Warnings and Advisories

Sonora, Mexico Travel Warnings and Advisories

Recent years have been marked with widespread violence and crime in Sonora. The current U.S. State Department advisory continues the “Reconsider Travel to Sonora” admonition but provides more details regarding the potential dangers of traveling in Sonora. As always, the State Department identifies the most dangerous areas as those where federal employees are not allowed to visit. The text of the travel advisory is provided below.

January 14, 2026

State of Sonora, Mexico – Reconsider Travel

Reconsider travel to Sonora due to terrorism, crime, and kidnapping.

• There is a risk of violence in the state from terrorist groups, cartels, gangs and criminal organizations.
• U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents have been victims of kidnapping.
• Travelers should stay alert and aware of their surroundings while traveling in Sonora. Criminal activity and violence may occur in any area of Sonora.
• U.S. government employees may travel to: Hermosillo, Bahia de Kino, San Carlos-Nuevo Guaymas, Alamos, and Puerto Libertad.
• U.S. government employees must follow the below travel restrictions for Nogales, Puerto Penasco, Cananea, Agua Prieta, and eastern and southern Sonora.
• See the map of restricted areas above.

Nogales

• U.S. government employees may not use any taxi services, public buses, or ride-share applications in Nogales.
• U.S. government employees may travel to the following areas in the municipality of Nogales:
  • Highway 15 corridor between the DeConcicini Port of Entry and the intersection of Highway 15 and Highway 15D. The Highway 15 corridor includes:
    • The area south of the Council of the Federal Judiciary building on Calle Ochoa, between Avenida Alvaro Obregon and Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez, and to the intersection of Highway 15 and Avenida Alvaro Obregon.
    • The area south of the intersection of Highway 15 and Avenida Alvaro Obregon, including Adolfo Ruiz Cortinez, and to the Donaldo Colosio Plaza.
  • The Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio corridor between the Mariposa Port of Entry and the intersection with Highway 15. The Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio corridor includes:
    • The industrial area east of Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio and between Avenida 5 de Febrero and F. Bustamante.
    • Boulevard El Greco and the area northwest to Avenida Tecnologico.
  • The area southeast of Avenida Tecnologico, between Highway 15 and Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio, and south to the intersection of Highway 15 and Boulevard Luis Donaldo Colosio.
  • The Ignacio de La Torre Avenue de los Nogales Corridor between Boulevard El Greco and its intersection with Highway 15. The Ignacio de La Torre Avenida de los Nogales Corridor includes:
    • The Guarnición de la Plaza Militar.
    • The area between Highway 15 and Ignacio de La Torre Avenida de los Nogales.

Travel between Hermosillo and Nogales

• U.S. government employees may travel between Nogales and Hermosillo during daylight hours only and via Federal Highway 15 only.
• U.S. government employees may not use any taxi services, public buses, or ride-share applications.
• Travelers should be cautious and avoid unnecessary stops due to security incidents, including occasional armed carjackings.
• Shootings have occurred along this route during the day.

Puerto Peñasco

• U.S. government employees may travel between Puerto Peñasco and the Lukeville-Sonoyta U.S. Port of Entry via Federal Highway 8 only.
• U.S. government employees may not travel on any other route to Puerto Peñasco.
• U.S. government employees may not use any taxi services, public buses, or ride-share applications in Puerto Peñasco.

Cananea and Agua Prieta

• U.S. government employees may travel directly from the U.S. Port of Entry Douglas to Agua Prieta, but may not go beyond the city limits.
• U.S. government employees may travel directly from U.S. Port of Entry Douglas to Cananea on Highway 2 only. They cannot go beyond the city limits.
• Travel is limited to daylight hours only, with no overnight stays.
• Travel between Nogales and Cananea through Imuris on Highway 2 is not allowed.
• U.S. government employees may not use any taxi services, public buses, or ride-share applications in these cities.

Eastern and southern Sonora (including San Carlos-Nuevo Guaymas and Alamos)

• U.S. government employees may travel from Hermosillo to San Carlos-Nuevo Guaymas using Highway 15 and Highway 124. Traveling away from that route in the direction of Guaymas is prohibited.
• U.S. government employees may travel to Alamos by air.
• U.S. government employees may not travel to areas of Sonora east of Federal Highway 17 between Moctezuma and Santa Rosa.
• U.S. government employees cannot travel to Guaymas and areas south of Guaymas.