Mexico : Safety by City
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- Queretaro City
- Reynosa
- Saltillo
- San Luis Potosi
- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
- Tijuana
- Tulum
- Valladolid
- Veracruz
- Zacatecas
- Zapopan
- Zihuatanejo
Zacatecas is a city and municipality in Mexico, and the capital and largest city of the state of Zacatecas.
It’s located in north-central Mexico and had its start as a Spanish mining camp in the mid-16th century.
Zacatecas was where thousands of local slaves were forced by the Spanish to toil in the mines.
Due to the wealth that the mines provided, Zacatecas became one of the most important cities in the area.
Now, the colonial part of the city is a World Heritage Site, due to the Baroque architecture and other structures built during mining days.
Warnings & Dangers in Zacatecas
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
In general, the city is quite safe. But there is a risk of being robbed or cheated. You should take normal precautions to protect yourself.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Using buses, taxis and walking are preferable because of the winding streets. Taxi is a safe way of getting around. But be sure to negotiate the price before starting a trip.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
The possibility of pickpocketing is high, you need to monitor your pockets. Keep valuables in a hotel safe and keep an eye on your money and documents.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
The main risks in the region are associated with droughts. Check news sources before traveling to Zacatecas.
MUGGING RISK: HIGH
Mugging is spread shared in Zacatecas. You should be very cautious with your belongings and avoid showing up on the streets at night.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Terrorist attacks do not often happen here. However, as elsewhere in Mexico, you must stay updated on the news on this subject.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
The risk of cheating with credit cards in Zacatecas is high. Also, travelers can be cheated with tour tickets. Make sure you buy tickets on tours in a licensed place and be watchful.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Female, traveling alone can feel safe in the city as long as they do not show up on the streets at late night and wear modest clothes. Also, it's better to avoid bars and nightclubs.
So... How Safe Is Zacatecas Really?
Zacatecas is the colonial city and that the real Mexico begins to emerge.
You can see here real people living real lives.
All of their habits and experience.
And their crimes.
Zacatecas isn’t the safest city in Mexico.
Yes, terrorism, not an issue here, but all of many other crimes as robbery, hijacking, and violence are common here.
The index of crime is quite high for the city.
And it increased in the last years.
There are not many tourists here, but if you travel to Zacatecas you should keep in mind: do not rent a luxury car, park only in guarded parking, do not show up on the streets with jewelry, keep your valuables in a safe place, don’t walk late at night.
The U.S. Department of State recommends to visitors stay in defined tourist areas because those are considered safest, however it’s always important to stay vigilant about your surroundings and personal belongings.
Check the authorized source for the latest updates before your visit to the city.
How Does Zacatecas Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Zacatecas | 70 |
| Acapulco | 63 |
| Cancun | 71 |
| Guadalajara | 62 |
| Mexico City | 45 |
| Playa del Carmen | 69 |
| Cabo San Lucas | 68 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
| Vienna (Austria) | 88 |
| Hong Kong (China) | 70 |
Useful Information
Visas
No visas required for tourist proposals to enter Mexico for many countries of Europe, US citizens and so on. You should have a valid passport and a tourist permit. The maximum possible of stay is 180 days. For a longer stay or other options, you should visit the Mexican embassy.
Currency
The Mexican peso - is the official currency in Mexico. There are one hundred Mexican centavos to every peso. The symbol for the Mexican Peso is $, so you can see MX$ or MN$ in banks and exchange points.
Weather
The best times to visit Zacatecas for ideal weather are from April to June and from September to October. Average temperatures in Zacatecas vary somewhat and feel nice most of the year, with a low chance of rain or snow throughout the year.
Airports
Zacatecas has an international airport - General Leobardo C. Ruiz International Airport. It located 24 km from the city and handles domestic and international flights.
Travel Insurance
The medical travel insurance is required for travelers in any country as well as Mexico. On the border, any traveler may be asked by a customs officer to show insurance.
Zacatecas Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 15 | 17 | 19 | 21 | 23 | 22 | 20 | 20 | 19 | 19 | 17 | 16 |
| Low °C | 5 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| High °F | 59 | 63 | 66 | 70 | 73 | 72 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 66 | 63 | 61 |
| Low °F | 41 | 45 | 46 | 50 | 54 | 54 | 52 | 52 | 52 | 50 | 46 | 45 |
Good tourist destination.
My husband and I live in Zacatecas city. It is beautiful City and much less chance being pick-pocketed in San Francisco,CA than here. Of course like any other city there is crime, but there are many, many tourists here. I mean a lot. Everyday there are groups of people from all over the world that come here to relax and see this beautiful city. I hear from all who visit that they like the peacefulness of the city. So you can not say that not many tourists come here. When was the last time you came for a visit? Just don’t go to Fresnillo.
I will be traveling from Laredo TX to Bucerias MX and would like to stay in Zacatecas for a while can you recommend a hotel with secure parking?
Thanks
A city of beautiful cathedrals and art museums – a lot of beautiful art! Thirty-seven (37) attractions and sixteen (16) museums – not bad for a place I had never heard of, I had no idea. It’s the capital of a landlocked province. There’s also a lot of history here but that was less interesting to me. We stood in a beautiful hotel with a bullring design, the Quinta Real. There were many steps to climb so you do need a certain level of fitness. You have to speak Spanish (my companion did) and his father was from the province so he appreciated more of the history then I did. We had no problem in terms of crime. It is very conservative and I believe I got in trouble for being sleeveless (it was hard to say as I don’t understand Spanish). It seemed that a woman with her children wanted me kicked out of the restaurant but management refused.
my family often travels to zacatecas yearly, we go to a more smaller town but do go to zacatecas. in terms of going there we have no issues. in terms of crime we’ve never had issues.
Retired here
I retired in Zacatecas after living in Wisconsin my entire life, I love it here! great retirement communities and many former Americans as well. Definitely helps to know Spanish if you come to visit.
I am kind of confused I thought this was a big drug cartel center but idk I guess someone please reply so I can understand better