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New Cancun Report Shows This Major Crime Has Gone Down By 65% 

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If you’ve ever visited Cancun or you’re planning to, you’ve probably been asked the question, “Is it safe there?”

You may even be wondering yourself if Cancun is a safe vacation destination….  

And the answer to that question is yes, Cancun is generally safe for tourists.

Police Vehicles Parked Outside of Coco Bongo in Cancun, Mexico

But How Safe Is Cancun? 

There are certain precautions to take when visiting Cancun, as there are in so many other vacation destinations.   

Most travelers who visit Cancun, though, have a safe vacation without incident.   

In fact, Cancun is safer than ever, as a new report shows that the most dangerous crime, homicide, has gone down by 65 percent over the last several years.   

Cancun Police Standing Outside of Their Vehicle

Let’s Take A Look At The Numbers 

In the report that used data from the National Information Center, the years compared were 2018 and 2024.   

According to that report, the average homicide rate in December 2018 was 1.8 per day.   

That number dropped to 0.7 per day in February of 2024.   

Overall, the decrease amounted to an astounding 64.8 percent. 

Cancun Police Station with cars parked out front and along the street.

Why There’s Such A Significant Decrease In Crime 

The decrease in homicides and other crimes in Cancun didn’t happen by accident.   

Security officials, the government, and authorities have made security a priority in order to improve the image of the destination, and the measures they’ve taken have helped.   

Military patrols in tourist hotspots, drones to monitor busy areas, and security cameras to help catch criminals are all things Cancun is doing to improve security.   

Police Officer Patrolling a Beach in Cancun, Mexico with Tourists in the Background

Crimes You Still Need To Watch Out For In Cancun 

Cancun is not completely without crime, no popular vacation destination is, but crimes tourists have to watch out for are typically more petty in nature.   

Pickpocketing, selling fake tours, bill switching, and overcharging taxi drivers are the most common crimes you might run into.   

Additionally, vacation package scams are common, so you should always book with a reputable hotel, agent, or tour company. 

Beach Vendor and Municipal Police on a Beach in Isla Mujeres

Tips For Staying Safe On Your Cancun Vacation 

There are also ways that you can improve your chances of avoiding becoming a victim of a crime.   

When it comes to buying something, whether a complete vacation package or tickets for a tour, it’s important to remember that if something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.   

In regards to personal safety, it’s crucial to stay aware of your surroundings at all times, not travel into unknown areas or walk around alone at night, and to keep cash and important documents in a safe place.   

These are all things that apply when visiting any vacation destination.   

Tourists Walking Around in Front of the Hard Rock Cafe in the Hotel Zone in Cancun, Mexico

Cancun Tourism – More Travelers Visiting Than Ever 

A picture is worth 1000 words, and the picture that Cancun’s tourism numbers paint is proof that Cancun is a safe and very popular destination.   

For the last two years, Cancun has hosted more than 20 million tourists each year.   

The majority of the visitors are international tourists, and most of them are from the United States.   

Cancun would not receive the millions of visitors that it does if it had a reputation for being unsafe. 

Crowd of Tourists on a Beach in Cancun, Mexico

What’s To Love About This Amazing Destination 

It’s no surprise that so many travelers love Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean in general because the entire region has so much to offer.   

From beautiful beaches, amazing marine life, and cenotes to Mayan ruins and authentic Mexican culture, there are endless opportunities to explore in and around Cancun.   

It’s these things, and the overall safety of the destination, that bring so many travelers to Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean every year. 

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