The U.S. State Department issued an updated travel advisory for Mexico on June 9, 2026, placing Baja California at Level 3, or “Reconsider Travel,” just days before the FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 11. The warning cites ongoing risks of crime, kidnapping, and terrorism across the state.
Level 3 is the second-highest tier in the State Department’s four-level system. It sits one step below Level 4, the “Do Not Travel” designation currently applied to six Mexican states: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacán, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas.
What the Advisory Covers
The advisory applies to the entire state of Baja California, which includes Tijuana, Ensenada, Rosarito, Tecate, and Mexicali. It warns of homicide, carjacking, sexual assault, and robbery as persistent threats. The State Department has previously noted that the Mexicali Valley carries specific travel restrictions beyond the general Level 3 classification.
Baja California Sur, home to Los Cabos and La Paz, holds a separate and lower Level 2 designation (“Exercise Increased Caution”). The two states are evaluated independently.
Timing Tied to the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca will host the opening match on June 11. The Mexican government expects more than 5.5 million visitors during the tournament, which runs through July 19.
While Baja California is not hosting World Cup matches, tens of thousands of fans are expected to cross through the state’s border cities en route to events elsewhere in Mexico. Tijuana’s San Ysidro port of entry is the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere, processing roughly 70,000 northbound crossings daily under normal conditions.
Context for Baja Residents and Visitors
Baja California has held a Level 3 advisory for years. The classification is not new, though its reissuance days before a global sporting event draws fresh attention. The head of the Consejo Ciudadano de Seguridad Pública (Citizens Public Safety Council) has previously stated that Mexican authorities should not dismiss the warnings, noting that Tijuana in particular continues to experience high levels of violence.
A Level 3 designation can affect travel insurance coverage. Some insurers adjust terms or exclude claims for travelers who visit regions under “Reconsider Travel” advisories. Anyone heading to Baja California during the World Cup period should review their policy language carefully.
Other Level 3 states include Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, and Sonora. Mexico City and Nuevo León (home to Monterrey), both World Cup host locations, remain at Level 2.
This story was first reported by Zeta Tijuana.