Travel Advisory Warns Tourists Of Kidnapping Risk In Mexico

A travel advisory from the U.S. State Department warned U.S. tourists visiting Mexico about the "increased risk of crime and kidnapping" in certain areas ,USA Today reports. The updated advisory explains travelers should reinforce caution when traveling to Coahuila, Mexico and Nayarit states, among other states, and to avoid visiting Zacatecas. U.S citizens who still chooses to travel to a Mexican state with a Level 4, or "do not travel to," Travel Advisory or Level 3, "reconsider travel to," are urged to read the State Department's information on high-risk travel.

According to the advisory, "U.S. citizens are advised to adhere to restrictions on U.S. government employee travel." The restrictions include not hailing taxis from the street but using a rideshare service like Uber or regulated taxi stands and traveling alone. Aileen Teague, assistant professor at The Bush School of Government & Public Service at Texas A&M University, reminds people that while organized crime exists in parts of northeastern Mexico, there are also "beautiful places that are dependent on tourism and relatively safe."