Crime Rate Drops In Cancun As City Cracks Down On All Criminal Activity 

Last Updated 2 years ago

As Cancun has continued to make a name for itself as one of the most popular vacation destinations in Mexico, the Mexican government has risen to the occasion and started taking security seriously.  Multiple operations have taken place through the last year to increase security and reduce crime so that tourists are safer when visiting.  Now, violent crimes are down in Cancun as a result of the city cracking down on all types of criminal activity. 

Current Status Of Crime In Cancun 

According to the Attorney General of the state of Quintana Roo, Oscar Montes de Oca Rosales, there were fewer homicides in 2022 than there were in 2021.  In fact, the number of murders decreased by 34 compared to the previous year.  In response, the Attorney General said “We have many pending tasks, debts to society, although having a positive number means that they are on the right track, and that is why we are going to continue to work very hard. We have already gone through that line of learning, now we have to be more effective.” 

Military Presence And Tourist Safety 

It is not uncommon for the military to be utilized for monitoring busy tourist areas in order to deter criminal acts and to keep criminals from causing harm to tourists in recent years.  In fact, sometimes hundreds of soldiers are deployed to specific areas in the Mexican Caribbean, including Cancun, during the busiest months of the year.  The most recent mass deployment was back in September of 2022, when more than 3,000 soldiers, at least 1,500 of them National Guard members, were sent to tourist hotspots to provide protection for visitors.  

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Mexico Travel Restrictions  

The U.S. State Department, which is responsible for determining which foreign destinations are safe for Americans to travel to, has not issued any restrictions on travel to the state of Quintana Roo.  They do recommend that tourists visiting the region “exercise caution’ when visiting, though, due to the presence of crime.  They have also provided a list of suggestions to help tourists protect themselves when vacationing in Quintana Roo. 

The State of Quintana Roo 

The Mexican State of Quintana Roo is located on the Yucatán Peninsula and is home to a number of popular vacation destinations, including Cancun.  Other destinations that get swarms of foreign tourists every year include places like Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Puerto Morelos, and Cozumel.  The suggestions provided by the U.S. State Department should be utilized when visiting any of these vacation destinations, or anywhere else for that matter. 

Safe Practices For Visiting Quintan Roo 

• Stay in contact with friends and family. 
• Send a picture of the taxi number or plate to a friend or family member when taking a cab alone. 
• Use GPS locations with your travel companions. 
• Don’t walk alone at night.   
• Avoid non-toll roads, particularly after dark. 
• Stay vigilant when visiting bars and nightclubs.   
• Be aware of your surroundings at ATMs and banks. 
• Limit expensive jewelry and other signs of wealth. 

Cancun Security In The Future 

Not only are Cancun officials likely to continue using the military to maintain security in the paradisiacal vacation hotspot but there is talk of increasing the police force as well.  While they have more police officers than many other Mexican cities, there is a need for more officers in Cancun.  This is due to the likelihood that the number of annual visitors will continue to increase exponentially.   

Cancun is a vacation destination that has it all. Warm sunny days, stunning white sand beaches with crystal clear aqua blue water, luxury all-inclusive resorts, and plenty to do in and around the city.  And now the increased security has led to the destination being one of the safest in Quintana Roo. 

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