How Safe Is Cancun

Is Cancun Really Dangerous Or Is Everyone Just Overreacting?

Let’s just say it like it is. You say you’re going to Cancun and someone inevitably hits you with that “but is it safe though?” comment. Every. Single. Time.

And I get it. You read the news, you look at the headlines. But there’s the thing, Cancun isn’t a war zone. It's not lawless. It’s not a tourist no-go zone. But it’s also not Disney World. It’s a city. A real one. With real people, real problems and, yes, lots and lots of tourists in sandals and sunburns.

Let’s get real with actual facts and no sugar coating. Plain talk on whether it’s safe to book the flight.

Most Travelers Leave Cancun Feeling Safe, And Here's What The Stats Say

Tourist areas such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum have much lower crime rates than many parts of the United States, according to Mexico’s Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection. Indeed, the most recent numbers from 2024 reflected that 97 percent of international visitors said they felt “safe” or “very safe” when staying in Cancun.

That’s not marketing. That’s raw data from departure surveys taken at Cancun International Airport. The kind of surveys when you’ve already had your trip, you’re tired and you’ve got nothing to gain by lying.

Plus, Cancun’s hotel zone, where most of our visitors are, is one of the most policed zones in the area. We’re talking tourist police, National Guard patrols, even resort security. Not just for your own safety, but because, quite literally, tourism is the economy. Nobody wants anything to screw it up.

What About Cartels And Violence? The Truth Tourists Really Need To Hear

So here's the honest part. Yes, there are drug cartels in Mexico. Yes, sometimes things happen. But in the specific case of Cancun, in particular in the hotel zone and on the beaches, the majority of violent crime occurs between rival groups, and not in areas frequented by tourists. It’s like comparing downtown Detroit with a sleepy Michigan suburb, same state, very different vibe.

Such as drunken tourists. The current U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Quintana Roo, the state that Cancun is in Level 2. That is roughly the same level as in France or the Bahamas. Which is to say, be cautious, don’t flaunt your Rolexes or follow random strange men down alleys at 3 a.m.

If you’re not hunting trouble, trouble’s probably not hunting you.

Are Tourists Being Robbed In Cancun? Let’s Talk Petty Crime

Let’s not sugarcoat this one. Petty theft, say, pickpocketing or snatching an unattended phone on a beach chair, is a thing. Not always, but sometimes.

Make sure you lock your valuable items in the safe. Don’t bother bringing your passport when you go drinking. If you are renting a car, leave nothing behind in it when it’s parked. Basic things, but people get laid-back on vacation.”

If you’re smart in New York or Paris, or the Great White North, you’ll be smart in Cancun. It’s that simple.

Are The Resorts And Beaches In Cancun Really Safe Or Just Pretty?

One reason people feel safer in Cancun than they thought they would is that the resorts lavish their guests with security.

Many all-inclusives boast 24-hour security, gated entrances and staff trained to discreetly manage safety-related matters. You’re not going to see guards walking around the lobby with rifles unless there’s a major event, but they’re watching, and they’re trained.

The beaches are public, yes, but lifeguards, local police, and resort staff are out in full force, especially during high seasons like Spring Break or Christmas. That is when the crowds turn unruly, and local authorities ratchet it up a notch.

Is It Safe to Get Around Cancun? Uber’s Return Changes Things

This is new-ish, and it’s a big deal.

Uber just relaunched in Cancun after years of lawsuits against taxi unions. Which means that you will no longer be at the mercy of the overpriced or sketchy taxis crisscrossing town. People are held more accountable, there’s a whole lot more GPS action (with driver info and a record of where you’ve been), and payment is transparent… that’s the stuff that makes that experience safer.

If you’re not a fan of Uber, opt for licensed taxi stands or hotel shuttles instead. Hail just about any cab on the street if you need one, unless it is very late at night.

Is It Safe To Travel To Cancun In 2025 Or Should You Pick Somewhere Else?

If you skimmed everything else, read this bit.

Cancun is as safe as you are smart! The dangers that do exist can, with a few caveats, be avoided by following simple travel rules. Stick to tourist-friendly areas, keep your wits about you, don’t show off your expensive things, and don’t come looking for things that you wouldn’t mess with back home.

Millions of people come to Cancun each year and never have a problem. Families, solo travelers, honeymooners, and, yes, Spring Breakers who definitely test the parameters of safety. And 9 times out of 10, they come back fine, sunburned and with stories to tell.

So if Cancun is beckoning, respond. Simply pack some sunscreen and a modicum of common sense. That’s usually all it takes.