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Cancun is a popular vacation destination among American travelers, and millions visit the destination every year.
Unfortunately, for five Americans visiting the destination, their Cancun vacation took a turn for the worse this past Saturday.
The five American tourists were injured in a bus accident in Cancun while traveling between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.
Details About The Accident
Although a full report has not been released, there are some details about the accident that were reported.
According to those reports and the information from witnesses who saw the accident, a van carrying five American citizens hit the back of a Volkswagen bus used by a Hilton hotel.
The accident took place at around 7:00 am on the morning of Saturday, June 22nd.
Injuries Resulting From The Accident
According to sources, the driver of the van carrying the American passengers had already passed away by the time rescue crews arrived at the scene of the accident.
The five American passengers were a father, a mother, and three children who were visiting from Florida.
All of them sustained injuries from the accident.
Extent Of The Injuries
The father and two of the children, Kai Won, Koi Won, and Kaley Won, were immediately transferred to a nearby hospital.
The mother, Brini Won, and the other child, Isabel Won, had to be removed from the van by emergency medical personnel before being transferred.
The extent of the family members’ injuries is currently unknown.
Location Of The Accident
According to reports, the accident occurred on the highway that runs between Cancun and Puerto Morelos.
More specifically, it was near the Royalton Riviera resort.
This is right around kilometer 332 along Highway 307, a much-traveled road for tourists visiting destinations south of Cancun.
Is It Safe To Travel In The Mexican Caribbean?
Accidents in which tourists are injured are rare in Cancun and other Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations, but they can happen.
In general, though, it is safe to travel by car within the region.
This is a rare case of a very unfortunate event.
Why Travel Insurance Is Important
Getting in an accident, getting sick, or being injured while on vacation isn’t something anyone wants to experience, but being prepared can make a bad situation a little bit more bearable.
This is especially important when you’re visiting another country, far away from home.
In these situations, it is extremely important to have travel insurance that will cover you.
Travel insurance may cover medical expenses if you have to be admitted to an overseas hospital, which can be very expensive otherwise.
Some also cover trip interruption if you get sick or injured as well.
With travel insurance, you’ll likely recoup at least some of your costs should the unfortunate happen.
Safety Tips For Traveling In The Mexican Caribbean
If you plan on traveling through the Mexican Caribbean by car, either with a transportation service or a tour company, it’s important to vet the provider.
In this case, the ultimate cause of the accident is still unknown, and information about the driver is not known either, but the first step towards safety is hiring a service with a proven track record.
If you’ll be driving on your own, it’s important to know the rules of the road and to be vigilant of other drivers.
Another option is traveling by rail, aboard the new Maya Train, which you can book tickets for on the official website here.
This is one of the safest ways to travel in the Mexican Caribbean now.
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Justyna
Tuesday 25th of June 2024
How long will this weather last, I have planned a vacation, my resort is in Akumal area is this area effected too?
Tyler Fox
Wednesday 26th of June 2024
Hey Justyna,
The worst of the weather has passed, and the forecast for Akumal (check it out here) looks like you can expect scattered thunderstorms through July 10th. We've found they normally pass by quickly though, enjoy your trip!