From the book Go Well: A Summer Field Guide for Graduates and College Students · Updated October 2026
State-by-state advisories, the safety rules, and the Mexico checklist.
Reading Mexico’s travel advisory
The U.S. State Department rates Mexico overall at Level 2, “exercise increased caution,” but each state has its own level, from 1 to 4 (U.S. State Department). The routes in this chapter were chosen with that in mind.
| State (on this chapter’s routes) | U.S. advisory level, as of May 2026 |
|---|---|
| Yucatán (Mérida, Valladolid, Chichén Itzá) | Level 1: Exercise normal precautions |
| Campeche | Level 1: Exercise normal precautions |
| Mexico City | Level 2: Exercise increased caution; extra caution at night outside popular tourist areas |
| Oaxaca | Level 2: no U.S. government travel restrictions for Oaxaca City, Monte Albán, Puerto Escondido, or Huatulco; restrictions apply to the Isthmus region |
| Quintana Roo (Cancún, Tulum, Bacalar) | Level 2: stay in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones after dark |
Source: U.S. State Department
Level 4, “do not travel,” states as of this writing: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas (U.S. State Department). None of this chapter’s routes go there.
The rules for every Mexico trip (U.S. State Department):
- Don’t travel between cities after dark.
- Use Uber, Cabify, or dispatched cars from official taxi stands. Don’t hail taxis on the street.
- Avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
Advisories change. Check the current page for every state on your route before you book, and again before you go.
Getting around
- Mexico City Metro: MX$5 (about $0.28) per ride, regardless of distance (Mexico City tourism). It’s fast and cheap, but very crowded at rush hour. Watch your phone and wallet.
- Long-distance buses: ADO’s first-class buses link Mexico City and Oaxaca in about 6 to 7 hours (CheckMyBus). Take a daytime departure, in line with the State Department’s guidance on traveling between cities by day.
- Domestic flights: Oaxaca to the Yucatán is much faster by air than by road.
- The Tren Maya: the Maya Train connects the Yucatán Peninsula’s main cities. In April 2026 it cut fares by up to 30% and dropped its separate, higher foreigner rate. Cancún to Mérida now costs about MX$547 (about $30) in the tourist fare (Yucatán Magazine, Tren Maya).
Safety notes for Mexico
- Follow the three rules above: no intercity travel after dark, rideshare or official taxis only, and don’t travel alone in remote areas.
- Use ATMs inside banks or shopping centers, and carry only the cash you need for the day.
- Watch your drink in nightlife areas, and never leave it unattended (Go Well, Chapter Eleven).
- Water: drink bottled or filtered water, and ask whether ice is made from purified water.
- Mosquitoes: dengue is a risk in parts of Mexico. Use repellent (Go Well, Chapter Three).
- Check the advisory for every state on your route.
Checklist: Mexico Ready
- ☐ I’ve checked the current U.S. advisory for every state on my route.
- ☐ My route avoids Level 4 states and restricted areas.
- ☐ I have a passport book (not just a card) for my flight (Go Well, Chapter Three).
- ☐ I’ve checked the number of days stamped in my passport on arrival.
- ☐ I’m using Uber, Cabify, or official taxi stands, and traveling between cities by day.
- ☐ I have a rain jacket and a morning-first plan for the rainy season.
- ☐ I’m planning an easy first day for Mexico City’s altitude.
- ☐ I’ve checked sargassum conditions if beaches are part of my plan.
- ☐ I’m carrying pesos for street food, markets, and tips.
- ☐ I’ve packed insect repellent.
Prices and rules change. Everything on this page was checked in October 2026. Always confirm with the official source before you book.
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