Despite what many say, Mexico is still a gorgeous place to visit, especially during vacation times. And while many will always recommend some hotspots to visit during summer breaks, it is also important to know which places to avoid. Be it due to high costs, potential criminal activity, or bad weather, we have here a list of some vacation spots in Mexico that you should avoid.
1. Acapulco
In the past, Acapulco was one of the best beaches in Mexico, to the point that it made its way into a lot of popular media in and outside of the country. However, time has not been kind, and this once-must-visit spot is now one people should avoid.
Unfortunately, while other beaches in Mexico embraced the modern era and improved their infrastructure to be more welcoming to locals and foreigners, this place stayed in the past, which means some of its hotels and streets are not great to walk or drive on. Furthermore, the unfortunate natural disasters that hit it left Acapulco scarred. If you don’t know what we’re referring to, Hurricane Otis left a huge mark on Acapulco, and this once-beloved tourist hotspot is still recovering to this day.
2. Playa del Carmen
On the other side of the spectrum is Playa del Carmen, one of the most beautiful vacation spots in Mexico and one of the safest, at least according to the US Department of State, which places Quintana Roo, the state where Playa del Carmen is, at Level 2. But then, why did we include it in this list? That’s simple: its prices.
Given how much tourism there is in this place and the number of foreigners who go every year, the cost of almost everything has skyrocketed to the point that it is even quite expensive for people with a currency that isn’t the Mexican Peso. Now, while it may be better to find a cheaper alternative, if you have enough money to spend here, you should give Playa del Carmen a shot. Just remember, it isn’t budget-friendly.
3. State of Mexico
Not to be confused with Mexico City, however. See, State of Mexico, which is quite close to the capital, tends to be a strange recommendation by some locals, as you can find some cheap products, local clothes, and souvenirs that are always worth getting. However, the State of Mexico as a whole isn’t the best place to visit or to live, for that matter.
When it comes to safety, the State of Mexico is not ideal, as it has one of the highest crime rates in the country. The National Institute of Statistics and Geography in Mexico shared data about homicides in this state, and while it is lower than those with cartel presence, it is still something to look out for when traveling. Now, while people tend to stick to beaches and other tourist hotspots, some want to visit the capital first and then travel to nearby cities or states. If you’re doing a trip like this, avoid the State of Mexico and look for a safer alternative.
4. Puerto Vallarta
It might be a bit shocking to see Puerto Vallarta make it to this list, but we’re once again adding another place you should avoid, especially if on a budget.
While Puerto Vallarta eclipses Cancun in many ways, as it has, according to some, better tourist spots and attractions, and it’s even safer in some areas, it still has many tourists nervous, especially due to the Cartel unrest it suffered earlier this year. If you didn’t know, a Cartel leader called El Mencho was killed in a security operation, which led to Cartel members setting cars on fire in Puerto Vallarta, making this usually-safe spot look like a warzone. While it is all better now, some people might want to wait a bit before traveling to this iconic place.
5. Cancun
Last but not least, we have the famous Cancun. Before you panic, this isn’t a place you should always avoid. Rather, it is a matter of not visiting it right now. Lately, Cancun has been battling with sargassum. The note we linked by Reuters claims both Playa del Carmen and Cancun have been facing over 105,000 metric tons of sargassum, which is affecting locals and foreigners looking to enjoy their time at these beaches.
Fortunately, once this gulfweed situation clears, Cancun will be back to being another must-visit spot in Mexico. Still, we recommend choosing the right hotels, as some are adults-only, while others are better for families.
Ultimately, if you do decide to visit any of these places, do so with the proper precautions. One good piece of advice is to check the US Department of State’s website, as it currently shows the safety levels of every state and city in Mexico.
