Beautiful Cancun, Mexico is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Set along the Caribbean coast, this gorgeous beach town is a haven for spring break getaways, honeymoons, group travel, and family trips alike.
If you’re thinking about visiting this tropical playground, you might be wondering, is Cancun safe to travel to right now?
In this article we’ll tell you all you need to know about whether Cancun is safe for your visit.
Is Cancun safe right now?
Cancun is generally considered safe to visit; in fact, it’s one of the safest areas of Mexico. Millions of tourists have wonderful vacations here every year without incident. If you’re planning a trip to Cancun, though, you’ll want to check the US State Department’s website to see what travel advisories are posted for the area.
The area of Quintana Roo, which is where Cancun is located, currently has a level 2 travel advisory: exercise increased caution here due to crime. While the vast majority of crime in Cancun is drug-related and occurs between cartels and away from tourist areas, it can sometimes affect visitors.
Be vigilant when traveling outside your resort. According to the State Department, U.S. citizens have experienced both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist areas, and shootings between rival gangs have occasionally injured innocent bystanders.
In order to stay safe, make sure to follow the usual commonsense guidelines that you would on any trip as well as the specific Cancun safety precautions outlined below.
The most common issues to affect tourists in Cancun are petty crimes like pickpocketing and mugging. The best way to avoid these is to not carry a lot of cash or wear expensive jewelry, stay in the popular tourist destinations and keep an eye on your surroundings, and stick to well-lit and populated areas at night.
Like any city, Cancun has areas that are safe and areas that should be avoided. The Hotel Zone, which is likely where your resort will be located, is extremely safe due to an increased police presence. However, don’t let your guard down as you walk around outside of your resort, as pickpocketing can still occur here.
In order to stay safe, make sure to follow the usual commonsense guidelines that you would on any trip as well as the specific Cancun safety precautions outlined below.
Is it safe to walk around Cancun?
Yes, it is generally safe to walk around Cancun provided you stick to well-populated areas that are frequented by tourists such as the Hotel Zone and downtown. As mentioned above, however, petty crimes like pickpocketing can still occur so stay aware of your surroundings and don’t flash the cash.
Like most places, walking around in the daytime is safer than walking around at night. Be extra cautious at night and stay in well-lit and busy areas. The Hotel Zone is safer than downtown at night, although plenty of people still head to downtown without trouble.
Is Cancun safe for Americans?
The U.S. State Department currently considers Cancun to be safe for Americans, with a level 2 travel advisory recommending that travelers exercise increased caution due to crime. More than 5 million American tourists visit Cancun each year and have a wonderful time.
Is Cancun safe for families?
Cancun is generally considered to be safe for families, and it’s a great place to take kids due to its proximity to the U.S., calm water, all-inclusive resorts, and adventure activities as well as the interesting cultural and historic attractions nearby.
Is Cancun safe for spring break?
Cancun is an extremely popular spring break destinations, and while it is considered to be safe, if you’re headed here during that time you’ll want to be extra careful.
In particular, be sure to obey all local laws, don’t try to buy drugs, and be very careful when going out to bars, especially at night. Don’t drink to excess, travel in pairs or groups, make sure someone knows where you’re going, and stick to well-lit and well-populated areas. Never walk alone at night; use a legitimate taxi service or Uber to get back and forth from your resort.
When in a bar, don’t accept drinks from strangers and keep an eye on your drink at all times.
The increased crowds can also make petty crimes such as pickpocketing easier, so don’t carry valuables or a lot of cash, don’t wear expensive jewelry, and pay attention to the people around you.
Is Cancun safe for travel alone?
Yes, Cancun is considered to be safe for travel alone. Follow the safety precautions below and make sure you let your hotel and a friend or family member know your plans when you go exploring.
If you’d feel more comfortable doing things with others, Cancun is a very popular spot with backpackers so it’s easy to meet other travelers you can hang out with.
Is Cancun safe for a solo female traveller?
While Cancun is generally felt to be safe for solo female travellers, women will want to exercise even more caution. In addition to the usual safety guidelines, be sure not to go out alone at night, be very careful drinking alcohol, and consider joining tours or other travelers on any excursions outside the resort.
If heading out alone, use reputable transportation, share your plans with hotel staff and friends/family, and stay in well-populated areas.
Cancun Safety Precautions
Research Cancun a bit before you go. Just like at home, there will be areas that are safer and areas that should be avoided.
Before arriving in Cancun, plan and book your transportation to and from your resort or hotel. The safest option is to contact your host and ask for a shuttle. Hotels and resorts often offer free shuttle service from the airport. If yours doesn’t, ask what service they recommend.
Pay attention while in the airport, as these are a hot spot for pickpocketing and scams. Don’t accept rides or offers of help from strangers, and watch your bags at all times.
Keep your phone charged and share your location with family or friends. A benefit of traveling to Mexico is that most data plans will work. This means you can use Google Maps or Google Translate to navigate the area, stay in contact with friends and family, and contact authorities in an emergency.
When you head off the resort, try to travel in groups of at least two; stick to well-populated, touristy areas; don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing items; don’t carry a lot of cash; and pay attention to your surroundings. Be very careful when using ATMs. Trust your instincts and immediately leave an area or situation if it feels off.
Don’t try to buy drugs in Cancun. Not only could an altered state make you more likely to be taken advantage of, but most of the crime there is drug-related so you could get involved in something dangerous.
At night, don’t walk alone; stay in well-lit areas; be careful going to local bars or nightclubs and don’t overindulge in alcohol; don’t accept drinks from strangers; and keep your eyes on your drink at all times. Take legitimate taxis or Ubers to and from your hotel, and make sure someone knows where you are going.
The State Department recommends that you never hail taxis in the street, but only use ones that are dispatched via phone or a ride-sharing app like Uber. You can be sure by asking your hotel to book your taxi. Avoid accepting rides from strangers or getting in unmarked taxis. If in the taxi alone, take a picture of the taxi number and/or license plate and send it to a friend.
If you are renting a car, travel during the daytime. The State Department recommends not traveling between cities after dark. If you have to travel at night, use a tour company, private car, or shuttle service.
Keep anyone you’re traveling with and someone back home informed of all your travel plans. You can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts from the State Department and make it easy to find you in case of emergency.
To safeguard your health, avoid drinking tap water. Be sure to drink bottled water at all times (avoid ice or make sure it’s made with filtered water!). You’ll also want to keep your mouth closed in the shower and use bottled water for brushing your teeth.
Don’t eat raw foods that would usually be washed in tap water like fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them, or they are cooked. Avoid salads.
Also, stick to reputable restaurants and avoid buffets to prevent food poisoning. It’s a good idea to ask at your hotel for recommendations of where to eat.
Check the CDC website for any vaccinations that are recommended before your trip. You may want to make sure you are updated on tetanus and Hepatitis A and B. Bring any prescription or over-the-counter medicines you need with you. Also bring bug spray to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses.
It’s smart to learn at least some Spanish so that you can find your way around without needing to ask for directions, as well as communicate with locals in case of an emergency.
Is Cancun Safe? Conclusion
In general, Cancun is safe to visit as long as you follow safety precautions, avoid dangerous areas, and stay vigilant.
After reading this article, do you agree? Is it safe to travel to Cancun, Mexico right now? Let us know in the comments.
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