Is Cancun Safe for Tourists?
Whenever I return to the U.S. and mention to a stranger that I live in Mexico he or she always seems to ask some version of the question “is it safe there?” Mexico’s reputation for mafia-related violence seems to be eclipsing people’s previous distorted ideas of what Mexico was. No longer do they think of mariachis, or drunks in sombreros or cheap beer or bikini-clad chicas running in the surf. Now they think Mexico is over-run by mafiosos running drugs and that every person here is in imminent danger of being executed.
More than 5000 people in Mexico were killed by organized crime in 2008. That’s a huge number. For the most part those murders took place along the northern border of Mexico, well over a thousand miles from Cancun. In the last couple of years Cancun has had a few murders that appeared to have been mafia hits. In each case the victims seemed to be carefully chosen, they either appeared to be members of the mafia or they were known to be fighting organized crime.
To my knowledge no tourists have been among the mob’s murder victims in Cancun. And given what I’ve seen of the way the mafia operates, I wouldn’t expect tourists to be among their victims. It doesn’t make sense.
Cancun offers certain advantages to organized crime outfits that might be moving drugs or illegal immigrants to the U.S. One advantage is simply Cancun’s close proximity to the U.S., another advantage is that Cancun has miles of coastline. For sure Cancun is a natural stop-over point between cocaine-producing countries in South America and the consumer market of the U.S.
Another big advantage Cancun provides to the cartels operating here is the fact that it’s so busy with tourists. By most estimates close to 5 million tourists come to this area each year. Tourist traffic provides cover at the airport, on the roads and at sea. And the numerous restaurants, bars and nightclubs here provide obvious places to launder money.
The way I see it the very successful tourist trade here is part of the reason that organized crime has been able to operate in the Cancun area. The mob needs the tourists to keep coming in order to keep their activities hidden and to wash their money clean.
Does this mean the mob won’t bite the hand that feeds them? No. But so far the few victims murdered here seem to have been chosen because they represent a threat of some kind to the mafia. And the way I see it tourists are not a threat to the mafia’s business, they are cover for it.
There’s another fact which is easily forgotten. Cancun is a city of nearly 1 million people. I think visitors who come to Cancun often don’t realize how large it is. How many murders happen in American cities of 1 million residents? Would you choose not to go to Denver or Miami or Portland, OR or Seattle because of the murder rates there? Of course not. Yet people are murdered in those places regularly. But the difference between Cancun and those other places is that Cancun is supposed to be perfect, Cancun is supposed to “paradise.”
Well guess what? Cancun isn’t perfect. But millions of people come here each year, enjoy their vacations and don’t suffer anything worse than a hangover and a sunburn.
So how do I answer people who ask me if it’s “safe” here? I tell them that I walk my dog alone at night without fear. I tell them that I forget to lock my house often. I tell them that I’ve never once been scared for my safety here in Cancun. I tell them that it feels as safe as any place I’ve ever lived in the U.S.
August 6th, 2009 18:10
Bryce – There are two somewhat common scenarios that happen when tourists rent cars here. First yes, you are more likely to be pulled over by cops, this is because rental cars have a different color plate so they are easy to spot. And the second thing that happens is that the rental car companies here often try to tack on extra charges when you return your car.
If the cops pull you over simply refuse to pay a bribe, it’s that simple. They will puff up and try to be scary…but just keep asking for the ticket…and keep refusing to pay a bribe. Bribery is a two-way street, they can’t get a bribe out of you if you don’t give them money. The cops will often just let you go without a ticket if you refuse to pay the bribe…because they just want the bribe money…they don’t want to waste 10 minutes filling out the ticket form. Also be sure to ask the cop for his/her name, if you report a cop for soliciting bribes they will get in big trouble. So if the cop knows that you know his/her name they will not push you to give them money.
As for the rental companies…Hertz is the one I’ve heard the most horror stories about. Several times I’ve heard that they tacked on huge extra charges at the end of the rental. In each case the tourist had to run off and get on a plane so they didn’t have time to fight. The way you can fight this is to bring a photocopy of your reservation listing all charges. And then make sure you take a photocopy of your rental contract after you rent the car. This way if you do have trouble when you drop the car off you can fight with the main office after you get home, and you’ll have a full paper trail to make your case with.
Most people who rent cars here do not get screwed by the rental company, but just be careful, I’ve seen it happen to several friends.
That said I think renting a car here is a great idea, it gives you a lot more freedom than most tourists who come here ever have! Definitely go ahead and do it, your trip will be a lot more fun because of it.
August 7th, 2009 13:51
Well, before I read your response, I decided to cancel the car rental. We’ll be staying at the Westin and Ive already made arrangements to the hotel from the airport….What we may do is rent a car through the hotel which we have done in other parts of Mexico. We were not planning on using the car the whole time anyway, so no big deal. Ive been told by several people that the buses and taxis are so easy and fast within the hotel strip. We just wanted the freedom in case we drove to the ruins or down to Tulum, which we still may do.
And its good to know not to accept the bribe. I will be taking name and number if they pull us over.
Thanks.
August 7th, 2009 14:03
Bryce – If you plan to spend most of your time in Cancun then you don’t need a car. Taxis and buses are easy here. If you plan to leave the city having a car will be nicer than being forced into the bus schedule. Enjoy your trip.
August 10th, 2009 14:16
On renting cars.
Totally agree with RiverGirl.
1. If you rent from home you may be able to find better deals and do some price shopping.
2. Renting will give you so much more freedom, and not to mention some welcome AC.
3. Be aware: in the hotel strip the speed limit changes constantly from 40kmh to 70kmh and back to 40kmh almost randomly; to avoid being stopped and asked for a bribe, keep an eye on the constantly ever-changing speed limit and make sure you observe it everywhere, even if others don’t or if they tailgate you. Don’t cave into temptation: just use the right lane and be courteous to those that want to go faster. It’s their problem if they get pulled over, not yours.
4. Obviously, read the contract before you sign it, but most importantly, make sure you make the conversion from Mexican pesos to US dollars to make sure what they will charge you matches your reservation rate.
5. Last but not least, if the car rental company tries to tack extra charges at the end make sure, as RiverGirl said, to have copies of all your paperwork. Make sure you also give yourself enough time to return the car (arrive at least two-hours-and-a-half before your departure). You may need the extra time it if you need to fight it. And don’t be shy about throwing a stink and alerting arriving customers out loud about the scam. They don’t like being exposed and don’t want the extra attention that brings. That’s how I managed to get Hertz to honor the reservation rates instead of their made up car-return-charges.
With all that said it is well worth renting a car! Good luck and happy traveling.
August 24th, 2009 15:01
Hi Rivergirl,
I am going to be in Cancun this Thursday through Sunday and when I looked online it appears it’s supposed to be raining all weekend. I believe it’s hurricane season, so of course we’re taking a chance by traveling in August I suppose.
Do you think my weekend will end up being a wash?
Melanie
August 24th, 2009 15:14
Melanie – Take a look at this page:
http://www.hiddencancun.com/category/cancun-weather/
It talks about the weather reports in Cancun. But no, I don’t think your vacation will be washed out, I think what the weather report is showing is just a chance of rain. Relax, it will be great!
August 26th, 2009 12:45
We found the best car rental rates ast http://www.cancunrentacar.com/. All insurances are included as part of the rental rate. That being said, we were stopped last night by the tourist police, where $60 USD was extorted from my non-spanish speaking husband. The “Tourist Police” may be looking out for the tourists, but it would seem they are more interested in lining their pockets. We were one of two cars stopped at the same time for allegedly speeding. Key word being “allegedly”. We have been hypervigilent about the posted speeds, having read many of the reports of others. After we left, I told my husband that the questions asked were keyed to determine how much money they might get from you (“Do you speak spanish? Even a little?” = Since you speak no spanish you are more than likely to cave to giving me a bribe. “How long are you staying?” = Twelve days? You must have a bit of money – no $20 USD bribe for you, you can afford $60 USD.)
If you don’t plan to leave the hotel zone, take the bus. It’s cheap, frequent, and saves a lot of hassle.
August 26th, 2009 14:42
Oh bummer! I’m always sorry to hear of the cops here abusing their power and asking for bribes from motorists. And the cops often have their shticks all worked out so that it’s VERY hard to refuse to pay the bribe they ask for.
But still I encourage people to remember that if you get the name of the cop and/or the number painted on the cop’s vehicle you can turn them in. And if you turn them in they are in BIG trouble. So if you simply let them know that you are thinking of turning them in for extortion, then they will quickly abandon any hope of getting that bribe from you.
It’s easy for me to say this, I know that it’s much harder to stand up to an authority figure and refuse to pay a bribe. But believe me, if that cop THINKS you might be savvy enough to turn him in he will let you go and will go after then next tourist with deep pockets.
September 4th, 2009 10:00
Rivergirl,
I am planning a destination wedding in April or May and although I’ve been to Cancun twice and loved it, I completely overlooked it as a wedding destination due to all the reports. I’ve been focusing on Puerto Rico or Jamaica only because I was too scared of doing the wedding in Cancun. I spoke to my travel agent and she made every effort to reassure me that the crime is happening 2000 miles away from Cancun. I feel a little better but I’m still hesitant so I’ve been doing a ton of research online to get more information.
I would be travelling with 40-50 people for the wedding. I would book a hotel block in the hotel zone and stay mostly in that zone the entire trip. My biggest concern is that there are a lot of young men in my family that LOVE to party – we all like to party but at least the women have common sense and tend to be more aware. I know the men all want to take my fiance out for the bachelor party and I’m worried that they’ll get drunk and loud, thus drawing attention to themselves. Do you think it would be dangerous, if they stay in the tourist zone for the bachelor party? For example, the nightclubs that are in the strip? Would there be problems with the cops there?
September 4th, 2009 10:20
Simba – The Cancun Hotel Zone is perfectly safe for people who like to party, and there are weddings and Bachelor’s Parties here all the time. You are truly worrying for no reason. Cops here don’t bother tourists except sometimes they bother tourists who rent cars, they ask them for money. But that’s it.
The more important thing to worry about is the wedding facility at the hotel you choose, make sure that the hotel has a nice beach and a nice area for the wedding.
September 10th, 2009 13:34
I just wanted to say that I had my first trip to Cancun last week and it was absolutely fantastic. All of my worry from reading reviews was for nothing. My resort (The Grand Oasis) was wonderful, the water so blue and beautiful and the people just fabulous. I will definitely come back again! Thank you for putting up such a great website. It was very useful to me.
September 13th, 2009 11:43
I just wanted to add to this conversation… I am from Northeast USA and had the best vacation in a long time at the Crowne Paradise Resort from the end of Feb to the beginning of March. Despite conflicting reviews on tripadvisor I booked anyway… my expectations were low, and I was pleasantly surprised. Was it the Ritz… absolutely not. But I didn’t pay for the Ritz either.
Nonetheless my point, conforming with this topic, is that this was the time that the news was broadcasting all the “mob wars”… I had no idea it was on the news. Didn’t even find out about it until I returned home. While I was in Cancun I was having the time of my life with my wife and 3 year old son. Not once feeling threatened. In fact, had I know of the reported violence I would have stayed in the hotel zone… but not knowing, we ventured “downtown” to walmart several times, and to Mercado 28… not once feeling threatened. We are already planning to go back this Feb.
So my question to you RiverGirl, is have there been any increased reports of violence since then (March)?
One note to anyone who has not visited Cancun. If you fly into Cancun airport teh people that are acting like they are assising you… are trying to sell you a timeshare. They will promidse to give you free tickets to here, there and everywhere…and they will.. after you listen to their sales pitch. They say it is only an hour, but I haven’t seen anyone do it in less than 2-3 hours. It is free stuff, but know that their job is to sell timeshares. They will pull every sales tactic known in an attempt to sell.
September 14th, 2009 16:55
Leo – No, there’s no violence here against tourists, and very little against locals. And there’s been no recent increase in violence here. Cancun is really mellow in a party-central kind of way.
You are dead right about the people at the airport. They act like they are helping you but they are trying to rope you into a timeshare presentation. Best advice is to walk on by and act like you know where you are going, even if you don’t. I wave my car keys at them, they leave me a lone.
September 19th, 2009 23:45
I AM SHOCKED at the complacent attitude of most people today. I just returned from CANCUN and I will never EVER BE BACK. We were one of the many unfortunate ones who were robbed at gun point by the POLICE. To make a long story short the police stated “IF YOU BUY LUNCH FOR MY JEFE YOU CAN GO! This LUNCH was $50.00. I am sickened by the MEXICAN culture. I am more sickened by the ones who come to the states with the same morality demanding everything when they should KISS THE AMERICAN SOIL EVERY DAY. MEXICO IS A CORRUPT, DISGUSTING HELL HOLE. CANCUN HAS A BEAUTIFUL CARIBBEAN SEA, BUT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER BEACHES AROUND THE WORLD WHERE YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SICKENED BY THE DISRESPECT OF THIS TOURIST TRAP IN DISGUISE, THIS PLACE WHERE ONE BLOGGER WROTE “JUST REFUSE TO GIVE THE BRIBE” REALLY? REFUSE, DON’T YOU READ THE NEWS, THEIR POLICE AND TOURIST CHIEF WAS ARRESTED IN CONNECTION WITH MULTIPLE MURDERS AND MAFIA/DRUG ACTIVITY. IGNORANT! DO NOT TRAVEL TO MEXICO EVER! RIVERGIRL PAINTS A ROSY PICTURE OF CANCUN, BUT THEN AGAIN SHE IS PROBABLY ONE TO CHANT SI SE PUEDE ON THE STREETS OF THE UNITED STATES, BUT TRY FIXING YOUR OWN COUNTRY AND MARCHING ON YOUR OWN STREETS AND BANKRUPTING YOUR HEALTH CARE AND SCHOOLS, ETC….OH WAIT, YOU CAN’T YOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WOULD KILL YOU.
October 8th, 2009 14:43
Oh Linda, it didn’t bother me what you said about Mexico, you have a right to your opinion, but what you said about Rivergirl has upset me senseless. I know her personally and she IS trying to fix her own country and if you read her blog, she isn’t painting a rosy picture but a very honest picture. She volunteers her own time to try and tirelessly make a difference. Who gives you the right to attack someone else’s character like this when you know NOTHING about the person??? It’s people like you that make the rest of the world hate Americans.
October 8th, 2009 16:12
Hello,
I am departing for Cancun at Christmas for one week, staying at the Me Hotel in Cancun.
I live in Beverly Hills California and I guess you could say I am quite a snob, just being honest.
A friend of mine just said to me I should not be going to Cancun, even the Me Hotel which is five star attracts blue collar middle America people, is this true?
I own my own company in Beverly Hills and feel I did not research this very well at all.
I guess I am asking what the clientele would be like?
October 9th, 2009 17:33
Linda – That’s some pretty serious bullshit you are spouting there. I hope you enjoyed writing that. I enjoyed laughing at your comments, very entertaining.
If you actually read my blog you will see that I’m realistic about Cancun, not an apologist for it.
Cheryl – Thanks girlfriend!
Jan – Um, I’m not sure I can help you. Snobs come with different things that bother them. And rednecks come in all kinds of flavors. And we get all kinds of rednecks here.
In my personal experience ME is expensive and so attracts fewer of the uneducated true rednecks. But just because people have money doesn’t mean they have taste.
Let me put it this way. From what I know you are less likely to encounter blue collar types at ME than at just about any other hotel in Cancun. So you chose pretty well, for Cancun. It’s a lovely hotel, enjoy it.
October 12th, 2009 14:06
Linda,
You have spoken loud and clear… about anyone but yourself! Your post is judgmental, arrogant, and racist. Probably the cop just saw through you, the same way we can see through your post. Did you know that we attract what we think we deserve? So the only thing I could do after reading about your experience was to LOL! Hmm… maybe I even feel sorry for the cop that had to deal with you! But actually I feel sorrier for those around you that have to put up with someone as negative, capable of spewing so much hatred and venom to the entire world, just because she brought a bad experience upon herself with just a few.
Wouldn’t it be funny if just for kicks you would end up coming back in your next life as a Mexican, so that you would have to learn not to be such a Bitter Insensitive Tasteless Complaining Hyperventilating woman?
October 12th, 2009 16:12
One more thing Linda. I am really glad you are not going back to Cancun ever, because I am planning on going back and having a wonderful time (as always), and just the thought of running into someone as prejudist as you gives me the creeps.
October 12th, 2009 16:19
Thanks for having my back (and Cancun’s) Fernando.
October 12th, 2009 17:20
Wow Linda… how does that foot taste? Coming from the Northeast I am very familiar with corruption and crooked cops. But you will not hear me speak poorly of those residing here because of it.
Not sure if this was your hopeless plea for attention or just a sorry excuse to unleash your inner racism, but it seems like you have gotten some of the attention you are clearly craving for… is it all you had hoped for?
What we missed, and I am sure couldn’t care less about, was what were the activities that caused such alleged encounter with the Mexican Police? I am going on a whim here… but perhaps you should have paid the $50 and shut up!
I will be booking my next trip to Cancun very soon… and if I am confronted with an officer of the Mexican police… perhaps I will buy him lunch, for making Cancun as SAFE as it has been for me during the 2 great Spring Break trips several years ago and for the last trip I took my family on last March.
RiverGirl… thanks for the candid opinion you share on this blog of YOUR experiences in Cancun!
November 3rd, 2009 14:59
RG,
I live in Colorado Springs, where there was a shooing a block away from a night club I was at on Holloween night. I didnt get shot, have to pay a brib, or even know it happened until the next day. This is a great service you help with. I especially like the responces from people who recently traveled there and report back.
I have a friend that has recently retired to south central Balize. I would like to rent a car from Cancunrentacar that advertizes cars available for crossing the boarder and back. I plan this road trip travel during the week days,Sunday and Friday, while spending the two weekends exploring Cancun from 2 Resort Marriots since I work for the Marriot corporation. I wonder if you or anyone here has any additional feed back on this itinerary reguarding border passing, cities along the route, extra fee’s taxes, bribes I may encounter on this roadtrip. I’m not easily intimidated, speak broken spanish, concider myselve very gracious. Have traveled Europe extensively by rail. I just want to know what to expect financially so as to be prepaired. If one has little cash one can not pay? Does it make sence to have gifts to offer ie. a case of Colorado wine in the trunk in exchange for safe and free passage? Or is that old school, as my Dad used to do in the late sixties/early seventies. I understand I need to travel by day, perhaps buy Balizian Auto insurance and about 50$ per person to cross the border comming back.
Gracia trabajaramos!
Estaban LOL
November 4th, 2009 13:39
Marriot Man – I have not been to Belize, so I can’t answer your questions. I wouldn’t expect to have to pay bribes though. I do think you need to prove you have, or get, special insurance to cross into Belize from Mexico though. But other than that I think it’s not a big deal to make that drive, it’s just long, that’s all.
November 5th, 2009 03:03
Ive heard 6-8 hours by bus to Balize city so I figure i can make it in less as long as im not detained. But if anyone else checking in here has any experience, idea’s, or opinions about my trip and origional post, let me know. And thank RG for keepin this place runnin.
Steven
November 8th, 2009 00:53
Are you freaking crazy??? Mexico is unsafe everywhere! Have you read any statistics about the number of Americans killed or kidnapped ALL OVER Mexico? The police are corrupt, as well as most of the so called government officials. Ever heard of the City of Death? Larado, just across the border from El Paso where THOUSANDS of bodies are found?
Be safe, stay away from Mexico! Plus, if you get killed while there, there is less than 8% chance your killers will ever be caught.
November 11th, 2009 13:51
Karen – Mexico is unsafe everywhere? Do you know that about 5 million tourists visit Cancun and the Riviera Maya every year? Do you know how many of those tourists have been killed by the drug war? ZERO!
Yes, we agree that the border areas of Mexico are not safe. But if you look at a map you will see that Cancun and the Riviera Maya are what?, 1400 miles from the US border with Mexico? It’s pretty far away.
November 20th, 2009 18:33
The only risk in cancun, is that you might want to stay forever…..
January 4th, 2010 13:26
RiverGirl – I have booked a family vacation at the Hilton Cancun G&S Resort for the end of February 2010. The bargain rates were too attractive to pass on. I have never been to Mexico, but I assumed the unease surrounding the kidnappings, murders, etc. were probably, as you stated, limited primarily to the border areas. The latest U.S. State Department warnings have again caused me to become concerned for our safety, and while your posts have provided some solace my paternal paranoia is kicking in again. This is supposed to be a relaxing vacation to relieve stress, but I am finding that with all of the controversy and information on the web I am becoming more stressed! I was hoping that you could help me to calm down. I will be traveling with my wife and two daughters aged 8 and 10. We have booked a regular round trip airport shuttle from BestDay.com. Once we are there we plan only two excursions by bus: one day trip to Chichen Itza and one day trip to Isla Mujeres. Do you know of any security issues with the bus tours to Chichen Itza? Do you have any tips for us should we go forward with our plans? Thank you and keep up the good work. You have a very nice website.
January 12th, 2010 14:58
Love Cancun been there several times… but it is not as safe as it is being made out to be. I have been going there for 15 years. I have seen corruption 1st hand.. But if you are smart and stay on the resorts you will be fine.
As for mexico as a whole it is not safe.. not saying the entire population is corrupt, but if 10% are lawless it is unsafe.. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,582855,00.html
It is what it is unfortunatly….but the good old u.s. is not far behind
January 14th, 2010 17:02
Hello,
I’ve noticed there hasn’t been a post in a while. I’m planning a trip to Cancun in June. Has anything changed since the last post?
Thanks
January 17th, 2010 13:08
you say Cancun is safe.I am not so sure.My nephew is in prison there because a couple of guys got annoyed with him at a nightclub and pushed him about.2 days later he is in jail and he has been there for 3 months.His Mum was kidnapped and his lawyer was kidnapped.That certainly wouldnt happen in the UK.If this Greg chap is a good mayor he needs to take control and sort out this level of corruption.Check out http://www.freeingfree.net to see what my nephew has gone through. I wouldnt go to Cancun even though it looks like a paradise.Who wants to spend their time avoiding people who behave like this.Amnesty internationals mexican team is overworked they have so many situations to deal with.Wrongful arrest etc.Check it out.
January 17th, 2010 19:07
cancun is a living version of Capitalism: A Love Story” (the michael moore movie). It exploits the workers, who live in cinder block, work in luxury.
Since the owners are the white sharks, the workers learn to be sharks: hence my family and I were constantly stopped & “offered” some great deal…..if we tried to walk, the guy would trail us…. Then the “sight seeing” businesses: if you cancel, you must give “honest, truthful” reasons. They will not reverse the charge to your credit card.
Go to Cancun if you want to take part in dog-eat-dog fun….all-inclusive, too!
(to see the “real” cancun, see this blog’s photos of the very sad shanties for cancun families…..)
January 17th, 2010 19:42
Linda was robbed–by the one institution we are all asked to trust and look up to! And she gets blasted as a RACIST?
gee…maybe people should not rob tourists! any sense to that?
if you go to cancun, you go to a place of anger, where corruption, like a radiating circle, goes from the hotel owners, who pay $5 day for hard labor at your hotel, to the men in the street, who harass you for business, or “adventure” businesses, that won’t refund your money if you cancel well ahead of time, to airport hustlers, who tell you the next terminal can only be reached via their taxis, because of constrution delays ($20 for a 1/2 mile drive)……..
March 19th, 2010 21:31
Hello RiverGirl!
I am planning one of my best friend’s 30th birthday party for Cancun in August. Several people in the group are starting to back out because of all the bad news in the media about Mexico. I read over the earlier post and was hoping that you and others could give me some insight to share with the group on conditions and your experience in Cancun!
Thanks a ton!
GAPeach