Mexico Travel Warning 2013: US Issues Restriction That Excludes Major Tourist Areas

The U.S. travel warning to Mexico has come without surprise. The warning, issued July 12, looks extremely similar to the one issued Nov. 20, 2012. Major tourist locations have remained untouched by the advisory, and travellers have even been encouraged to stay within the confines of high-profile tourist locations, Travel Weekly reported.

Popular attractions deemed safe include: abo San Lucas, La Paz, San Miguel de Allende, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, the Riviera Nayarit, Oaxaca, Huatulco, Puerto Escondido, Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Tulum, Merida, and Chichen Itza. While the state of Guerrero is on the list of risky traveling spots, certain cities have been determined as safe for tourism, including Acapulco, Taxco, Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo.

The warning discourages "nonessential travel" between 19 of Mexico's 32 states due to its continuing drug war. The majority of states under the warning are along the U.S.-Mexico border. The State Department said travelers should use caution in particular areas of Michoacan, Sinaloa, Monterrey and Nuevo Leon. Cities the Department urged travelers to avoid completely include: Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, Ensenada, Chihuahua City, Torreon, Saltillo, Piedras Negras, Ciudad Acuna -- as well as towns in the eastern regions of Sonora, Veracruz and Zacatecas. These locations are known to be havens for members of drug cartels.