Is Cancun safe to visit? Travel advice 2024

Most travelers consider Cancun to be safe most of the time. The region maintains its reputation as a safe city with low crime, even outside the hotel zone. However, no matter where you are, it’s a good idea to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings.

LATEST NEWS from CANCUN

April 24: Taxi driver in Cancun arrested for overcharging tourists by $1000 USD

The last viral The incident happened to a Canadian tourist who had to pay $1000 for a short ride between airport terminals. Xavier Cormier captured the entire accident and exposed the entire scam. He was able to get help from the police and the taxi driver was later arrested by the National Guard.

April 19: The US Embassy in Mexico informs its citizens that they can receive the latest travel alerts on WhatsApp

The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a notice for U.S. travelers in Mexico: “U.S. citizens in Mexico can receive messages and alerts from the U.S. Embassy and Consulates via WhatsApp, as well as email via registration with STEP . To follow the WhatsApp channel of US citizens in Mexico, use the QR code below or click here use your device with WhatsApp installed. You can unfollow the channel at any time.”

March 24: Uber driver shot in the city of Cancun

On March 24, there was an Uber driver shot and injured after picking up two female passengers near Paraíso Motel. According to the two witnesses, two people tried to steal the driver’s car and opened fire. The driver was seriously injured by multiple shots and taken to hospital.

Official travel advice

US travel advice

The US Department of State has one Travel advice level 2 for Quintana Roo, which also includes Cancun and well-known holiday resorts such as Tulum and Playa del Carmen. It implies that the area is safe, but people should be careful when visiting.

Canada Travel advice

“High rates of violent crime, such as murders, kidnappings, carjackings and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Riviera Maya (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum) and Acapulco,” is the current warning. issued by Canada. It is alleged that there are drug cartels in the tourist destination. Inter-gang battles have occurred in highly frequented locations, killing or injuring innocent bystanders.

Areas to avoid

Certain neighborhoods, such as Bonfil, Tres Reyes, Santa Cecilia and Valle Verde, should be avoided due to higher than average crime rates. These locations are known as hubs for criminal activity, with an increased number of robberies and murders.

Common scams

Tour fraud: It is extremely important to use a reliable company when booking tours online, as it is common for travelers to think they have a fantastic tour, only to find out that the company does not exist.

If you’re not sure, you can always make a reservation through a reliable travel agency website, such as Viator.

Taxi scams: Taxi drivers occasionally quote you in pesos, but later claim they quoted you in dollars. In other cases, when you arrive at your destination, they will just inform you of a different price than what they quoted.

The best way to avoid this is to agree on a price, including the currency you will be quoted in, before you get in the car.

Airport transportation fraud: you pass “the shark tank” as you leave the airport. To get you into their car, many people will outright lie about the fact that it is your mode of transportation.

Your actual transportation will only be waiting outside, so respectfully decline to interact with them.

The Bill Swap Scam: A typical scam is when a salesperson, taxi driver or other person who takes payments claims that you gave him a smaller bill than you actually did.

Because the 50 peso and 500 peso notes look so similar, this is especially common with them. Tell them what you’re giving them while you’re doing it, and it will be harder for them to pull off this scam.

Safety Tips for Cancun

• Plan a route: Do some research on the areas you will be visiting, especially for solo female travelers.
• Choose authorized travel agencies: Choosing recognized travel agencies can provide a sense of security with adequate supervision.
• Conduct thorough research into accommodations: Check reviews, especially if you are considering budget accommodations.
• Drink alcohol in moderation: Staying sober reduces vulnerability to exploitation. Politely refuse drinks from unknown people.
• Stick to tourist areas: It is recommended to stay in vibrant locations such as densely populated all-inclusive resorts like Cancun’s Riviera Maya. Solo travelers should especially take their surroundings into account.
• Take out travel insurance: It is advisable to take out insurance when traveling through Mexico.