North America·Mexico·Updated April 29, 2026

Monterrey Scams to Avoid in 2026 (Mexico)

Monterrey is Mexico's third-largest city and industrial capital, a business hub in Nuevo León state near the US border. The city sees business travel and domestic tourism to the Barrio Antiguo historic district, Parque Fundidora, and Macroplaza. As a border-adjacent city with significant cartel presence in surrounding areas, tourists should be aware of express kidnapping targeting ATM users, taxi fraud, and the importance of using only Uber or pre-arranged hotel transport.

Risk Index

8.3

out of 10

Scams

12

documented

High Severity

6

50% of total

8.3

Risk Index

12

Scams

6

High Risk

Monterrey has 12 documented tourist scams across 7 categories in our database. Scam activity is rated high. The most commonly reported risks are Express Kidnapping via Street Taxis, Unlicensed Taxi Safety Risk, ATM Robbery and Card Skimming.

Editorially reviewed — sources cross-referenced before publishing. How we verify →

Traveler Context

What Travellers Should Know About Scams in Monterrey

Monterrey sits in our database with 12 documented tourist-targeted scams, 6 of which are rated high severity — meaning genuine financial loss or personal-safety risk if a traveller is caught unprepared. The defining pattern is street-level scams (3 of the 12 reports), with Express Kidnapping via Street Taxis as the most consistently documented individual scam: Street taxis in Monterrey, particularly those hailed outside the Macroplaza, near the bus terminals, and in Barrio Antiguo at night, are associated with express kidnapping operations. Travellers familiar with New York or Tijuana will recognise the broad shape of the risk environment in North America, though the specific local variations in Monterrey are what catch first-time visitors out.

Specific documented risk areas include Macroplaza and Gran Plaza area, Barrio Antiguo on Calle Padre Mier and Avenida Constitución, near the Central de Autobuses (bus terminal) on Avenida Colón; Monterrey International Airport (MTY) arrivals area, bus terminals on Avenida Colón, and street-level taxi stands near Macroplaza and San Pedro Garza García; ATMs near the Macroplaza, standalone machines in the Barrio Antiguo entertainment zone on Calle Morelos, and convenience store ATMs throughout the Centro and San Pedro Garza García districts. A separate but related pattern is ATM Robbery and Card Skimming: ATM-related crime in Monterrey includes both physical robbery of users after withdrawal and card skimming devices installed on machines in commercial and tourist areas. The single most effective protection across these patterns: Never hail a street taxi in Monterrey. Use only Uber, DiDi, or taxis pre-arranged through your hotel. If you must take a taxi, use only the authorized taxi companies (sitios) at the airport or bus station. Share your live location with a contact when traveling by any ground transport at night.

How It Plays OutHigh Risk

Express Kidnapping via Street Taxis

Street taxis in Monterrey, particularly those hailed outside the Macroplaza, near the bus terminals, and in Barrio Antiguo at night, are associated with express kidnapping operations. Victims are forced to withdraw money from multiple ATMs before being released. The risk is highest at night and in areas with poor lighting. This is a well-documented crime pattern specific to Monterrey's informal taxi sector.

Macroplaza and Gran Plaza area, Barrio Antiguo on Calle Padre Mier and Avenida Constitución, near the Central de Autobuses (bus terminal) on Avenida Colón

How to avoid: Never hail a street taxi in Monterrey. Use only Uber, DiDi, or taxis pre-arranged through your hotel. If you must take a taxi, use only the authorized taxi companies (sitios) at the airport or bus station. Share your live location with a contact when traveling by any ground transport at night.

This scam type is also documented in New York and Tijuana.

Key Risk Areas

Where These Scams Are Most Active

Specific areas and landmarks with the highest concentration of documented incidents in Monterrey.

Express Kidnapping via Street Taxis

Taxi & Transport

Macroplaza and Gran Plaza area, Barrio Antiguo on Calle Padre Mier and Avenida Constitución, near the Central de Autobuses (bus terminal) on Avenida Colón

Unlicensed Taxi Safety Risk

Taxi & Transport

Monterrey International Airport (MTY) arrivals area, bus terminals on Avenida Colón, and street-level taxi stands near Macroplaza and San Pedro Garza García

ATM Robbery and Card Skimming

Money & ATM Scams

ATMs near the Macroplaza, standalone machines in the Barrio Antiguo entertainment zone on Calle Morelos, and convenience store ATMs throughout the Centro and San Pedro Garza García districts

Fake Police Officer Extortion

Street Scams

Macroplaza esplanade, Avenida Constitución, Barrio Antiguo (Calle Morelos and Calle Padre Mier), Centro district

Virtual Kidnapping Phone Scam

Online Scams

Calls targeting guests at hotels in San Pedro Garza García (Vía Corporativo, Calzada del Valle) and business hotels in Valle Oriente; also targeting travelers who have listed their Monterrey location on social media

Drink Spiking in Barrio Antiguo Nightlife Venues

Restaurant Scams

Barrio Antiguo nightlife strip, especially Calle Morelos between Calle Dr. Coss and Calle Jardín, Calle Mina bar corridor, late-night venues near Parque Hundido in Barrio Antiguo

These areas are safe to visit — knowing the setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.

Safety Checklist

Quick Safety Tips for Monterrey

Key precautions based on the most frequently reported scams here.

  • Never hail a street taxi in Monterrey. Use only Uber, DiDi, or taxis pre-arranged through your hotel. If you must take a taxi, use only the authorized taxi companies (sitios) at the airport or bus station. Share your live location with a contact when traveling by any ground transport at night.
  • Download Uber or DiDi before arriving in Monterrey. At the airport, use only the official SITEUR taxi desk or a pre-booked transfer service. Do not accept rides from drivers who approach you in the arrivals hall. The correct airport-to-centro fare should be agreed in writing at the official taxi desk.
  • Use ATMs only inside bank branches during business hours — avoid standalone street ATMs and those inside convenience stores at night. Cover the keypad when entering your PIN. Withdraw cash in a single transaction and proceed directly to your destination. Be aware of anyone loitering near the ATM before and after your withdrawal.
  • Never hand your wallet or passport to anyone claiming to be police on the street. Ask for official identification, offer to walk with them to the nearest police station (Ministerio Público), and contact your hotel or consulate. Real police checkpoints involve marked vehicles and uniformed officers, not plainclothes street stops.
  • If you receive such a call, hang up and immediately call the supposed victim on their own number. Do not stay on the line with the caller — this is their primary control mechanism. Report to the Mexican National Guard (911) and your company security team. Brief family members before travel that you will use a pre-agreed code word to confirm real emergencies.

FAQ

Monterrey Safety — Frequently Asked Questions

What scams target tourists in Monterrey?
The most frequently reported tourist scams in Monterrey are Express Kidnapping via Street Taxis, Unlicensed Taxi Safety Risk, ATM Robbery and Card Skimming, with 6 classified as high severity. Most scams operate near transit hubs, tourist attractions, and busy markets. Reviewing each type before you arrive significantly reduces your risk of being targeted. Similar patterns are also documented in New York and Tijuana.
Are taxis safe in Monterrey?
Taxis in Monterrey carry documented risk for tourists — 2 transport-related scams are on record. Never hail a street taxi in Monterrey. Use only Uber, DiDi, or taxis pre-arranged through your hotel. If you must take a taxi, use only the authorized taxi companies (sitios) at the airport or bus station. Share your live location with a contact when traveling by any ground transport at night. Where available, verified ride-hailing apps (Uber, Grab, or local equivalents) are generally safer than street taxis.
Is Monterrey safe at night for tourists?
Monterrey is Mexico's third-largest city and industrial capital, a business hub in Nuevo León state near the US border. The city sees business travel and domestic tourism to the Barrio Antiguo historic district, Parque Fundidora, and Macroplaza. As a border-adjacent city with significant cartel presence in surrounding areas, tourists should be aware of express kidnapping targeting ATM users, taxi fraud, and the importance of using only Uber or pre-arranged hotel transport. 6 of the 12 documented scams here are rated high severity. After dark, extra caution is advised near Macroplaza and Gran Plaza area, Barrio Antiguo on Calle Padre Mier and Avenida Constitución, near the Central de Autobuses (bus terminal) on Avenida Colón. Use app-based transport at night and avoid unsolicited approaches from strangers.
Which areas of Monterrey should tourists be most careful in?
Documented scam activity in Monterrey is concentrated in high-traffic tourist zones. Based on reported incidents: Macroplaza and Gran Plaza area, Barrio Antiguo on Calle Padre Mier and Avenida Constitución, near the Central de Autobuses (bus terminal) on Avenida Colón (Express Kidnapping via Street Taxis); Monterrey International Airport (MTY) arrivals area, bus terminals on Avenida Colón, and street-level taxi stands near Macroplaza and San Pedro Garza García (Unlicensed Taxi Safety Risk); ATMs near the Macroplaza, standalone machines in the Barrio Antiguo entertainment zone on Calle Morelos, and convenience store ATMs throughout the Centro and San Pedro Garza García districts (ATM Robbery and Card Skimming). These areas are safe to visit — knowing the common setups in advance makes them far easier to recognize and avoid.
How can I avoid being scammed in Monterrey?
The best protection against scams in Monterrey is preparation — knowing the specific tactics used here before you arrive. Key precautions: Never hail a street taxi in Monterrey. Use only Uber, DiDi, or taxis pre-arranged through your hotel. If you must take a taxi, use only the authorized taxi companies (sitios) at the airport or bus station. Share your live location with a contact when traveling by any ground transport at night. Always confirm prices before agreeing to any service, use official or app-based transport, and slow down if anyone creates urgency or distraction — that is almost always the setup.

Monterrey · Mexico · North America

Open in Maps →

Region

More destinations in North America

New York

USA

24 scams

Tijuana

Mexico

21 scams

Cozumel

Mexico

21 scams

Mexico City

Mexico

19 scams

Kona

USA

17 scams

North America safety guide →All scams in Mexico →

Experienced a scam here?

Help fellow travelers by reporting it.

Report a Scam

Editorial note: Scam warnings for Monterrey are compiled from government travel advisories (US State Dept, UK FCDO, Australian DFAT), verified news sources, travel community reports, and traveler-submitted incidents. All entries are reviewed for accuracy and local specificity before publication. Read our full methodology →