Published : 22.08.14 | August 14, 2022
Cancun is Mexico's most popular city for travelers and will receive nearly four million visitors by 2021 (up from six million in 2019 before the pandemic). The second most popular destination, Mexico City, saw only half that number.
With many direct flights from several US cities and beautiful beaches with turquoise waters, it's no wonder this city of nearly 900,000 people is so popular.
Although the media portrays things in a very broad light when it comes to Mexico and safety, there are plenty of safe places to travel in Mexico. Cancun is one of them.
It's not San Pedro Sula in Honduras or Ciudad Juarez on the US-Mexico border, where you're likely to find robbery or violence just by walking down the street.
This makes Cancún the sixth most dangerous city in Mexico in terms of homicides per 100,000 people. For comparison, the most dangerous city in Mexico is Tijuana, where there are 138 murders per 100,000 people. Cancun turns 64.
While that might sound alarming, consider that there are several cities in the United States with similar statistics (in 2019, St. Louis had 65 murders per 100,000 people, Baltimore had 58).
Luckily for travelers, most violent crimes in Cancun are committed by drug traffickers and occur far from tourist areas (and rarely involve tourists). Most travelers come and go with no problem.
But that doesn't mean you can travel here carelessly.
To help you better understand the city and decide if you should visit it, here is everything you need to know about safety in Cancun.
situational details
- Is Cancun safe for solo travellers?
- Is Cancun safe for solo travellers?
- Are taxis safe in Cancun?
- Is it safe to rent a car in Cancun?
- Is there a problem with gangs and drug cartels in Cancun?
- Can you drink tap water in Cancun?
- Is it possible to walk at night in Cancun?
- 10 tips for safety in Cancun
- So, should you visit Cancun?
- my biggest advice
Is Cancun safe for solo travellers?
The Mexican government is doing everything possible to keep Cancun safe, especially when it comes to tourism. If the crime rate suddenly increases and it becomes known, people will stop coming. Hotels, bars and restaurants will be closed; Locals losing their jobs; And the city sinks into absolute misery, further increasing the crime rate. How important is security in Cancún to the government?
In short, yes, solo travelers should feel safe here.
Is Cancun safe for solo travellers?
Only traveling women have additional concerns when traveling and the general precautions you would take elsewhere apply here: do not accept drink from a stranger and do not leave your drink unattended in a bar, do not get drunk not late at night, etc. . Cancun is a party. town, so be careful who you hang out with and be careful not to overdo it. Also, women traveling alone should generally feel comfortable traveling here.
Are taxis safe in Cancun?
Yes, especially in the hotel zone (hotel zone ). Be prepared to pay around 70-80 MXN (less than $4) for a car there. If you go elsewhere, it will obviously be more expensive and the level of security will also change. It's best to call an Uber or Cabify from the hotel, especially if you're driving downtown.
Is it safe to rent a car in Cancun?
Compared to other parts of Mexico, the state of Quintana Roo and the Riviera Maya south of the city are relatively safe to rent and drive (I rented a car in this area). The roads are also in good condition.
One thing to be aware of is the random scam in Mexico. Car rental prices will be low and you will book a car. But when you go and pick it up, the price is more than doubled, with all sorts of extras. The devil is in the fine print. If you're renting a car at a bargain price that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Please expect additional charges at reception.
By the way, car insurance is mandatory in Mexico, so there is a surcharge when picking up the car. You need to pay around $10-20 per day for the insurance.
Use Discover Cars to find the best car rental deals.
Is there a problem with gangs and drug cartels in Cancun?
Like many other places in Mexico, Cancun has a problem with drug traffickers. I don't use sugar. I know it's hard to hear, but gangs and drug cartels are at their throats again. They are not tourists. As in other countries (including the United States), if there is violent crime in Cancun, it is not for tourists, so you don't have to skip a visit or worry and hide your trip. These incidents are still rare, as gang violence is increasingly spreading to tourist areas.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cancun?
no way Tap water throughout Mexico is notorious for not being as clean as it could be. Cancun is no different. This also applies to ice cubes. First, find out if the restaurant water is filtered and ask if the ice cubes are filtered. Cancun can be sweltering at times and ice cold drinks can be refreshing, but being stuck in a hotel room with an upset stomach is even worse with tap water or an ice cold drink contaminated with water. tap.
Bottled water isn't the most eco-friendly, but when you're in Cancun, save it just in case. You can also bring a LifeStraw bottle with a built-in filter to ensure your water is always clean and drinkable.
Is it possible to walk at night in Cancun?
While Cancun is home to around a million people, areas where tourists congregate (like the Hotel Zone) are within walking distance day and night. At night, surprisingly, the streetlights aren't particularly bright. This is something to keep in mind when planning.
If your route or overnight has many stops, it may be best to arrive at the furthest destination first, then work your way slowly to the overnight closest to your hotel.
10 tips for safety in Cancun
Cancun is one of the safest tourist destinations in Mexico, but you still have to be careful, especially when leaving the most touristy areas. Here are some things to consider:
1. Keep your phone handy. Pickpockets love to prey on unsuspecting tourists, so keep your phone out of their reach . If you shake your phone, the item may have suddenly disappeared.
2. Valuable content in the house. Also, if you have a lot of fine jewelry and/or expensive watches, keep them in your home or hotel room. You don't want to attract the wrong attention.
3. If you are traveling alone, be careful at night - Cancun is not a very dangerous place at night, but in some places it is not very well lit. Don't walk alone at night if you can help yourself.
4. Download an offline map. If you're not traveling internationally, download an offline map to use for navigation. Make sure you don't overspend on your phone so it doesn't get stolen.
5. Learn some Spanish. It is always helpful to speak a few words of the local language. It opens doors for you and can help you fit in (which reduces your chances of being targeted). It's good to learn some Spanish in an emergency. The emergency number in Mexico is 911.
6. Take care of your money. Don't carry all your pesos in your wallet or pocket. Scatter them everywhere (something in your wallet, something in a hotel safe, something in your purse) so that if someone steals or robs you, you always have the money somewhere else.
7. Download the Pray app on your phone and laptop . If your phone or laptop is stolen, the Pray app will allow you to track its location. If you need to track a stolen device, you can download the app for free and then upgrade to the paid version (only $5). Prey can activate your phone's camera and take a picture of the thief.
8. Be alert . When walking, especially at night, be extra alert and watch your surroundings. Do your best to agree.
9. Be careful when using ATMs: Only use ATMs in banks. In addition to skimmers setting up ATMs on high streets (to steal your PIN), ATM thefts on high streets are very common. For security reasons, only use local ATMs.
10. Beware of high tides – While the beaches here are beautiful, low tides can be dangerous. For safety reasons, never leave the beach. If you're not a good swimmer, go to the pool.
So, should you visit Cancun?
Yes! Cancun can be an interesting tourist destination. It's a party place, you have to come with the right frame of mind (and budget). If you're looking for a quieter spot or a local vibe, look elsewhere.
In terms of security, Cancun is very safe for travelers. Although there is some violence in the city, it is not primarily directed against tourists. For most travelers, the most dangerous aspects of Cancun are hangovers, sunburn, and drinking tap water.
... but before leaving
Buy travel insurance. We don't expect anything to go wrong during the trip. But sometimes it is, my experience has convinced me. I lost my luggage in South Africa, broke my gear in Italy and ruptured my eardrum in Thailand. I was also stabbed in Colombia.
While it's not fun to think about, bad things can happen along the way.
That's why I never leave home without travel insurance. You shouldn't either, especially if you're going to Mexico. For only $2 a day, you get insurance that guarantees you won't declare bankruptcy in the event of the unexpected.
Don't lose your health and safety. It's not worth the risk.
Here you will find everything you need to know to choose comprehensive insurance.
Cancun is synonymous with parties, spring break, resorts and beautiful beaches. Although there are a lot of tourists here, it is a fun place to sunbathe and sunbathe. Be sure to follow the tips above to enjoy your trip safely and with confidence. Prevention is always better than cure!
Book your trip: logistical tips and tricks
book your flight
Find cheap flights with Skyscanner. It's my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines all over the world, leaving no stone unturned every time.
book your stay
You can book your hostel on Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than the hostel, use Booking.com, they always have the lowest prices for guests and hotels.
Don't forget travel insurance
Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft and cancellation. It's complete protection in case something goes wrong. I've used it so many times that I've never gone on a trip without it. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for all)
- My travel insurance (for people over 70)
- Medjet (for additional thematic coverage)
Ready to book your trip?
Check out my resource for the best companies to use while traveling. I will list all the ones I use when I travel. They are best in class and you can't go wrong using them on your travels.
Is Cancun safe? Nomad Matt first appeared on the travel website.