This Is The Current US State Department Travel Advisory For Los Cabos This Winter

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Every winter, as travelers prepare to trade their parkas for swimsuits, the same question circulates in group chats and family emails: “Is it actually safe to go to Mexico right now?”

Headlines can be alarming, and social media rumors spread faster than a wildfire. But if you are planning a trip to Los Cabos, the most important source of information isn’t TikTok—it’s the official U.S. State Department Travel Advisory.

Here at The Cabo Sun, we track these updates daily. The most recent assessment for Baja California Sur (the state home to Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo) was issued on August 12, 2025, and it remains the standing guidance as we head into the high season.

Here is the breakdown of what the advisory actually says, what it means for your vacation, and the one sentence in the document that matters most.

The Current Status: Level 2

Baja California Sur is currently rated at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution.

The official reason cited is crime.

For context, the U.S. State Department uses a four-tier system:

• Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions (e.g., Canada)
• Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
• Level 3: Reconsider Travel
• Level 4: Do Not Travel

The Context: “Level 2” is Standard for Tourism

Seeing the words “Exercise Increased Caution” can be unsettling, but context is everything.

A Level 2 rating is not a red flag unique to Mexico. It is the exact same safety rating currently assigned to some of the world’s most popular and beloved tourist destinations, including France, the United Kingdom, Spain, and Italy.

The U.S. government advises “increased caution” in London and Paris due to terrorism and civil unrest. In Baja California Sur, the caution is due to criminal activity. The advisory acknowledges that while crime exists, it is not a war zone. The designation places Los Cabos in the same safety tier as a family trip to Disney World Paris or a honeymoon in Rome.

As we highlighted in our report on how Los Cabos was named one of the safest destinations in Mexico, this rating distinguishes Baja Sur from other Mexican states that are rated Level 3 or 4 due to deeper organized crime conflicts.

The Most Important Sentence in the Advisory

Buried in the text of the advisory is perhaps the most critical piece of information for tourists:

“There are no specific restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Baja California Sur state.”

This is the gold standard of safety signals. When the U.S. government believes a region is truly dangerous, it strictly forbids its own diplomats and employees from traveling there. They will often issue “shelter in place” orders or ban travel after dark and on highways.

For Baja California Sur, there are zero such restrictions. U.S. government staff are free to travel to Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, and La Paz just like any other tourist. This indicates that the State Department assesses the risk to Americans in these tourist zones as manageable and low.

On-The-Ground Reality for Winter 2025

So, what does “Exercise Increased Caution” look like in real life?

It means practicing the same “big city awareness” you would use in Miami or Las Vegas. The overwhelming majority of visitors—over 4 million a year—experience a trouble-free vacation.

The local government takes this reputation seriously. As we covered in our update on seasonal safety measures, authorities ramp up patrols in tourist zones during peak months. You will see Tourist Police on bikes in the marina and National Guard units patrolling the beaches. This isn’t a sign of trouble; it’s a deterrent to keep the “safe zone” secure.

Practical Safety Tips for High Season

While the advisory is stable, savvy travelers should still follow the rules of the road:

1. Stick to the Tourist Zones: The advisory applies to the state, but the safety “bubble” is strongest in the marina, the Tourist Corridor, and downtown San José.
2. Use Authorized Transport: Do not hail random cars. As we explained in our guide to using Uber safely, stick to the app or official resort taxis to ensure your ride is tracked.
3. Watch Your Drink: This is a universal rule. Whether you are in Cabo or New York, never leave your drink unattended at a bar.

The Verdict

The official advice is clear: Go, enjoy, but stay aware. Los Cabos remains open, welcoming, and statistically one of the safest places you can visit in Mexico this winter.