Despite some recent criminal incidents, Guanajuato, Mexico is still a fairly safe place for tourists to visit.
As with any other popular tourist destination, visitors should exercise caution and take precautions to ensure their safety, such as avoiding areas with poor lighting after dark and being alert to their surroundings. To ensure the safety of both locals and visitors, the city also maintains a significant police presence and security measures.
Areas to avoid
According to the city’s crime map, the following areas stand out as posing the greatest danger to visitors and locals: the center in first place, followed by Marfil, San Javier, Cerro del Gallo, La Gualdra, El Carrizo, Cerro. de los Leones, La Alameda and El Carrizo.
It is usually advisable to plan ahead, seek advice from locals or hotel staff and use common sense when visiting new places.
Common scams
Unfortunately, there are some common scams that visitors to Guanajuato should be aware of. Here are some things to look out for:
- Be careful if you encounter individuals claiming to be police officers but fails to show proper identification. Such individuals may attempt to extract money from you or falsely accuse you of breaking the law as a means of extortion.
- Be alert to ATM skimming: ATM skimming is a widespread worldwide scam and is especially common in Guanajuato. Skimmers, devices attached to ATMs, can capture your card details, allowing scammers to withdraw money from your account later.
- Take overload into account: Be careful of certain taxi drivers or street vendors who try to overcharge tourists, especially those who are believed to be unfamiliar with local prices. It is advisable to negotiate prices in advance or opt for metered taxis.
- “Free” tours: Be careful if you offer “free” tours of Guanajuato. Such tours may incur additional costs due to hidden fees or pressure to purchase expensive souvenirs.
Official advice
US Travel advice for Guanajuato – Reconsider travel
According to the US Department of State, travelers should reconsider trips due to crime and kidnapping.
In Guanajuato, especially in the southern and central regions of the state, gang violence is a common phenomenon often linked to the theft of natural gas and petroleum from the state oil company and other suppliers. The high number of homicides linked to cartel-related violence in the southern region of the state is particularly concerning. Kidnapping has affected both LPRs and United States citizens.
Travel to Federal Highway 45D, Celaya, Salamanca, and Irapuato is prohibited for U.S. government officials.
Travel to the State of Guanajuato, which includes tourist destinations such as San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato City and surrounding areas, is unrestricted for U.S. government officials.
Canada Travel advice
The Canadian government does not discourage citizens from traveling to Guanajuato. It even says that visitors are not allowed to travel to the states of Chihuahua and Colima with the exception of Manzanillo, Coahuila, Durango and Guanajuato (including the area south of Highway 45D between Irapuato and Celaya and Highway 45 between León and Irapuato.) Such areas should not be visited by tourists unless absolutely necessary.
Safety Travel Tips for Guanajuato
- Stay informed: Please refer to the travel advisories of the US Department of State or your country’s equivalent for the latest information.
- Adhere to local customs: Dress modestly and do not display expensive possessions.
- Traveling in daylight: Choose to travel during the day, especially in unfamiliar places.
- Choose well-visited areas: Select accommodations in popular tourist areas, often subject to careful patrols.
- Use reliable transport: Opt for authorized services or apps like Uber when using taxis.
