Is Cancun Safe for Travel? – TOP Tips for Safe Travel (2024)

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Yes! Cancun is safe to visit right now. (If you know where to go and which people to avoid). Cancun is the most visited city in Mexico with a total of 9,494,168 international visitors in 2022 as reported by Gobierno de Mexico tourism. Most of them didn’t have any problems with their visit.

Although Cancun is far from what I’d consider a completely safe city, I would answer ‘not really’ to people who ask me “Is Cancun dangerous?”

Technically, the US State Travel Advisory has labelled Cancun (well actually, the Mexican state of Quintana Roo) as Exercise Increased Caution. In essence, it’s not the safest place to visit, but it’s also not bad enough to avoid travelling here at all.

In fact, over 30 million people visited Cancun in 2022 – and the vast majority of them come and go completely unscathed. 

Many don’t come to Cancun for history. Many do come for its location.

Cancun is located conveniently right next to the Caribbean Sea. More than that, Cancun International Airport is one of Mexico’s top-serving airports, connecting Mexico to the rest of the world.

Horror stories told about Mexico vastly involve gang crime. There’s very little reason for gang crime to involve tourists just looking for a nice time. There are currently no travel advice warnings from the UK, USA, or other governments.

How dangerous is Cancun? Well, thankfully violent types of crime are extremely rare in Cancun – especially in the touristy areas. Cartel violence occurs in distant areas on the outskirts of the city and further afield where you have no reason to go anyway.

Mexico has a reputation for crime. Let me set the story straight: this city has a crime rate considerably lower than much of Mexico. Mexico relies on the income of tourism from Cancun, and they work hard to maintain your safety here. 

Another Cancun safety thing to be aware of, that isn’t human-related but more due to Mother Nature is the weather! The rainy season in Cancun goes from June to November, which can bring cloudy skies, heavy rains, and even some flooding.

Now let’s dive into some detail about the safest areas in Cancun for tourists.

The best safety advice for visiting Cancun is to make sure you have top-notch Mexico travel insurance. In the unlikely case that you need it, it can truly be a lifesaver.

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While it has a bit of a bad reputation, Cancun is a top destination for traveling in Mexico. It’s important for the Mexican government to protect this tourist area which brings in a huge income.

So those places that you desperately want to see, are actually some of the safest places for your Cancun vacation. Here are the top 4 safest areas.

• Hotel Zone – (known locally as Zona Hotela) This monster resort island is the safest area for tourists in Cancun. You’ll find all-inclusive resorts, golden sands, local bars, and it’s safe to walk around at night. Plus some Mayan ruins are close by.
• Downtown Cancun – This lively and vibrant area is filled with top attractions in Cancun, and it’s well connected to Cancun Airport. Downtown Cancun is a great place for backpackers to drop into Quintana Roo too.
• Playa Del Carmen – Okay, it’s not technically Cancun. But it’s just as close to Cancun Airport and has an extremely very similar vibe – just on a smaller scale. I actually recommend it more for a Cancun vacation.
• Isla Mujeres – On a short ferry from Cancun you’ll find this dream paradise. Turquoise waters, white WHITE sands, and mind-boggling views. Make time for a trip to Isla Mujeres.

Dangerous Areas in Cancun

While the majority of Cancun is pretty safe, it’s still not the safest place to stay in Mexico. That mainly comes down to it being a big city.

Like most big cities, organized crime in Cancun does occur. Although violent crime is rare (but not impossible), petty crime is common.

There are some sketchy areas that tourists should avoid. The best people to ask are your accommodation staff who know the area best. Here is a rough idea of the more dangerous areas in Cancun:

• Anywhere at night: Keep in mind that you’re still in Mexico. Walking around at night is not recommended. The Hotel Zone is okay but you should opt for a taxi to get from A to B anywhere else.
• Non-touristy areas: While you should experience local life in Cancun, you don’t want to walk into the wrong neighborhood. The crime rate is much higher outside of the popular tourist zones.

Keeping your money safe in Cancun

 One of the most common things to happen to you whilst travelling is losing your money. And let’s face it: the most annoying way for this to actually occur is when it’s stolen from you.

Petty crime is pretty much a problem all over the world.The best solution? Get a money belt.

Travel with peace of mind. Travel WITH a security belt.

Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.

It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)

Hide Yo’ Money!

Cancun is a place for good times and fun by the bucketload. However, it pays to know that this ain’t a theme park.

Exercise increased caution compared to normal. You’re still in Mexico, and a big city after all.

That said, thousands of people visit Mexico every year. Beyond that, Cancun is one of the safest destinations in the Mexican state.

Basically, as long as you use your usual safe travel tactics and keep aware of the dangers then you should be fine. Here are a few Cancun safety tips that will make your trip much smoother.

1. Stay aware of your surroundings – Being mindful of what’s going on around you is a good thing.
2. Don’t drink unfiltered tap water – stick to bottled water and you’ll be good.
3. Keep your belongings close – Having dangly bags and valuables actively on show will definitely make you more of a target.
4. Always keep an emergency stash of cash – Never keep all your cards/ currency in one place. And hide it all from thieves with a hidden money belt.
5. Be careful when you’re taking money out at ATMs.
6. Learn some Spanish – You’ll be surprised how this changes your experience.
7. Use the hotel room safe – leave your passport, some money, and any non-essentials.
8. Watch out for police officers trying to fine you – Especially for something that doesn’t seem like a crime. Take note of their ID number if you’re not sure and head to the tourist police.
9. Dress down and avoid looking flashy – It just screams ‘I’m a tourist and I’m not paying attention to anything around me!’
10. Make sure you know where you’re going – Have a rough Cancun itinerary with a bit of research to add an extra safety level.
11. Hand it over – If someone tries to rob you, give ’em what you’ve got. It’s not worth it.
12. Carry a ‘dummy wallet’ – A crappy wallet that you can give to robbers. Not essential, but still.
13. Stay away from drugs – Mexico really isn’t a place to fuck around with drugs. Police are corrupt here. Don’t give them more ammo.
14. Street hawkers can be annoying – They’re just trying to make some money. “No, gracias“.
15. Don’t get crazy drunk – I know, it’s fun. But don’t lose yourself.
16. Watch for weather warnings in hurricane season – June to November. Beware.
17. Take a good medical kit with you – you never know when you might need it!
18. Sun Protection – The sun takes no mercy here. Again, beware.

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Combination Padlocks

It doesn’t get more essential than this! Not only do they allow you to lock up your backpack wherever and whenever, but they’ll also come in handy if you show up to a room without a lock. The combination style means you don’t have to worry about losing a small key either!

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Apple Airtags

This really might be one of the best products Apple has ever made – the peace of mind it will give you when you inevitably have to check a bag is worth the price tag. I’ve found them to be super helpful and reliable, and you can put them in so many different things

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Samsung Galaxy Smart Tags

The same epic concept, except for Androids

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Garmin inReach Mini 2

This little satellite communication device is a must if you plan to get off the beaten path. It allows you to stay in touch with family and friends even if there’s no cell service, AND it has a SOS feature that can be activated anywhere. It even gives weather updates, a literal lifesaver when off grid.

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First Aid Kit

A good first aid kit should always be on your packing list, even if you’re just headed to a resort. It’s good to fill it with essential medicines as well as equipment, you never know when you’ll be caught out!

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Cancun is one of the popular solo travel destinations! I did it! It was brilliant!

Traveling alone anywhere in the world, let’s be honest: it’s cool. You get to do what you want to do, and when you want to do it, but more than anything you only have yourself to rely on. Solo travel is a challenge sometimes, but I’ll tell you what – it’s totally worth the effort!

The main thing when you’re traveling by yourself is to look after yourself. Knowing the right travel tips for solo travelers in Mexico might save you from one or the other sketchy situation.

• Don’t get completely wasted. Losing your mind to alcohol, or whatever, has the potential to lead to dangerous, dodgy, and honestly just pretty stupid situations.
• Do your homework about what to do in the area. There’s no point in being by yourself but being too afraid to go out and do anything and looking lost can lead to you being targeted.
• But if you don’t fancy going it alone, that’s fine. Head on a tour and you’ll get to go to places you might not have considered visiting in Cancun alone.
• Read accommodation reviews. Being stuck somewhere you don’t like can change the whole trip, so make sure you book yourself a nice hostel in Cancun.
• Get clued up on social events happening in the area. These might be happening at other hostels, bars, and social spaces around town.
• Know your limits. Not just when it comes to drinking, but we’re talking about everything – tanning, laying on the beach, etc.
• Don’t run out of money. Set up a daily budget and stick to it.
• Wandering around by yourself in sketchy areas just isn’t clever. Even less so when it’s night.

Cancun is safe for solo female travelers. I met loads of them. They were having a great time and weren’t stressing about safety.

Visiting Cancun for solo female travelers is as safe as you make it, honestly.

There are things about being a female traveler that just doesn’t apply to our male counterparts – male attention being one of them. It happens everywhere and vacation in Cancun is no different.

To keep you extra secure we’ve got a few travel tips for women travelling to Cancun…

• Meet other travelers. This is always tip number one. There’s safety in numbers.
• Listen to your spidey senses. If your gut is telling you something’s not right, get out of there.
• Explore excursions and trips. They’re also a good way to meet people and see what Cancun has to offer outside of where your feet can take you.
• Research your accommodation. There are loads of great hostels for women. Read reviews written by fellow female travelers.
• Do not go wandering around by yourself at night. It’s not really a clever thing to be doing many places in the world and definitely not in Mexico.
• Let someone know where you’re going. Whether that’s the staff at the hostel, your parents, or friends back home.
• Push yourself to do things outside your comfort zone. But know that if something is actually making you feel uncomfortable, and it doesn’t feel right, then don’t do it.
• Don’t feel obliged to tell the truth. If someone’s a little too interested in you then don’t feel like you have to tell the truth about who you are or what you’re doing.
• Keep your food and drink in sight at all times. Drink and food spikings, unfortunately, do occur.

Safest Area to stay

Safest Area to stay

Zona Hotelera

As one of the most popular areas in Cancun, Zona Hotelera is also the safest.

View Top Hotel View Best Hostel View Top Airbnb

Yes! It is safe to visit Cancun with your family. Plus the beach in Cancun makes a great playground for kids.

But, like anywhere you’re going to take your brood, you need to do your research. Of course, you have much more responsibility than just organizing yourself.

A vacation here is a fantastic opportunity to introduce your kids to a whole new country and culture. More than that though, it’ll be an amazing beach holiday that they’ll probably never forget.

Understand the map and how to get around, have a solid itinerary planned, and get at least some basic Spanish under your belt.

Snorkeling, Mayan Ruins, personal trips on pirate ships (yup). It still comes with the understood hazards, but, otherwise, a Cancun holiday for families is a guaranteed good time, safety included.

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Knowing how to get around is one huge aspect of how to stay safe in Cancun.

Is it safe to drive in Cancun? YES! Driving is fantastic – you’ll just need an international driver’s license, solid car rental insurance, and some confidence. You’re in a big city, and people (including huge buses) are all driving Mexican style. So go slowly and wear your seatbelt. 

Taxis are safe in Cancun. Ask your accommodation where your nearest Sitio (taxi rank) is. Don’t use anything but official taxis; using illegal taxis is just asking for trouble. 

Agree with your driver before you get in (do it in Spanish for a massive discount) to avoid any confrontation at your destination. Most taxi drivers in Cancun are dickheads. There, I said it.

Is Uber safe in Cancun? YES, ABSOLUTELY! Actually, it’s a much better option. It’s WAY cheaper, the drivers are regulated, and you can track your whole journey. 

The buses and minibusses are great. They run all over the city, they’re regular and super cheap. It just means you have a bit more of an adventure.

If you’re going further afield, you’ll probably use a coach. ADO is the most trustworthy company which will get you safely to places like Cancun Airport, Playa Del Carmen, and Chichen Itza. You can buy these tickets online, at the ADO bus terminal, or at several ticket booths in the city.

If you want to go to islands like Isla Mujeres, Cancun’s ferry service is fast, clean, and safe too!

Everyone’s packing list is going to look a little different, but here are a few things I would never want to travel to Cancun without…

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

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Head Torch

A decent head torch could save your life. If you want to explore caves, unlit temples, or simply find your way to the bathroom during a blackout, a headtorch is a must.

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SIM card

Yesim stands as a premier eSIM service provider, catering specifically to the mobile internet needs of travellers.

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Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

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Money Belt

This is a regular looking belt with a concealed pocket on the inside – you can hide up to twenty notes inside and wear it through airport scanners without it setting them off.

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For a travel destination like Cancun, there are lots of different things you have to consider when it comes to safety. I’ve listed the most common questions, answers, and facts to make your trip as easy as possible.

Is Cancun safe for tourists? Yes. Is it always safe? No.

Will you be safe on a trip to Cancun if you behave like a normal person? Yes. There’s basically no reason to worry about going to Cancun if you use your common sense, stay in tourist areas, and stay up to date with Mexico travel warnings.

There are obviously ways to make yourself unsafe in Cancun such as drinking way too much or wandering down streets at night, but that’s true for many places in the world. But you’re a sensible person who does their research.

Remember: 911 is your Mexico emergency number now – so that’s an easy one. And don’t forget that Mexico travel insurance!

As long as you keep your eyes open, you’ll have the time in your life in Cancun. Step up your tanning game, chill at the beach for a whole week straight, or have the party of your life – the options are endless.

If you’ve been to Cancun before and have some extra tips, please help out your fellow travelers to have a safe trip too with some comments down before.

Looking for more info on traveling to Cancun?

• Let me help you choose where to stay in Cancun
• Swing by one of these fabulous festivals
• Don’t forget to add an epic national park to your itinerary
• Check out my favorite Airbnbs in the centre of all the action
• Plan the rest of your trip with our fantastic backpacking Mexico travel guide!

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

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