Is it safe for tourists in Cancun?

Question

I am going on my honeymoon there to a resort in November, and I wanted to know maybe some safety tips and helpful hints about what to stay away from specific to the area.

Thanks!

Answer 1

The city of Cancun, excluding the hotel zone, has a population of roughly 1 million people. Any city that size will likely have some crime and the city of Cancun is no exception. Cancun crime, however, is low scale compared to what we Americans think of as crime. You'll get the occational robbery, or you'll read in the paper (Miami Herald Cancun Edition) that a tourist got his pocket picked, or maybe even a mugging of a tourist, but seldom more than that. The tourist areas, even at night, are almost crime free. Since your going there on your honeymoon, you'll probably never even get to see the city. The hotel zone, where your staying, will have much less crime than does the city. The reason for this is simple. Mexico's second biggest revenue maker is tourisum. The Myan Riviera streches from Punta Sam (Cancun) all the way down to Tulum, and the Mexican government spent billions to make it THE vacation spot in the hemisphere. In order to protect that investment law enforcement is a very high priority in the region, and has a very reasuring visual presents.

Oh, I almost forgot. I read some of the other suggestions people have left you. The water; don't be afraid to drink the water. Cancun is the only place in all of Mexico that filters and purifys their drinking water. The reason some people get sick while in Cancun is because of the junk food being sold on the beaches, and outdoor cafes that have been sitting in the sun all day. Anything with a sauce, or cheese (nachos, etc.) should not be bought off the vendors. Another thing that gets us gringos sick is the sun. Many of us, like myself, are fair skined, and can't take the power of that hot sun. One of the mistakes people make is trying to get that beautiful golden tan in three or four days. It ain't gonna work. Your going to get sick - and probably blame it on the water, like I did.

Enjoy your honeymoon, and enjoy Cancun. You picked the perfect time of year and the perfect spot.

Answer 2

Hi, yes, Cancun its really safe, and about the water... that is just a silly myth, in most hotels they have a water purifier, so not to worry, just stay in the hotel zone, and if you want to go to places like Xcaret, Xel-ha, Chichen Itza, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, is better to go on a tour. If you want a taxi ask in the hotel, most of them have about 5 taxis, and once you are in the place you wanted to be as the cab driver to go back in an hour or two. Or even call the hotel and ask if they can send you a cab, those are way safer than average cabs, The bus, it costs like 6 pesos, it is safe, and it takes you from the hotel zone to almost every place in Cancun a tourist wants to be.
People is really nice, The beach is beautiful!, the sunsets are amazing!!! There is this place where can go scuba diving! well, is a really nice place, great sea food. There is this place called "El cambalache" it has amazing meat. "La isla" is a great mall in Cancun, the nicest one and there it is a HUGE store where they sell souvenirs, and typical stuff, but I think that it is cheaper in flea markets.

Answer 3

It is very safe there. Just use reasonable caution as you would anywhere. But, do not drink the water! Only drink bottled water or soda. Do not eat a salad as they wash it in water. Best thing to do is ask you doctor for a prescription for an antibiotic like vibramycin that you can take before you go to Cancun, take once a day while you are there and then take it for two or three days after you get home. It will kill the bacteria that causes bacillary dysentery, so you should be fine. But, it may make you a bit sensitive to the sun. Ask your doctor.

Answer 4

November is a nice (read quiet) time to go. Over spring breaks, the city gets insane.

Other times of the year, almost half of the clubs are shut down, as most have several clubs under one ownership.

On Wed, go to the bull fights.

Other than that, just stay on the island, or in the immediate city (north end). Do not rent a car (too easy to steal items inside, if not the car itself) or take a taxi out of town, as you have no easy garunetee of return.

Answer 5

The previous answerer gave you good advice about not drinking the water. Also, you can brush your teeth with bottled water. I lived in Mexico City for 7 weeks and I did not get sick the whole time. I just made sure that I drank only bottled water and brushed my teeth with bottled water too. Depending on where you are, you might want to order your drink without ice, since the ice can be made with contaminated water, too. If the place is an upscale restaurant, they probably use store-bought ice, in which case you're fine. I don't know if you are going to be buying any fruits or vegetables. If you peel the fruit, it's usually okay because the germs are just on the outside where they washed it with water. With vegetables or fruits that you won't peel, you can actually buy a small bottle of solution will kill the germs on produce. You just put some drops of the solution in some water and soak the produce in the water. I bought a bottle of this stuff at a discount store in Mexico City, so I think it's probably readily available at discount and grocery stores there.

As far as on the streets, just use common sense. Don't put your wallet in your pocket where it can easily get picked. Make sure that you don't leave things lying around. And enjoy your vacation!

Answer 6

Cancun is very safe......your travel provider/agent could probably provide you with a lot of information regarding things to watch out for and be cautious about. Use your common sense....the same as you would in a large city. Stay in the hotel areas.....don't wander into the back streets. Your hotel will probably have an activities desk for things to do and see while you are there. They are extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I have used Apple Vacations for travel to Mexico for many years and they truly look out for you and have very sound advice for travelers. There are many time share salesmen in the airport after you get off the plane on your way to pick up your baggage.........Ignore them!!! Get your bags...and go to your transportation bus/limo. Remember....if you are recently married....you will need your Marriage License if your ID's show your maiden name and information. Good info on website below. Have Fun!!

Answer 7

100% in the daylight. Night a bit iffier...stay by your hotel. Check out Isla Mujeres, a cool little island a few miles south of Cancun.

Nevertheless, honeymoon in Zihuatanejo instead. It's much more romantic than Cancun.

Answer 8

in case you will examine the different questions interior the "Cancun" section, you will see that some million/3 of them are like yours, assuming that the comprehensive usa is a conflict zone of drug cartels combating over turf. And in a lot of those questions, you will see my usual reaction that states: a million) The drug cartels are concentrated on one yet another and the law enforcement officers, no longer vacationers. and that they are doing it in Mexico city, the northern border, and a few Pacific hotel cities, no longer Cancun. 2) The extra desirable danger to you is doing something stupid (e.g. swimming, driving, crossing the line, falling off a balcony) on an identical time as below the effect of alcohol. 3) while i grew to become into there, there have been police everywhere. the only danger I observed grew to become into the possibility of stepping on a sea urchin.

Answer 9

It is safe. Just be aware of your surroundings. Tripadvisor.com is a great site for info. They have a forum board that you can ask specific questions about your resort and the area. We went last January and I found that site very helpful.

Answer 10

I would not go myself. Why not go somewhere like the Island of St. Martin in the French West Indies? Wonderful place.