Is Cancun Safe Right Now? A Thorough Guide on Safety in Cancun
Cancun is one of the most popular Mexican destinations, but is Cancun safe right now? I am sure you are wondering, and not only because of the recent health emergency.
So, in this post, I’ll try to answer this question for you comprehensively.
The short answer is yes. Otherwise, Cancun International Airport wouldn’t have had almost 7 million arrivals in the first quarter of 2022. Crazy! Of course, not all of them stayed in Cancun, but it gives you an idea.
Playa del Carmen and Tulum also get a great portion of the tourism, but nothing like Cancun.
Cancun is one of the most popular beach resorts in Mexico that attracts tourists from all over the world, especially from the US.
There is a lot to enjoy, and so many things to do in Cancun, and the city is basically developed with tourism in mind. Couple that with the miles upon miles of beautiful white sand of the Cancun beaches, and it easily becomes one of the best vacation spots in the world.
But is Cancun safe to travel to right now? Read on to find out.
How Safe Is Cancun?
If you want a short answer, Cancun is generally a relatively safe city. The crime rates are much lower than in many other places in Mexico.
The government of Mexico tries as much as possible to make Cancun a safe place for tourists because tourism is the biggest source of revenue for this area.
However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take any precautions and can go everywhere when you’re in the area. There are some areas where you should stick to. I will tell you more later on in the post.
On the pandemic front, Cancun is relatively safe. Back when the pandemic initially started, it was one of the first cities in the world to adopt the hygiene and safety protocols suggested by the World Travel & Tourism Council.
The hotels still follow strict disinfection mask requirements and social distancing protocols.
Also, you should know that the few episodes of violent crime that sometimes occur are due mainly to cartel drug trafficking disputes, and they don’t really involve tourists.
The Mexico travel advisory on the US Government page invites US Citizens to “exercise increased caution,” which I agree with, but as I said already, almost like everywhere in a foreign country.
So if you were planning on visiting Cancun, you have a green light from me!
However, I would suggest you follow the safety tips below, which are basic common-sense rules you should follow, whether you visit Cancun, Mexico City, or any other place in Mexico, and probably whenever you are in a foreign country.
15 Safety Tips for Traveling to Cancun
Here are some Mexico travel safety tips about Cancun that you should observe if you want to have a seamless vacation in the Mexican paradise.
1. Never Travel Without Travel Insurance
First thing first, make sure you have good health insurance because healthcare in Mexico is really expensive for tourists.
Both are great but serve different kinds of needs. So make sure you read through what’s included and what’s not.
And paying for insurance, that’s really little money if you think about all the peace of mind it gives you.
I assure you that traveling anywhere knowing that for anything that happened you are completely covered and refunded for the expenses gives you tranquillity big time!
sometimes tourist had to go to the hospital multiple times for a stomach bugs when traveling. If they had insurance at the time, they would refunded you immediately.
A friend of mine had to cancel her trip to Africa last minute because she got sick, and World Nomads refunded her the flight tickets and the portion of the trip that she had booked.
That is why I think it’s really worth the money, but you should really check what each insurance has to offer.2. Don’t Be Naïve
Be friendly and smile but make sure to remain alert and aware of your surroundings. If you notice that the people you are talking to are getting too close or ask personal questions, don’t be afraid to move away.
3. Wander Around but Know Where You Are Going
natural to want to wander around and sightsee a little, but don’t do it aimlessly. Always know where you are and where you’re going. Avoid deserted streets, especially at night.
4. Avoid Going Out at Night Alone
Try to avoid going out at night if you are alone. Or, if you do, try to do so in a group and stick to areas that are crowded and lit.
5. Watch Out for Pick-Pocketers
These are everywhere, but especially in Downtown Cancun, where there are fewer tourists, and we are more in the spotlight. Make sure you keep your personal belongings in a safe place.
6. Be Careful When Withdrawing Cash
Be careful when withdrawing cash at ATMs. Always try to use the ATMs in a bank or a mall. Never use roadside ATMs, and most of all at night.
7. Use Your Hotel Safe Box
Store your passport in your hotel room’s safe. Keep a photocopy of the passport with you when you’re out and about because the police can legally ask for it.
Also, remember to keep the immigration card in the passport and take a copy of that as well, with the entry date and the immigration stamp.
8. Don’t Get Wasted if You Are Alone
Drinking is generally a bad idea. But if you have to do so, drink in moderation unless you’re part of a group you trust.
9. Don’t Flaunt Your Wealth
Dress plainly, and don’t flaunt your wealth. Being flashy is the easiest way to get noticed by criminals.Carry a little bit of cash with you at all times, in local currency (not US$). So that if you encounter criminals, you can give it over without a lot of regrets.
10. Get a Local SIM Card
Having a local SIM card has many advantages. First of all, it allows you to stay in touch with your family and friends, but the main reason is that it gives you access to Google Maps, so that you can find your way around easily.
You don’t want to get lost when you don’t know the place, trust me!
You can call a taxi, your hotel or anyone. And all that gives you more security. I always buy a SIM CARD when I travel, even for a week. It makes me feel like a local and safer.
11. Don’t Drink Tap Water
Tap water in Mexico is not safe to drink. You won’t die if you do, but you will be more exposed to stomach bugs and other unpleasant situations.
Also, tap water seems to have a lot of heavy metals that are not good for your health, and last but not least, it runs into old rusty pipes most of the time.
So, all in all, drinking tap water is gross!
But worry not. Most of the hotels offer free bottled water in the room and the bathroom for brushing teeth. And you can find bottled water everywhere for purchase.
Even better if you carry your own water bottle to refill. Hotels usually have big water tanks (garrafon) for the guest to use, and restaurants will be happy to refill your bottle. Here below are the ones I use.
12. Book a Safe Hotel
If you are concerned about safety in Cancun, booking a safe hotel located in a safe area is the wisest thing to do for your peace of mind (I always look for peace of mind, especially when I travel).