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This week, officials announced a major decision to boost safety in Playa del Carmen: the deployment of over 150 law enforcement officers amid the destination’s soaring popularity.
Playa del Carmen welcomed well over 100,000 travelers during the busy Easter holidays alone, and with more visitors set to flock to the coastal destination this summer, city officials are demonstrating their full commitment to improving safety.
While the coastal hotspot is widely regarded as one of the safest in the region, petty crime, as well as rare spikes in violent crime, remain an issue that authorities now hope to tackle for good.
With that in mind, here’s a look at why Playa del Carmen is set to become even safer for travelers this spring.
New Government Decision To Help Combat Crime Levels In Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is a popular resort destination located around an hour south of Cancun.
Home to over 300,000 residents, the booming destination is one of the largest in the region.
Even though Playa del Carmen is known for being a safe and welcoming family-friendly destination, crime rates tend to fluctuate throughout the year.
As the hotspot’s travel numbers continue to climb, criminals are setting their sights on arriving visitors.
In order to maintain the destination’s excellent reputation, officials have announced a huge deployment of troops from Mexico’s National Guard and Army to reinforce existing units in Playa del Carmen.
Over 150 officers will soon begin patrolling the city’s busy downtown district and major tourist areas like beaches and resorts.
The move is part of a wider effort to eradicate organized crime and protect travelers in Playa del Carmen.
In addition to conducting regular patrols, the new law enforcement contingents will help gather intelligence on crime groups operating within Playa del Carmen’s vast urban area.
Encountering armed officers in hotspots like Cancun and Playa del Carmen has become increasingly common as officials continue to step up efforts to bolster safety.
This year, travelers can expect to see even more law enforcement units around some of the city’s main touristy areas.
How Safe Is Playa del Carmen For Travelers This Spring?
The launching of the Maya Train railway system and the recently inaugurated Tulum International Airpot mean that the Mexican Caribbean will be more popular in 2024 than ever before.
The same is true for Playa del Carmen, which is welcoming a growing number of visitors to its beaches, vibrant city streets, and luxurious resorts.
As one of the leading destinations in the region, Playa del Carmen authorities have implemented a number of measures to make the hotspot one of the safest in Quintana Roo.
This year, city officials implemented new surveillance cameras throughout the destination’s busiest points and connected them to the state-of-the-art C5 command and control center.
In addition to launching new high-tech safety measures, authorities announced that up to nine new lifeguard towers would be built this year on Playa del Carmen beaches.
As a result, the city has maintained its reputation as a safe and welcoming destination. Even so, travelers should exercise precaution whenever wandering about the city, especially at night, when crime is most likely to affect them.
Travelers should be especially cautious when using taxis, as visitors continue to face problems with overcharging and other taxi scams. Likewise, street vendors in the coastal hotspot are known to charge tourists a pretty penny when purchasing goods.
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