Mexico Travel Advisory: Is Cancun Safe for Tourists in 2024?

Mexico, a vibrant country south of the United States, is a top destination for American tourists seeking beautiful beaches, rich culture, and historical sites. Among its many attractions, Cancun stands out as a jewel of the Mexican Caribbean coast, famous for its stunning white-sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and lively nightlife. However, like many popular tourist destinations, safety is a primary concern for travelers. This article delves into the current travel advisory for Cancun and Mexico, providing essential information to help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip.

Understanding the Overall Mexico Travel Advisory

The U.S. State Department regularly issues travel advisories for countries worldwide to inform U.S. citizens about safety and security risks. It’s crucial to understand that Mexico, as a whole, is marked by widespread crime, including violent crime such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. The U.S. government’s ability to provide emergency services to its citizens in certain areas of Mexico is limited due to safety concerns and restrictions on U.S. government employee travel.

Travelers to Mexico are advised to be aware of these general risks and to adhere to safety precautions throughout their visit. These precautions include:

• Being informed: Staying updated on the current travel advisories and understanding the risks in specific regions.
• Limiting travel for U.S. government employees: Restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees, which reflect areas of significant risk. These restrictions often involve prohibitions on intercity travel after dark, limitations on using public transportation like street-hailed taxis, and advice against traveling alone, especially in remote areas.
• Safe Transportation: Utilizing toll roads when possible, avoiding driving alone or at night, and relying on dispatched transportation services or regulated taxi stands.
• General Caution: Exercising increased caution in local bars, nightclubs, and casinos; avoiding displays of wealth; and being vigilant at banks and ATMs.
• Enrollment in STEP: Registering with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and facilitate location in emergencies.
• Staying Connected: Keeping family and travel companions informed of travel plans and sharing location details when separating from groups or using taxis alone.
• Emergency Preparedness: Preparing a contingency plan for emergency situations and reviewing the Traveler’s Checklist provided by the State Department.
• Health Awareness: Checking the CDC page for the latest travel health information.

While these are general guidelines for Mexico, the advisory levels and specific restrictions vary significantly by state. It’s essential to look beyond the general advisory and understand the specific risks associated with your intended destination, including Cancun.

Cancun and Quintana Roo: What’s the Specific Travel Advisory?

For Quintana Roo, the state where Cancun is located, the U.S. State Department advises travelers to Exercise Increased Caution due to crime. This advisory level is less severe than “Reconsider Travel” or “Do Not Travel,” suggesting that while risks exist, they can be mitigated with appropriate precautions.

The advisory highlights that criminal activity and violence can occur in Quintana Roo, including popular tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum. It’s important to note that while criminal activity is not typically targeted at tourists, incidents of shootings between rival gangs have resulted in injuries and fatalities to innocent bystanders, including U.S. citizens. Notably, violent crime, including homicides and assaults, has been on the rise in Tulum.

Despite these concerns, there are no travel restrictions for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo state. This is a significant point, as it indicates that while caution is advised, the U.S. government deems it safe for its employees to travel throughout the region.

Specific advice for tourists in Cancun and Quintana Roo includes:

• Increased Caution After Dark: Exercise heightened caution after dark, particularly in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.
• Stick to Tourist Zones: Remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones, especially during evening hours.
• General Safety Awareness: Apply the general safety tips mentioned for Mexico, such as avoiding displays of wealth, being vigilant at ATMs, and staying informed.

In essence, the travel advisory for Cancun suggests that while it is generally safe for tourists, vigilance and awareness are necessary, especially during nighttime and in less crowded areas.

Mexico State-by-State Advisory Levels: A Quick Overview

To provide a broader context, here’s a summary of the advisory levels for other states in Mexico. This overview emphasizes the varying degrees of risk across the country and highlights that Cancun is in a region with a moderate advisory level compared to others.

• Do Not Travel To: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas, and Zacatecas states are under the highest “Do Not Travel” advisory due to extremely high levels of crime and kidnapping.
• Reconsider Travel To: Baja California, Chihuahua, Durango, Guanajuato, Jalisco, Morelos, Oaxaca, and Sonora states are advised for “Reconsider Travel” due to significant risks of crime and/or kidnapping.
• Exercise Increased Caution When Traveling To: Aguascalientes, Baja California Sur, Mexico City, Mexico State, Hidalgo, Nayarit, Nuevo Leon, Puebla, Queretaro, Quintana Roo, San Luis Potosi, Tabasco, Tlaxcala, and Veracruz states. These states, including Quintana Roo (Cancun), require increased caution due to crime.
• Exercise Normal Precautions When Traveling To: Campeche and Yucatan states are the safest, with travelers advised to exercise normal precautions.

This state-by-state breakdown clearly illustrates that the safety situation in Mexico is nuanced. While some areas pose extreme risks, others, like Yucatan and to a lesser extent Quintana Roo, are considered relatively safer, albeit still requiring vigilance.

Essential Safety Tips for Traveling to Cancun and Mexico

Regardless of the specific advisory level for your destination in Mexico, including Cancun, adopting proactive safety measures is crucial. Here are expanded safety tips for your trip:

1. Stay Informed and Monitor Travel Advisories: Regularly check the U.S. State Department’s travel advisories for Mexico for the most up-to-date information before and during your trip. Conditions can change, and being informed is your first line of defense.

2. Share Your Travel Plans: Before you leave and throughout your trip, keep family or friends back home informed of your itinerary. Share flight details, accommodation information, and planned activities. If you deviate from your plans, update them.

3. Utilize GPS Location Sharing: If you are traveling with companions and plan to separate, even for a short time, use GPS location-sharing apps. This allows you to check in on each other and provides a way to locate someone in case of an emergency.

4. Taxi and Transportation Safety:

   • Avoid Hailing Taxis on the Street: Opt for dispatched taxis from reputable companies, hotel taxi services, or app-based ride services like Uber (where available and considered safe to use).
   • Photograph Taxi Information: If you take a taxi alone, especially at night, discreetly take a photo of the taxi number, license plate, or driver’s ID and text it to a friend or family member.
   • Confirm Ride Details: Before entering a pre-booked taxi or ride-share, confirm the driver’s identity and the vehicle details match your booking information.

5. Driving Precautions:

   • Use Toll Roads: When driving, prefer toll roads (cuotas) as they are generally better maintained and more secure than free highways (libres).
   • Avoid Driving Alone or at Night: If possible, travel with companions and avoid driving after dark, especially in less familiar areas.
   • Be Aware of Limited Services: Understand that police presence and emergency services can be limited outside of major cities and state capitals.

6. Exercise Caution in Entertainment Venues: Be extra cautious when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos, especially those outside of well-known tourist zones. Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

7. Minimize Displays of Wealth: Avoid wearing expensive jewelry, watches, or overtly displaying large amounts of cash. Dress modestly and try not to draw unnecessary attention to yourself as a tourist.

8. ATM and Banking Vigilance: Be extremely vigilant when using ATMs or banks. Use ATMs in secure, well-lit locations, preferably inside banks or shopping centers during business hours. Be aware of your surroundings and any suspicious individuals.

9. Enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program): Register with the U.S. State Department’s STEP program. This free service allows you to receive important safety alerts and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy to locate you and assist in an emergency.

10. Stay Connected with Official Channels: Follow the Department of State on social media (Facebook and X/Twitter) and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for real-time updates and security information.

11. Review Country Security Reports: Familiarize yourself with the Country Security Report for Mexico provided by the State Department for a deeper understanding of the security landscape.

12. Mariners’ Advisory: If you are traveling by sea, check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts, and understand the procedures for reporting suspicious activities to Mexican naval authorities.

13. Contingency Planning: Prepare a detailed contingency plan for potential emergencies. This should include emergency contact information, evacuation routes, and meeting points. Review the Traveler’s Checklist for comprehensive preparation.

14. Health Precautions: Consult the CDC website for the latest health recommendations and information related to travel to Mexico, including necessary vaccinations and health advisories.

Conclusion: Enjoy Cancun Safely

Cancun remains a desirable vacation destination, offering stunning beaches and a rich cultural experience. While the U.S. travel advisory for Mexico highlights valid safety concerns, particularly regarding crime, the advisory for Cancun and Quintana Roo is at a level where increased caution is advised, not outright avoidance.

By staying informed, exercising common sense, adhering to safety precautions, and being aware of your surroundings, you can significantly mitigate risks and enjoy a safe and memorable trip to Cancun. Remember to prioritize your safety, stay updated on the latest travel advisories, and make informed decisions throughout your journey. Enjoy the beauty and hospitality of Cancun while being a responsible and vigilant traveler.