The Riviera Maya, where Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, and Holbox are located is one of the safest parts of Mexico. That’s not to say bad things don’t happen; they do, but that’s a reality everywhere.
Mexico does have a bit of a bad reputation due to drug-related crimes and violence. These incidents typically occur in the north, particularly along the U.S. border. The bad reputation is mainly due to the sensationalized media stories of violence in Mexico. However, in general, Mexico is safer than popular cities in the U.S., including Atlanta, Washington DC, Baltimore, St Louis, New Orleans, Buffalo, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Chicago, and Miami. Like in almost any country, petty crime and pickpocketing can be an issue, so it’s best to stay vigilant of your belongings. Exercise caution and common sense:
The Riviera Maya, where Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, and Holbox are located is one of the safest parts of Mexico. That’s not to say bad things don’t happen; they do, but that’s a reality everywhere.
Given the mainstream media’s coverage of Mexico, movies, and shows about Mexico, travelers might think Mexico is a dangerous country. But, as in most places around the world, there are safe, less safe, and unsafe places.
One of the best articles on this subject comes from Forbes. In it, Carlos Barron, a 25-year FBI veteran, offers a sound perspective about overall Mexico travel safety:
“Millions of Americans go to Mexico on vacation every year, so if we play the numbers game, the number of incidents is very small… When I’m asked if Mexico is a safe place to go travel on vacation, my response is yes.” —Carlos Barron (Source Forbes)
Of course, bad things occur in Mexico; however, they rarely involve tourists. In Mexico, most violence is related to cartels, which don’t have much presence in the Riviera Maya, or most tourist cities.
In general, Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and Holbox aren’t any less safe at night than during the day. Remember that alcohol consumption (and overconsumption) makes all situations and places less safe. So if you’re going out late at night, don’t overconsume alcohol and stick to safe neighborhoods.
The question has a little bit of a yes/no answer. It is possible to get an Uber in most locations along the Riviera Maya; however, it is not always straightforward as Uber drivers face many issues from local Taxi companies.
Yes, taxis in the Riviera Maya are safe. You can hail one right on the street. However, as with taxis in many places, they tend to price gouge with tourists, so always settle on the price before getting in.
It surely is. As such, the same travel safety precautions you’d take anywhere else will suffice to keep you safe in the Riviera Maya. These include listening to your intuition, and avoiding the less-safe parts of town.
It surely is. For families, Mexico has destinations ranging from perfect honeymoon locations to ideal family vacation trips. They are just as safe and enjoyable for families as solo travelers, if not more.
As there are many things to do and places to see, renting a car is a good and safe option. For more information check our article about renting a car.
No, tap water in Mexico is unsafe to drink for anyone. To make Mexico water safe to drink, you’d have to boil it or use a Water-To-Go Filtration Bottle. You can also buy and drink bottled water, which is readily available.
The reason tap water is “safer” in some places versus others comes down to one thing “filtration.” Like in the U.S., tap water in Mexico has tiny microscopic organisms. These are often different microorganisms than those you are used to in the U.S or your home country. Your body can tolerate the ones it’s used to, but unfamiliar ones can lead to sickness. Similarly, someone traveling to the U.S. will most likely get sick from drinking tap water for the same reason.
Interesting fact: Locals and visitors alike named the Traveler’s Diarrhea the Moctezuma’s Revenge. Even though this can happen to any traveler in any country, your personal microbiome (natural gut bacteria) isn’t able to handle whatever it is in the food and water in the Country you have traveled to. In India, this is called Delhi Belly.
A widespread myth circulating the internet is that you must avoid salads and fresh fruits in Mexico, as veggies and fruits are washed in tap water. But, as tap water isn’t safe, locals don’t wash produce in it, which would get them sick. So don’t be afraid of eating produce; the fruit in Mexico is simply delicious.
Another similar myth circulating is that you should avoid ice in Mexico. This is false. Ice is not produced with tap water.
Get travel insurance! If there’s one certainty about travel, it’s that something will not go according to plan. Read our article about travel insurance.