American Travelers Urged To Avoid This Popular But Risky Spring Break Spot

Spring break is a rite of passage as American as apple pie, and while many college students celebrate by basking on the beaches of Florida, others grab their passports and head to Mexico. Who can blame them? After all, the U.S.'s neighbor to the south has it all: white sands, turquoise waters, amazing food, and a festive culture that lends itself to downing a few drinks and dancing late into the night. It's also much cheaper than destinations north of the border, making it the perfect choice for students.

While Mexico remains a popular spring break getaway — not to mention a top foreign destination for Americans of all ages — there are concerns about security. Petty crime has always been an issue in Mexico, but the rise of drug cartels has created a crisis throughout the country. Murders and kidnappings are on the rise, and tourists should avoid these dangerous spots.

Things have gotten so bad in the northeastern border state of Tamaulipas that the U.S. State Department recently issued a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" warning to any American citizens thinking of visiting that part of the country. This distinction is usually reserved for war zones or hostile nations and is the American government's highest level of travel advisory. Rather than rate the whole country, the State Department issues advisories for individual states in Mexico, and Tamaulipas now joins Zacatecas, Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, and Sinaloa as suggested no-go zones.

Criminal organizations are battling for territory in Tamaulipas, especially in the border town of Reynosa, which has been the site of late-night and early-morning gunfights. There has also been a spate of kidnappings, and to top it off, the gangs have introduced a new weapon to the drug war: Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). 

These improvised bombs have been placed on the sides of dirt and secondary roads leading through the settlements of Reynosa, Río Bravo, Valle Hermoso, and San Fernando and have been used to take out Mexican government vehicles. The state of Tamaulipas has advised all residents never to touch or attempt to move any IEDs they come across but instead report them to authorities immediately.

While this is all very alarming, it bears mentioning that when it comes to spring break action, Tamaulipas is hardly a hot spot. Most students looking to party in the sun head to one of the established beach tourism towns such as Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, or Rosarito. While none of these destinations are completely untouched by Mexico's cartel wars, they remain largely safe, secure, and fun, especially for visitors who avoid making these common mistakes.

As cartel violence has at times spilled over into tourist areas, it pays to get a sense of just how safe your destination is before heading out for a week of spring break revelry. The states of Campeche and Yucatán (both of which see a lot of tourism) are currently the only places in Mexico with a Level 1 travel advisory rating, which is the safest. Quintana Roo — home to spring break hotspots such as Cancún, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen — is at Level 2, which means visitors are advised to "exercise increased caution." This also goes for Baja California Sur, where you'll find the pristine beaches and resorts of Cabo San Lucas.

Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular destinations on Mexico's Pacific Coast, and Jalisco, the state it calls home, is currently under a Level 3 travel advisory — where U.S. citizens are urged to "reconsider travel." That said, the town and its beaches are still pretty safe for tourists, as local authorities employ robust security measures to keep crime at bay. Level 3 is also in effect for Baja California, home to Rosarito, which attracts both surfers and plenty of spring breakers.

Another spring break hotspot is Mazatlán, on the coast of Sinaloa. This state has long been under a Level 4 travel advisory due to ongoing cartel battles and kidnapping — especially in its capital, Culiacán — though Mazatlán, as a tourism hub, has remained largely untouched. However, the once-glamorous and booming beach town of Acapulco (located in violence-wracked Guerrero state) has seen a deterioration of security over the years and is now viewed as one of the most dangerous cities in Mexico, which should take it off any spring-breaker's radar.