The UK government does not advise against travel to Monterrey, but it names the city’s state, Nuevo León, among the northern states affected by drug-related violence and urges extreme care outside tourist areas. The US State Department asks for increased caution across Mexico and Canada asks for a high degree of caution.
At Safe to Go, we re-check the three governments’ advisories every day. What we see travelers misread most often is the national level, when the warning is about specific regions. Around Monterrey, the UK’s firmer warnings cover most of Tamaulipas and all of Zacatecas, and the UK advises daylight travel on toll road 85D to the Nuevo Laredo border crossing.
What the Advisories Say about Monterrey and Nuevo León
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) names Nuevo León in its advice. In its Mexico travel advice, the FCDO says drug-related violence affects the northern states of Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Tamaulipas, Sinaloa and Durango. It tells visitors to take extreme care outside tourist areas in all of these states, and Nuevo León does not appear on its list of areas to avoid.
The FCDO says many of the people killed in the north are suspected gang members, caught in clashes between groups competing for trafficking routes into the United States. It adds that armed clashes between security forces and drug groups can happen at any time without warning. For cities in the northern states, it advises traveling in daylight when possible, telling relatives or friends your plans and staying only in reputable hotels.
The US State Department advisory for Mexico advises increased caution because of terrorism, crime and kidnapping, and its summary does not name Monterrey or Nuevo León. It says conditions can vary widely from state to state and even within a state. US government employees may not travel to certain high-risk areas, which can sit inside states that also include low-risk areas, and the State Department says US citizens should follow the same restrictions.
The State Department lists homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, sexual assault and robbery among the violent crimes that take place in Mexico. It also says the US government has limited ability to help in many parts of the country. Its advisory tells readers to check the maps of restricted areas.
Canada’s Mexico advisory asks travelers to exercise a high degree of caution across the country, with regional advisories. When the three governments differ, lean on the strictest advice for the area you plan to visit. For Monterrey, the UK’s call for extreme care outside tourist areas is the advice that names the state, and the panel above shows today’s national level from each government.
Monterrey Safety Compared with Tamaulipas, Zacatecas and Toll Road 85D
The FCDO’s hardest warnings in the north fall outside Nuevo León. It advises against all but essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas, with two exceptions. The first is the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo, reached from Monterrey on federal toll road 85D, and the second is federal highways 80, 81 and 85 between Tampico, Ciudad de Victoria and Magueyes, plus all of Tamaulipas south of those highways.
On toll road 85D, the FCDO advises you to travel during daylight hours. It describes Tamaulipas as dangerous because many organised crime groups fight for control of drug trafficking routes, and it warns of a risk of armed robbery and kidnap.
The FCDO also advises against all but essential travel to the whole state of Zacatecas. It calls Zacatecas extremely dangerous, citing battles between organised crime groups and frequent gun battles with state security forces. The FCDO warns that traveling against its advice could invalidate your travel insurance.
The US adds a road restriction of its own. US government employees may not drive between Mexican border cities and the interior of Mexico, with limited exceptions, and the State Department strongly advises US citizens to follow that restriction. The UK names 85D as an exception to its Tamaulipas warning, while the US summary does not mention 85D, so US citizens planning that drive should study the restricted-area maps on the State Department’s Mexico page first.
For the full list of Mexican states and cities on the FCDO avoid list, see Is Mexico safe?.
| Area | UK FCDO advice | Reason the FCDO gives |
|---|---|---|
| Monterrey and Nuevo León | Not on the avoid list; take extreme care outside tourist areas | Drug-related violence in the northern states; armed clashes can happen without warning |
| Toll road 85D to the Nuevo Laredo crossing | Exception to the Tamaulipas warning; travel during daylight hours | No reason given for the exception |
| Tamaulipas outside the listed exceptions | Advises against all but essential travel | Organised crime groups fighting over trafficking routes; armed robbery and kidnap risk |
| Zacatecas | Advises against all but essential travel to the whole state | Battles between organised crime groups; frequent gun battles with security forces |
Crime Risks for Visitors to Monterrey and the Precaution for Each
The FCDO says crime is a risk to foreign nationals across Mexico, particularly in major cities and tourist resort areas, where street crime is a serious issue. Its crime advice covers the whole country.
- Automated teller machines (ATMs): criminals have targeted people using ATMs and exchange offices. Use machines inside shops or malls in daylight, avoid large withdrawals and watch who is near you.
- Pickpocketing and theft: both are common, including on public transport. Leave expensive-looking clothing, jewellery and watches at home, carry little cash and few cards, and watch your luggage even in a hotel lobby.
- Fake police: criminals have posed as officers to fine or arrest travelers, including people driving rental cars. Some genuine police officers have also extorted money from tourists; if this happens, do not hand over money or your passport, ask for ID and a copy of the fine to pay later, and note the officer’s name, badge number and patrol car number.
- Phone kidnapping scams: callers pose as a kidnapped relative or employee and demand money. Hang up and check on that person directly.
- Express kidnapping: short kidnappings happen, particularly in urban areas, where victims are forced to withdraw cash at an ATM. Stay alert, and keep talk about your money or business out of earshot of strangers.
- Drink spiking and methanol: travelers have been robbed or assaulted after being drugged, and methanol in drinks has caused deaths in Mexico. Never leave a drink unattended, and get urgent medical help if anyone shows signs of methanol poisoning.
- Sexual assault: offences have been reported in tourist areas. Take care even close to your hotel, especially after dark.
- Demonstrations: protests can happen across Mexico and turn violent. Foreign nationals who join one can be detained and deported, so move away from any protest you come across.
Taxis, Airport Transfers and Night Travel around Monterrey
Use a dispatched or authorised taxi in Monterrey instead of hailing one on the street. US government employees must use vehicles dispatched from regulated taxi stands or app-based services such as Uber or Cabify, and the State Department strongly advises US citizens to do the same. The FCDO says unlicensed taxi drivers have robbed and assaulted passengers, and it recommends ‘sitio’ taxis from authorised ranks or a taxi your hotel orders.
At the airport, the FCDO says to use only authorised pre-paid airport taxi services. It also warns that fake immigration officers can operate in Mexico’s international airports. Refuse any offer of help and walk straight to the immigration office.
US government employees may not travel between cities after dark, and the State Department strongly advises US citizens to follow the same restriction. They should also avoid traveling alone, especially in remote areas, where the State Department says emergency services are limited or unavailable. The FCDO’s advice for northern cities lines up with this: travel during daylight hours when possible.
If you rent a car, the FCDO advises toll roads (‘cuotas’) over isolated roads, with doors locked and windows closed at traffic lights. The State Department says to comply at any road checkpoint, because fleeing or ignoring instructions can get you hurt or killed. In a carjacking, the FCDO advises staying calm and handing over the car and valuables, because resisting can put you at significant risk of harm.
The FCDO also warns of unofficial roadblocks in remote areas, run by local groups demanding cash, which can turn violent. Some criminals cause traffic accidents on purpose to claim insurance or demand cash, and the FCDO says to contact the authorities if that happens. If you suspect someone is following you, drive to a police station or another safe place.
For long-distance buses, the FCDO recommends first-class services on toll roads, which have fewer incidents than second- and third-class buses on free (‘libre’) roads. Theft on buses is common, so keep your bags with you. Women traveling alone on public transport have been harassed, robbed and sexually assaulted, according to the FCDO.
Road Trips and Solo Travel the Monterrey Advice Does Not Cover
The advice for Monterrey does not cover a road trip from Monterrey into Tamaulipas beyond toll road 85D and the listed highways, or any route into Zacatecas. The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to both, and going against that advice could invalidate your insurance, so drop those legs from the plan.
Drivers who want to move between cities after dark are a second poor fit. The US restriction on intercity travel after dark and the FCDO’s daylight advice both point the same way, so schedule every drive to finish before sunset.
If you are heading into remote parts of Nuevo León, the FCDO asks for extreme care outside tourist areas and the US advises its staff to avoid traveling alone in remote areas. Go with a reputable tour or transport company, which the FCDO recommends, or keep to the city.
How to Check Whether Monterrey Is Safe Today
The panel above shows today’s level for Mexico from each government, refreshed daily. For the full wording, read the UK FCDO advice, the US State Department advisory and Canada’s advisory. The FCDO also advises monitoring local media and telling trusted contacts your travel plans.
Our answer would change if the FCDO added Nuevo León, or parts of it, to its list of areas to avoid. It would also change if the FCDO dropped the 85D exception from its Tamaulipas warning, or if the US maps placed Monterrey inside a restricted area.
To weigh Monterrey against another Mexican city, use our tool to compare destinations side by side, and pack with our free travel safety checklist. Before you book, open the latest advisory changes and see whether Monterrey is safe enough for the route you plan.