Delfines Beach, Cancun | Photo: Laura Winfree

I’ve never been a very adventurous girl, which is why my friends and family were shocked when I announced that I wanted to move to Cancun, Mexico back in 2005, at the tender age of 19.

Since I moved to Cancun 7 years ago, I’ve seen its reputation in international media transform from tropical paradise to drug-ridden death trap. How can this be, when Cancun hasn’t changed at all?

The American and Canadian media have a field day with Mexico year after year. Mexico-bashing seems to be all the rage up north, especially close to Spring Break season, and I’m not sure if this negativity is to sell more stories or keep tourism dollars north of the border. The Mexico portrayed in the news is certainly not the Mexico I see every single day.

Akumal Bay | Photo: Laura Winfree

During my years living in Cancun, I have never seen drugs, violence, dead bodies, shootouts, kidnappings, or any of the other horrors the media would have you believe are common occurrences. I take taxis and city buses several times a day, I walk around the city by myself at night, I feel comfortable going up to strangers to ask for directions and I go out to nightclubs on a regular basis. I take the same basic precautions one would take in any city, and I’ve never once felt unsafe.

Nearly every weekend, my husband, my friends and I have a blast at local bars and clubs, or we explore the region with trips to close-by destinations like Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Holbox and Akumal.

It truly angers me to read reports on violence in Mexico. Yes, bad things happen here, just like in any other country, but is it fair to base a country’s reputation on its worst headlines? Popular US tourist destinations like Orlando and New Orleans have considerably higher homicide rates than Mexico’s top tourist destinations as evidenced in this Lonely Planet article, yet would-be travelers still continue to question the safety of a vacation in Cancun, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and other amazing cities.

Casa de las Tortugas Hotel, Holbox | Photo: Laura Winfree

At 26, my life really is like a vacation, living in a safe city and visiting tropical beaches whenever I like. I wear flip-flops all the time, and the most stressful part of my day is deciding whether to leave the windows open or turn on the air conditioning.

About Laura

Laura Winfree is an American blogger and travel copywriter who has been living in Cancun, Mexico since 2005. You can read more about her life and adventures south of the border at Gringation’s Blog

Peter Greenberg is Travel Editor for CBS News, appearing on CBS This Morning, CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley, and CBS Sunday Morning, among other broadcast platforms. Given his extensive and trustworthy background, we believe Peter’s opinion is one to be taken seriously. Recently, he has been traveling across Mexico as part of an ongoing media project to show the world just how safe and beautiful this amazing and exciting country is.

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Rob (Flickr) 

In his own words:

“Let me state something from the outset. I am not an unabashed apologist for Mexico, or its spokesman or an endorser. I am writing this as a veteran traveler to Mexico who has been going down there since 1973 without a single incident.

I am growing tired, and somewhat impatient with expressions of concern or worry — as well intentioned as they may be — about my traveling to Mexico.

Every time I am about to fly there — to Cancun, to Cabo, to Ixtapa, to Mexico City and many other locations — my friends, and sometimes even strangers advise me to ‘be careful’, ‘be safe’ or worse… ‘watch out.’

Watch out for what? great people? great weather? great service? affordable, memorable experiences?

We need to get out there and find a map. Then we need to study it to put things in proper perspective“

Agreed! Visual aids such as maps always help put things into perspective. Maybe this one will help:

(Click on the map to download a bigger version in PDF)

For a list of distances from troubled areas to the resort towns, check out our post: “Mexico Travel Warning Mapped”.

Peter goes on to talk about his view of the current Mexico drug war:

“The bottom line here is that Americans are NOT being targeted in this drug war. Travel and Tourism is too big an economic factor — too crucial to the Mexican economy and to millions of Mexican jobs — to allow that to happen.

There are two realities here: the multi-billion dollar drug business is not going to evaporate as long as demand — most of it from the United States — remains at record levels. And the second reality — travel and tourism remain robust in Mexico.“

We couldn’t agree more. It is time to stop pointing fingers and accept the fact that the drug war is a global problem, one that obeys the old business laws of supply & demand and which needs action from multiple sides in order to be won. And with beautiful spots like Tulum, Quintana Roo, how could anyone not want to come down and experience paradise?

Tulum, Mexico

Photo: Habanero Studio

Peter also had something to say about the recent Mexico Travel Warnings emitted by the Texas DPS:

“It has now become an annual ritual for the Texas Department of Public Safety (an oxymoron if I ever heard one) to issue a press release warning Americans not to let their kids go down to Mexico for spring break because their likelihood of being killed is high. Really? No one is going on spring break to Cuidad Juarez. And I’d bet my career that the murder rate among young Americans is higher in Harlingen, Mcallen and Brownsville than it is in Cancun and Cozumel. How irresponsible of the authorities in Texas.

There are places in San Francisco I wouldn’t go after dark, but it doesn’t stop me from going to one of my favorite cities. I travel to Washington, DC at least once a month, and that’s in spite of our nation’s capital having one of the highest murder rates in the world.“

We share Peter’s feelings; we think that Mexico is an enormous country, and to paint all of it as unsafe to travel is just plain irresponsible. Like we’ve said before, we’d recommend paying more attention to the Official U.S. State Department Mexico Travel Warning, clearly labeling Cancun, the Riviera Maya and more beach resort areas as perfectly safe to travel.

Mahahual, Quintana Roo

Photo: Sha-ma Geremi

Finally, Peter has some inspirational words for adventurers:

“A true adventure doesn’t necessarily have to include a familiar, American branded hotel and a cheeseburger from room service. Sleep at the resort, but don’t live there. Get out and see the world. Challenge your comfort level every day. Travel and tourism is the most powerful tool for breaking down barriers and building understanding. If you don’t have a passport, do not pass go until you get one.

Then, when you return home, tell your friends about your adventures. Even boast about them. And about the new friends you made along the way. Does Mexico have some hard work ahead of it in the drug wars? Absolutely. A new President will take office later this year and hopefully will continue the fight against the cartels launched by current President Felipe Calderon.

But will I be going back to Mexico? That, as you may have guessed by now, is a rhetorical question.“

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Diana Diaz

We share and celebrate Peter’s adventurous spirit and are delighted to know that he will be coming back to Mexico. We’ll be more than happy to welcome him to Cancun with a big smile the next time he visits us!

We hope his story will help you stay calm and excited about your upcoming visit to Mexico. Should you need more facts about safety in Cancun and safety in Mexico, please take time to explore this website.

Have a comment about your recent or upcoming travel to Mexico? Sound off in the comments, we’d love to hear it from you.

Get new updates on safety in Cancun & Mexico delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and Mexico; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

Source: Travel Detective Blog: Why I Travel to Mexico | PeterGreenberg.com

Feature Image Credit: Ana Salana

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) made a recent announcement in which it labeled Cancun as a non safe area to travel to for spring break this year.

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Kim Farrell

From KVIA El Paso:

“For the third year in a row the Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a travel warning advising students to stay out of Mexico during Spring Break.”

The Mexico Tourism Board quickly responded denouncing the travel warning as “excessive”.

From Travel Weekly:

“To paint Mexico with such a massively broad brush stroke is simply outrageous,” said Rodolfo Lopez Negrete, COO of the Mexico Tourism Board.

The warning is similar to the one Texas issued in 2011, which did not draw distinctions between tourist zones and regions hit by violence. It is in stark contrast to the recently updated U.S. State Department warning, which was a more carefully worded warning that provided a state-by-state security assessment and indicated which cities and states are considered safe for travel and do not fall within the warning zone.

Although the federal warning urged travelers to defer nonessential travel to all or parts of 14 Mexican states, it excluded resort areas Cancun, Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta.

We also believe that the two different Travel Warnings (Texas DPS vs US State Dept.) are contradictory, and would put more trust into the Federal Travel Warning. While it is true that Mexico is currently going through a difficult situation of drug-related crime and battles between rival cartels, the resort areas have stayed almost completely unaffected in regards of safety for its visitors, with some isolated unfortunate incidents.

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Diana Diaz

From Journey Mexico:

“Every year, millions of travelers from the United States cross into Mexico for business, pleasure or educational purposes. In fact, over 150,000 U.S. citizens venture into Mexico on a daily basis. The Mexican government spends a considerable amount of resources to protect tourists from both the U.S. and other countries. As a result, resorts and other tourist destinations do not have the type of drug-related crime that is seen in the border regions or along the primary trafficking routes. Plus, the State Department has found that there is no evidence that any organized criminal group in Mexico has targeted U.S. citizens based on their country of origin.

Mexico is a beautiful tourist destination, and it would be a shame to let the problems in a few specific regions put a damper on enjoying the rest of this friendly country. From time to time, the State Department issues Travel Warning reports to make sure U.S. citizens are aware of any international security concerns. The most recent report dated February 8, 2012 highlights areas that are considered safe for travel as well as areas without a current travel advisory.” 

Map showing safe resort areas in Mexico - Source: Journey Mexico

We find it a little strange that the Texas Travel warning essentially contradicts the US Sate Dept Travel Warning when referring to resort areas such as Cancun. We believe that the best way to stay calmed about any subject or situation is to know as much as you can about it. In this case, by providing you information with the real facts about safety in Cancun, the Riviera Maya and Mexico, we believe you can inform yourself and have enough knowledge to make a personal decision based on the facts you now know.

We hope you give this beautiful part of Mexico a try; we’ll be happy to welcome you to paradise anytime!

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Clyo Ololiuqui 

Have questions about your upcoming visit? Leave them in the comments or join us at Facebook.

Dear friends,

Spring Break 2012 is here and you might be wondering: Is it safe to travel to Cancun for Spring Break 2012?

Spring Break Cancun

Considering the current media coverage of Mexico plus the reports of drug cartel related violence, it is understandable that you might have your doubts about your safety during your stay in Cancun. We have compiled quite some good info that we have available for you to check out the real facts and figures about the safety of Cancun and Mexico in general.

We talked to Dr. Javier Olea, MD; a local Doctor in Cancun with over 30 years living and working here, and asked him about what would be the most important tips he would give to a spring breaker for a safe Spring Break Cancun 2012.

Is Cancun safe for Spring Break 2012? Although nothing can guarantee you a 100% safe vacation (not in Cancun nor at any other place in the world), we believe that by paying attention to the following tips from Dr. Javier Olea you will increase greatly your chances of only having one problem during your Spring Break in Cancun 2012: To decide where you are going to party and enjoy your time in Cancun!

Hello Spring Breaker:

Welcome to Cancun! I wish that you have a great time during your stay and enjoy our beautiful city. Here are my top 10 tips for a safe Spring Break in Cancun 2011; I hope you follow them in order to avoid having to spend time in a hospital during your vacation. However, if that is the case, please do not hesitate in doing so. Either by asking directly at your hotel for a doctor or ambulance, or by contacting me directly at cancundoctor@gmail.com 

1.- Tequila is an extremely strong alcoholic drink, and if you’re not used to it, you can get dangerously drunk and risk your life. I’ve personally seen Spring Breakers at Intensive Care Units as a result of heavy alcohol intoxication (by excessive alcohol ingestion of any kind, not just Tequila). Pay attention to your body and take care of it.

2.- Heavy alcohol intoxication can make you do acts that might put your life at risk, or get you in trouble with the law. Please watch your alcohol intake for your own safety. Also, pay attention and be on the watch, cause sadly, sometimes you can get slipped a drug into your drink at a club without noticing it. Be extremely on the watch with your drinks; it is preferred to order beer in the bottle so you can see it being opened right in front of you.

3.- All drugs are illegal in Mexico. Considering the current drug war violence, it is best to stay away from anything drug related in Cancun. Trying to score drugs during your stay will put you at an innecessary risk, please avoid it and stay safe. You are here to have fun and relax after all, get high on life instead.

4.- A really bad hangover can screw up at least 2 or even a couple more of your precious vacation days. Of course the best advice to avoid a hangover is to do not drink irresponsibly on the first place, but if you are already feeling like your head is going to explode, the best advice is to make a drink with mineral water, a little fresh lemon juice and some salt. Mix it up well and drink it, with ice or cold preferrably. In Mexico we refer to this drink as “Suero” (soo-eh-roh) and you can order it like that an most places. Food consumption should be slowly and preferrably light, only 2-3 hours after you are able to drink liquids without vomiting. Try starting with a chicken soup, chicken breasts, white rice, natural food in general; avoid junk food and anything greasy or spicy for the time being until your stomach feels better. If you continue feeling unwell, do not hesitate to ask for a doctor or feel free to contact me.

5.- Watch out for the sun! Although I understand you’re eager to soak up the sun at the beach in Cancun, if you don’t take some basic precautions you might end up with a very bad sunburn. Not a nice thing to experience during your vacation! The sun in Cancun is particularly strong, it is recommendable to avoid sun exposure during “peak hours”, around 1 to 3 p.m, it is better if you arrive early in the morning at the beach. Always use sunscreen (although please make it an eco-friendly one) and keep your skin hydrated with aloe vera or any aftersun cream after exposure.

6.- Keep your stomach in shape. Avoid eating very spicy or greasy food. It is best to avoid eating at street stands too. If you’re staying at an all inclusive hotel, try to get early to the buffets so you have the chance to take the food when it is most fresh and has been touched by less people. It is also best to stick to drinking bottled water. Even if your hotel filters its water, you never know how your body will react to the local bacteria. If you get diarrhea without vomiting, start by drinking liquids such as mineral water with lemon and salt, gatorade, apple or grape juice until you get better and can start eating solid food. Do not eat spicy or greasy food, eat fruits, yoghurt, jello, roasted chicken, vegetables, light soups, etc. If you are having diarrhea with vomiting or after 8 hours you don’t get better, seek immediate medical assistance.

7.- Be very careful when diving into a pool! I’ve seen many spring breakers with neck fractures as a result of diving into a pool they thought was deeper. Always check the depth of the pool before jumping in!

8.- Do not swim in the sea if you had something to eat in the last 2 hours. Always stay close to the shore and if possible avoid going alone into the sea. There is strong undertow at some points of the sea in Cancun that can take you off guard and pull you deep into the sea. If this happens to you and you find yourself being pulled by the undertow, DO NOT FIGHT IT, let yourself go and just try to stay afloat and shout for help. If you fight it, you will only get more distressed, tired, and risk drowning. Stay afloat and shout for help, it is your best chance. Lifeguards are on duty daily from 9am to 7pm approx. Swimming in the sea at night is EXTREMELY DANGEROUS due to the undertow being stronger and no lifeguards on sight so it’s best and safer to avoid it.

9.- If you rent a scooter, be very careful and always use a protective helmet. People in cars sometimes are not careful with people riding motorcycles; also, do not drive while drunk or under the influence of a substance, you will put your life at risk.

10.- And finally, tip #10 is: Read very carefully the previous 9 tips and follow them, so as to enjoy your Spring Break in Cancun 2011 and going back home to tell all your friends about it!

If you need any medical assistance during your stay, please do not hesitate to contact me:

 

Dr. Javier Olea, MD – English speaking Doctor in Cancun

cancundoctor@gmail.com

Remember: You are here to have fun, just take your precautions and always use common sense. Stay safe and enjoy Spring Break 2012 in Cancun!

Spring Break Cancun 2012

More useful links and info:

More tips for a safe Spring Break Cancun – Even more useful tips about beach safety, sunbathing, money exchange, public transportation & getting around Cancun, information about Downtown Cancun, Clubs, bars & discos, using your smartphone to find deals and promotions and more. Check them out!

8 tips for women traveling to Cancun for Spring Break – Alana Rivero, a young Mexican woman living and working in Cancun as a travel copywriter shared with us these special tips for the safety of women coming to enjoy Spring Break 2012 in Cancun. Don’t miss them!

Is Cancun Safe? You bet! – A post with testimonials about the safety of Cancun and Riviera Maya, from “ex-pats” living and working in the area.

How safe is travel in Mexico? Our most popular post! With a lot of useful information.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The answer is yes. Good post with lots of recent facts & figures, including a map showing the conflict areas in Mexico.

Is it safe to travel to Cancun? Cancun tops ABC News “7 safe places to visit in Mexico” list

External links and information

What are other travelers from different parts of the world saying about the safety of Cancun and Mexico? Check out the following links.

Spring Break Update: Is Cancun Safe? – A recent post by Marlise Kast from Fodor’s Travel. Useful tips about Cancun’s Downtown plus also the Hotel Zone.

“Replete with resorts, Cancun is one of the safest cities in Mexico. Drug cartel violence generally takes place 1,300 miles from Cancun on the northern border of Mexico (the same distance from New York to Texas). In fact, Cancun’s crime rate is much lower than that of most U.S. cities. Mexico is a very large country and the resort city of Cancun continues to be a safe destination for visitors. Here are answers to four of today’s most common questions about safety in the area.”

Is It Safe To Visit Mexico? – A very complete post by Aysha Griffin, an American travel writer.

“Is it safe to visit the resorts and popular tourists destinations, like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Playa del Carmen, etc? Probably as safe as it has ever been. The decent, kind-hearted Mexicans, who know the value of tourism, welcome you. … be aware of your surroundings, as you should no matter where; and continue to visit and enjoy the diverse scenery, culture, food, climate and genuine hospitality of Mexico.”

Why I’m Not Afraid of Mexico – An excellent post by Candice, a Canadian 20-something traveler.

“… danger is real, but it’s real anywhere. Get schooled about the places to go and the places to avoid, don’t go venturing down any shady alleyways, mind your own business and be polite. Do your research. Being smart will get you a lot further than being afraid.“

All photos courtesy ofSweet Caribbean Foto – Need a photographer during your stay in Cancun? Although Sweet Caribbean Foto specializes in wedding photography in Cancun and Riviera Maya, they are a young couple and can adjust to any idea you might have. How about a memory of the great times you and your friends had during Springbreak Cancun 2012?

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

Spring Break 2011 in Cancun

Dear friends,

Alana Rivero, a young Mexican woman living and working in Cancun as a travel copywriter, wrote the following special tips for women coming to Cancun for Spring Break 2012. We believe that by reading them carefully and following them you’ll be able to have a safe and fun Spring Break Cancun 2012.

Stay safe and enjoy Spring Break Cancun 2012!

Dear girls coming to Cancun for Spring Break 2012!

You may be coming to Cancun with your girlfriends and plan to go out every night, drink and flirt a little. That’s OK, but it would be a good idea to consider a few things before going nuts over that cute Mexican boy you just met.

It’s not that Cancun or Mexicans are particularly dangerous for women. Not at all. But I know things can get a little out of control after a few drinks. And, let’s face it, Spring Break is all about the party.

Without further ado, here are the Cancun is Safe Spring Break 2012 Tips for women traveling to Cancun. I hope you find them useful!

- The first thing you need to do before coming to Cancun for Spring Break 2011 is getting to know your crowd. Are the girls that are coming with you known for their bad experiences with alcohol? Would you trust in their judgment in deciding what’s safe or potentially dangerous? My point here is that it’s OK if they are a mess but you should always stay focused, don’t follow their lead if something feels funky. Trust your instincts. If it’s true that we have a sixth sense, this is the time to turn it on.

- One of your main objectives in this trip could be going shopping. Hitting the stores in Cancun is great because there are a lot of cool places to shop but even when the products are nice, the vendors may not be. Some of them may be very pushy, some may use their latino appeal in trying to make you enter to their store. Ignore them if you want to or buy what they offer but only if you really like it. Don’t feel awkward when saying “no”.

- Always remember: there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If a random guy in the street is offering to give you something without a cost, think twice about his offer. Why would he give you something for free? He doesn’t know you. Think about what he’s getting out of it.

- Don’t get completely wasted the first night you go to a club. Explore the territory first. See how things get at 4 or 5 am. Realize you have nothing to worry about if you’re not the girl that is almost unconscious. You can party and get a little tipsy (even a bit drunk) and be safe if you still have control of your body and mind.

- At the club, watch out for the waiters. Those guys work there every night and know how things can get when the music is loud and girls get wild. I’m not saying you should not flirt if you want to, just remember that part of their fun at work is getting girls. After all, you’re at a club. Just be prepared to say “no”.

- The boy can be cute but you can buy your own drinks, right? You know how some guys take advantage of vulnerable situations and try to get something. Well, this also happen at the clubs. If you’re drunk, there’s a big chance on having a guy trying to flirt with you. Again, there’s nothing wrong with flirting but if he offers to buy a drink say no and buy it yourself or be present when your drink is prepared. Unfortunately, it has happened that illegal drugs end up slipped into drinks so please be aware of what you’re having.

- A good advice is always having someone who’s not drinking the same amount of alcohol as the rest of the group. Think of this as the “designated (almost) sober girl of the night”. This would be very practical on trying to avoid dangerous situations at the street, in the taxi, at the club or at the hotel. Having a friend taking care of you and putting you into bed when you are passed out is always nice.

- In general, try to always have control of your wishes, your body and your mind. Cancun is not particularly dangerous for girls but, like in any other city, things can get out of control if you get wasted and there’s no one to take you home at the end of the night.

Thanks for reading girls. Stay safe and enjoy your Spring Break 2011 in Cancun!

-Alana

Girls having fun at Spring Break in Cancun 2012!

Liked these tips? Follow us on Twitter, where we’ll be tweeting more tips like these for you. You can also join our Facebook Cancun fan page.

More useful links and info:

More tips for a safe Spring Break Cancun – Even more useful tips about beach safety, sunbathing, money exchange, public transportation & getting around Cancun, information about Downtown Cancun, Clubs, bars & discos, using your smartphone to find deals and promotions and more. Check them out!

Is Cancun safe for Spring Break? Top 10 tips for your safety Coming to Cancun to enjoy your Spring Break 2012? We talked to a local doctor and came up with this list of Top 10 tips to ensure a safe & fun Spring Break Cancun 2011. Check it out!

How safe is travel in Mexico? Our most popular post! With a lot of useful information.

Is Cancun Safe? You bet! – A post with testimonials about the safety of Cancun and Riviera Maya, from “ex-pats” living and working in the area.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The answer is yes. Good post with lots of recent facts & figures, including a map showing the conflict areas in Mexico.

Is it safe to travel to Cancun? Cancun tops ABC News “7 safe places to visit in Mexico” list

External links and information

What are other travelers from different parts of the world saying about the safety of Cancun and Mexico? Check out the following links.

Spring Break Update: Is Cancun Safe? – A recent post by Marlise Kast from Fodor’s Travel. Useful tips about Cancun’s Downtown plus also the Hotel Zone.

“Replete with resorts, Cancun is one of the safest cities in Mexico. Drug cartel violence generally takes place 1,300 miles from Cancun on the northern border of Mexico (the same distance from New York to Texas). In fact, Cancun’s crime rate is much lower than that of most U.S. cities. Mexico is a very large country and the resort city of Cancun continues to be a safe destination for visitors. Here are answers to four of today’s most common questions about safety in the area.”

Is It Safe To Visit Mexico? – A very complete post by Aysha Griffin, an American travel writer.

“Is it safe to visit the resorts and popular tourists destinations, like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Playa del Carmen, etc? Probably as safe as it has ever been. The decent, kind-hearted Mexicans, who know the value of tourism, welcome you. … be aware of your surroundings, as you should no matter where; and continue to visit and enjoy the diverse scenery, culture, food, climate and genuine hospitality of Mexico.”

Why I’m Not Afraid of Mexico – An excellent post by Candice, a Canadian 20-something traveler.

“… danger is real, but it’s real anywhere. Get schooled about the places to go and the places to avoid, don’t go venturing down any shady alleyways, mind your own business and be polite. Do your research. Being smart will get you a lot further than being afraid.“

Photos courtesy ofSweet Caribbean Foto – Need a photographer during your stay in Cancun? Although Sweet Caribbean Foto specializes in wedding photography in Cancun and Riviera Maya, they are a young couple and can adjust to any idea you might have. How about a memory of the great times you and your girls had during Springbreak Cancun 2012? Contact Sweet Caribbean Foto to arrange a photo session.

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

About Alana

Alana Rivero is a journalist and copywriter that has lived in Cancun for 20 years. She’s allergic to the sun but still manages to have fun in her city. “Fashion freak” would be a good term to describe her. Check out her fashion blog, “Shop The Closet”.

So, you’re coming to spend a few days of fun and party in Cancun but some people are telling you that it may be dangerous? This post might be useful to prove them they’re wrong about Spring Break in Cancun 2012.

First things first. You have to consider that any place can be dangerous if you don’t take care of yourself. In Cancun, as you would do in any other destination, keep your eyes open and your mind focused on being sure about how are you going to return safe to your hotel when you decide the party is over.

Keep reading and consider the following practical tips you can use during your stay in Cancun Spring Break.

Cancun is Safe Spring Break Cancun Tips – May your stay be a fun and safe one!

Beach Tips

All beaches in Cancun have lifeguards on duty daily from 9am to 6pm. You can easily spot them by their red trunks and/or tshirts with the red cross logo.

Cancun’s ocean looks beautiful and calm but don’t let it fool you. The Caribbean Sea does have undertow currents that can get strong and sweep you into the ocean if you don’t pay attention. It’s OK if you let yourself go and relax while you’re in the ocean but always (and I mean, always) look around to see how far the shore is or where are your friends. Don’t relax too much. Consider that there are no lifeguards at night, so be extremely careful if you decide to swim at those hours. I wouldn’t recommend it but if you must, please do it very carefully for your own safety.

If you’re drunk or under the influence of controlled substances, avoid the ocean. The sea is not your friend when your head feels dizzy and your body doesn’t respond well . You have a very high risk of drowning if you decide to swim when drunk or high. Don’t make this spring break something to forget.

The beaches in Cancun are federal property and that means that nobody (not even people working at hotels) can tell you that you can’t “use” the beach. Remember that the beach is not a hotel facility; it is property of the country. Don’t be tricked by this. You don’t have to buy drinks or something else to “use” the beach or beach strip of Cancun. If this happens, report the person to the police. As simple as that.

While at the beach, you’ll see many street vendors trying to sell you handcrafts. I would reccomend you not to buy anything from them. Sometimes their prices are elevated or they can trick you into buying something that is not what it seems (alpaca instead of real silver or fake gold, for example).

One of the street vendors at the beach will be a guy trying to make you do parasailing. He will tell you that this activity is safe but truth is that it is not if the equipment looks old. This is an activity you shouldn’t do if you’re trying to be extra safe and cautious but if you feel like the adrenaline is forcing you to do it, check the equipment to avoid accidents.

Sunbathing Tips

Getting a little tanned is expected but ending up with major burns is not. If you want to look tanned always wear sunscreen in your face and body. Don’t ever, ever fall asleep while getting tanned! Some people wake up after many hours in the sun just to discover that their bodies are almost burnt. You don’t want that to happen. You can buy tanning lotions at any convenience store, super market, etc. Please buy biodegradable, eco-friendly products.

If you end up with pain or burns because of the sun, apply some aloe lotion and/or special sunburn gels (available at most drugstores) and ask for the doctor at your hotel. They’ll know what to do. Just don’t ignore the sunburns, that would be worse.

Lagoon

The Nichupté Lagoon is very pretty and it’s full of activities you shouldn’t miss but while you’re near it, remember to be always accompanied by someone who knows the lagoon. The reason is: Alligators. Try not to walk by the lagoon at night especially if you’re drunk or not very conscious. You might try to reach the water, but guess who is sleeping in there? That’s correct, alligators.

Clubs, bars & discos

Stick to your drink and never leave it unattended. Always be present when your drink is prepared and, of course, try not to order anything you haven’t had before if you’re in a club. This may seem exaggerated but the reality is that is extremely easy to slip drugs into drinks. My advice is to order bottled drinks and have them opened in front of you.

If you have watched the news lately, you know that the Mexican government is on an ongoing battle against drug cartels. That’s why now (more than ever) it would be very silly to use illegal drugs in clubs, bars & discotheques because if you get caught doing it you will be not only expelled from the club immediately, but you’ll also be sent to the authorities and end up spending the night in a Mexican jail. This is a very serious topic. I know you came to Cancun for the party, but please remember that your safety always comes first.

Internet Access

Almost any hotel has free WiFi for its guests. Some have it in every room and some have it in public areas, you’ll need to check with your concierge which is the case in your accommodation. So, bring your laptop or smartphone and it will be fine. If you decide to leave your gadgets at home but still want to get in touch, use the hotel’s business center or go to a Cyber Cafe. There are plenty in the Hotel Zone, just ask which one is near you.

Transportation

The Hotel Zone is easy to get around in but very long, that’s why your best choice to go from one place to another would be ground transportation. I recommend taking a bus because its price it’s fixed (8.50 MXN Pesos or around 0.70 USD) and it can take you anywhere you want, even downtown. You won’t miss the bus stops; they’re signaled all over the Hotel Zone.

Taxis are also available and they’re faster and more private than a bus. They’re also more expensive. You usually have two options: You either board a taxi at your hotel’s lobby or request it from a near taxi site, or you flag it down right on the street. The difference is price and security. Hotel / site taxis are normally safest, since they keep a log of their activities and theres always someone supervising them. However, they are more expensive too. Taking a taxi from your hotel or from a site can easily cost twice or even more, than taking one from the streets. In any case, always make sure to arrange a price with the driver before taking the taxi.

If you take one at downtown, it will charge you between 23 to 25 MXN Pesos to take you anywhere. If you want to go from downtown to the Hotel Zone in a taxi, the price will be much higher. Same thing happens if you take it in the Hotel Zone and want it to take you to any other spot in the same area. So, what you’ll do to avoid being charged a lot of money will be asking the driver how much the ride is going to cost you BEFORE you get into the car. This is expected; don’t feel rude because you asked.

Using your iPhone / Android / Blackberry in Cancun

Are you an app freak? Cancun is slowly but steadily catching on with location based services such as Foursquare or Gowalla. Try signing in to your service and check for nearby specials and promotions. More and more venues are joining in the mobile promotions, you never know if you can get a nice freebie by checking in somewhere.

Help Cancun and begin tagging or checking in the places you visit. You’ll contribute to the city’s development. Thank you!

Money / Money Exchange

It’s true that in Cancun you can pay everything in dollars but that’s a big no-no if you come with a limited budget. Why? Because vendors try to earn a few more pesos by charging their products in dollars. What I recommend doing is exchanging your currency for pesos at the Exchange Houses (there’s one near you, I’m sure). And if a vendor tells you “This costs $20 dollars” you say “And how much is it in pesos?”.

Another good advice is to leave your money at the hotel’s safety box and take with you only the amount you plan to spend that day. It’s not likely that you would get robbed or anything but you could lose your wallet and that way the rest of your money will be safe. Use this advice in any city you visit, not just in Cancun!

Same thing applies for your travel documents (passport and visa). If you don’t need to be carrying them around, leave them at the safety box of your hotel.

Downtown Cancun

Behind Cancun’s paradise lies a city. If you want to know the real Cancun, go visit downtown Cancun. It’s also practical to know that there you’ll find banks, hospitals, supermarkets, ATM’s, malls and the restaurants and bars where the locals go. To get downtown take any bus that says “Centro” (means “downtown” in Spanish) and hop off at Avenida Tulum (Tulum Avenue). From there you could walk to any interesting spot in the city.

Cancun’s Downtown is also good to buy souvenirs or to do a less expensive shopping. You won’t find any luxury boutique like you’ll do in the Hotel Zone but there are others that represent the city’s heritage. Also consider that some people go to the supermarkets in Downtown Cancun to stock on supplies and then go back to their hotels.

Liked these tips? Follow us at Twitter, where we’ll be tweeting more tips like these for you! You can also join our Facebook Cancun fan page.

Have a fun & safe Spring Break Cancun 2012!

More useful links and info:

8 tips for women traveling to Cancun for Spring Break – Alana Rivero, a young Mexican woman living and working in Cancun as a travel copywriter shared with us these special tips for the safety of women coming to enjoy Spring Break 2012 in Cancun. Don’t miss them!

Is Cancun safe for Spring Break? Top 10 tips for your safety Coming to Cancun to enjoy your Spring Break 2012? We talked to a local doctor and came up with this list of Top 10 tips to ensure a safe & fun Spring Break Cancun 2012. Check it out!

How safe is travel in Mexico? Our most popular post! With a lot of useful information.

Is Cancun Safe? You bet! – A post with testimonials about the safety of Cancun and Riviera Maya, from “ex-pats” living and working in the area.

Is it safe to travel to Mexico? The answer is yes. Good post with lots of recent facts & figures, including a map showing the conflict areas in Mexico.

Is it safe to travel to Cancun? Cancun tops ABC News “7 safe places to visit in Mexico” list

External links and information

What are other travelers from different parts of the world saying about the safety of Cancun and Mexico? Check out the following links.

Mexico Tourism: Is Cancun Safe for Visitors? USA Today says so. – Kitty Bean Yancey from USA Today wrote yet another article covering the topic on safety in Cancun and Mexico. Including testimonials from US citizens currently enjoying this beautiful destination as well as American and Canadian citizens living and working in Cancun. Come read all about it.

Spring Break Update: Is Cancun Safe? – A recent post by Marlise Kast from Fodor’s Travel. Useful tips about Cancun’s Downtown plus also the Hotel Zone.

“Replete with resorts, Cancun is one of the safest cities in Mexico. Drug cartel violence generally takes place 1,300 miles from Cancun on the northern border of Mexico (the same distance from New York to Texas). In fact, Cancun’s crime rate is much lower than that of most U.S. cities. Mexico is a very large country and the resort city of Cancun continues to be a safe destination for visitors. Here are answers to four of today’s most common questions about safety in the area.”

Is It Safe To Visit Mexico? – A very complete post by Aysha Griffin, an American travel writer.

“Is it safe to visit the resorts and popular tourists destinations, like Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, Ixtapa, Playa del Carmen, etc? Probably as safe as it has ever been. The decent, kind-hearted Mexicans, who know the value of tourism, welcome you. … be aware of your surroundings, as you should no matter where; and continue to visit and enjoy the diverse scenery, culture, food, climate and genuine hospitality of Mexico.”

Why I’m Not Afraid of Mexico – An excellent post by Candice, a Canadian 20-something traveler.

“… danger is real, but it’s real anywhere. Get schooled about the places to go and the places to avoid, don’t go venturing down any shady alleyways, mind your own business and be polite. Do your research. Being smart will get you a lot further than being afraid.“

All photos courtesy ofSweet Caribbean Foto – Need a photographer during your stay in Cancun? Although Sweet Caribbean Foto specializes in wedding photography in Cancun and Riviera Maya, they are a young couple and can adjust to any idea you might have. How about a memory of the great times you had during Springbreak Cancun 2012? Contact Sweet Caribbean Foto to arrange a photo session.

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos, photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

Yucatan, Mexico

Photo: MuCi (Flickr)

I’ve developed my own sense of safety after some fairly remote traveling. And after spending a few months in the jungles between Venezuela and Colombia, you can’t help but learn a thing or two about danger.

With that in mind, plus a few other clues I picked up while driving in the Brazilian Amazon, I set out through the back roads of the Yucatan Peninsula earlier this year.

Izamal, Yucatan

Photo:  isogood (Flickr)

What does this have to do with Cancun, you might ask? And the answer is everything, because nothing will tell you more about the safety of a city than its surrounding countryside.

Granted, this has been one of the worse years of the Mexican drug wars, and of course it’s something I kept in mind when planning the trip. But my research told me that the entire Yucatan peninsula all the way down to Guatemala, was very quiet. So off I went.

Having crossed the Peninsula from east to west and back again, Cancun is always my point of arrival and departure and I can honestly say that I’ve felt safe during every visit.

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: BlazerMan (Flickr)

When I did encounter checkpoints I was always politely waved through and whenever I got lost, the locals were there to help me get back on track. Interacting with the local community and experiencing their eagerness to give me directions is one of my favorite travel memories.

And that’s pretty much what this video is about: an amazing family, sheep tacos, delicious cerveza, and a lot of laughs very much off the beaten track.

About the author
Sonia Gil hosts a weekly original web travel series called Sonia’s Travels with episodes shot in Mexico, Italy, Berlin and Paris. Each trip turns into a series of shows in which Sonia offers a small idea or tip about a place and the people who live there. New Episodes Premiere Every Thursday at 12 noon (9:00 am Pacific).

Michelle Obama recently visited Mexico City , where she declared in an ABC interview that she felt perfectly safe during her time in Mexico with her daughters.

From the interview:

-Q: Do you think that this is a safe country for Americans to visit?

-A: Yes. And our embassys are not discouraging American visitors, I think that they are encouraging people to be aware and to be smart as they travel. I think that’s good advice anywhere in the world, that you have to be a smart, conscientious traveler; particularly young people … if you’re going to be traveling around the world it’s important to just be smart and use common sense. This is a beautiful city, this is my first visit to Mexico city and my hope is to bring the girls back here, it’s just a matter of finding the time to make it happen. The architecture here is beautiful, the people here are incredibly warm, the food is good; so this is a wonderful city to visit, the cultural wealth here is tremendous and I would encourage any american to spend time here.

Even though Mrs. Obama was talking about Mexico City, we believe her words apply to most of the beach resort areas, including Cancun and the Riviera Maya of course. We encourage you to take your time to explore this site and read all the content that we’ve carefully prepared and selected. Ask other tourists as well as “ex-pats” living and working in the area; get informed: Cancun and the Riviera Maya are safe places to visit, don’t let fear and misinformation prevent you from enjoying these beautiful spots.

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Ryan Stahle

Cancun, Mexico

Photo: Guillermo Cerpa

Get new updates delivered to your inbox, subscribe to Cancun is Safe!

We regularly publish news and updates about safety in Cancun, Riviera Maya and México; as well as videos,photos, tourist testimonials and more. Would you like to get an email in your inbox every time we publish something new? It’s free and easy, just click here to subscribe to Cancun is Safe email updates.

As a frequent vacation-goer and swimwear industry insider, I definitely do my fair share of traveling. I’ve been to a number of different beach towns around the world but Cancun, Mexico is definitely one of my favorites. Over the years, Cancun has formed a somewhat questionable reputation in terms of safety, but if you’re smart and travel wisely, you’ll have nothing to worry about except sun, sand, swimwear and what drink to order next!

Cancun, Mexico

 Photo by CERPA

Since my trip to Cancun was a short 4-day getaway, the beach was my number one priority. Our resort was right on the beach so my swimwear was definitely put to good use! Cancun gives new meaning to the term “white sandy beaches” and the turquoise-colored water was perfectly crystal clear. The water was warmed by sun’s rays and because the sun is so strong, even those who “rarely get sunburned” (like myself) will definitely feel its power. Don’t forget to apply and reapply the sunscreen, even under your swimwear! The water was so calm that you could even bring your drink in with you. Swimwear is typical daytime attire in Cancun so make sure to bring plenty of fashionable swimwear, cover-ups and sandals! Let me just warn you—Cancun’s beach is what turned me into a beach snob so be prepared to experience a beach that others often can’t live up to!

Cancun, Mexico: White sand & turquoise waters

Photo by Clausinea

The beaches of Cancun, Mexico

Photo by CERPA

When night falls, it’s time to put away the swimwear and get ready to have the time of your life! Cancun really comes alive at night. The clubs are so much fun and definitely nothing like I’ve seen in the states! If you like to dance like I do, then you’ll feel right at home. Check with your resort to see if they have any excursion packages; our resort let us sign up for a “booze cruise,” which turned out to be one of our favorite nights in Cancun!

Cancun at night: Cancun's Hotel Zone

Photo by choheisel

Cancun Nightlife: The City club

Photo by Amstar-dmc

In terms of the people and safety, I felt right at home in Cancun, as everyone we met was friendly and accommodating. I felt completely safe walking around during the day and night because there are literally people everywhere. My biggest regret was going for just 4 days, as I did not get a chance to do much sightseeing. But after the amazing trip, I vowed to go back so I can really explore Cancun!

Coco Bongo Club, Cancun

Photo by cayman simon

Madonna show at Coco Bongo Club, Cancun

Photo by cvander

If you’re looking to plan your next beach getaway, somewhere to show off your swimwear or simply a place to kick back and relax, Cancun, Mexico is definitely the place to be.

Cancun: The place to be

Photo by Alessandro Scetta

Colors of the Mexican Caribbean

Photo by javierfp

About the author
This post was written by Susan Bodack, a swimwear expert, freelance blogger and the Director of Social Media Marketing at InStyleSwimwear.com. To read more of Susan’s work, check out the Beauty and the Beach swimwear blog!

Would you like to write a a guest post describing your Cancun experience? Contact us.

I recently had the pleasure of attending a wonderful and delicious event in one of my favorite cities in the world: I’m talking about Taste of Playa 2011, which was held on November 20, 2011 in Playa del Carmen, a laid-back, multicultural city just a 30-40 minute car drive away from Cancun. You can take a bus from Cancun’s Bus terminal (ADO) and it will take you to “Playa” (as it is locally known) in approx. 1 hour.

Taste Of Playa

Photo: Taste Of Playa

So, what exactly is “Taste of Playa”?

From their website:

“Taste of Playa is a community based culinary festival set in the heart of the Riviera Maya. With inspiration drawn from the dreams of several local business owners, this event was conceived as a way to celebrate the extraordinary talents of chefs and restaurateurs who have chosen Playa del Carmen as their home and establish the Riviera Maya as a world class culinary destination.“

In my opinion, Taste of Playa is a great opportunity to have a good time tasting many different (and delicious!) food options among friends, for very little cash (most dishes cost 1 “taste of playa peso” which is approx. 1 USD) in a beautiful setting: the laid-back, relaxing and multicultural city of Playa del Carmen, with the beautiful Caribbean Sea in the background. Sounds good? It’s better.

Taste Of Playa 2011 - Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Photo by Michele Kinnon

I was personally invited by the organizers (Thanks, Tyra!) and this was my first time attending. Long story short? I’ll be coming back again, and again, and again… There were so many different and delicious options to try! As a “member of the press”, I did had some nice courtesy “taste of playa pesos” included along with my invitation, which I happily used for my first round. I walked around the whole area, looking (and drooling) at the different options, trying new flavors.

Chez Celine - French desserts, yum!

Photo by Michele Kinnon

Los Aguachiles - Fresh tuna crispy tacos

Shrimp Coconut - Delicious

Photo by Michele Kinnon

Tiramisú - My favorite stand!

Photo by Michele Kinnon

After my pesos were done, I bought some more for round 2. This time I went back to the specific stands that I liked the most. My favorite stand was easily “Tiramisú”, warmly attended by Donna Carey. Tiramisú is actually located in Puerto Aventuras, a resort community approx 15-20minutes away from Playa. Donna was very nice and eager to explain how the food was prepared; I had a pasty filled with seafood and melted cheese to start my food tour – yum!

Tiramisú - Everything on this table was absolutely delicious!

I’m a lover of raw seafood (sushi, etc), so I was happy to see the “Los Aguachiles” stand. Los Aguachiles is one of my favorite seafood restaurants in Cancun, and they also have a restaurant in playa. There, I had a delicious piece of raw tuna wrapped in a lettuce leaf, with some spice and onions to top it. They’re called “Figurín de atún fresco” (Fresh tuna figurín)

Los Aguachiles - Figurín de atún fresco

Photo by Michele Kinnon

Right next to Los Aguachiles was the stand of “Diablito Cha Cha Cha”, which I already knew as a nightclub in Playa, but never before had I tried their food: very good! Here, I tried the “Tuna Tataki”, which was raw tuna rolled with lettuce and flavored with a special sauce. Can you see the pattern? Yes, I am a raw tuna fan.

Diablito Cha Cha Cha - Tuna Tataki

But not everything was seafood, I also had the chance to try Duck Tacos. Yep, Duck Tacos! They were offered at the stand of “La Lunita”, a restaurant located in Akumal (another beach community close to Playa) which I had never heard of before, but plan on visiting next time I’m around Akumal. The dish was called “Tacos de pato laqueado” and the duck meat literally melted in my mouth as I chewed. I loved the idea of throwing together a taco, which isn’t normally considered a “Gourmet” dish, with Duck meat. The result? Awesomeness.

Okay, I did ate some more seafood here as well… I had the Coconut Shrimp too, which –not surprisingly- was also delicious.

La Lunita - Duck tacos and shrimp coconut

And so, as I was almost ready to burst, I saved some space for dessert of course. I went back to my favorite stand, Tiramisú, and had a sweet, tasty and delicious assorted fruit pie.

After staying for a while more and taking time to enjoy the beach at Playa and of course, walking down “La Quinta” (Playa’s 5th Avenue), it was time for me to get back to Cancun.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Overall, I highly recommend Taste of Playa to anyone that enjoys eating and discovering new flavors, and would advise everyone not to miss it next year. Special thanks to Michele Kinnon and Tyra Hamilton for inviting me, I had a great time and ended up with a full belly, good memories and some wonderful new flavors in my mouth.

Thanks, and (hopefully) see you next year!

Camilo Olea