Mexico's Most Beautiful Tourist Destination is also its Safest
However, these claims are mostly unfounded, as those who have traveled south of the border can attest. While it is true that caution should be exercised in certain regions of Mexico, as is the case in any country, there are other areas where the safety risks are minimal, offering tourists a stress-free holiday. One such place is the lesser-known Yucatan, which is not only one of the most beautiful regions in Mexico but also the safest state:
The Safest State in Mexico
The Yucatan state, which should not be confused with the Yucatan Peninsula, of which it is a part, has been officially recognized as the safest tourist destination in Mexico by U.S. authorities.
According to the State Department, it is one of only two Mexican states to receive a Level 1 status.
For those familiar with State Department updates, Level 1 is the highest rating a destination can achieve, indicating high safety levels where normal precautions apply. In fact, Level 1 includes some of the world's safest and most stable countries like Iceland and Finland, where crime and violence rates are remarkably low.
Level 2 is assigned to countries or territories where criminal activity or disruptions may occur, necessitating greater caution, but travel is not discouraged as the risks are not significant. Level 3 suggests that travel should be reconsidered due to security issues or major civil unrest, as seen recently in Colombia and Peru. Level 4 is reserved for countries with significant threats to life, such as those at war or unfriendly states like North Korea.
While Mexico as a whole falls within Level 2 on average, Yucatan is one of the two safest states, with Campeche being the other state to receive Level 1 status.
Like much of the wider Mayan World, the region held great importance within Mayan civilization as the location of several important city-states and smaller settlements.
The legendary Chichen Itza, once one of the most powerful Mayan cities and now a world-renowned archaeological site, can be found within the state’s boundaries.
After the European conquest, Yucatan underwent severe changes, especially concerning its cultural and social development. The Spaniards brought their colonial architecture, razed Mayan villages to the ground, and either decimated or forced the native populace to assimilate.
It held great significance within Mayan civilization, housing several important city-states and smaller settlements. Among its boundaries lies the legendary Chichen Itza, once a powerful Mayan city and now a world-renowned archaeological site.
Following the European conquest, Yucatan underwent significant changes, particularly in terms of its cultural and social development. The Spanish brought their colonial architecture, leading to the destruction of Mayan villages and the assimilation or decimation of the native population.
The historical center of Merida is renowned as the third largest in the American continent, and the landmark Cathedral of Merida, built using stones from Ti'ho, stands as one of the oldest in the Americas, completed in 1598.
El Cuyo, a small fishing village within a short drive from Merida, offers another popular swimming spot. This picturesque village remains untouched by excessive development and provides a selection of luxury boutique hotels and guest stays.
Mayan Ruins And Colonial Treasures
Other than, of course, Chichen Itza, there are incredible, not-as-popular ruins to be visited in Ek’ Balam, in the Northern Mayan lowlands, and Uxmal, famous for its unique, rounded Pyramid of the Magician.
The state is also the proud home of four Magical Towns, as defined by Mexican Tourism authorities. These are the ‘Yellow City’ of Izamal, Valladolid, Sisal, and Mani.
The title is awarded to destinations known to have contributed massively to Mexican nationhood through their culture or historical relevance, reasserting Yucatan’s prestige as a cultural hotspot.
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