The Yucatán’s Gulf coastlines and ancient Mayan sites are not only visually stunning but also remarkably secure.
American tourists have a fondness for Mexico, and it’s easy to see why. The flights are typically brief and economical, the climate is consistently warm, and the rich culture and scenic beaches are ideal for unwinding.
Despite this, Mexico has experienced its share of fluctuations, with the U.S. State Department occasionally issuing travel advisories for certain areas. However, much like the U.S., where safety varies by region, some Mexican states stand out as sanctuaries for tourists, offering a delightful mix of exquisite cuisine, pleasant weather, and local charm, all under the umbrella of security measures that ensure a worry-free visit.
Aiding travelers in selecting their Mexican destinations, the Institute for Economics and Peace annually publishes the Mexico Peace Index. This report examines crime and violence trends to assess the tranquility of each state. The findings serve as a resourceful guide, ranking the states by their levels of peace and safety. (Vision of Humanity’s interactive map provides a detailed view of how each state measures up against peace indicators.)
Topping the peace index as Mexico’s most tranquil state is Yucatán, scoring 1.314 on a scale from 1 (most peaceful) to 5 (least peaceful). Yucatán boasts exceptionally low rates of homicide, violent crime, weapons offenses, and organized crime, with only a marginally higher “fear of violence” rating.
Positioned along the Gulf of Mexico, Yucatán is famed for its Mayan heritage sites, including the iconic Chichén Itzá, renowned for its colossal pyramid and stone structures.
Following Yucatán as the most peaceful states — each scoring below 2 — are the diminutive, landlocked Tlaxcala; Chiapas, neighboring Guatemala and home to the historic town of Cristóbal de las Casas; and Durango, celebrated for its desert landscapes and mountainous regions. Excluding Durango, these states recorded the lowest conceivable rates of homicide, violent crime, weapons offenses, and organized crime.
Below is the comprehensive ranking, from the most peaceful to the least:
- Yucatán
- Score: 1.314
- Tlaxcala
- Score: 1.609
- Chiapas
- Score: 1.738
- Durango
- Score: 1.961
- Coahuila
- Score: 2.074
- Nayarit
- Score: 2.080
- Tabasco
- Score: 2.278
- Tamaulipas
- Score: 2.328
- Aguascalientes
- Score: 2.329
- Hidalgo
- Score: 2.336
- Veracruz
- Score: 2.370
- Puebla
- Score: 2.375
- Campeche
- Score: 2.381
- Oaxaca
- Score: 2.578
- Baja California Sur
- Score: 2.609
- Querétaro
- Score: 2.634
- Mexico City
- Score: 2.726
- Jalisco
- Score: 2.729
- Sinaloa
- Score: 2.794
- San Luis Potosí
- Score: 2.868
- Michoacán
- Score: 3.000
- Sonora
- Score: 2.254
- Guerrero
- Score: 2.271
- Mexico State
- Score: 2.446
- Chihuahua
- Score: 3.570
- Nuevo León
- Score: 3.621
- Quintana Roo
- Score: 3.678
- Zacatecas
- Score: 3.791
- Guanajuato
- Score: 4.055
- Morelos
- Score: 4.123
- Baja California
- Score: 4.422
- Colima
- Score: 4.742
Source: Travel and Leisure
