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Is Acapulco de Juárez safe? 🇲🇽

Mexico · Safety report last updated

Safety Report

IsMyTripSafe.com

Acapulco de Juárez 🇲🇽

Mexico · Assessed 13 October 2026

48

/ 100

Mostly — take normal precautions

Safer than ~38% of countries

District map

What drives this score

Crime45/100CautionHomicide 24.9 / 100k
Sentiment41/100CautionMostly negative
Advisories75Good
Stability57Fair
Health69Fair

01 · Official Guidance

Advisories

Good

UK Foreign Office (FCDO)

Level 3

Advises against all travel to parts of the country

“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all but essential travel State of Baja California FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tijuana, except: airside transit through Tijuana airport the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border the federal toll road 1D and Via Rápida through Tijuana to the border FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tecate in Baja California, including roads between Tijuana and Tecate.”

Updated 2026-10-13T08:45:22Z

Full advisory →

Government of Canada

Level 2

Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)

“Canada's official risk level for Mexico: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”

Updated 2026-10-12T10:23:23.2300018-04:00

Full advisory →

02 · Evidence Signals

Crime

Caution

Mugging & robbery risk

High risk
34

City SignalCity Web Research

Pickpocketing & theft risk

High risk
58

City SignalCity Web Research

Visitor safety sentiment

41 / 100 (Mostly negative)
41

City SignalCity Web Research

Urban scale factor

659k residents
73

City SignalCity Geocoding

Homicide rate

24.9 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3Mexico24.9South Africa43.7
21

Country BaselineWorld Bank Open Data · 2023

Feel safe walking alone after dark

41.3%
37

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Physical assault (past year)

6.1%
72

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Robbery / mugging

High

Armed robbery and mugging occur frequently in downtown and peripheral neighborhoods, especially at night

Pickpocketing

High

Pickpocketing and bag-snatching are common on crowded beaches, markets, and public buses in the hotel zone

▸ 4 more indicators

Sexual violence (past year)

1.6%
81

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Detected human-trafficking victims

0.10 / 100k
91

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2024

Bribery during public-official contact

14.0%
69

Country BaselineUN SDG Global Database · 2023

Crime seen as a major business constraint

12.3%
69

Country BaselineWorld Bank Enterprise Surveys · 2010

03 · Environment

Health & Air

Fair

Air quality

US AQI 43 · Good

Open-Meteo Air Quality

Hospitals

10 beds / 10k · country avg

WHO Global Health Observatory

Weather

October: highs ~32°C · no weather extremes

Open-Meteo

Road safety

12.0 / 100k

WHO Global Health Observatory

Natural hazards

1 active alert · Flood (green)
61

Country BaselineGDACS / USGS

Flood

flood alert in Mexico · ~224 km away

CDC travel health notices · 1 for this destination

Watch

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico

Worldwide notices (not specific to this trip): Polio, Dengue, Measles

04 · Institutions

Stability

Fair

Political stability & no terrorism

55/100
55

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Terrorism deaths (latest year)

0.09 / million
93

Country BaselineGlobal Terrorism Database · 2021

Rule of law

39/100
39

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Control of corruption

29/100
29

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

▸ 3 more indicators

Government effectiveness

49/100
49

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Regulatory quality

51/100
51

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

Voice & accountability

53/100
53

Country BaselineWorld Bank Governance Indicators · 2025

05 · Field Research

Current Situation

Caution

Traveller sentiment score

Mostly negative

41/100

Reported feel41Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk

Only 41.3% of residents report feeling safe walking alone after dark, indicating widespread concern about personal security in public spaces.

No. Acapulco de Juárez remains unsafe for visitors due to persistent violent crime and limited police presence.

The city's homicide rate of 24.9 per 100k is well above the global average, and only 41.3% of residents feel safe walking alone after dark. While terrorism risk is low and air quality is good, organized crime and opportunistic theft pose significant dangers to travelers, especially outside tourist zones.

Recent developments

  • Jan 2026Magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck Mexico, with tremors felt across several states including Guerrero— The Economic Times
  • Oct 2025Acapulco featured in analysis of Mexico’s most violent municipalities due to elevated homicide rates— Mexico News Daily

Common scams

  • Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking passengers to isolated areas
  • Timeshare pressure sales in hotel zones
  • Beach vendors selling counterfeit goods or demanding payment after 'free' offers
Which areas are safe? District-by-district ratings are on the Safety Map→

Full briefing

Acapulco’s traditional hotel zone along Costera Miguel Alemán sees regular police patrols, but violent crime spills over from surrounding neighborhoods like Progreso and Colosio. The Jan 2026 earthquake caused temporary disruption but no lasting infrastructure damage to tourist areas. Street crime remains the primary threat, with pickpocketing reported on beaches and muggings occurring after dark in poorly lit areas away from the main strip. Travelers should avoid resisting if confronted, as robberies can turn violent quickly. Official taxis from the airport are recommended over street-hailed cabs, which have been linked to express kidnappings. While the city’s natural beauty and resorts attract visitors, the security situation demands constant vigilance, particularly when venturing beyond the fortified tourist corridor. Staying in well-reviewed hotels with 24-hour security and avoiding nighttime walks alone are essential precautions. Local emergency response is functional but stretched, so travelers should carry copies of their passport and keep their embassy’s contact information accessible. The flood alert 224 km away poses no immediate risk to the city itself. Ultimately, Acapulco’s risks are manageable only with strict adherence to safety practices and an awareness that the city’s reputation for violence is grounded in current data.

Was this Acapulco de Juárez, Mexico report helpful?

IsMyTripSafe.com

Not legal or medical advice

Report generated 13 October 2026

Sources: U.S. State Dept · UK FCDO · World Bank · WGI · UNODC · WHO · UN SDG · Global Terrorism Database · Numbeo · OpenStreetMap · Open-Meteo · CDC. Composite index recomputed at request time.

Links:

06 · Neighbourhoods

Safest areas and areas to avoid

8 districts

Our field research rated 8 Acapulco de Juárez districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Acapulco de Juárez safety map.

RenacimientoavoidHigh-risk neighborhood inland from the coast; frequent reports of muggings, drug-related violence, and armed robbery.

Colonia ProgresoavoidKnown for gang activity and violent incidents; armed robberies and assaults documented in recent local security bulletins.

Zona Dorada (Hotel Zone)cautionTourist-heavy beachfront area with visible police presence; petty theft and scams target visitors, especially after dark.

Centro HistóricocautionDowntown area with markets and local life; pickpocketing and bag-snatching reported in crowded zones like Mercado Municipal.

Las PalmascautionResidential zone east of Centro; sporadic violent crime and thefts reported, particularly at night on poorly lit streets.

Costa AzulcautionPopular surf and local beach area; theft from unattended belongings on sand and vehicle break-ins reported in parking zones.

Playa DiamantesaferUpscale, gated resort area south of the city; lower crime rates due to private security and limited public access.

MagallanessaferQuiet, well-maintained residential area near the airport; low incident reports and popular with expats and long-term visitors.

2 safer4 caution2 avoidOpen the district map

07 · After Dark

Is Acapulco de Juárez safe at night?

41% of people in Mexico say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2024).

Armed robbery and mugging occur frequently in downtown and peripheral neighborhoods, especially at night

After dark, be most careful around Renacimiento, Colonia Progreso, Zona Dorada (Hotel Zone), Centro Histórico. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.

08 · Questions

Acapulco de Juárez safety FAQ (2026)

Is Acapulco de Juárez safe right now (2026)?

No. Acapulco de Juárez remains unsafe for visitors due to persistent violent crime and limited police presence. The city's homicide rate of 24.9 per 100k is well above the global average, and only 41.3% of residents feel safe walking alone after dark. While terrorism risk is low and air quality is good, organized crime and opportunistic theft pose significant dangers to travelers, especially outside tourist zones. (Assessed 13 October 2026.)

Is Acapulco de Juárez safe for women, families and solo travelers?

Safety is not one number, and this Acapulco de Juárez report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.

Which areas of Acapulco de Juárez should tourists avoid?

Field research flags Renacimiento, Colonia Progreso as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.

What are the most common scams in Acapulco de Juárez (2026)?

  • Fake taxi drivers overcharging or taking passengers to isolated areas
  • Timeshare pressure sales in hotel zones
  • Beach vendors selling counterfeit goods or demanding payment after 'free' offers

How does Acapulco de Juárez compare with other places in Mexico (2026)?

Acapulco de Juárez ranks #9 of 9 Mexico destinations we've assessed, scoring 48/100. See the Mexico safety overview for the full list.

How is this acapulco-de-juarez safety score calculated (2026)?

The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.

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