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It’s nearly time for your annual spring break getaway, and if you are heading to Mexico this year, then Cancun, The Riviera Maya, and surrounding areas are definitely your safest bets.
As tourists are beginning to book their vacations, The State Department has warned U.S. Citizens to try and avoid certain parts of Mexico due to fears of serious crimes across various states. Whether you are visiting the Riviera Maya solo, as a couple, or with your friends or family, you are in for an exciting but, most importantly, safe trip.
The Riviera Maya comprises two states, the Yucatán peninsular to the north and Quintana Roo to the south.
What Does The State Department Recommend?
According to the latest travel advisory, along with Campeche, Yucatan is the only other state in Mexico in which the department has advised to exercise normal precautions, as with any other time of the year. Along with sixteen other Mexican states, travelers have been advised to take increased caution when visiting Quintana Roo.
The department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has warned tourists to reconsider travel to seven states, and in the same advisory, they have also placed a warning to simply not even travel to six of the states in Mexico.
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When Was This Statement Issued – Is It Recent?
They gave their last nationwide advisory on Mexico last October and, in recent weeks, have issued more in-depth recommendations for the Mexican states.
As Spring Break approaches, renewed warnings of increased caution have come into place, and with Cancun and The Riviera Maya sitting beautifully on the Mexican Caribbean coast of Quintana Roo, with nearby Yucatan, it makes this area one of the safer destinations for U.S. citizens on their spring break trip this year, not only in Mexico but in the whole of Central America.
No restrictions are in place for U.S. government employees in Quintana Roo, including the ever-popular tourist areas across The Riviera Maya, such as Cozumel and Cancun. However, as with every vacation, travelers should remain vigilant and have a good level of situational awareness, avoiding dangerous areas.
As you would in any area with which you are unfamiliar, it’s best to remain in well-lit pedestrian areas and tourist spots. The general advice is to stay within the beach areas and trust your instincts.
As for the Yucatan state, there are currently no restrictions for travel, so for those wanting to visit the UNESCO site of Chichen Itza, plus Valladolid, and the further afield Merida, you do not need to take any precautions.
According to the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Mexico, there have been several disputes in the Quintana Roo state recently, predominantly in Cancun, between Uber drivers and taxi unions, so it is worth travelers noting to take caution when taking taxis in the state.
Nevertheless, Cancun is a very safe city to visit, with a significantly lower crime rate than other Mexican cities, with friendly residents.
What Are The Safest Areas In Cancun?
It’s recommended to stay within well-populated areas such as the hotel zone or downtown Cancun, and if you’re thinking of taking any organized trips, then make sure you are booking with informed locals or approved tours.
The hotel zone, also known as ‘Zona Hotelera’ or ‘Tourist Zone,’ is one of the safest areas in Cancun, with a 23-kilometer circuit of white sandy beaches, sprawling with hotels and resorts, where tourists can enjoy shopping malls, golf courses, and restaurants on the waterfront.
Cancun’s hotel zone also offers a couple of archeological sites nearby, which are ideal for those lazy days when you do not want to do as much. Plus, with Cancun’s newest park, ‘Parque Cancún’, you can experience a safe lush green haven of peace and quiet amongst the urban landscape and hustle and bustle of the city.
Due to the location of The Riviera Maya, it’s a perfect safe haven for sunseekers and beach lovers for your spring break vacation this year, or someone looking for a relaxing break in an all-inclusive resort, or to be at one with nature at an eco-resort. If you want somewhere even more secluded, why not even head down to the rustic town of Bacalar, where you can escape even further away from the commercial tourist crowds?
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