Town in Guerrero, Mexico
Is Zihuatanejo safe?
Tourist areas are mostly calm, but Guerrero carries a Level 4 advisory for cartel violence.
Is Zihuatanejo safe?
Tourist areas are mostly calm, but Guerrero carries a Level 4 advisory for cartel violence. Stay in town and Ixtapa, avoid night highways and check guidance before travel.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 3/5, take real precautions.
- 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 Zihuatanejo at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Crime | Petty theft on beaches and in markets, break-ins, and extortion of local businesses. Cartel violence is mostly outside tourist zones but can reach the area. |
| At night | The waterfront restaurants stay busy until about 11 pm. Use a hotel-arranged taxi after dark; avoid quiet streets and beaches. |
| Solo women | Solo women travel here but should use taxis at night, avoid isolated beaches and stay in the tourist zones. |
| Other risks | Hurricanes, Jun–Nov; Strong waves and rip currents at La Ropa and Playa Larga; Heat and humidity above 33°C |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Beach vendors overcharging or pressuring boat tours
- Taxi drivers quoting inflated rides from the airport
- Timeshare reps offering free drinks or tours
Take care
- Highway 200 and any road travel after dark
- Isolated beaches and dark waterfront stretches at night
- Outer colonias away from the tourist core
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 Zihuatanejo 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 |
| 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 |
| Zihuatanejo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Acapulco | 2/5 · High risk |
Quick answers
Is Zihuatanejo safe for solo female travelers?
Solo women travel here but should use taxis at night, avoid isolated beaches and stay in the tourist zones.
Is Zihuatanejo safe at night?
The waterfront restaurants stay busy until about 11 pm. Use a hotel-arranged taxi after dark; avoid quiet streets and beaches.
What is the crime rate in Zihuatanejo?
Petty theft on beaches and in markets, break-ins, and extortion of local businesses. Cartel violence is mostly outside tourist zones but can reach the area. Nationally, Mexico records 24.9 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Zihuatanejo?
Police 911 · Ambulance 911 · Fire 911 · Tourist police 078 · All emergencies 911.
More about Zihuatanejo
Going to Zihuatanejo solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- 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.