Vacation in Cancun Mexico -safety concerns
 

We are talking about different places to vacation and are looking at resorts in Mexico. Many of them are breath taking and would be a trip of a lifetime. However, we are a bit concerned about our safety while there. Has anyone visited resorts in Mexico before and if so did you feel safe? Any places you would recommend?

The safest resort area that I know is Ixtapa which is on the Pacific side. Just beach, hotels, condos and restaurants. And sunsets, of course.

Just sent you a PM

We have been all over Mexico and our favorite place is the Riviera Mayan area. The beaches are beautiful and you can swim in front of the resorts. When we stayed in Cancun we were not able to enter the water 6 out of 7 days. Cancun is about 45 minutes from Riviera Mayan.

We preferred RM area because it was closer to Cozumel, Xcaret, and many of the tourist attractions. We felt safer in RM than we did in Cancun. When we went to downtown Cancun there were armed police holding machine guns scattered along the street. Very intimidating and nerve wracking. Downtown RM is not like that.

Be forewarned anywhere you go in Mexico once you get into shopping areas you will be hounded relentlessly by vendors selling their goods. After a few days of this its very aggravating. The best way to handle the vendors is don't look at them and just keep walking.

As for your safety the resorts are very safe. Almost all of them are gated and patrolled by armed guards. Once you leave the hotel area stay on the beaten path and don't venture off too much. Its not much different than going to any large American city. There are boundaries and one should not cross them. Use common sense is the best approach.

When choosing a resort or which area to visit try using Trip Advisor. Lots of good information on there and some good reviews also. Trip Advisor has a forum and they are always eager to answer any questions.

One last thing when you get to Mexico you MUST go to Xcaret and see the live evening show. It last for 2 hours and it is spectacular.

We love Mexico and hope you will enjoy your trip.

This website has some useful insight for tourists planning travel to Cancun.
Cancun: Health & Safety - TripAdvisor

We've visited Mexico a few times, different destinations each time, I feel safe in the resorts which are usually gated and patrolled. PV was a fun town. I'm not sure if I'd rent a car and drive to the mountains.

Of course the more expensive resorts offer luxury, more amenities, and hopefully they are more demanding and stringent when hiring security staff.

Just got back from Fairmont Mayokoba in Riviera Maya two weeks ago - 30 minutes from Cancun. Drove 30 minutes from airport and yes there were armed guards going to to gated communities.

Resort was beautiful and food and drinks were very expensive. Trip was for business.

I'll check with my daughter's brother in law who just returned from a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico (to visit anthropological sites, etc.)

Our son travels to Mexico City on business as a consultant. He said it was old, obviously, but so far his visits have been fine. He flew down on the Dreamliner. I think that plane has some issues.

My husband has a friend who returns to Cancun often and our N.J. nephew, ditto. They also traveled to see ancient ruins while on vacation in Cancun.

As long as you stay in resorts, you probably will be fine. I have heard warnings that people should NOT drive , say from Arizona down through Mexico.....as one never knows what might happen on the highways.

I'll check re the Yucatan Peninsula.

Cozumel can't be beat if you snorkel or you dive.

We found armed guards in Cancun too and it's a bit unsettling. We stayed in a hotel that was gated and we felt secure within the resort. We ventured out on buses several times to see the area. We didn't go out at night on the public transportation and felt safe. Yes, the drivers do start abruptly when you're going to your seat and we sat toward the front of the bus. The buses would "forget" to stop at your stop and we did have to walk once or twice from the next stop. Never felt unsafe. We went into town one evening, but went back to the hotel by 9:00 and enjoyed the night life before the more rowdy crowd arrived. My husband walked from the hotel every day to the down town and in the morning, there was nobody there except the people cleaning up after the crowds from the previous night. Never felt unsafe.

We wanted to see downtown, the ruins, and take a boat ride. We decided not to rent a car and paid to take guided tours. We did this 4 times, the expense was greater, but we were with other tourists and the guides took good care of us

Unfortunately, the times have made it that you have to be cautious when you travel to areas, even within the US. Our theory was to travel to the Mexico regions before safety issues got any worse.

I go to cancun at least twice a year and always stay on the hotel strip. its only 8 miles from the airport and very safe. safer than downtown Orlando !!!

Why would you vacation where armed guards are required? I must be missing something.

I have never seen an armed guard on the hotel strip in cancun. I have been there numerous times.
ps...all cities have armed guards.

there is a lady lake armed guard assigned to the square at spanish springs! I just read about a bunch of armed police officers all over wildwood last night. does that mean one shouldn't visit wildwood?

Statistically, Orlando is rated a very high crime area, among the top 5% in the country. Does that mean we don't visit Orlando? Of course not, certain areas of the city are safer than others. And so with Cancun. We've been to Mexico several times, and staying in the hotel areas, we never felt unsafe.