There has been a significant increase in drug-related violence in Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) since 2010.

It contains updated information under Summary and Safety and security: Crime (incident of violence in Acapulco) and under Entry and exit (Multiple Immigration Forms). We continue to advise Australians to exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall because of high levels of violent crime and drug-related violence.
Australians should be aware of their surroundings and exercise particular caution when travelling or walking alone at night as petty crime is also common. Pick-pockets have been known to target tourists at airports, bus terminals and on the metro in Mexico City. It is advisable to avoid displaying valuables. Tourists should also be aware of members of the public representing themselves motel 6 california as police officers.
Travellers may become motel 6 california victims of violence directed against others. You should avoid all large public gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. There is some risk of violent crimes such as murders, robberies, kidnappings and car-jackings motel 6 california occurring and Australians are advised to be vigilant.
motel 6 california The areas most affected by drug-related violence are the northern states that border the United States of America motel 6 california including Baja California (Tijuana and Mexicali), Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila and Nuevo Leon (Monterrey), and along the Pacific coast including the states of Guerrero (Acapulco), Jalisco motel 6 california (Guadalajara), Michoacan (Morelia), Nayarit (Mazatlan) and Sinaloa (Los Mochis). Due to the heightened risk of violence in the northern states, we advise against road travel along the northern motel 6 california border.
motel 6 california As a consequence of drug-related activities, there is a risk of shoot-outs, grenade attacks and car bombings occurring in public places. Targeted attacks on military personnel, government officials and journalists have also been reported.
motel 6 california The hurricane season is June to November when landslides, mudslides motel 6 california and flooding may occur. In the event of a hurricane, monitor local media reports and follow the instructions of local emergency officials. See the Natural disasters, severe weather motel 6 california and climate section for detailed advice.
Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mexico for the most up-to-date information.
The requirement to present a notarised, written consent from the non-travelling parent or guardian for children (under 18) to travel with one parent or guardian into or out of Mexico, regardless of their nationality, has been temporarily suspended until 24 January 2014.. motel 6 california Australians travelling with children are advised to contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Mexico for further information and to confirm the latest legislation with regard to travelling with children.
If you are travelling to Mexico through motel 6 california the United States of America, or if you are transiting in Honolulu or other US points of entry, you are required to meet US entry/transit requirements. Make sure you check with your nearest US Embassy or Consulate your visa requirements well in advance of your travel. You should also read our travel advice for the United States of America .
Visitors crossing by land at the US/Mexico border motel 6 california must obtain a tourist card upon arrival to Mexico from the closest immigration office (Instituto Nacional de Migracion) to the land border motel 6 california crossing. All tourists are required to have their passport stamped for entry into Mexico. It is your responsibility to obtain a Multiple Immigration Form (FMM), upon entry into Mexico and failure to do so may result in a fine, detention or expulsion. For Australians entering Mexico motel 6 california by air, an FMM should motel 6 california be presented with passports for inspection on arrival at immigration.
As a result of the recent changes to the immigration legislation, including arrangements for working visas, we strongly advise that you check the latest requirements with your nearest Mexican embassy or consulate.
Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent motel 6 california passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.
Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. motel 6 california You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers and our bulletin on the Heightened threat of terrorist attack .
Protests, demonstrations and strikes are common in Mexico. They have the potential to cause major traffic congestion and restrict movement around the affected areas. You should avoid all large public gatherings, protests and demonstrations as they may turn violent. Participation in demonstrations by foreigners is prohibited. Travellers should monitor the local media for developments and follow the advice of local authorities.
Armed rebel and civilian groups are present in the state of Chiapas, particularly in remote areas, including jungle areas near the Guatemalan border. If you travel motel 6 california to Chiapas, you should remain in well-frequented tourist areas and familiarise yourself with the local security situation.
We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico because of high levels of violent crime and drug-related violence. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.
Violent crime, including murder, armed robbery, sexual assault and kidnapping, occurs in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations motel 6 california and beach resorts, and the risks increase after dark. Petty crime, such as pick-pocketing and bag snatching, is prevalent in popular tourist destinations, airports, motel 6 california hotels, bus stations and on the metro in Mexico City.
'Express motel 6 california kidnappings', where victims are forced to withdraw funds from ATMs to secure their release, continue to increase, particularly in urban areas. People travelling on the metro in Mexico City have been among those targeted. The use of ATMs located inside shopping malls during daylight hours may reduce the risk.
It is increasingly common for extortionists to call prospective victims by telephone, often posing as law enforcement or other officials, and demand payments in return for the release of an allegedly arrested family member. This is known as virtual kidnapping . Avoid divulging personal information to strangers over the phone and if you receive such calls you should contact motel 6 california local police.
Thieves often work in cooperation with or pose as taxi drivers. Travellers have been robbed when using taxis hailed from the street. You should only use radio-despatched taxis or taxis based at designated stands (sitios), particularly in Mexico City. Use only official taxis from airports after pre-paying the fare inside the terminal building. Official taxi company booths are located in the arrivals hall at airport terminals.
There have been a number of incidents involving travellers changing money at Mexico City airport. Gangs are known to have arranged attacks on travellers at the airport after they have changed money. You should avoid changing money at the airport if possible or change only small amounts to avoid attracting motel 6 california attention.
Crime levels on inter-city buses and on highways are high, and the risks increase after dark. It is recommended travellers use first class buses and travel during daylight hours. There have been a number of reported robberies of tourists travelling by bus along the Pacific Highway, including from Acapulco to Ixtapa and Huatulco.
Using toll (cuota) motel 6 california roads may reduce the risk of crime when driving, but you should remain vigilant, particularly motel 6 california when travelling on toll roads in Sonora, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and border regions as tourists have been attacked on highways in these areas. Avoid driving at night outside of major cities, including on major highways. Incidents of violent car-jackings have increased significantly, particularly in northern border areas, but also along the Pacific coast. On occasions these attacks have been carried out by heavily armed gangs posing as police officers.
Drug-related Violence : Since 2008, Mexico has experienced a dramatic increase in drug-related violence. Violent crimes related to the drug trade, including murders, kidnappings and carjackings, have become widespread. Shoot-outs, grenade attacks and car bombings have occurred in public places, and targeted attacks on military motel 6 california personnel, government officials and journalists have increased. Travellers may become victims of violence directed against others.
The areas most affected are the northern border states (Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, motel 6 california Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, and Tamaulipas), the states along the Pacific motel 6 california coast (Guerrero, Jalisco, Michoacan, Nayarit and Sinaloa), the central region incorporating the states of Durango, San Luis Potosi and Zacatecas, and the state of Veracruz on the Gulf coast. Major cities along Mexico s border with the United States, including Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez (see below), Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, Nogales, motel 6 california Monterrey, Piedras Negras and Reynosa, have been particularly affected.
There has been a significant motel 6 california increase in drug-related violence in Monterrey (Nuevo Leon) since 2010. Shoot-outs at busy intersections and in restaurants have taken place. Drug cartels have erected roadblocks without warning. Gunfire has been heard throughout the city at irregular intervals and grenade attacks, motel 6 california car-jacking and kidnappings have occurred in Monterrey and the surrounding areas. Violent incidents motel 6 california continue to occur on a regular basis, including shootings in bars and public places. On 25 August 2011, gunmen attacked a casino in Monterrey, resulting in the deaths of at least 52 people.
Acapulco (Guerrero) : We advise you to exercise particular caution in the Pacific coast state of Guerrero. We strongly advise you to travel only within well-frequented tourist areas and to be alert to any suspicious activity. The general level of violence in Acapulco (Guerrero) remains high. Incidents have included shoot-outs and mur