals and bacteria including E. coli have been detected in the water, according to a San Diego State University report, with researchers calling the contamination "a public health crisis." While some beaches like Sayulita have been declared safe for recreational use by the Governor of Nayarit based on continuous monitoring and daily water tests, many operators are still taking precautions and continuing to host activities at alternative beaches.

Specific Beaches Now Deemed Unsafe for Tourists

The remote eastern shores of Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) have become increasingly problematic for visitors, isolated from the main tourist infrastructure, lacking proper security oversight and emergency services, with several tourists reporting aggressive encounters with individuals claiming to be "security" but actually attempting extortion. Tampico's beaches have suffered greatly from both security issues and environmental degradation, with the combination of industrial pollution and cartel activity rendering these once-beautiful shores unsafe on multiple levels, including heavy metal contamination from nearby industries that has made swimming hazardous with dangerous levels of lead and mercury in the waters.

The southern point of Sayulita's beach has developed a reputation for both environmental and security hazards, with water quality in this area deteriorating dramatically due to inadequate sewage treatment, leading to frequent contamination warnings, and this isolated stretch seeing increasing reports of theft and harassment.

Health Risks Beyond Beach Closures

The new report by SDSU researchers shows that the public health impact may extend far further than beach closures, as toxic chemicals and microbes are also found in air and soil. A recent study found evidence of coastal water pollution from the Tijuana River in sea spray aerosol capable of potentially diffusing far enough to reach places like schools and homes that wouldn't otherwise be touched by the contamination, though the implications of contamination by air are not yet known and need further study.

According to the SDSU report, "Dangerous pathogens and chemicals in contaminated waters pose a spectrum of short and long-term health risks, spanning gastrointestinal issues to neurological disorders," with more pressing health threats including human and livestock diseases from Mexico that have been eradicated in California, and antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Rip Current Dangers Claiming Lives at Mexican Beaches

Last year, Panama City Beach's rip currents drowned more people than anywhere else in the U.S., according to the National Weather Service, with at least eight people dying at the Gulf Coast community, making up nearly a third of Florida's 30 deaths from rip currents. The National Ocean Service estimates thousands of people are rescued from rip currents each year in the U.S., with about 91 people dying in rip currents at U.S.

beaches in 2023, up from the 10-year average of 74 deaths per year. Not all beaches have signs clearly stating the dangers of strong currents, riptides, and heavy waves, so travelers should get information on water safety in Mexico from their travel professional or tour guide, the local tourism board, or online resources.

All of the beachgoers who died were from out-of-state, which is a common thread among coastal drownings in the Sunshine State, and in 2023, more than 30 people were reported to have died after encountering rip currents along Florida beaches, with more than half in the Panhandle.

Popular Resort Areas Still Under Safety Warnings

Mexican states with popular tourism destinations that fall under the second-safest category include Baja California Sur (where Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo are), Mexico City, Nayarit (where Sayulita is), Oaxaca (where Oaxaca City and Puerto Escondido are), and Quintana Roo (where Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel are). Sadly, a young boy fell victim to cartel crossfire on the beach in Cancun in the summer of 2024.

Tulum also carries a Level 2 advisory, with recommendations to stick to hotel zones and avoid isolated beaches at night. The advisory for these states corresponds to the level-2 warning issued by the State Department for travel to France, Italy, the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.

Infrastructure Failures Affecting Beach Safety

The San Antonio de los Buenos treatment plant was not maintained or operated properly, and has been discharging nearly 40 million gallons per day of raw sewage onto a Tijuana beach and into the Pacific Ocean for years, adding to the chronic contamination of coastal waters and local beaches. Many parts of Tijuana's wastewater infrastructure are decades old, have inadequate capacity to treat and convey wastewater and suffer from repeated breaks and system failures, with untreated water flowing northward carrying contaminants into U.S.

waters off San Diego during and after significant rain events and wastewater system breaks in Mexico. Repairs are underway at Sayulita's water treatment plant, with efforts focused on fixing the outfall sewage pipe damaged by recent weather events, though there are challenges including a malfunctioning BioDisco component in the water treatment plant.

What Safety Measures Are Being Implemented

Cancun has become one of the safest cities in Mexico, thanks to recent substantial investments in security measures, including the installation of numerous surveillance cameras throughout the city and increasing police patrols, ensuring that visitors can enjoy a safe and relaxed experience. In 2022 the federal government allocated $330 million to mitigate the sewage problem, with the Mexican government contributing another $144 million, and in early 2024, the federal government allocated an additional $200 million to augment the International Boundary & Water Commission budget.

With tourism accounting for 9% of Mexico's GDP, the safety of tourists is top-of-mind for the government. On Jan. 11, Mexico marked the start of its rehabilitation efforts at the San Antonio de los Buenos Wastewater Treatment Plant in Tijuana.

How to Stay Safe When Visiting Mexican Beaches

No matter where you stay in Mexico, keeping safety precautions in mind to protect yourself and your belongings is essential: be aware of your surroundings, always pay attention to what's happening around you and be alert for any kind of potential danger, and know exactly where you are as some areas of Mexico are more dangerous than others. The NWS recommends swimming near a lifeguard if you're at the beach.

Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. Make sure to keep your loved ones up to date about your plans and, if you do set off on your own, remember to text somebody you trust with your GPS location and photos of license plates of taxis you enter, and do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive jewelry or the wad of cash you just got from the ATM.

The Reality Check: Are Mexico's Beaches Worth the Risk?

While the risks shouldn't be ignored, it's important to remember that Mexico is large and varied, that the highest crime rates are outside the most popular tourist zones, and that the dangers facing beachgoers in most resort areas remain fairly low. The bottom line for travelers is to read the advisories, learn the facts, and make a personal decision that's right for you and your comfort level – if you only feel safe at an all-inclusive resort, that's great!

According to Rich Biswell, marketing director for Journey Mexico, a Mexico-based tour operator, "we feel confident in saying that Mexico is safe for vacationers and travelers," though travel to Mexico requires you to be smart, prudent, and vigilant, and take some precautions before you leave and while you travel. Mexico's beaches face unprecedented challenges in 2025, from sewage contamination affecting millions of gallons of coastal water to rising security concerns in previously safe destinations.

While many popular resort areas maintain relatively low danger levels, the landscape is shifting rapidly. The choice ultimately comes down to your personal risk tolerance and willingness to stay informed about constantly evolving conditions.

Are you prepared to navigate these murky waters, or will you choose safer shores until the tide turns?

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