Is Cancun Secure?

Cancún is the preferred metropolis in Mexico for vacationers, welcoming nearly 4 million guests in 2021 (pre-pandemic, in 2019, it was over six million). The second hottest vacation spot, Mexico Metropolis, solely noticed half of that quantity.

With quite a few direct flights from varied cities in the USA and wonderful seashores that hug turquoise waters, it’s not likely a shock that this metropolis of practically 900,000 folks is so fashionable.

Whereas the media tends to color in broad strokes in the case of Mexico and security, there are many protected locations to journey in Mexico. Cancún is considered one of them.

It’s not like San Pedro Sula in Honduras or Ciudad Juárez on the Mexican-US border, the place you would possibly encounter robbers or violence simply by strolling down the road.

That stated, of essentially the most harmful cities in Mexico, Cancún is available in at quantity six by way of the variety of homicides per 100,000 folks. To place this into perspective, essentially the most harmful metropolis in Mexico is Tijuana, with 138 murders per 100,000 folks. Cancún has 64.

Whereas which will appear worrying, remember that there are a number of cities within the US with comparable stats (St. Louis had 65 homicides per 100,000 folks in 2019; Baltimore noticed 58).

Fortuitously for vacationers, many of the violent crime in Cancún is the results of drug cartels and happens removed from the vacationer zones (and barely includes vacationers). The overwhelming majority of vacationers will come and go with out incident.

However that doesn’t imply you’ll be able to journey carelessly right here.

That will help you perceive extra concerning the metropolis and resolve if you happen to really feel snug visiting, right here is every part you want to know to remain protected in Cancún.

 

Is Cancún Secure for Solo Vacationers?

The Mexican authorities places a whole lot of effort into ensuring Cancún is protected, because it’s fueled primarily by tourism. If the crime charge out of the blue spiked and information bought out, folks would cease coming; accommodations, bars, and eating places would shut; locals would lose their jobs; and the city would devolve into utter poverty, which might then improve the crime charge much more. That’s how necessary security in Cancún is to the federal government.

So, in brief, sure, solo vacationers ought to usually really feel protected visiting right here.

Is Cancún Secure for Solo Feminine Vacationers?

Solo feminine vacationers have further considerations when touring, and the final precautions you’d take elsewhere apply right here: by no means settle for a drink from a stranger and by no means depart your drink unattended when out on the bar, don’t stroll round at night time intoxicated, and so on. Cancún is a celebration city, so be conscious about who you get together with and be cautious about not overdoing it. Past that, solo feminine vacationers ought to usually really feel snug touring right here.

Are Taxis in Cancún Secure?

Sure, notably within the lodge zone (zona hotelera). Count on to pay round 70-80 MXN (slightly below $4 USD) per journey throughout the space. For those who go additional afield, it’s clearly going to be dearer, and the extent of security goes to vary as nicely. For those who’re going out of the lodge zone, notably to downtown, it’s greatest to name an Uber or Cabify.

Is Renting a Automobile Secure in Cancún?

In comparison with different components of Mexico, the state of Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya south of city is protected for renting a automotive and driving (I’ve rented a automotive within the area myself). The roads are in first rate situation too.

One factor to pay attention to is a rip-off that occurs often in Mexico. Rental automobiles shall be priced low, and also you’ll reserve the automotive. However while you go to select it up, the worth could have doubled, from all types of added charges. The satan is within the advantageous print. For those who’re renting a automotive with a worth so low that it nearly looks as if it’s too good to be true, it in all probability is. Count on that there are going to be some added charges while you decide it up.

On a associated observe, automotive insurance coverage is obligatory in Mexico, in order that shall be an extra price you’ll need to pay when selecting up the automotive. Count on to pay about $10-$20 USD per day for insurance coverage.

To seek out the very best rental automotive offers, use Uncover Vehicles.

Is There an Problem with Gangs and Drug Cartels in Cancún?

Like many locations in Mexico, there is a matter with drug cartels in Cancún. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. I do know that’s not a pleasing factor to listen to, however once more, gangs and drug cartels are targeted on one another. Not vacationers. Very like in different nations (together with the US), if there’s violent crime in Cancún, it’s not geared toward vacationers, so that you don’t must skip a go to or spend your journey apprehensive and in hiding. Whereas gang violence has unfold into the vacationers areas infrequently, these incidents are nonetheless few and much between.

Is the Faucet Water Secure to Drink in Cancún?

It’s not. The faucet water throughout Mexico is infamous for not being as clear because it may very well be. Cancún isn’t any exception. That goes for ice cubes too. Discover out first if the water in eating places is filtered after which ask if the ice cubes are too. Cancún can generally be sweltering in warmth, and sipping iced drinks is likely to be refreshing, however it will be even worse to be caught in your lodge room with abdomen points since you drank faucet water or an iced drink that was contaminated with faucet water.

Bottled water isn’t essentially the most eco-friendly factor, however when in Cancún, keep on with it, simply to be protected. You may also deliver a LifeStraw bottle, which has a built-in filter to make sure that your water is at all times clear and protected to drink.

Can I Stroll Round at Night time in Cancún?

Undoubtedly. Whereas Cancún has a inhabitants of virtually one million folks, the areas the place the vacationers congregate (the lodge zone, for instance) are very walkable, day or night time. Within the night, the one alarming facet is that the road lighting shouldn’t be notably vibrant. It’s one thing to be conscious of when planning.

In case your itinerary or the night time includes a number of stops, it’s in all probability wisest to hit the farthest vacation spot first after which slowly gravitate to the closest spot to your lodge because the night time goes on.

10 Security Ideas for Cancún

Cancún is likely one of the safer vacationer spots in Mexico, however it’s best to nonetheless train warning, notably while you depart the closely touristed areas of city. Listed here are some issues to bear in mind:

1. Preserve your cellphone out of the attain of others – Pickpockets like to prey on careless vacationers, so hold your cellphone out of the attain of others always. For those who stroll round swinging your smartphone in all places, you would possibly discover that merchandise out of the blue lacking.

2. Preserve your valuables at dwelling – Equally, when you have a whole lot of good jewellery and/or an costly watch, hold it at dwelling or within the lodge room protected. You don’t wish to entice the mistaken form of consideration.

3. Be cautious at night time if you happen to’re touring alone – Cancún isn’t essentially the most harmful place at night time, however in some locations, it’s not as nicely lit accurately. Don’t stroll round alone late at night time if you happen to can keep away from it.

4. Obtain an offline map – For those who don’t have worldwide roaming, obtain an offline map to make use of for navigation. Simply ensure to not pull your smartphone out an excessive amount of, lest it get stolen.

5. Study some Spanish – Uttering a couple of phrases of the native language is at all times a great factor. It could actually open doorways and assist you slot in (guaranteeing you’re much less more likely to be a goal). It’s additionally good to be taught some Spanish in case of emergency. The emergency quantity in Mexico is 911.

6. Be conscious of your cash – Don’t carry each peso you’ve gotten in your pockets or pocket. Unfold it round (some in your pockets, some within the lodge protected, some in your backpack) in order that if somebody steals your pockets or robs you, you’ll nonetheless have cash secured elsewhere.

7. Obtain the Prey app to your cellphone and laptop computer – In case your cellphone or your laptop computer will get stolen, the Prey app permits you to monitor the place it’s. You’ll be able to set up the app totally free after which improve to a paid model (it’s simply $5 USD) if you want to monitor your stolen machine. Prey may also activate your cellphone’s digicam and take a photograph of the thief.

8. Keep alert – When strolling round, particularly at night time, keep very alert and conscious of your environment. Do your greatest to slot in.

9. Watch out when utilizing ATMs – Solely use ATMs inside a financial institution. Not solely can skimmers be positioned on outside ATMs (to steal your PIN), however robberies are rather more frequent at outside ATMs. To remain protected, solely use indoor ATMs.

10. Be careful for riptides – Whereas the seashores listed here are beautiful, the riptides might be harmful. By no means stray too removed from shore, simply to be protected. For those who’re not a powerful swimmer, keep on with the pool.

So, Ought to You Go to Cancún?

Sure! Cancún is usually a enjoyable place to journey to. It’s a celebration vacation spot, so you need to include the best mindset (and funds). For those who’re in search of a quiet place or a extra native vibe, go elsewhere.

By way of security, Cancún is fairly protected for vacationers. Whereas the town does expertise some violence, it’s principally directed elsewhere, aside from at vacationers. For many vacationers, essentially the most harmful facets of Cancún is likely to be hangovers, sunburns, and consuming the faucet water.

…However Earlier than You Go

Purchase journey insurance coverage. We by no means suppose that one thing goes to go mistaken on journeys. However it does generally — which I’ve realized from expertise. I’ve misplaced baggage in South Africa, had my gear break in Italy, and popped an eardrum in Thailand. I used to be additionally knifed in Colombia.

Whereas it’s not enjoyable to consider, unhealthy issues can occur whilst you’re touring.

That’s why I by no means depart dwelling with out journey insurance coverage. You shouldn’t both — particularly if you happen to’re heading to Mexico. For simply a few bucks a day, you’ll get a security web that ensures that you just gained’t go bankrupt ought to one thing unhealthy and sudden occur.

Don’t low-cost out in your well being and security. It’s not definitely worth the danger.

Right here’s every part you want to learn about selecting a complete insurance coverage plan.