Cancun is a world leading resort destination visited by millions of tourists every year. But is Cancun safe for tourists?
Everyone has this question about safety when planning a trip to Cancun. The biggest concern about Cancun travel safety is because it’s in Mexico. There is this misconception that this country is full of bad guys and Cartels targeting tourists. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Not only in Cancun, but in most of Mexico this is far from the norm.
The truth is, Cancun is no more dangerous than most other cities around the world. Just to give you an idea, the Yucatan peninsula is safer than Detroit and New Orleans.
Cancun is located in Quintana Roo, a state in the Yucatan Peninsula which includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya. And it’s important to note that both the Government and even Cartels have a particular interest in keeping this part of Mexico safe because they want tourists to keep coming here and spending their dollars.
Is Cancun Safe for Tourists? overview
Cancun is generally considered safe for tourists. The general idea is that if you use common sense, stay out of trouble, don’t get mixed up with the wrong people and stay away from dodgy side-streets and alleys in the City, you’ll be fine.
Most serious crimes that happen in Cancun are drug related and don’t involve tourists. These issues happen between cartels and gangs and are sorted out between them in their own way.
However, drug related crimes and disputes between gangs and cartels aren’t common and they also happen in parts of the city that no tourist would have any reason being in. If for some reason you end up in the wrong part of the City, make your way back to downtown or the Hotel Zone, whichever part you’re staying in. And, if you see anything unusual going on, just don’t get involved.
Common Sense Guide
- Avoid becoming best friends with a gang member
- If you go partying don’t get totally wasted
- Avoid conflicts with locals – you don’t know who they are
- Drugs are cheap (and good) but they’re still illegal
- Keep valuables safe
- Don’t flash that shiny Rolex (especially in some dodgy part of the city)
- Keep passport and cash locked up in Hotel
- Keep bank cards separate (if lost, you use the other)
- Keep some cash separate from cards
- Have copies of passport and identification
- Don’t swim in Nichupté Lagoon (there’s crocodiles there)
- Don’t drink tap water
- Don’t book any tours from random people – always check reviews
- Don’t buy any services/tours from the airport
- Be aware of surroundings – even on the beach in the hotel zone
- Be aware of beach warnings and know what the flag warnings mean
Mexico Travel Advisory
Right now the US travel department states to exercise extreme caution in Mexico. And for some Mexican states the warning is ‘do not travel’.
However, Mexico is a large country and most of the dangerous parts are far away from Cancun and the Yucatan peninsula. These travel warning take everything as a whole. It’s like saying do not travel to anywhere in the US because there was a shooting in Detroit.
If you scroll down and read the section for Quintana Roo or Yuacatan Peninsula which includes Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, Tulum and the Maya Riviera, the US Government Travel Website states:
Exercise normal precautions.
There are no restrictions on travel for U.S. government employees in Yucatan state, which include tourist areas in: Chichen Itza, Merida, Uxmal, and Valladolid.
Safest Area to Stay in Cancun
As a whole, Cancun is safe regardless of the area you decide to stay in. The safest parts of the City are divided into 2 main sections. Downtown Cancun, and the ‘Zona Hoteliera’, this is where all the Hotels and All Inclusive resorts and loads of tourist amenities are located. Subsequently, the ‘Hotel Zone’ is where most tourists spend their days in Cancun because all the amenities that tourists are after are all there in one place: a 14 mile white sand beach, clear turquoise ocean, breathtaking views, loads of restaurants, resorts, beach bars, entertainment and a lively nightlife scene.
Hotel Zone
The Hotel Zone is the safest place to stay in Cancun because it is constantly patrolled and monitored by both the police force and private security personnel. These security measures help deter crime and offer peace of mind to visitors.
Numerous all-inclusive resorts are also within the Hotel Zone which adds an extra layer of security because all amenities are within the resort’s confines. Amenities include restaurants, bars, lounges, pools, private beach access, and the high end options will also have on-site spas, water sports, evening events and also butler service. Basically a package where you don’t need to leave the resorts grounds
But these resorts are quite expensive and prices start at around $200 per night for the cheapest options.
Cancun Downtown
Certainly not everyone wants to go on vacation and spend their entire vacation in Mexico inside a resort. And not everyone can afford it either.
So while the hotel zone is probably the safest place to stay in Cancun, another option would be the Eastern portion of downtown Cancun. This part of the City is close enough to the ‘Hotel Zone’ and the amenities and safety tend to spill into this part too.
Here you’ll get to be close to all the cool touristy things like restaurants, bars and not too far from the beach and be in a safe part of Cancun. There also some really good deals on hotels here. And in particular, you’ll find affordable apartment rentals with really cool and chic designs.
Arriving in Cancun Airport
Cancun airport is ranked as Mexico’s second busiest airport and over 30 Million passengers pass through each year. The airport itself is safe and you shouldn’t have any issues when you arrive.
The only thing to watch out for is touts and scammers. These people know that many travelers have just arrived in a new and foreign land and so they’ll prey on your vulnerability. You’ll get various offers for tours, or sightseeing in Cancun and transportation options.
Don’t pay attention to any of these offers. If you need transportation from the airport to your hotel, check with your accommodation first. If you’re staying in an all-inclusive resort, free airport transfer is usually included. Alternatively, you can book your transfer through a reputable online company.
If you plan to explore Cancun and the surrounding areas, ask your resort about tour packages. Keep in mind that resorts often book tours through third-party providers, which may be more expensive. Another option is to check online for available tours. This allows you to compare prices and read reviews from other guests before making a decision.
Transport Safety
There are various ways to move around Cancun including local public transport, taxis and ride-sharing services such as Uber. But if you want to move around and explore Cancun freely, we highly recommend renting a car. There are some great deals on-line.
Local Transport
Buses and public transport are a great way to move around the City. Especially if you want to explore Cancun on a budget, this is a convenient and inexpensive option.
Buses and other forms of public transport are safe and overall reliable with frequent routes throughout the city.
In the hotel zone, there a frequent buses going up and down the coast road and operate on a schedule of every 5 minutes 24 hours a day. However, we would advise to use other transport services during the night time, especially in downtown Cancun.
Ridesharing and Taxis Services
If cost isn’t an issue, then authorized taxis are also a safe and convenient option.
Always make sure it is an authorized taxi before getting in. Official taxis in Cancun are grey with green lines and the driver should be wearing a white shirt with a green taxi syndicate logo in the chest pocket area. Also its always important to verify the taxi driver is going to use the meter in order not to get scammed. It’s common for drivers to refuse putting on the meter. In that case just ask the next driver in line.
As of 2023, Uber has also been introduced into Mexico. Although Uber is a convenient option that most travelers are familiar with, it still isn’t widely available. And also there have been heated disputed and even violence between the taxis and Uber driver. Uber isn’t allowed to enter the airport either.
Site-Seeing and Activities
Walking around downtown Cancun is a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and go beyond the fancy all-inclusive resorts in the Hotel-Zone.
Cancun downtown is a lively part of the city with lots of markets and local restaurants serving undeniably great tasty tacos. While it is safe to explore this part of Cancun during the day, it is best not to go wandering around alone at night.
Exploring downtown on your own terms is a fun way to learn more about the local culture and get to know what authentic Mexican food tastes like. If you’re not sure where to begin, there is a highly recommended food tour where you’ll get to sample various Mexican dishes.
Nightlife and Partying
Cancun boasts an extravagant nightlife scene that apparently never rests. This place has been one of the favorite spring break destinations for over 30 years. Party goers aren’t only attracted to the wild nightlife scene like that at Coco Bongo and its Circus inspired show, but it’s also the popular offering of 1 price-unlimited drinks that many places offer.
Clubs in Cancun, especially those in the tourist area are safe and mostly frequented by tourists. But it’s always a good idea to go out as a group and look out for each other. Most incidents involving tourists in Cancun nightclubs are heated arguments or fights after someone has had one too many drinks. So although the unlimited drinks package is enticing, know your limits and don’t get totally wasted. You’ll be putting yourself and anyone with you at risk and you’ll just ruin the night.
TIP 1: The biggest tip (for the guys…at least I assume) do not piss in the street near the clubs. If caught, the coppers will harass and bully you into paying a big fat bribe!! And may also result in getting into a heated argument which you do not want with the Mexican police.
TIP 2: Most of the clubs in the Hotel Zone are close to the Nichupté Lagoon. Avoid going for a swim in the lagoon, there’s crocodiles there.
TIP 3: Avoid swimming in the ocean too. It may look nice and calm, but under water currents can drag you out into the dark scary deep ocean.
Money and ATM’s
While you may want to take some USD with you for your trip to Cancun, there is no need to take a huge amount. There are lots of ATM’s in Cancun that offer good rates of exchange and either no fee or a small transaction fee of 1%.
Just make sure to use official bank ATM’s and stay away from privately owned machines. These privately owned ATM’s have shitty exchange rates and high fees. These ATM’s are always placed in the most convenient spots like near resorts or just randomly placed in a high traffic tourist area. And can be identified by their bright colors with an unheard of brand name.
There are many Bank ATM’s in the Hotel Zone and in downtown Cancun where you can withdraw local pesos. And after all, most places will accept Visa, Mastercard and Amex cards. Just with draw enough cash to last you a couple of days.
Food and Drinks
Both food and drink are safe in Cancun. Hygiene standards is overall good and food poisoning isn’t common in Cancun. In resorts tap water is usually filtered but we always prefer to stick to bottled water.
The only thing to look out for is pre cooked food because you never know how long it’s been laying around.
Conclusion
Overall Cancun is a safe destination especially in the downtown area. And for an extra layer of security, consider booking an accommodation in the Hotel Zone where you’ll be within walking distance to pretty much everything: beaches with clear turquoise waters, loads of restaurants and beach bars/bars, shopping and lots of nighttime entertainment.
Most importantly, always use common sense. And as a general rule, just be aware of what you are doing and what is going on around you. Most incidents happen when tourists throw all reason out the window and think that being on vacation means nothing will go wrong.