Are you wondering if Cancun is safe to travel to right now?
By now you will probably already know that Cancun, Mexico is one of the most popular of all the travel destinations in Mexico.
The small resort town is situated on the picturesque coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the shores of the Caribbean Sea.
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Is Cancun Safe?
Its unique location in the Caribbean sea makes it a great tourist destination for travelers from all over the world.
For the past several years the safety in Mexico for tourists traveling in and around the country has been highly questionable.
This is due in large part to the heavy crackdown of the drug cartels in Mexico by the Mexican government.
Cancun in the Media
Believe it or not, the media has done a surprisingly good job of covering many high-profile incidents.
The heavy crackdown on the major drug cartels has caused crime in certain areas of Mexico.
Many travelers choose to head down to Playa del Carmen or explore other areas of the Yucatán such as Tulum.
However, this has not had much of a negative effect on some areas, which answers the question, is Cancun safe for travel.
Facts about safety concerns in Cancun
According to the latest crime statistics involving American citizens traveling in Mexico to tourist areas including Cancun.
The occurrences of violent crimes against American tourist is far below the violent crime statistics of the top four American cities.
For example, based on the number of murders reported in Cancun per 100,000 people is far below the number in the four top American cities which include; Detroit, Baltimore, New Orleans, and St. Louis.
If you are traveling to Mexico this year. That statistic alone should give anyone who is considering traveling to Cancun some peace of mind.
Is Cancun safe to travel alone?
The city of Cancun, Mexico is actually divided into two very distinct zones; Zona Hotelera Cancun and downtown Cancun.
If you are thinking of renting a car whilst in Cancun you’ll find good deals that can save cash when comparing with elevated taxi prices.
The Zona Hotelera Cancun is the area of the city where most of the resort hotels, beaches, and other popular tourist areas.
The fact that most of the resorts and hotel structures are heavily guarded, helps to deter much of the crime by the cartels.
However, it is still highly recommended that no one travel to Cancun alone. Especially if you have no knowledge of Mexican culture at all.
Although I do not completely agree with the idea of avoiding travel to Cancun alone. You have to look into the reason why the news and media are recommending you not to travel.
I advocate people traveling alone! Especially as a way to grow and learn about themselves, but not to put themselves in a vulnerable situation that would subject them to harm.
If you find yourself traveling to Mexico solo, look our for like-minded travelers at one of the many top-rated hostels dotted around Cancun.
Cancun, Mexico: Safety Tips
As a precaution, there are some things that you can do to prevent bad things from happening to you.
⤵️ Follow these basic safety tips for Cancun below:
- Never drive in isolated areas and stick to the toll roads
- Stay away from any areas deemed unsafe by the government of Mexico
- Never wear expensive, fancy jewelry outside the hotel
- See this culture shock symptoms guife for tips on adapting to Mexico.
- Stay in well-lit areas and avoid isolated areas when out at night
- Withdrawing money from an ATM be sure it is in a well-lit area
- Look out for well-known banks and exchange houses
- Rethink Mexicans stereotypes and leave the lazy and dangerous assumptions at home.
- Never leave your drinks unattended when out at night
- Always request the hotel staff to call for a cab for you
- Never surrender your passport and give any cash to police officers
If you observe the things that are mentioned above you are much more likely to have a positive experience in Cancun, Mexico.
These Cancun safety tips, along with speaking a little basic Spanish conversation can go a long way in keeping you away from danger.
Is Cancun safe for travel right now?
The actual number of serious or violent crimes in 2019 has not been released.
However, it is believed that a downward trend points to a lower number of tourist-related violent crimes and fatalities in Cancun’s Zona Hotelera Cancun areas.
There is no one best time to visit Cancun unless you are concerned about the weather, then you may want to be more selective.
This would seem to bolster the notion that as long as you heed the warnings and avoid the areas recommended by the government you should have no real reason to be concerned.
When it comes to safe travel, a little common sense will go a long way in keeping you safe.
Even when taking public transport from Cancun to Playa del Carmen you’ll notice just how well organized everything is.
Tourist safety in the Rivera Maya region as a whole is a top priority for the local authorities.
Travel Insurance for Cancun
You can never be too safe, even whilst in Cancun. Staying covered whilst traveling in Mexico and the rest of Central America means ensuring that you have the right insurance cover.
I always recommend backpackers and travelers (no matter who you are) use World Nomads Insurance for fully comprehensive cover.
If you are due to travel soon, you can get a Get A Free Quote by clicking the link or the image above and filling out your details – that way you’ll get instant cover from the exact date that you choose.
On many occasions World Nomads has provided me with reliable insurance cover for travel in Latin America and the rest of the world.
Cancun Safety?
Despite all of the negative press about the dangers of traveling inside Mexico, it is well documented that a person should not wonder is Cancun safe to travel to.
When traveling to Cancun on vacation be aware that while crime does exist in Mexico there is no rampant amount of crime in Cancun.
You’ll also be glad to know there are more things to do in Cancun than meets the eye.
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