Most travelers consider Cancun to be safe most of the time. The region maintains its reputation as a low-crime, safe city even beyond the hotel zone. However, no matter where you are, it’s a good idea to be cautious and aware of your surroundings.
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LATEST NEWS from CANCUN
April 24: Cancun taxi driver arrested for overcharging tourist $1000 USD
The latest viral incident happened to a Canadian tourist who was charged 1000 U.S. dollars for a short ride between airport terminals. Xavier Cormier recorded the whole accident and exposed the whole scam. He was able to get help from the police and the taxi driver was later arrested by the National Guard.
April 19: The U.S. Embassy in Mexico informs its citizens they can receive the latest travel alerts on WhatsApp
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued a message 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 enrollment in STEP . To follow the U.S. Citizens in Mexico WhatsApp Channel, use the QR code below or click here using 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, an Uber driver was shot and injured after picking up two female passengers near Paraíso Motel. According to the two witnesses, 2 individuals attempted to steal the driver’s car and opened fire. The driver was seriously injured with multiple gunshots and taken to hospital.
Official Travel Advisories
U.S. Travel Advisory
The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun and well-known resort areas like Tulum and Playa del Carmen. It implies that the area is safe, but people should exercise caution when visiting.
Canada Travel Advisory
“High rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjackings, and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, and Tulum), and Acapulco,” is the current warning issued by Canada. It claims that there are drug cartels in the tourist destination. Intergang fighting has occurred at tourist-frequented locations, resulting in the deaths or injuries of innocent bystanders.
Areas to avoid
Certain neighborhoods, like Bonfil, Tres Reyes, Santa Cecilia, and Valle Verde, should be avoided due to their higher-than-average crime rates. These locations have been noted as hubs for criminal activity, with increased rates of robberies and killings.
Common Scams
Tour Scams: it’s extremely important to use a trustworthy company when making online reservations for tours because it happens frequently for travelers to believe they have a fantastic tour, only to discover the company is nonexistent.
If you’re not sure, you can always make a reservation via a reliable travel agency website, such as Viator.
Taxi Scams: cab drivers will occasionally quote you in pesos but later claim to have quoted you in dollars. In other cases, when you arrive at your destination, they will merely inform you of a different price than what they quoted.
The best way to prevent this is to settle on a price—including the currency you’re being quoted in—before you get into the car.
Airport Transportation Scam: you will pass through “the shark tank” as you exit the airport. In order to get you into their cars, lots of people will flat-out lie about being your mode of transportation.
Your actual transportation will only be waiting outside, so respectfully decline to engage with them.
The Bill Swap Scam: a typical con is for a seller, taxi driver, or other person who takes payments to claim that you gave them a smaller bill than you actually did.
Because the 50 peso and 500 peso bills look so similar, this is especially common with them. Tell them what you’re giving them as you’re doing it, and it will be harder for them to pull off this scam.
Safety Tips for Cancun
- Plan an itinerary: Conduct some research about the areas you’ll be visiting, especially for solo female travelers.
- Choose authorized tour agencies: Opting for accredited tour agencies can provide a sense of security with adequate supervision.
- Conduct thorough research on accommodations: Check reviews, especially when considering budget accommodations.
- Drink alcohol in moderation: Remaining sober reduces vulnerability to exploitation. Politely decline drinks from unfamiliar individuals.
- Stick to tourist areas: It’s recommended to stay in bustling locations, such as populated all-inclusive resorts like Cancun’s Riviera Maya. Solo travelers should be particularly mindful of their surroundings.
- Obtain travel insurance: It’s advisable to have insurance coverage when traveling in Mexico.