SPRING BREAK PLANS UPDATE: Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico from Idaho

'Uneasy' is probably a good word to use to explain how some people are feeling as we start spring break and have to decide if a vacation outside of the United States is a good idea.

Obviously, anywhere in the Middle East is a poor choice this year. A less obvious, possibly poor choice destination is Mexico. Usually, certain locations in Mexico are hot spots for spring breakers, but with the killing of a top drug cartel leader in late February and the aftermath, is it a safe spring break vacation location in 2026?

SPRING BREAK: Is it Safe to Travel to Mexico?

Certain locations in Mexico are perfect destinations for a spring break vacation with abundant sun, sandy beaches, and endless food and entertainment. Are those locations still safe considering the recent events? The Travel Advisory site for Mexico hasn’t been updated with any new alerts since August of 2025, so some places are still listed as relatively safe.

READ ALSO: When is Spring Break For Idaho Students in 2026

But there have been other alerts issued that should make some people want to change their Mexican vacation plans. The latest security alert from February says there are ongoing security operations in these locations:

• Jalisco State (including Puerto Vallarta, Chapala, and Guadalajara)
• Baja California State (including Tijuana, Tecate, and Ensenada)
• Nayarit State (including the Nuevo Nayarit/Nuevo Vallarta area near Puerta Vallarta)
• Areas of Colima, Guanajuato, Guerrero, Estado de Mexico, Michoacan, Nuevo Leon, Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis Potosi, Veracruz, and Zacatecas states

These security operations are related to road blockages and criminal activity.

Surprisingly, the latest alert says situations have returned to normal in many popular tourist destinations, including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Sinaloa. With the exception of possible disruptions at the airport in Puerto Vallarta, all other airports are open and operating normally.

READ ALSO: These Countries Are On The Do Not Travel List

Some areas are still in a volatile state, so those with plans to visit Mexico, or any other country, should check often for updates from the US Embassy in that location or the US Department of State travel advisories map and alerts.

Some news sources have also published articles for those with Mexican cruises planned.