Beyond the Headlines: Is Mexico Safe for Expats?
Mexico is more than just a dazzling vacation destination, it's also a vibrant and welcoming place to call home. What's more, the average cost of living is much lower than in many Western countries, and the country’s visa process is simpler than most. It's no surprise then, that more than 1.2 million foreign-born citizens have settled there, with over 65% hailing from North America.
Despite these appealing factors, attention-grabbing headlines have given Mexico a reputation for higher crime rates, which might lead some to question if it is a safe place to live. The good news is that the answer is yes – if you choose the right location. Like most countries, certain areas are safer than others, making them ideal for expats and other immigrants. To help you find your ideal location, let’s explore the safest places in Mexico for foreigners looking to call the country home.
Mexico is more than just a dazzling vacation destination, it's also a vibrant and welcoming place to call home. What's more, the average cost of living is much lower than in many Western countries, and the country’s visa process is simpler than most. It's no surprise then, that more than 1.2 million foreign-born citizens have settled there, with over 65% hailing from North America.
Despite these appealing factors, attention-grabbing headlines have given Mexico a reputation for higher crime rates, which might lead some to question if it is a safe place to live. The good news is that the answer is yes – if you choose the right location. Like most countries, certain areas are safer than others, making them ideal for expats and other immigrants. To help you find your ideal location, let’s explore the safest places in Mexico for foreigners looking to call the country home.
Unique Safety Concerns in Mexico
Mexico is home to many safe cities and towns, making it an attractive destination for expats. However, it's crucial to be aware of certain unique safety concerns when living or traveling in the country. For example, drug cartels operate in various regions, and incidents of carjackings, kidnappings, and robberies have been reported.
Regardless of where you decide to live, it’s crucial to stay aware of your surroundings. This includes staying abreast of safety concerns and travel advisories, especially when traveling between cities and states. Notably, carjackings and kidnappings are much less likely to occur on toll roads, so it's advisable to use toll roads instead of free roads when traveling by car.
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It's also important to be mindful of your surroundings when you’re on the road, especially when stopping at red lights. Limiting your use of public transport to the daytime is also wise, as traveling by bus or train at night is far riskier.
If you prefer to travel by taxi, never hail a cab off the street. Instead, use rideshare apps or regulated taxi services with the proper licensing from the Mexican government. This is much safer and will help you avoid potential mishaps. Fortunately, services like Uber, Didi, and Cabify are available in many highly populated cities, including the ones below.
Read More: The Best Places to Live in Mexico
How We Identified the Safest Places in Mexico
Our list of the safest places in Mexico is based on locations with significant expat populations. We cross-referenced crime rates, crime severity, violence maps, population statistics, world city rankings, and other crime and safety-related data from various sources.
These sources include:
- Crime indexes: Data from Numbeo, which looks at a city’s overall level of crime. It considers many factors, including perceived safety and crime levels and public concern about specific types of crime. Cities with a crime index below 40 are considered “low” crime, while cities with an index above 60 are considered “high”.
- Safety indexes: This data from Numbeo looks at a city’s relative safety compared to others. Cities are ranked on a scale of 0 to 100. Unlike the crime index – in which a lower number means less crime – the higher the safety index number, the higher the city’s overall safety.
- World safety rankings by city: Data from the World Population Review and the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Safe Cities Index (SCI), which considers a city’s digital security, health security, infrastructure, and personal safety.
- Crime and homicide statistics: Data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) and the Executive Secretariat of National Public Security System (SESNSP), which looks at how often different types of crime occur per 100,000 residents in a city.
All the data mentioned is current as of the end of 2023, except for homicide statistics, which are updated as of March 2024. Based on this information, we selected the top five Mexican cities with the lowest overall crime rates, including the lowest violent crime rates. Below is an overview of why these cities are the best places for expats and immigrants to live in Mexico.
Read More: The Cost of Living in Mexico
The Safest Places in Mexico to Call Home
With its balmy weather and beautiful beaches, Mexico has much to offer foreigners looking to live abroad. However, crime can be more of an issue in some regions and cities of the country than in others.
Mexico’s countrywide safety index is 46.33 out of 100. This safety index is based on Numbeo’s data for 2023 and is best understood when compared to the countries that ranked highest for safety (Qatar, 85.2) and lowest for safety (Venezuela, 17.4).
It’s important to understand that Mexico’s safety index is lower because of data from cities like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez, which have safety indexes of 27.89 and 31.29, respectively.
We've organized our list of the top five safest cities in Mexico in ascending order based on overall safety. Each city is considered to be very safe and much safer than Mexico’s countrywide average.
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San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
- Safety Index: 49.01
- Crime Index: 50.99
- Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 20.3
Located in the state of Guanajuato, less than four hours from Mexico City, San Miguel de Allende is home to an estimated 10,000 immigrants from all over the world.
Expats love the city for its laid-back lifestyle and charming Spanish colonial architecture. English is also widely spoken, making it easier for foreigners to assimilate into the local culture.
San Miguel de Allende is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its historic center, which features pink sandstone cathedrals and charming cobblestone streets, creating the feeling of stepping back in time. You'll also find artisan shops, vibrant buildings, and art galleries at every turn.
Warm days and cool nights define the city’s appealing, year-round climate. Uber and other rideshare and taxi services are also available here.
Mazatlan, Sinaloa
- Safety Index: 60.04
- Crime Index: 39.96
- Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 8.4
Mazatlán is the northernmost resort city along the beautiful Mexican Riviera, which has twenty cities. About 10,000 immigrants live here.
If you enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, snorkeling, riding ATVs, or zip-lining, Mazatlán is a great place to live. The city has many beaches and old cathedrals, and there’s always something fun to do in the historic downtown area.
Mazatlán also has a lower cost of living compared to other Mexican cities, making it popular with foreigners. You can use Uber and other taxi services here.
Ensenada, Baja California
- Safety Index: 60.48
- Crime Index: 39.52
- Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 20.8
This port city is often called the Napa Valley of Mexico. Thanks to its many vineyards and fine wines, Ensenada has caught the attention of not only expats but also world-class chefs. Here, you’ll discover an up-and-coming food and restaurant scene where fresh seafood is the star.
Ensenada is located on the Baja California peninsula about 70 miles south of the San Diego/Tijuana border crossing. Because of its proximity to the United States, it has developed a large community of American expats and digital nomads.
Another benefit of living in Ensenada is that the weather is nearly perfect all year long. As a coastal city, the average temperatures range from 60-80° F (15-27° C). Uber and other rideshare and taxi services are also available.
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco
- Safety Index: 64.40
- Crime Index: 35.60
- Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 9.1
Puerto Vallarta is known as one of the safest beach towns in Mexico. It has stunning white-sand beaches and a lively nightlife, making it perfect for those looking for fun and relaxation. Many expats also find the locals to be incredibly friendly, adding to the welcoming atmosphere.
The town is also home to the famous Church of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a popular landmark that attracts visitors with its beautiful architecture and rich history.
Puerto Vallarta is a popular choice for retirees and digital nomads due to its mix of modern amenities and old-world charm. About 15,000 foreigners live here year-round, contributing to a lively expat and backpacker community.
While violent crime is rare in Puerto Vallarta, petty crimes like pickpocketing and purse snatching can occur, especially in tourist areas. Fortunately, Uber and other rideshare services are readily available for easy transport.
Mérida, Yucatan
- Safety Index: 75.04
- Crime Index: 24.96
- Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 1.5
Despite having a population of almost one million people, Mérida has maintained a small-town feel. It is located on the Yucatan peninsula, close to the Caribbean Sea and only a few hours’ drive from the Riviera Maya, where popular tourist spots like Playa del Carmen and Tulum can be found. The famous archaeological site Chichen Itza is also less than two hours away.
Fortunately, you won’t have to leave Mérida to find plenty of interesting things to see and do. As the lively capital of Yucatán, it is rich in Mayan history. The main square, Plaza de la Independencia, is surrounded by the impressive Mérida Cathedral and the white limestone Iglesia de la Tercera Orden, both built from ancient Mayan materials.
Around 10,000 foreigners live in Mérida, and its modern suburbs and historic downtown are full of great restaurants, cafes, shops, and art galleries. It is often ranked as one of the safest large cities in Mexico, with very few petty crimes like pickpocketing. Like the other cities mentioned, Uber and other rideshare services are also available here.
Other Safe Places to Live in Mexico
If you're looking for a slower pace of life and a true small-town feel in Mexico, there are several charming options worth considering.
These towns typically have populations of fewer than 100,000 residents, creating a cozy, tight-knit community atmosphere. Not only do these locations offer a relaxed lifestyle, but they are also considered safe places to live.
Chapala, Jalisco
- Safety index: 80.13
- Crime index: 19.87
- Homicide rate per 100,000 people: 3.5
Nestled in a valley of the Sierra Madre mountains, located on the northern edge of Mexico's largest lake, Chapala is a great choice for expats. With a population of 56,000, serious crime is extremely rare here, making it a very safe place to live.
This lakeside region has attracted a community of around 20,000 expats, mainly from the U.S. and Canada. Many of these foreigners are snowbirds who spend six months of the year here, including numerous retirees.
Chapala enjoys beautiful weather with low humidity, thanks in part to the geothermal activity from the nearby volcanic crater lake, which provides hot springs that give the town a spa-like atmosphere.
While Uber and other rideshare services are not available in this small town, you can easily travel around by using licensed local taxi services.
Sayulita, Nayarit
- Safety index: 90.0
- Crime index: 10.0
- Homicide rate from April 2023 to March 2024: 0
Sayulita is often regarded as one of the safest places in Mexico for expats. This family-oriented town, with a population of just 5,000 full-time residents, rarely experiences violent crime and has very little petty crime, making it an attractive option for those looking for a peaceful lifestyle.
Tucked between mountains and thick jungle on Mexico's western coast, the calm, sleepy surf town is just an hour's drive from the larger city of Puerto Vallarta. Sayulita's carefree but quiet atmosphere has made it popular with Canadian and American immigrants, creating a welcoming community.
The town is perfect for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts, offering plenty of opportunities for surfing, hiking, and exploring the local wildlife. However, it's worth noting that Uber and rideshare services are not commonly available in Sayulita, so it's advisable to rely on licensed local taxi services if you don't plan to own a car.
Embracing a Safe and Vibrant Life in Mexico
As you've discovered, Mexico offers a wealth of opportunity for those seeking a vibrant lifestyle in a culturally rich environment. With over 1.2 million foreign-born citizens already calling this diverse country home, it's clear that many have found their ideal location amid its stunning landscapes and warm communities.
By choosing a city with a low crime rate, like Mérida, Puerto Vallarta, or the peaceful towns of Chapala and Sayulita, you can experience the advantages of living in Mexico while minimizing safety concerns.
While the headlines may focus on crime, the reality is that many areas in Mexico are incredibly safe and welcoming to expats. By staying informed and vigilant, you can navigate the unique safety landscape with confidence.
That said, investing in international health insurance is always a good idea. This will ensure you are prepared for any medical emergencies that may arise during your stay and allow you to truly embrace the adventure of living in Mexico with peace of mind.
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