Cancun’s 2023 Safety Rankings Improve As Crime Was On A Decline Last Year

Cancun's 2023 Safety Rankings Improve As Crime Was On A Decline Last Year

There were fewer homicides in 2022 than there were in 2021, according to Oscar Montes de Oca Rosales, the state’s attorney general for Quintana Roo. In fact, there were 34 fewer homicides this year than the year before.

“We have many pending tasks, debts to society, although having a positive number means that they are on the right track, and that is why we are going to continue to work very hard. We have already gone through that line of learning, now we have to be more effective,” the Attorney General said. 

In recent years, it has been common for the military to be used to monitor popular tourist sites in an effort to dissuade criminal activity and prevent criminals from harming tourists. In reality, during the busiest seasons of the year, hundreds of soldiers may be sent to particular locations in the Mexican Caribbean, like Cancun.

The most recent large-scale deployment took place in September 2022, when more than 3,000 soldiers, including at least 1,500 members of the National Guard, were sent to popular tourist destinations to protect travelers.

There are no travel restrictions to the state of Quintana Roo, according to the U.S. State Department, which decides whether foreign locations are secure for Americans to visit.

However, due to the existence of crime, they do advise visitors to the area to “exercise caution” while there. Additionally, they have offered a list of recommendations to assist travelers in keeping themselves safe while on vacation in Quintana Roo.

Check our full travel guide: Is Cancun Safe To Travel?

Quintan Roo Safety Tips

  • Keep in touch with friends and family.
  • When taking a cab alone, send a picture of the taxi number or plate to a friend or family member.
  • Use GPS with your traveling friends.
  • Don’t go out at night by yourself.
  • Avoid using non-toll roads, especially after dark.
  • When attending bars and nightclubs, be cautious.
  • At ATMs and banks, be alert of your surroundings.
  • Expensive jewelry and other displays of wealth should be avoided.

Cancun authorities will likely continue to use the military to maintain security in the idyllic tourist destination, but there are also plans to expand the police force. Cancun could use additional police officers, although they have more than many other Mexican cities. The reason for this is the likelihood that annual visitor numbers will continue to increase dramatically.