Is San Miguel de Allende Safe to Travel in 2024: San Miguel de Allende Crime Stats

Is San Miguel de Allende safe? San Miguel de Allende is a beautiful city in Guanajuato, a state in Central Mexico. It is known for its cobblestone streets, neo-gothic La Parroquia church, and Jesuit Sanctuary of Atoltonilc.

While San Miguel de Allende is very attractive, it has its own equitable share of risks. For example, if you look at Numbeo’s data, it says that the city’s crime index is around 51%. This could raise a question: how can you visit this city while protecting yourself from dangers?

To find the answer, continue reading this guide to uncover the good and bad areas of this city. You will also learn about the common frauds and transport risks while traveling. Find out more details on the San Miguel de Allende travel guide below.

Is San Miguel de Allende Safe to Visit in 2024 – Key Takeaways

1. Cartel Violence Risk – MEDIUM
2. Kidnappings Risk –  LOW
3. Fraud Risk – LOW
4. Petty Theft Risk – HIGH
5. Level of Danger When Driving –  MEDIUM
6. Level of Danger in Buses – LOW
7. Level of Danger in Taxi – LOW
8. Level of Danger at Night – MEDIUM
9. Bad Areas – San Rafael Neighborhood, Las Cuevitas, City Outskirts
10. Safe Places – El Jardin, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, Fabrica La Aurora, The Mask Museum, Canada de la Virgen
11. Crime in San Miguel de Allende compared to other cities in Mexico – Rating based on real reviews from travelers and locals according to Numbeo. Crime index meaning: 0-20 is very low, 20-40 is low, 40-60 is moderate, 60-80 is high, and 80-100 is very high.

How do we determine risk levels:

All material presented in this article is based on official Mexican and U.S. government data and recommendations, statistics from reputable publications, and local news reports. The information is intended for general guidance purposes only and does not constitute professional travel advice.

Our danger level study is based on:

1. Mexican government statistics National incidents of crime for 2023, January 2024.
2. US Government travel advisory levels and precautions in 2024.
3. US Government travel map in 2024.
4. Risk map analysis of the Mexico Cartel War in 2023.
5. Elcri map of most violent tourist destinations and homicides map upon on the Mexican Justice System and the INEGI in 2023 and 2024.
6. Numbeo’s statistics are derived from the real experiences of travelers and residents in 2024.
7. News summaries from local presses as well as authoritative resources from Mexico and the United States in 2023 and 2024. In some cases, these data are taken for an earlier period if the type of crime or hazard is not present in 2023 and 2024.

Each risk level will be indicated by a different color red for high risk, orange for medium risk, and green for low risk.

Risk Levels Meaning:

1. High Risk: High number of offenses in the last year, skyrocketing incidents, crime rate higher than the Mexican average. Regarding Numbeo travelers express fear and concern.
2. Medium Risk: The amount of infractions over the past year is close to the national average. Visitors’ worries and concerns are at a moderate level according to Numbeo.
3. Low Risk: Low number of prior year offenses, there has been a decrease in incidents, and crime is lower than the Mexican average. Travelers feel safe according to Numbeo statistics.

Crime in San Miguel de Allende

The official stats of the Mexican government highlight the growth of crime in the Guanajuato state in January and February 2024. As per this report, the total number of crimes in the state was 37,128 for the first 3 months of 2024. If we have to compare these numbers with the respective 3 months of 2023, the total reported incidents were 37,038, as per the National Citizen Observatory. And overall in 2023 were reported 147,311.

This trend of crimes can also be seen in San Miguel de Allende city. It has the total reported incidences in this city are around 1,402 for the first 3 months of 2024, and 5,279 for the whole of 2023 as per The National Citizen Observatory. Also, the overall homicide rate in the city is 23.5/out of 100, as per Elcri data. Now, let’s break down these numbers and find out how safe the city is in the context of 4 big crimes:

1. Cartel Violence Risk – Moderate 

Since San Miguel de Allende falls in Guanajuato state, the following are the active gangs in the area, as per Global Guardian:

• Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG).
• Other local cartels like Cartel del Noreste, Sinola cartel, and Gulf cartel.

When it comes to cartel-related violДругие местные картели, такие как Картель дель Норесте, картель Синола и картель Персидского залива.ence, the Public Security Secretariat of Guanajuato (SSP) ranked this city as the third most insecure municipality in the state. Extortion and intentional homicide due to cartels are high in the area. Looking at the stats by the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System, there were 51 reported deaths in 2023. Even for the first 3 months of 2024, a total of 10 homicides were reported, the National Citizen Observatory says.

Apart from that, these gangs have been involved in other crimes such as election rigging. For instance, Sinola cartels of the area have been involved in helping the current president of Mexico City win an election, as reported by Deutsche Welle.

2. Kidnappings Risk – Low

In terms of kidnappings, San Miguel de Allende has a relatively low crime rate, compared to other areas. The Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System reports that there were no cases of abductions in the city either in 2023 or in 2024. In fact, the parent state, Guanajuato, also had a very low abduction rate in 2024 with only 2 kidnappings in the first 3 months of 2024.

3. Fraud Risk – Low

When rating the fraud risk in San Miguel de Allende, the overall risk is low. But we can’t mark the place 100% safe. Some travelers and natives have mentioned that you may fall into the following scams in this city:

1. Tourist vulnerabilities: Travelers have reported issues with fees related to transportation and entry to popular sites. It is recommended to purchase tickets from authentic sources and be cautious when using local services.
2. Camera incident scam: A common scam involves locals asking tourists to take their pictures. Then, they deliberately damage the camera and demand payment for the supposed damage.
3. Bird Poop Scam: A scammer throws a white substance on tourists, pretending it’s bird poop. Then, he may offer you to help clean it while pickpocketing your belongings.
4. Friendly ATM Helper: In this scam, friendly individuals may try to help you, if your card is stuck at an ATM. Their only intention is to scan or trace your card’s credentials.

To protect yourself, you should take necessary safety concerns like keeping your belongings secure by hiding them and avoiding strangers in crowded spaces. Further, don’t buy anything from street vendors as they can loot you with their high rates.

4. Petty Theft Risk – High

San Miguel de Allende has a high petty theft-related risk. The Numbeo crime index related to theft is at 65%, which is markedly high. Further, if we look at the data presented by the Government of Mexico, it also gives a similar outlook. 

The following table will break down some of these theft-related stats in 2023 and 2024 in the city, based on National Observatory Report.

Looking at the above stats, it is recommended that you need to exercise caution like travel light, use reputable transportation, and keep your valuables concealed. 

Avoiding Bad Areas in San Miguel de Allende

Although San Miguel de Allende is moderately dangerous, some of its areas are quite notorious with a high number of crimes. The following are these bad areas that you need to avoid while traveling to this city:

• San Rafael Neighborhood: This place is known for its inhabitants to cartels. Last year in June 2023, a woman was killed in Jose Maria Street by gangs. Further, there are various drug gang members in the area. They may force you to purchase drugs, leading to police involvement.
• Las Cuevitas: Although it is safe in terms of crimes, the area is unsafe because of its dangerous weather conditions. For instance, there was heavy flooding in 2021. To ensure the safety of the residents, the authorities had to evacuate the residents of Las Cuevitas as well as its neighborhoods like San Rafael and Guadalupe.
• City Outskirts: Some areas in the city’s outskirts are not considered safe. These include Olimpo and Independencia. You may fall to scams or even express kidnappings here.

The Complete Guide to Transport

While traveling in San Miguel de Allende, you have to take public transport to explore the city. The following is a detailed guide in the context of public transport:

Is it Safe to Drive in San Miguel de Allende Mexico – Moderate Risk

In San Miguel de Allende, the driving-related risk is moderate. The danger of mugging or things stolen from your car is also moderate with a range of 49% – 54%, Numbeo mentions. However, it would help if you were sure of car robberies in the city. As per the Mexican Government report, there were around 22 car robberies in 2024 in the city. 

Plus, remember that San Miguel de Allende has narrow streets and walkways. Therefore, it is advised to exercise caution while driving and be mindful of pedestrians. Not to mention the pitch-black roads and unavailability of cellular service in the remote. These things can make the overall driving experience risky.

Safety in Buses in San Miguel de Allende – Low-Risk

Safety in buses in San Miguel de Allende is very great. As per the Interactive Observatory of Crime Incidence, there haven’t been any reported cases in public transport. However, you must be cautious of pickpockets as it has a moderate risk of mugging here. 

Bus companies use sound security measures such as GPS tracking to ensure safe travel for their passengers. These companies include:

• Omnibus de Mexico – intercity bus transport;
• Transportaciones y Tours de Allende S.A. de C.V – offers private transportation to travelers in the region;
• Primera Plus – intercity bus service;
• FlixBus;
• Busbud.

Safety in Taxis in San Miguel de Allende – Low-Risk

Just like public transport is safe, taxis in San Miguel de Allende also give you a safe travel experience. If you are looking for reliable taxi services in the city, the following are some agencies that can offer you help in this regard:

• Taxi Express Allende;
• TAXI SAN MIGUEL EJECUTIVO;
• TAXI PLUS SMA;
• SMAride.

Moreover, Uber is also available in the city. You can book a ride to your preferred location from their mobile application. Further, if you are booking private taxis, go for licensed vehicles. These cabs have a yellow tag on the roof. Don’t forget to settle the fares with the private driver before starting the ride.

Is San Miguel de Allende Safe at Night – Moderate Risk

The safety index is moderate in San Miguel de Allende at night. As per Numbeo, the safety index of walking at night in the city is around 43%. The streets are well-lit and you can often find police officers within walking distance in the vast majority of streets. The city center presents a live scene at night with rooftop bars and cocktails. 

However, you must be cautious when traveling as a solo traveler. If you are in the proximity of EL Jardin, the place is relatively more safe. But the areas like San Rafael are not safe for night travel. 

Safe Places to Visit in San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is renowned for its cultural richness, making it an exciting destination for travelers. This colonial city offers several safe and engaging places to visit, mentioned below:

• El Jardin: This beautiful city center square, known as El Jardín, is a hub of various activities. Here, you can people-watch, relax, and immerse themselves in the local culture.
• La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel: This iconic pink church dominates the skyline and is not only a must-see landmark but also situated in a safe area surrounded by lively streets.
• Fabrica La Aurora: It is an art and design center housed in a former textile factory. You can explore galleries, go shopping at shops, and enjoy street food.
• The Mask Museum: This historical place offers a unique glimpse into a traditional culture. Further, you can discover an impressive collection of masks here.
• Canada de la Virgen: It is an archaeological site just outside the city. If you are a history buff, this area provides insights into the region’s pre-Columbian history.

Safety Concerns and Tips for San Miguel de Allende Mexico

When planning a safe visit to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, consider the following tips:

1. Gather information about the area: Research local crime statistics beforehand to be aware of any trends or areas of concern. This can help you make informed decisions during your trip. Online news sites like the San Miguel Times can provide valuable insights into crimes. 
2. Travel in the daylight: Prefer exploring the neighborhood in the daylight. This is because there are many people on the streets and they are well-lit, reducing the likelihood of minor crimes.
3. Arrange Secure Accommodation: Choose accommodations with a strong safety record via Booking.com or Airbnb. Further, make use of any security facilities, such as safes to keep your personal things secure.
4. Blend with locals: In the city, you will find many welcoming locals. Recognize their traditions and practices to blend in and avoid standing out as a criminal target. Plus, exercise caution while feeling with local vendors.
5. Use authorized cabs: Only reputable cab services and apps, such as Uber, with a proven track record of dependability and security. If you opt for a local taxi service, bargain with taxi drivers and set the rates before starting the ride.
6. Stay away from remote ATMs: Use common sense and avoid suspicious ATMs with skimming devices installed. Only withdraw cash from ATMs located in safe areas, such as hotels or communities near banks.
7. Be Cautious: Keep a list of emergency contacts, including the local police, your embassy, and medical facilities, easily accessible.
8. Buy suitable insurance: Invest in comprehensive travel insurance that covers theft, loss, and medical emergencies. Notable agencies in the area include Novamar Insurance and Qualitas Compania de Seguros.

FAQ

Conclusion

Let’s revise is San Miguel de Allende safe to travel? This charming city has a 50.73% crime rate, making it considered to be moderately safe. In 2024’s first three months, 1,402 offenses were reported. Violence by drug cartels, pickpocketing, corruption, and bribery are examples of significant transgressions.

The US Department of State has not issued any travel restrictions for this city. Furthermore, stay away from dangerous places like San Miguel de Allende’s Las Cuevitas and San Rafael Neighborhood. The town’s safe places are El Jardin, La Parroquia de San Miguel Arcangel, and Fabrica La Aurora.

This city is known for famous places like the Parish of San Miguel Arcangel, stores, and wine tasting in addition to art galleries and boutiques. When you visit the region, remember to ensure your personal safety by utilizing approved transportation services, choosing appropriate housing, and carrying an emergency contact list with you at all times.