Cancun is a tropical paradise and a favorite destination for travelers from all over the world to enjoy the Caribbean feeling. However, some seem to think twice before adding this city to their bucket list.
If you are reading this is because you are thinking about traveling to Cancun or any other state in Mexico, but you have doubts about crime and safety in this country. That's why, in this blog post, we will tell you the details of safety in Mexico and give you some tips that will help you live an unforgettable and safe experience in the Caribbean.
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Mexico is a country rich in culture, traditions and nature that has a great tourist offer to its visitors, but the perception that other countries have is usually a little different. For example, those who have learned about this country through Hollywood and the mass media probably believe that Mexico is sepia-colored, desert-like and full of crime.
We don't want to say that Mexico is the perfect nation, because it has its good and bad things, like every country in the world, but we want to talk about the reality that movies don't show you.
Mexico is not sepia, in fact it is very colorful, musical and full of life. Its cuisine is one of the most popular and delicious in the world, and its history is emblematic and interesting. The people are friendly, attentive and very intelligent, so much so that color television, the toilet valve, indelible ink, the contraceptive pill, and the process of converting cocoa to chocolate were created here.
Unfortunately, Mexico is famous for its narco culture and criminal groups fighting for money and power, and this is a reality we will discuss below.
Is Mexico safe? Generally speaking, Mexico is a safe country where you can move and express yourself freely. This means that you will not be judged for your identity, gender or religion by any authority.
It is important to note that organized crime is a significant issue in Mexico and other Latin American countries, with drug trafficking being the main cause. The United States is the world's most addicted country, which contributes to the problem, as it has little control over drugs and is also the main producer of weapons in the world. The lack of control over the weapon industry facilitates arms trafficking to Mexico, resulting in gang violence and attacks against authorities who try to put an end to these actions, putting the population at risk.
If we talk about crime, we cannot generalize, that is why it is important to understand the area of Mexico we wish to visit, as there are some areas that are safer than others.
The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs has a list of countries and their respective level of risk when traveling. Their overview of Mexico includes violent crimes such as killings, kidnappings, carjackings and armed robberies, as well as a list of Mexican states they do not recommend visiting. 😥
The safest destinations in Mexico are Campeche and Yucatan, but you can also visit the following states, taking moderate security measures.
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Aguascalientes |
Baja California Sur |
Chiapas |
Coahuila |
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Hidalgo |
México City |
México State |
Nayarit |
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Nuevo León |
Oaxaca |
Puebla |
Querétaro |
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San Luis Potosí |
Tabasco |
Tlaxcala |
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Veracruz |
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These are the states in Mexico to which you can travel with high caution
These are the Mexican states to which the U.S. Government does not recommend travel:
Remember that these are recommendations based on organized crime statistics for the entire state (not just the tourist areas). Keep in mind that much criminal activity takes place in remote locations, hideouts, and among members of the mafia themselves.
Cancun is one of the most important cities in Mexico. It is located in the state of Quintana Roo and is considered a moderate crime state, according to the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs.
Since Cancun is an international level destination, which is visited by more than 8 million travelers a year, tourism is the main economic engine of Cancun, so it is carefully protected by the authorities to ensure the safety and satisfaction of tourists.
Cancun is one of the safest destinations in Mexico, but even with so much security, it is very likely that, if you expose yourself to risky places or situations, something may happen. So, let's talk about safety.
Many travelers take into account the freedom and beliefs of a destination when planning their vacations. Fortunately, we can tell you that Quintana Roo is an open-minded destination, especially in tourist areas such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Isla Mujeres, and Cozumel. All these destinations are used to receive visitors from all over the world with different customs and ideologies.
Feel free to express your identity freely and respectfully, without being judged.
In Cancun there is a very clear division between the hotel zone and the other areas of the city.
Hotel zone: As you can imagine, this is where most of the international tourists stay, which is why it is an area constantly watched by the federal police. In addition, the hotels and most companies here have private security services. Access to the beaches and Cancun's nightlife are concentrated here.
Downtown: It is located on Tulum Avenue near the ADO truck terminal, the Palapas Park, the Municipal Palace and the Plaza las Americas and Malecon. This area of the city is safe during the day, but it is not recommended to walk here at night. If you plan to visit the bars and restaurants in the area, it is best to rent a car or go with a local.
North and south zones: Here you won't find tourist attractions because this is where the citizens of Cancun live. Although the north zone has a reputation of being a little more dangerous than the south zone, we recommend you not to visit them on your own if you don't know the neighborhoods. It is not that it is a war zone or that you are in mortal danger, but it is better to be forewarned to avoid robberies, swindles or losses.
The crimes that tourists experience most frequently in Cancun are:
COVID-19: In Mexico, an epidemiological traffic light system is used to know the status of Coronavirus. Currently (2022) Quintana Roo is in green (low risk), but it is advisable to wear masks in closed or crowded places.
Water and ice: As in the rest of Mexico, tap water in Cancun is drinkable. Ice is safe to consume as long as it comes from a water purification company or filtered water.
Food: Generally, food in Cancun is safe to consume. It is advisable to follow the basic rules of hygiene, choosing authorized, clean and /or recommended by locals to avoid diseases (especially when consuming seafood).
Diseases: Due to weather conditions, Quintana Roo is one of the states where viral diseases such as dengue fever develop. Since dengue fever is transmitted by mosquitoes, authorities take measures such as protection campaigns and fumigation. Thanks to the fact that hotels and establishments join these campaigns, tourists are, for the most part, safe from mosquitoes and at less risk of contagion.
The most common natural disasters in Cancun, Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula are hurricanes. These phenomena have hit the coasts of Quintana Roo for years, thus, the state has protocols that the community knows very well. If you are unlucky enough to be hit by a hurricane during your vacation, remember the following:
The advantage of a hurricane over other disasters is that they can be detected in advance, and that gives us time to prepare.
Floods in Cancun are common during the rainy season, but they do not represent a threat, but rather a nuisance for the citizens.
Because we want you to be safe, here is a list of tips that may be useful during your trip.
Today, more and more women are deciding to venture out on their own to new destinations, leaving vulnerability aside and daring to live new experiences. While this openness speaks to the freedom and strength of new-age women, local customs in many cities still follow old macho and discriminatory stereotypes, especially in Latin America.
Therefore, for women traveling alone in Mexico and Latin America, we recommend you follow these tips.
Getting to know new destinations is fascinating, but it is essential to be aware of your surroundings at all times. No matter where you go, learn to have a good time, always paying attention to details. Many visitors relax security measures when traveling to destinations with a reputation for safety, but remember that there will always be bad guys who want to take advantage of that trust.
💡 We've given you a lot of information but we believe the 3 infallible measures to keep you safe when traveling are as follows:
So now that you have read this blog post, you will be much more informed so you can plan a safe and fun vacation. If you have any questions regarding the safety of Mexico, Cancun, Riviera Maya, and Quintana Roo in general, leave us a message below 👇 and we will help you solve them.