Spring break season is about to start in Cancun and thousands of students will be visiting the destination in the coming months.
Because of the presence of certain types of crime and possibly dangerous situations in the region, the U.S. Embassy has issued an alert for travelers heading to Cancun for spring break.
Keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the warning and how to visit Cancun safely, which most travelers do.
Crime In Cancun
No popular vacation destination is without its issues, that goes without saying, and Cancun has a few.
There’s been a recent uptick in violent theft crimes in areas that are a little too close to where tourists visiting the destination spend their time.
Additionally, crime between rival gangs is fairly common, too.
Despite this, the U.S. Embassy did point out that the vast majority of visitors do travel safely when visiting Cancun.
Mexican Caribbean Destinations Included In The Warning
Cancun is not the only Mexican Caribbean vacation destination that was mentioned in the U.S. Embassy’s warning to springbreakers visiting Mexico.
A couple of other very popular destinations among spring breakers were also included in the warning.
Those destinations are Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which are both south of Cancun, about an hour and two hours away, respectively.
What Not To Do When Visiting These Destinations
There are several things you should not do when you’re visiting Cancun, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum.
One of those things is traveling around alone at night.
You should also avoid ATMs in isolated or dark areas.
Additionally, you should not accept drinks from individuals that you don’t know or have just met, and should refrain from becoming overly intoxicated.
Laws To Avoid Breaking
The last thing you want is to get arrested when visiting Mexico, as it can lead to all sorts of complicated problems.
You could be detained and/or forced to pay cash for expensive fines or bail.
Some of the things that can get you into trouble with the law in Cancun are:
- Possession of illegal substances.
- Carrying firearms or ammunition.
- Being drunk and disorderly.
- Urinating in public.
- Open containers in motor vehicles.
- A Warning About Alcohol And Pharmaceuticals
A Warning About Alcohol And Pharmaceuticals
Both unregulated alcohol and counterfeit pharmaceuticals are sometimes an issue in Cancun so it’s important to watch out for these things.
Unregulated alcohol can be contaminated and lead to injury or worse, and counterfeit pharmaceuticals can contain dangerous chemicals or, at the very least, not be effective in treating what they’re taken for.
You should be sure to only drink in reputable establishments and only buy medications from legitimate pharmacies.
Safety Tips That Will Help Protect You
Some practical safety tips can go a long way when it comes to protecting yourself when visiting Cancun during spring break, or one of the other popular Mexican Caribbean vacation destinations.
The main thing is to stay away from situations that can put you in danger.
You can do this by:
- Being careful around strangers.
- Informing your family and friends of what you’re doing.
- Sending someone back home a picture of the license plate of any cab or Uber you get into.
- Not going outside of designated tourist areas.
- Keeping your passport in a safe place.
Things To Do Before Traveling To Cancun
There are also some steps that you can take before visiting Cancun that can help to protect you when you’re there.
Getting travel insurance in case you get sick or are injured is number one, because hospitals in Cancun can be expensive, and sometimes require payment upfront for services.
Enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is advised as well because you can get important safety updates.
Last but not least, make sure you have the contact information for the U.S. Embassy (find here) in case you do need assistance while visiting Cancun.
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