With a rich history, diverse culture, stunning natural beauty, and delicious food, Mexico has traditionally been one of the most visited countries in the world, and the second most visited country in the Americas. Mexico welcomed about 19 million international tourists by air in 2019, but those numbers dropped significantly in 2020, likely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
By 2022 tourism was booming again. According to the Ministry of Tourism, more than 20 million international travelers arrived by air, a 46.3% increase from 2021 and an 8.2% increase from the pre-pandemic figures of 2019. The three busiest airports in Mexico — Cancun, Mexico City, and Los Cabos — saw a combined total of more than 10 million international tourists in the first half of 2022 alone, a 71.8% increase from 2021 and a 4% increase from 2019.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Ministry has already reported that more than 10 million international tourists have arrived — by all means — in Mexico during Q1 2023, an increase of 17.3% from 2022.
Despite the country’s post-pandemic boom, Mexico still has a reputation for high crime. It is important to note that while Mexico does have high crime rates in some areas, this does not mean the entire country is unsafe. If you to visit Mexico, take steps to protect yourself, such as maintaining situational awareness, exercising extreme caution, and knowing the crime risk.
As security and risk management experts, we can help. Take a look at the chart below to find out the crime risk at Mexico’s most visited cities from 2022, as ranked by the Pinkerton Crime Index—Cancun, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Tijuana.
A score of 1x risk is equal to the national median, and a score of 0.5x that the area is half as risky. While PCI cannot predict if you will be the victim of a crime, it is important to know your crime risk so you can make informed decisions. Know your risk. Be safe. Get out there and see the world.
If you want to know more, click through to read about crime risk in three of Mexico’s Movers and Shakers cities — Cancun, Tijuana, and Monterrey.
