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Overall, tourists visiting Cancun feel safer visiting the beach resort destination.
In fact, according to the most recent survey from the National Urban Public Security Survey, more than three-quarters of people in Cancun felt insecure spending their time enjoying the sun, sand, and surf in the area.
However, that is an improvement for Cancun and the surrounding area from the tourist and local insecurity numbers posted just a couple of months ago.
Safety in Numbers?
A total of 77 percent of locals and tourists in Cancun registered as feeling insecure at some time in the city during September 2023.
That is a six percent decrease from the 83 percent of locals and tourists who felt insecure in Cancun in June 2023.
However, the numbers are still way too high to be comfortable for tourism officials in Cancun and Quintana Roo.
Compared to other beach resort destinations in Mexico, 27 percent of locals and visitors to Los Cabos felt insecure, while the number in La Paz was only 24 percent. Puerto Vallarta was 22 percent in September.
Security Efforts Making an Impact
The good news is the recent efforts by Cancun municipal officials, and the State of Quintana Roo are starting to make an impact on the sense of safety and security felt by tourists.
The state has been establishing new police and fire stations in the area as well as increasing the number of visible patrols in the tourist zone.
The Secretariat of Citizen Security also cites the participation of residents of Cancun and the surrounding areas for their assistance and support in ensuring the area is safe and secure for visitors to the beach resort destination.
So Far, Not Impacting Tourism
Despite the high insecurity numbers relative to other beach resort destinations in Mexico, there has been little impact on the number of travelers visiting the area.
With the peak travel season around the corner, visitors seem to be fine feeling safe and secure in Cancun and surrounding towns for a vacation getaway.
Especially when it comes to enjoying the resorts, hotels, amenities, and beaches located primarily in the tourist resort zones in Cancun and the surrounding areas.
Exercise Increased Caution
Despite the improvement in the insecurity rating level in Cancun and the State of Quintana Roo, the United States Department of State maintains its level two – exercise increased caution – travel advisory level.
According to the Department of State website, “[Americans] are advised to exercise increased situational awareness after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.”
The exercise increased caution rating is based on crime in the area.
What Tourists Need to Know
While the improvement in insecurity numbers in Cancun is definitely a step in the right direction, tourists still need to exercise increased caution when visiting the beach resort destination.
Even when visiting tourist zone areas, tourists should avoid wearing large amounts of jewelry and avoid carrying expensive items and large amounts of cash.
Precautions should include being aware of surroundings, and travelers should avoid putting themselves in situations where they could be at risk of crime.
They should also be careful who they interact with, especially in beach areas and nightclubs, and report uncomfortable situations to security or local law enforcement.
Most of the crimes reported against tourists are typically petty theft crimes and are typically not violent. Victims should report any criminal activity and assist with the filing of reports with municipal law enforcement.
Despite this, it is recommended that tourists have adequate travel insurance against crimes when visiting Cancun and the surrounding areas.
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