Weeks ahead of college students heading out for Spring Break, the U.S. State Department is sending out warnings about the potential danger of traveling to Mexico.

The agency is encouraging Americans to stay away from all or parts of about half of the states in Mexico, which has seen a dramatic growth in drug-related violence.

It is advising caution for traveling in 3 other border states and many areas of central and western Mexico where drug cartels have been at war.

Many Mexican elected officials criticized the warning for its potential impact on their tourism and the economy.

Mexico is a one of the most favorite destinations for millions of U.S. citizens each year, which includes more than 100,000 who go for Spring Break, according to the State Department. More than 150,000 go across the border every day.

The agency Web site says that the Mexican government makes a considerable effort to protect U.S. citizens and other visitors to major tourist destinations, adding that there is no evidence that Transnational Criminal Organizations (TCOs) have targeted U.S. visitors and residents because of their nationality.

Still, U.S. citizens have been lost their live due to the escalating violence in Mexico, the agency notes.

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