Most of the people in Mexico are wonderful, both friendly and generous, and they love to share their culture with visitors and they appreciate the boost tourism brings to their economy. At the same time, cartels, traffickers, and other criminals are a real concern in some parts. No one can ever guarantee anyone else’s safety, but here are some places that are among the safest in Mexico for families to visit:

Merida

With the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza and Uxmal close enough for easy day trips and with an excellent museum of Mayan culture in town, Merida is one of the best places you can go to explore Mayan ruins and culture. Every Sunday, streets in the heart of the city close for Merida en Domingo (“Sunday in Merida”) festivities.

Los Cabos

Because of the dangerous currents, you can’t swim at many of the beaches in this region at the southernmost tip of Baja California. That’s okay, though, because you can still admire the dramatic coast on boat tours, and winter through early spring is when whales migrate through the area. Plus, there are some beaches safe for swimming, so you can still get your beach fix.

Puebla

Adolescents are notoriously difficult to please, and this inland city southeast of Mexico City is an excellent place for families with teens and tweens. That’s because all the colleges and universities here create a fun, youthful vibe in the city.

Puerto Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta is arguably the best city in Mexico for a beach vacation. Surrounded by green hills, the beaches usually have enough of a breeze that you don’t feel too hot, and the city is welcoming and diverse.

Puerto Morelos

Does your family enjoy snorkeling? The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef off the shores here is the second-largest such reef in the world, and you can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters right off the beach there.

Playa Del Carmen

This region is a strip of land with white-sand beaches and blue waters. It’s also a great base for exploring Mayan ruins. It’s a Level 2 travel advisory zone, which means it’s safe to travel with increased caution.

Cancun

Everyone has heard of this beach town. Is it worth the hype? That’s up to you to decide, but it has some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, a lot to see and do, and some of the most secure resorts in Mexico.

La Paz

It’s fitting that one of the safest places to visit in Mexico translates to “Peace” in English. This scenic coastal town in Baja California, on the Gulf side, has low rates of violent crime, making it a great place to travel with the family.

Tulum

Although this city on the eastern coast is more expensive than many of the others on this list, it’s also one of the safest and most exciting. Like several others here, it has beautiful sandy beaches and proximity to Mayan ruins.

Sayulita

Once a quiet fishing village on the Pacific coast, Sayulita is now a popular resort town. Golden sands, a laid-back lifestyle, and family-friendly results hold high appeal for visitors. Well-lit streets and good police presence help this city earn its rating as one of Mexico’s safest.

Isla Mujeres

This tropical island in the Caribbean Sea draws millions of visitors every year. Sunny weather, colorful buildings, beautiful white-sand beaches, and clear waters make this island a tropical paradise. Petty theft is the crime to worry about the most here; rates of violent crime are very low.

Riviera Maya

This is a larger region that includes Puerto Morelos, mentioned earlier here. It’s one of the best places in the world for snorkeling and diving, and you can even swim in natural water-filled sinkholes (cenotes). As the name implies, you can explore Mayan ruins in the area.

Mexico City

The capital of Mexico has long had a reputation as a dangerous place to visit, but the downtown core is an exception and only has an “increased caution” warning. Museums, street art, colorful markets, and more await visitors here.

Huatulco

Considered one of the safest places in Mexico, this coastal town is in Oaxaca. Popular activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, and touring coffee farms.

Valladolid

Midway between Cancun and Merida, Valladolid, like Merida, isn’t as touristy as some of the other popular Yucatan spots. Valladolid is colorful and friendly, and there are also many cenotes not far away.

Bacalar

Affordable and uncrowded, Bacalar is another beautiful Yucatan destination, It’s best-known for its amazing lagoon, which stretches for about 25 miles, is fed by underground rivers, and is called the Lake of the Seven Colors.” 

Campeche

A beautifully restored Spanish colonial city on the western coast of the Yucatan, Campeche is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many Mayan ruins in the state of the same name, and because they’re not so famous, they’re much less crowded.

Queretaro

On the streets here, you’ll see a mix of Spanish and pre-Spanish architecture and influences. The town also has an amazing natural backdrop that you’ll gaze at in awe.

Todos Santos

Meaning “All Saints,” Todos Santos is on the Pacific side of Baja California and is far enough from Los Cabos to be spared its crowds. It’s also known as one of the world’s best surfing spots.

Guadalajara

This is Mexico’s second-largest Metropolis. Partly to promote tourism, local leaders and law enforcement have invested heavily in security, turning it from a feared destination for travelers to one of Mexico’s safest in recent years.