British nationals are being cautioned by the UK Foreign Office which has escalated its travel advice, urging against “all but essential travel” to certain areas in North America.
The latest guidance featured on the official FCDO website highlights specific regions in Mexico where safety and security levels are a concern.
Issued with particular emphasis on the city of Tijuana in Baja California, the Foreign Office warned: “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tijuana, except airside transit through Tijuana airport and the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border.”
Although certain routes such as the federal toll road 1D and Via Rapida for direct passage through Tijuana to the border retain exemption, travelers should generally exercise caution.
Furthermore, the FCDO recommends avoiding all but essential travel to the state of Chihuahua.
Exceptions apply to the city of Chihuahua itself, Ciudad Juarez via federal toll road 45, and the connecting federal toll road 45D joining the cities of Chihuahua and Ciudad Juarez.
Notable exclusions also include the well-known Copper Canyon railway journey along with nearby towns such as Creel, plus the route from Creel to San Pedro via San Juanito and the state highway 16 up to Chihuahua.
Additionally, despite advising against non-essential travel to Sinaloa, the FCDO grants permission for visits to the cities of Los Mochis and Mazatlan, travelling on the 32 road between El Fuerte and Los Mochis, the 15D federal toll road crossing the state, and use of the Copper Canyon rail route within the vicinity of Los Mochis, El Fuerte, and adjacent towns.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has also issued a stern warning against all but essential travel to the state of Tamaulipas.
However, there are exceptions, including the border crossing at Nuevo Laredo accessed by federal toll road 85D from Monterrey and federal highways 80, 81 and 85 between Tampico, Ciudad de Victoria and Magueyes, and the entire area of Tamaulipas south of these highways, reports Birmingham Live.
Zacatecas is also deemed off-limits, and the FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Michoacan, except for the city of Morelia, town of Patzcuaro and Federal Highway 15D.
The areas south and southwest of Lake Chapala to the border with the state of Colima are also advised against.
Guerrero is listed as a ‘no-go area’, along with the state of Colima, excluding the city of Manzanillo.
The Foreign Office added: “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 40km of the Guatemalan border between the Pacific Coast up to and including the border crossing at Gracias a Dio.”