City in Guerrero, Mexico
Is Acapulco safe?
Resort areas see most tourists unharmed, but Guerrero has serious cartel violence and a Level 4 advisory.
Is Acapulco safe?
Resort areas see most tourists unharmed, but Guerrero has serious cartel violence and a Level 4 advisory. Use the hotel zone, avoid night driving and check current guidance.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 2/5, high risk.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-08-11.
- Homicide rate in Mexico: 24.9 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Mexico: 12.8 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
Safety in Acapulco at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 2/5 · High risk |
| Crime | Armed robbery, extortion of businesses, express kidnapping, and violent gang conflict in some neighbourhoods. Tourist hotels are usually protected. |
| At night | The Costera nightlife strip stays active but crime risk is real. Move by hotel-arranged taxi or app, never on foot after dark. |
| Solo women | Solo women should stay in the hotel zones and use pre-arranged transport. Avoid isolated beaches and walking alone at night. |
| Other risks | Hurricane season, Jun–Nov; Strong rip currents on open beaches; Landslides and flooding after storms |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Taxi touts overcharging from the airport or Costera
- Beach vendors adding fees or pressuring rentals
- Timeshare reps offering free tours or drinks
Take care
- Neighbourhoods behind the Costera and the hills
- Highway 95 and 200 at any hour, and any night driving
- Empty beaches and unlicensed nightclub areas
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carrying any firearm or even a single bullet can mean prison.
- Vapes and e-cigarettes are banned and can be confiscated.
- Drinking in the street is illegal in most cities and brings fines or arrest.
How Acapulco compares in Mexico
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Mérida | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| San Miguel de Allende | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Cozumel | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Isla Mujeres | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Holbox | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bacalar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Guanajuato | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Monterrey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Valladolid | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| La Paz | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puebla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Querétaro | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Puerto Morelos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mazunte | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Todos Santos | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ajijic | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Mexico City | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cancún | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tulum | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Playa del Carmen | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Vallarta | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Cabo San Lucas | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Oaxaca | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Guadalajara | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Puerto Escondido | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Sayulita | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mazatlán | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Tijuana | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Acapulco | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Acapulco safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women should stay in the hotel zones and use pre-arranged transport. Avoid isolated beaches and walking alone at night.
Is Acapulco safe at night?
The Costera nightlife strip stays active but crime risk is real. Move by hotel-arranged taxi or app, never on foot after dark.
What is the crime rate in Acapulco?
Armed robbery, extortion of businesses, express kidnapping, and violent gang conflict in some neighbourhoods. Tourist hotels are usually protected. Nationally, Mexico records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Acapulco?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
More about Acapulco
Going to Acapulco solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Instituto Nacional de Migración
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.