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There’s no doubting the popularity of Mexico as one of the top international vacation getaway locations this year.
Still, travelers remain concerned about their safety and security when visiting our neighbor to the south.
However, there’s an amazing region next to Cancun that hosts amazing coastlines, ancient Maya ruins, lush jungles and plenty of adventure for any adrenaline junkie.
Best of all, it is also one of the safest regions in the country. Welcome to Yucatan.
Top Department of State Rating
According to the United States Department of State, there are only two regions in Mexico which have the highest safety and security rating – exercise normal precautions.
One is Campeche. The other is Yucatan.
Even nearby Quintana Roo is one level down from Yucatan with an exercise of increased caution safety and security level.
There currently are no precautions advised in Yucatan and that includes very popular tourist areas like Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Mexico Peace Index
Most travelers will know about the United States Department of State rating.
However, a new rating is out, and it perfectly complements the rating from the national travel agency.
The Institute of Economics and Peace has released its Mexico Peace Index that takes a look at the key safety issues that concerns travelers to the country. For visual travelers, here’s a map of the survey’s results.
Coming out on top of the Mexico Peace Index is again, Yucatan.
The Mexico Peace Index rates the states in Mexico on a one to five scale. The lowest score, one, is the safest category rating.
The highest score, five, is rating of insecurity among travelers.
Yucatan came in at 1.314, with the scores of homicide, weapons crime, organized crime, and violent crime extremely low. What brought the score up was the “fear of violence” which was slightly higher.
Nearby Quintana Roo scored 3.678 and was ranked the 27th safest state in Mexico out of 32.
What’s to See in Yucatan?
With such a low score and high safety rating, Yucatan must be the most boring place in Mexico that nobody ever visits, right?
A traveler thinking that can’t be any more wrong.
Yucatan is an amazing place to visit. Just start by exploring the region’s ancient Mayan ruins in its lush jungles.
Most tourists have heard of the amazing Mexican Mayan ancient city of Chichen Itza. That’s found right in Yucatan.
Visitors who love cenotes will find some of the best in the entire country in Yucatan.
How about one of the hottest emerging tourist destinations in the entire country – Merida?
With 1.3 million people, it’s well known as one of the safest cities in the entire country, and it is found in Yucatan.
There is so much to see in Yucatan that it can make a whole varied vacation getaway in itself without ever leaving the region.
What Travelers Need to Know
Do safety and security concerns hold you back from visiting Mexico because of all the negative news stories out there?
The United States Department of State and the Institute of Economics and Peace can’t be both wrong. Yucatan is the place to be.
Four different airlines fly nonstop to Merida International Airport from the United States. Aeromexico Connect from Atlanta; American Airlines from Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami; United Airlines from Houston-Intercontinental and Viva Aerobus starts service next month from Miami.
Flying direct to Merida, or connecting through one of the four hub airports, makes getting to one of the two safest places in the entire country just a short flight away. See you in Yucatan!
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