Is Cancun Safe 2023? 21 Travel Safety Tips & What to Avoid

As you plan your trip to Cancun, you probably have some questions running through your mind: Is it safe to travel to Cancun? Are there precautions I need to take before going? Do I need to take extra security measures while visiting this place? What mistakes should I avoid?

I know, I know. That was exactly what I went through before my trips to Cancun, Mexico, and I’m here to help you clear the headache. I will not only answer your questions regarding Cancun safety but also share with you do’s and don’ts in Cancun that correlate to the 21 dumb mistakes to avoid in Mexico.

I have learned most of these mistakes the hard way, which occasionally involved getting “heartache”, wasting time or money, and missing opportunities. I hope that my list of do’s and don’ts in Cancun will help you avoid travel mishaps and have a safe and enjoyable trip in Cancun, Mexico!

☀️Looking for the best things to do in Cancun? Check out my curated list of Cancun Attractions and Activities as well as promos and tricks to save money!

Luxury under Budget aims at helping you get the best deals by maximizing the value of your time and money. My recommendations are based on first-hand experiences and the full analysis of costs vs. benefits. This post may contain affiliate links, but that does not affect any of my evaluations. If you do decide to make a purchase, I’d appreciate it if do so through my affiliate links to support my blog and enable me to provide more free and helpful content. Now, let’s go get you that luxury travel while staying under the budget!

Is Cancun Safe to Travel to Right Now 2023?

It is a legit question because Mexico does have a bit of a bad reputation with drug trafficking cartels, doesn’t it? As with any other places in the world, there are some unsavory elements in Mexico that would make it not 100% safe. There exist cartel-related crimes that happen between rival cartels or drug dealers.

However, cartels know that tourism is a big business and that Cancun is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Mexico – they don’t want to affect that income. Most serious crimes in Cancun are committed outside of the tourist areas, and you can see that the violence and crime rates in Cancun are low compared to other Mexican cities.

How Safe or Dangerous is Cancun for Visitors & Tourists?

According to the latest travel warnings from the The U.S. State Department, Quintana Roo State (home to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos, Tulum, Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres) is currently under Level 2 advisory which advises travelers to exercise increased caution, the same advisory level as France and Spain. 

👉 Check out this list of the safest areas in Mexico for more travel ideas!

In tourist areas like Cancun Hotel Zone (Zona Hotelera) and Playa del Carmen Fifth Avenue (Quinta Avenue), you will see plenty of police and security cameras. If you take precautions, use common sense, stay alert, and don’t wander around to places you don’t know at night, you should feel safe there.

Is it Safe to Walk Around Cancun At Night?

Cancun is generally safe to walk around at night, but I would advise against walking outside of the Cancun Hotel Zone after dark (speaking from my personal experience – details below). Non-touristy areas have a higher crime rate, so you should consider taking a taxi instead.

⭐Safe Areas to Walk Around at Night: Cancun La Isla Shopping Village & Hotel Zone Nightlife Hub surrounding Coco Bongo

If you get tired of the beautiful white sand beaches and Caribbean Sea views in Cancun Hotel Zone, you can experience the local vibes in Downtown Cancun (El Centro). It is not as safe there at night, but you should be fine walking around during the day. Just make sure to watch out for pickpockets, scammers, and street hawkers.

My Personal Experience in Cancun: When I Felt Unsafe

Generally, I believe Cancun is a safe part of Mexico and it’s one of my favorite Mexican destinations for sping break. However, I want to share with you the one instance when I didn’t feel safe outside of the tourist areas in Cancun.

We had a very long vacation in Cancun and after a month of eating mostly at all-inclusive resorts, we wanted to try something different. I was looking on Yelp for a good restaurant highly rated by locals and found one that was only 25-minute walk from our hotel. We both didn’t mind walking and thought it would be a great way to see the city at night. But oh my, it was such a bad idea!

Just about 7-10 minutes outside of the tourist area, everything changed. The streets started getting less crowded and much darker, and I got scared. Just another 5 minutes in, there were some people following us. I panicked! Luckily we saw a taxi and decided to head back to the hotel.

I was surprised to see the contrast between the tourist areas in Cancun and the areas just a few streets over. It got really sketchy without the lights, the people, and the police. Even though the people we saw that night could have been locals who just happened to head in the same direction as us, but something didn’t feel right, and we were glad we followed our gut feelings and left immediately.

Fortunately, that was the only incident when I didn’t feel safe in all my Cancun vacations. My honest advice for you is to stick with the tourist areas to stay safe, especially at night. Wandering even just a few streets outside of the main tourist areas may not be a good idea.

🛎️What are the Safest Places to Stay in Cancun?

21 Best Hotels in Cancun 2023: All-Inclusive vs Non-All-Inclusive

21 Travel Safety Tips & Mistakes to Avoid – The Do’s and Don’ts in Cancun

This list includes not only safety tips and scams to watch out for in Cancun, but also a list of what to do vs what not to do in order to avoid wasting time and money!

1. Don’t – Lose Migratory Tourist Form in Cancun, Mexico

Everyone upon arrival at Cancun International Airport (regardless of age) will receive a Migratory Tourist Form (FMT), also known as the tourist card. There is a fine of up to $60 if you cannot present the form upon exiting the country. You will stand in the long line with others who have misplaced the tourist cards in order to pay the fine and get a new card, then come back to stand in line again to present this card to the immigration officer. If the line is long, you risk missing your flight! That means you will have to pay extra for a new flight ticket on top of the fine.

What to do: Avoid losing your tourist card by attaching it to your passport using a paperclip.

2. Don’t – Assume that it is cheaper to pay in pesos

It is generally cheaper to pay in local currency, especially if you have a credit card with no foreign transaction fee. So when the receptionist asked us whether we wanted to pay in USD or pesos, my husband’s auto-response was “pesos”. However, the amount she gave us ended up converting to more than the price in dollars from our booking quote. We ran into that situation so many times at other all-inclusive resorts that I finally figured out why!

It is because some systems are not updated with the current exchange rate. For example, using an exchange rate from 8 months ago (1 USD = 21 pesos), a room that costs 4200 pesos will cost 200 USD. However, if the rate now is 1 USD = 20 pesos, 4200 pesos equals 210 USD. Since the systems are not up to date, it will quote the older rate, which is 4200 pesos or 200 USD. As you can see, it is actually cheaper to pay 200 USD than paying 4200 pesos and having your bank convert it to $210.

Useful Tip: Avoid overpaying by asking for the price in both pesos and dollars. It may not be worth it to do that all the time, but definitely on big payments such as hotel rooms or tours.

3. Don’t – Sign up for a timeshare presentation without knowing what it really is

You will run into vacation club promoters at the airport, on the street, or in the mall – especially if you are wearing all-inclusive bracelets. These promoters offer tours that are incredibly cheap, such as an Isla Mujeres All-Inclusive Catamaran Tour with spinnaker activity for $10 or Whale Shark Tours for $50! The only thing in exchange is you have to do a “90-minute timeshare presentation”. The problem is: it never ends in 90 minutes. Unless you can lock down thousands of dollars for a membership which is basically a commitment to come back or send people there every year, you will end up losing at least half a day listening to the extremely high-pressured sales pitch.

What to do: Grab my timeshare presentation guide and avoid wasting time by analyzing your situation before signing up for these irresistible deals

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Here is my guideline:

• Are you retired or having financial independence that will enable you to have lots of vacation days?
• Do all your family members love traveling but not mind going to the same place?
• Are you having excess cash to put down thousands of dollars without taking a loan?
• Do you plan to monetize this investment and are willing to spend time promoting it?

If the answers are yes, you could potentially benefit from owning a timeshare. If the answers are no, a timeshare is likely not for you, and the timeshare presentation would be pointless. However, if your answers to the below questions are yes, it may still be worth considering.

• Do you have a lot of days in Mexico that you are willing to spare a day?
• Are you on a tight budget but want to experience luxury?
• Are you curious about how this industry works?

If the answers are no, then you should just politely say no to all the promoters approaching you to enjoy your peaceful vacation!

4. Don’t – Get a timeshare presentation from promoters

I got a presentation through a promoter in La Isla Mall, but in hindsight, I should have booked through a member. The reason is that promoters can only give you a discount on tours, but members can use their referral code to get you a 20-25% discount for the whole stay at the hotel!

For example, if a 5-night stay at a luxury all-inclusive resort like Xcaret Hotel Mexico costs $4000, you may only pay $3000 if you do the presentation! That is $1000 in savings! There are currently promotions on the new Xcaret Hotel Arte as well, so you may end up saving even more!

Almost all the best all-inclusive resorts in Cancun such as Le Blanc Spa Resort, Hotel Xcaret, and Moon Palace have these programs. You can potentially save a lot of money on your luxury trip, but be sure to check out my timeshare presentation guide before you go!

Remember to give only your name, phone number, and email address. The hotel will call you to verify and handle ALL the payments! If a member asks you to pay a deposit, that is probably a scam!

5. Don’t – Forget to pack sunscreen to Cancun

Sunscreens in Cancun are VERY VERY expensive! A bottle of sunscreen you can buy in the US for $7 would end up costing you $20 there!

 6. Don’t – Pack only informal clothes when going to Cancun

Many restaurants (in or out of the all-inclusive resorts) have formal dress codes, but the definition of “formal” varies. My husband was wearing a t-shirt and jeans, and the host asked my husband to change because she said only “collar shirt” qualified as formal outfits for men.

Since my husband didn’t pack any formal clothes for the beach vacation, the host asked him to buy a collared shirt from the hotel gift shop for $50 in order to be seated at the restaurant!

What to do: You probably do not need suits and ties (unless you want to wear them) but you should at least pack the following:

• For men: closed-toe shoes, a collared shirt (can be a polo), and long pants
• For women: closed-toe shoes and a dress

7. Don’t – Buy Stuff at Cancun City Attractions without Bargaining

It is quite common that you will get charged more as a tourist wherever you go, and Cancun is not an exception!

What to do: Learn some basic Spanish phrases that will help with bargaining. But even if you do not have these negotiation skills, just take a moment to contemplate. Most of the time when you show hesitation, the local vendors will automatically lower the price!

8. Don’t – Drink tap water in Cancun, Mexico

Tap water in Cancun is not drinkable, period! Because it isn’t filtered and may contain parasites or bacteria, drinking tap water in Cancun can cause illnesses that may ruin your vacation.

You can get a huge water bottle at OXO for $1, but if you stay at an all-inclusive resort, they typically refill your minibar daily!

9. Don’t – Book a taxi from the airport

There is currently no Uber in Cancun and the taxi at the airport is so overpriced! Price inflation is so bad that the quote you get from the taxis at Cancun Airport can be twice as much as what you would have paid for outside the airport.

What not to do: Although Uber is back in Cancun as of January 2023, it may not be a safe travel option. The United States Department of State as well as the U.S Embassy and Consulates in Mexico have issued a warning for tourists to exercise increased caution when using Uber the area.

10. Don’t – Choose accommodation based solely on price

11. Do – Explore All-inclusive Resort Options in Cancun, Mexico

The first time that I’ve visited Cancun, I didn’t stay at any all-inclusive resorts. I didn’t know what it really meant! I just thought that they were expensive without realizing that I ended up paying even more when adding food, beverages, and transportation on top of the not-as-nice hotel!

What to do: Give it a try and stay at at least one all-inclusive resort! You can find some affordable all-inclusive resorts on this list and will realize that you may actually save money while enjoying better quality and service!  

12. Don’t – Bring only summer clothes and beachwear

Do not let the temperatures fool you! It can definitely get chilly at night, especially if you are planning to hang by the ocean. I was freezing sitting on the beach watching a fire show at 8 pm and regretted not packing anything warm!

What to do: Pack a cardigan or at least a long-sleeve shirt and long pants.

13. Don’t – Stay at all-inclusive resorts on late arrival & early departure

When you pay for the all-inclusive packages, you are not only paying for the room but also the food, beverages, amenities, and entertainment. Most all-inclusive resorts even allow you to use the facilities on the same day before your check-in and after your checkout. If you arrive late or leave early, you miss out on all these perks that you have paid for!

Useful Tip: Book an all-inclusive optional resort so you can opt out of all-inclusive on the day of your arrival or departure.

14. Don’t – Book the cheapest car rental online

We have Chase credit cards that cover rental car insurance, and we have never had a problem booking rental cars with them… until Cancun. When we arrived at Europcar/Fox Rent A Car, they refused to let us take the car unless we put down a $20,000 deposit or buy their insurance. After hours of trying to explain that our credit cards come with insurance, we gave up! We ended up paying a ridiculous amount for their insurance, driving the cost to be so high that it was probably not worth taking a car.

What to do: Make sure you reserve your car with a reputable company like Discover Cars and purchase Mexican car insurance (it only costs 7$/day with Discover Cars)✔️BOOK NOW

Renting a Car in Mexico in 2023: How to Avoid Scams

15. Do – Watch out for crime and scams at the gas station

When we filled up gas on the way to return the car, we gave the attendant a bill of 200 and then a bill of 50 pesos. He took it and we were ready to go, but then he stopped us and said that we only gave him 20 instead of 200. They were the last bills we had in pesos, so it was rather impossible to be mistaken. We didn’t want to argue with him and be late for our flight, so we ended up giving him extra money in dollars.

After the trip, I came back and read similar stories on TripAdvisor so apparently, this is quite common!

What to do: Avoid scams by counting the bill out loud to the gas station attendants and making sure they agree the amounts are correct!

16. Do – Have Enough Pesos for Cancun Activities and Fun Things

Most of the time, you can survive with a no foreign transaction fee credit card. Most reputable companies will allow you to pay for excursions and activities such as paragliding, scuba diving, and snorkeling with a credit card.

However, if you want to try street food, get a taxi, or buy souvenirs, you will most likely need pesos. In many cases, having Mexican pesos will also you more bargaining powers!

What to do: Avoid exchanging money at the airport. You can exchange money for a decent rate anywhere so just make sure you have some cash in dollars or other popular currencies for your trip!

17. Don’t – Go to specialty restaurants at peak dinner time

One of the things I love the most about all-inclusive resorts is specialty restaurants! However, most of the time when we arrived at 7 pm or 8 pm, the wait would either be too long or the waitlist was full already.

What to do: Avoid the long wait by arriving early, especially when the restaurants open!

18. Do – Make reservations in advance

Some specialty restaurants in all-inclusive resorts have entertainment, such as hibachi, belly dance, or even pole dance. These restaurants are so popular that you have to make reservations hours in advance, sometimes even the day before.

What to do: Avoid missing out by asking the receptionist at check-in which restaurants require reservations!

19. Do – Know all the benefits included in the price

We stayed at Hotel Nyx Cancun for three days and did not realize until checkout that a free photoshoot by the beach was complimentary… Fortunately, we learned from that mistake and caught all we wanted to do at the later resorts!

What to do: Read carefully what is included in your package when you book the hotel and double-check with the receptionist!

20. Don’t – Wander Outside of Hotel Zone or Tourist Areas at Night

It’s common to wander around and explore what the city has to offer, but it’s important to be alert of your surroundings, especially at night. Don’t wander outside of tourist areas like Cancun Hotel Zone or Playa del Carmen Fifth Avenue after dark, especially if you are a solo female traveler.

These tourist areas are generally safe because there are a lot of security cameras and police on rounds. However, if you wander just a few streets off the tourist areas, you will see completely different vibes, uncrowded streets without lights, and bad roads.

What to do: Be vigilant of your surroundings and avoid deserted streets at night by sticking to the main tourist areas. In addition, you may also want to remove expensive and “sparkling jewelry” to avoid unwanted attention.

21. Do – Visit Cancun during the March Equinox!

The best time to visit Cancun is from December to April when it’s sunny and the temperatures are mild. Keep in mind that April will be crowded, especially during the two weeks surrounding Easter – the Mexican “spring break” that coincides with many other countries’ spring breaks.

If you can, try to plan your Cancun trip around the spring equinox in March, so that you can witness the “Chichen Itza serpent descending the steps of the Kukulkan Pyramid” – one of the most spectacular and unique events in the world.

If you miss the Chichen Itza serpent in March, you can try coming to Cancun during the fall equinox in September. However, keep in mind that September is part of the rainy season in Cancun (late June to November), so the skies may be cloudy and heavy rains can happen.

What to do: Visit Cancun during the spring Equinox in March for the best unique experience!

The Wrap Up: Is Cancun Safe? Plus 21 Dumb Mistakes to Avoid in Cancun!

Is Cancun safe? Generally, yes, it is safe in the tourist areas, especially if you stay in Hotel Zone or at an all-inclusive resort as there are many security procedures in place. If you want to visit residential areas for local vibes such as Downtown Cancun (El Centro), it is safe to do so during the day, but I would be careful to venture there at night.

There is nothing wrong with making mistakes, but please avoid making the same mistakes that I did in Cancun, Mexico. I hope these do’s and don’ts in Cancun, Mexico guide help you have a wonderful vacation!

If you ended up making new ones or found something that I missed, please share them with me in the comments below!

Cancun Travel Resources

1. Travel Insurance:
   • No one wants to think about what could go wrong on a vacation, but the truth is that accidents can happen anywhere, at any time. That’s why it’s always a good idea to have travel insurance, so you can relax and enjoy your trip knowing that you’re covered if something does go wrong. Don’t take the risk when you can be covered for cheap.
   • Safety Wing is a great option for budget-conscious travelers, as policies start at just $40 USD for a whole month! Basic policies cover travel emergencies, medical costs, and medical expenses while you’re in Mexico as well as transportation back to your home country under circumstances.
2. Getting around Cancun
   • Best Car Rental in Cancun: How to Find it & What to Expect!
   • How to Get from Cancun to Tulum, Mexico: Is there Uber/Lyft?
   • How to Get to Cozumel from Cancun and Playa del Carmen
3. Car Rental Scam
   • Don’t fall for car rental scams in Mexico! Make sure you have full coverage when you make the reservation so car rental agencies can’t upsell their insurance.
   • Discover Cars offers the cheapest car rental rates in Mexico and full coverage insurance for as low as $7 per day. 
4. Best Places to Stay in and near Cancun
   • Where to Stay in Cancun: Best Non All-Inclusive vs All-Inclusive Hotels
   • Best Value & Affordable All-Inclusive Resorts in Cancun, Mexico
   • Best Hotels and Resorts to Stay in Cozumel, Mexico
   • Temptation Cancun Resort – Best All-Inclusive Resort for Nightlife
   • Hotel Xcaret Arte Review – Best Overall Value Adults-Only All-Inclusive Resort
   • Hotel Xcaret Mexico Review – Best Overall Value Family All-Inclusive Resort
   • La Casa de la Playa by Xcaret – Best Luxury Boutique Hotel
5. Best Attractions & Activities in Cancun
   • 37 Top Things to Do & Best Places to Visit in Cancun
   • Thrilling Cancun Activities: Spinnaker vs. Parasailing!
   • Xplor vs Xplor Fuego Adventure Cancun Park Review!
   • Xelha Water Park Review, Coupons & Tips for a Perfect Day!
   • What to See & Do in Cozumel on A Day Trip!
   • The Maldives of Mexico: Is Bacalar Lagoon worth visiting?

Bonus: 61+ Best Cancun Quotes for Instagram & Social Media Captions!