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While Cancun’s beaches are one of the biggest attractions for tourists visiting the popular vacation destination, there is so much more to see.
Many visitors spend some of their vacations exploring nature, culture, and history too.
But there has been a shift in how tourists explore these other areas, as Cancun tourists are more commonly skipping tours and venturing out on their own, and here are six tips to stay safe if this is something you plan on doing.
If You’re Renting A Car Don’t Skimp On Insurance
Renting a car in Cancun is perfectly safe, but you want to protect yourself at all costs, so you don’t want to skimp on insurance for the car that you’re renting.
You’ll already have to pay for the minimum mandatory insurance, but this only covers personal liability, not you or the vehicle.
Should you get into an accident, you would have to pay for the damages, and in rare cases, you could be detained until you do, so the extra insurance is worth it.
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Don’t Break Any Traffic Laws
Traffic signs throughout the Yucatan Peninsula are going to be in Spanish, though most are pretty self-explanatory.
But you definitely want to make sure you understand the signs and the laws to avoid being stopped by police.
The last thing you want is to get stuck in a situation that could lead to detainment.
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Be Sure That You Know Where You’re Going
Getting lost in a foreign country is not something you want to experience, no matter how safe the destination is, and it isn’t hard to do.
Fortunately, GPS has made it easier to get around so you should definitely utilize the technology.
That being said, you should have some sense of where you’re going in case GPS isn’t working or it’s telling you to go in a direction that it’s not necessarily safe to travel.
Having a map is suggested too.
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Travel During Daytime Hours
It’s safer to travel during daytime hours because it’s easier to see road obstructions and damage, as well as people walking on the roads.
But avoiding nighttime driving is also safer because you’re less likely to run into criminals with bad intentions.
It’s also easier to get lost driving at night, something you definitely want to avoid.
Prepare For Where You’ll Be Going
If you’ll be visiting cenotes, Mayan ruins, and the Mayan jungle on your journey through the Mexican Caribbean, it’s important to be prepared.
You won’t have a tour guide that knows what to bring along or where the next store or restaurant is.
Snacks, water, sunscreen, and bug spray are some of the things you might want to have with you.
Don’t Stop In Secluded Areas
While it is safe to explore on your own instead of taking a guided tour, you still don’t want to end up somewhere that you shouldn’t be.
There are criminal enterprises that don’t want to be bothered, and more often than not they’ll be in more secluded areas.
Just keep driving, only stopping if it’s absolutely necessary, and stay on busier roads when possible.
Tours Versus Exploring Alone
Tours are a great way to see some attractions, but others are best explored with no time restrictions, like cenotes and Mayan ruins.
And if you’re comfortable exploring Cancun and beyond alone, there is no reason not to.
Just follow these six tips to ensure a safe trip if you’ll be venturing out without a tour guide in tow.
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