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A male Canadian tourist has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a female Canadian was found dead at a resort in Playa Del Carmen. The suspect was found with what appeared to be blood stains on his person, as well as signs of swelling on his hands, which authorities believe indicate a violent altercation.
The police responded to the incident after receiving a report of a woman without vital signs at a resort in Playa Del Carmen. Upon arriving at the resort, a member of staff indicated the Canadian male, believed to be 26 years old, was responsible. Police believed there was enough evidence to immediately arrest the Canadian man on suspicion of murder.
So far, no further information has been released, and it is still unclear what relation, if any, the two Canadians were to each other. It also is not known whether the incident took place in a hotel room or in a public area of the property.
No Perceived Danger To Travelers
Neither the police nor the state attorney general’s office has indicated they are searching for further suspects, and currently, the Canadian man in custody is thought to have acted alone. It’s believed this is an isolated incident, and thankfully the situation poses no risk to travelers or locals.
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A Worrying Rise In Incidents
Playa Del Carmen is generally considered a safe destination for travelers, with crime rarely being directed at tourists. Unfortunately, there has been a rise in incidents committed by travelers themselves.
One of the most high-profile cases happened as recently as November 2022, when another Canadian man was apprehended by local law enforcement after shooting a police officer. This incident shocked all of Mexico.
Is Playa Del Carmen Safe?
No place can claim to be 100% safe, but Playa Del Carmen has a positive reputation amongst travelers. While the area has its fair share of issues relating to narcotics, this rarely impacts tourists directly.
Furthermore, the city rates very highly in terms of safety walking alone during daylight, as well as having an extremely low incidence rate for crimes of discrimination based off of race, gender, and religious beliefs.
On all metrics, Playa Del Carmen measures up well against other vacation spots in Mexico. The most notable is Los Cabos. The two destinations have comparable crime rates, with Los Cabos regularly receiving praise for how safe it is.
The Law Applies To All
There is a stereotype that the law is a malleable institution in Mexico, and while the nation does have issues, this particular stereotype is false, especially where violent crimes are concerned. The law enforcement and legal institutions of Mexico function the same as any developed democracy, and crime doesn’t go unpunished.
When visiting Mexico, travelers must always be aware of the local laws and regulations. It can be a costly act to assume that there is no difference. As is often the case at Cancun International Airport, which has seen numerous incidents of American travelers attempting to bring firearms with them for protection. Most recently, the famous NASCAR driver Kyle Busch became a high-profile example of this.
What Travelers Should Do In An Emergency
Any travelers who have fears for their safety while at the resort should immediately contact a member of staff or security. Almost all resorts in the Mayan Riviera have a 24/7 security detail to assist travelers in distress.
If possible, call the 911 emergency number, an English-speaking operator is always on hand, and the huge police presence in Playa Del Carmen means help is always close by. But in an emergency resort, staff and security will be fast to do this on a traveler’s behalf, and the first action should always be to reach safety.
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