U.S. citizens traveling to Mexico should use greater caution, according to a new travel warning from the U.S. Department of State.

The agency just updated its travel advisory for Mexico to Level 2, meaning exercise increased caution, because of the risks of terrorism, crime and kidnapping.

"Many violent crimes take place in Mexico. They include homicide, kidnapping, carjacking and robbery," the updated advisory states. "There is a risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Mexico."

Visitors enjoy a Saturday on Sandy Beach in Puerto Penasco, Mexico.

Mexico remains a popular travel spot for many Americans, including Arizonans driving to Puerto Peñasco, which boasts the closest beach to Arizona.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now?

Generally, it depends on what part of Mexico you plan to visit. In addition to the updated nationwide advisory, the State Department has advisories for each of Mexico's states.

The Level 2 advisory suggests travelers should exercise a higher degree of caution when traveling in Mexico. The State Department said the U.S. government has limited ability to help in many parts of the country, and emergency services are limited or unavailable in rural areas.

The advisory also says travelers who encounter road checkpoints when driving in Mexico should comply, warning, "Fleeing or ignoring instructions can lead to you being hurt or killed."

Travelers should follow these guidelines to stay safe in Mexico:

Don't travel between cities after dark.
Don't wave down taxis on the street; instead, rely on dispatched vehicles from regulated taxi stands or app-based services like Uber or Cabify.
Avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
Don't drive between Mexican border cities, the U.S.-Mexico border and the interior of Mexico, with some limited exceptions.

How safe is Puerto Peñasco right now?

Puerto Peñasco, also known as Rocky Point, is a popular travel spot for Arizonans.

The coastal resort town and fishing village in the Mexican state of Sonora has a reputation as a safe destination. However, Sonora remains under a Level 3 advisory by the State Department − higher than the nationwide advisory for Mexico − because of the risk of violence from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations.

When visiting Puerto Peñasco, travelers should follow safety precautions that include only using Federal Highway 8 via the Lukeville Port of Entry and only driving during daylight hours.

What is the safest part of Mexico for tourists?

The states of Campeche and Yucatan, the latter including the famed archaeological site Chichén Itzá, are the only places in Mexico at the lowest advisory from the State Department.

Both have a Level 1 advisory, which means travelers should exercise normal precautions. While these are the least risky places to travel to in Mexico, be aware that there is some risk in any international travel.

Campeche and Yucatan are close to the state of Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. The State Department classifies Quintana Roo as a Level 2, which means travelers should exercise increased caution.

Michael Salerno is an award-winning journalist who’s covered travel and tourism since 2014. His work as The Arizona Republic’s consumer travel reporter aims to help readers navigate the stresses of traveling and get the best value for their money on their vacations. He can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Is it safe to travel to Mexico right now? What Arizonans need to know