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 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?
The quick answer: Yes!
Cancun is a unique location in the Caribbean sea making 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 on the drug cartels in Mexico by the Mexican government.
Where is Cancun?
The ever-popular Mexican hub of Cancun is located in the region that’s known as the Riviera Maya.
This region (holds both Yucatán and Quintana Roo states) sits in the extreme south-east of Mexico, with Cancun lying near the northern tip.
With its fair shares of the Caribbean Sea running along its periphery, here you’ll find some of the most stunning beaches in the country.
It’s overall the most eastern point of Mexico and lies a pretty sizeable 13,000km from Mexico City.
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.
With hotels such as Grand Fiesta Americana and Casa Kin33 you can have the most rewards family or a (sustainable) romantic stay.
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.
Safest places to visit in Cancun
Below I will list some safe places in Cancun to bear in mind:
- The Hotel Zone -This area really is the safest of all, with the most police presence. It’s also the most vibrant, with a tonne of restaurants and nightlife options here too.
- Downtown Cancun – This area is a little unsafe, and sometimes there have been incidents involving tourists here. It’s best for its proximity to the main bus station, however be sure to dress down when out and about and to avoid going out late alone.
- Isla Mujeres – This island is mostly safe for a visit, with increased tourism and police presence all but surely kicking out most shady types on the island. Playa Norte is a pretty safe area to be based around, but of course, keep an eye on belongings if heading into the sea (or go with a group who can look after these for you).
Cancun Nightlife
There are many reasons why Cancun is Mexico’s most popular spot.
Its nightlife would be one of the biggest, with an extravagant range of all types of clubs, pubs, and festivals happening here.
Coco Bongo is a must-visit when in Cancun, with the infamous club hosting live performances, and also has a large variety of drinks and blends on service here.
Mandala Disco and Dady’O are another two great options, with the latter featuring everything from biking contests to themed parties.
Where to Stay in Cancun
As briefly mentioned above, the most popular area to stay in Cancun is in its hotel zone, which lies in the north of the city.
There you’ll find the best beaches and all-inclusive hotels, which will provide anything and everything that you’ll need.
Another area (especially if on a lower budget) is in El Centro.
There you’ll find lots of good value hostels and a good variety of restaurants and bars nearby.
The main bus terminal is also located here, which makes getting around and exploring the beautiful Yucatán region very easy.
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
- Always aim to stay well clear of 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
- Read up about Mexicans traditions and aim to leave the lazy and constant danger assumptions at home.
- Never leave your drinks unattended when out at night
- Always request the hotel staff to call for a cab for you
- You’ll also be glad to know there are more things to do in Cancun than meets the eye.
- 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 official travel 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
It is recommend that backpackers and all types of travelers to Latin America use World Nomads Insurance for a fully comprehensive cover.
If you are due to travel soon Get Your Free Quote by clicking the link or the image above and filling out your details – that way you’ll get instant travel insurance cover from the date of travel that you choose.
Best time to go to Cancun
The dry season runs from November until May, and has average daily temperatures of between 74-81°F, with highs of up to 87°F and lows of 67°F (January is overall the “coolest” month).
Rainfall is at its lowest this time of year with between 1-3 inches falling throughout each month. The wet season runs from June until October.
Average temperatures range from 80-82°F, with highs of 90°F (July is the hottest month) and lows of 74°F. Rainfall is much heavier this time of year, with between 3-6 inches falling in each month.
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.
Are you ready for a vacation? Learn about even more safe places to visit in Mexico, some of which are located in the same region as Cancun.
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