Where to go in Mexico - without getting killed?

Just stay away from northern zacatecas and border states. Stay away from Tijuana too. The El bajio region is really nice. Try Merida/campeche too. Its about 3-4 hours away from Cancun by bus.

Try not to speak so much English. Also, try not to wear shorts while outside the tourist zone. That's a dead giveaway your a tourist. Don't wave around your money. Just try to keep it low key. If you plan to travel around the country, I suggest go to Cancun first, then fly into Mexico city and take the first class busses to wherever. Avoid traveling at night to.

Cancún area is probably safer than most big American cities. Merida, Tulum, Playa del Carmen are extremely safe, do not fear anything.

If you want to experience a different Mexico, closer to what actual Mexicans do and live go to Mexico City (LA-Washington safe), Queretaro (super safe), Puebla (super safe), Leon (safe but not very pretty), Guadalajara (Washington safe), Puerto Vallarta (no idea about its safety but it's crowded with Americans).

Those cities are safe and have plenty of activities.

Los Cabos/San Jose el Cabo is also safe and many Americans like it, though there's nothing else to do besides the beach.

Most of Mexico is safe. Avoid border towns and the state of Michoacán on the west side of Mexico. All of the state of Quintana Roo where Cancun is, is safe. ther are plenty of other resort areas in Quintana Roo besides Cancun. there are plenty of safe cities in central Mexico , too...like Mexico City and Queretaro...but they are very far from Cancun. If you have nothing to do with drugs and drug gangs, they are extremely unlikely to have anything to do with you.

Zona Norte in Tijuana. Very friendly locals and exotic sights to see. You can get authentic Mexican cusine and more bang for your buck.

as a tourist the probability of getting killed is probably nothing, and abolutely nothing if youre going to a resort. stop generalizing.