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Is It Safe To Travel To Cancun Right Now?

Published On : 21 Oct 2024

Cancun is a major tourist city in Mexico that records more than 5 million tourists a year due to the beautiful blue water, good weather, beautiful sandy beaches, a bustling nightlife, and many resorts. Nonetheless, considering the current reports about crime and violence in Mexico, is it advisably safe for tourists to visit Cancun in 2023?

The good news is that most luxury resorts and hotels located in the Hotel Zone, where most tourists prefer to stay, are considered safe. This 14 mile section of what has to be some of the best beachfront real estate in the world is isolated from the rest of the mainland part of the city and they are armed with their own tourist police force with policemen located every couple of blocks. These officers move around in the streets, the beaches, and are assigned the duty of security within the resorts.

Crime in this area, specifically targeting tourists in the Hotel Zone, is violent crime. Though pickpocketing like snatch thefts on the beaches or in populated zones are normal incidences, violent robbery or physical assault are rare. The majority of tourists are able to spend their holidays in Cancun without getting into any accidents.

However, it is recommended that travelers take safety measures into consideration just like any other new city they would be visiting. Some of them are to be alert on surroundings, not use or carry valuable items like jewelry or watches, do not flash cash, avoid walking the streets of Cancun besides hotel zone, and use official taxis only when moving from the airport to the hotel or from the hotel to various point of interest within the Hotel Zone.

However, it is also important to note that there is crime in downtown Cancun that is a distance away from the beach hotel area as with any large city there are areas that experience drug trafficking and gang violence. However, the people that are visiting these places are definitely not coming there for tourism purposes. This risk is however negated if travelers remain within the confines of the chain resorts and the beaches within the Hotel Zone.

Another important issue among tourists when planning their beach holidays is swimming safety. It is possible and there are lifesavers on the major swimming coasts during the daytime and the weather is normally fine, but other than that there are rip currents that may be as a result of shifts in the direction of wave power underwater. Be aware of any coloured warning flags that may be posted throughout the day and always listen to the lifeguards’ instructions on the water conditions.

As far as health and sanitation safety is concerned, we are fortunately coming out of the worse part of Covid-19. The infection rates have plateaued and reduced from their highest and the necessary cleaning protocols have been put in place in Cancun. However, it is still advisable to wear masks in airports and planes to prevent contracting diseases while on the go.

This is due to the fact that Cancun is located in a tropical region and thus mosquito transmitted viruses such as Zika exist, although at the present at a significantly lower than in the past few years when there were severe outbreaks. The overall risk is low, and so pregnant women may want to avoid them, but the dangers are not very high. Room fumigation services and mosquito repellent aid in protection.

In conclusion, Cancun is still a relatively safe destination for tourism if people avoid travelling to areas, which the press warns about and use common sense not to become a victim of a theft. Of the violent crimes, those threatening people in the main tourist areas are rare, especially with a sufficient number of tourism police officers. So, for those people who are aware of certain dangers of the Stay in any new city and do not get involved in activities that are high risk such as going to pubs or walking alone on the beach at night, Cancun should be safe for travel in 2023.

By following necessary precautions tourists can concentrate on the purpose of visiting beautiful beaches, ruins of Mayan civilization, water sports, night parties, and other great facilities provided by world class resorts instead of having constant concern of safety. The regional government and the hospitality industry are committed to ensuring safe vacations to ensure that the tourists, especially repeat customers, continue to come back year after year.

Despite what the news might portray when it comes to security concerns, the outlook is different when one looks at the big picture with millions of tourists visiting Cancun each year; therefore, Cancun remains a fairly safe tropical destination. For the touristic areas one should be wise on the streets though the hotel will be a quiet beach and there are police forces that guard the all inclusive hotel and nightlife and entertainments facilities.

While planning for a vacation to Cancun this year, one should remain alert and avoid or avoid certain areas, however, violence is not something that should be a major concern when you are planning for a holiday at the Mexican Riviera soon.

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FAQ

Is Cancun safe to visit right now?

Currently, Cancun is considered relatively safe for tourists, especially in the Hotel Zone, which has a low crime rate. The U.S. State Department rates it as one of the safer areas in Mexico, although visitors are still encouraged to exercise caution​

What are the main safety concerns for travelers in Cancun?

The primary concerns include petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, especially in crowded tourist areas. There have been incidents related to cartel violence, but these typically occur away from tourist hotspots​

Is it safe to walk around Cancun at night?

While walking in the Hotel Zone at night is generally safe, it's advised to avoid deserted areas and stick to well-lit, populated places. It's recommended to use taxis rather than walking alone at night outside of tourist zones​

Are there any specific areas to avoid in Cancun?

Tourists should avoid areas outside the main tourist zones, especially at night. Staying in popular and well-patrolled areas minimizes risk​

What precautions should travelers take while in Cancun?

Travelers should remain aware of their surroundings, avoid displaying valuables, and use hotel safes for personal items. Additionally, it's wise to travel with a group and book local tours for added safety​