Yes, for most visitors who take normal care. The U.S. State Department keeps a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for Quintana Roo, which includes Cancun. France and the United Kingdom carry the same level. The latest dated reports are from February 2026, so read your government’s advisory again in the days before you fly.
What do government advisories say about Cancun?
The Level 2 advisory covers Quintana Roo, including Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. It has not changed since August 2025. The U.S. lists the level for “terrorism and crime”. Level 2 is not a ban and not a “reconsider travel” warning.
The advisory is clear about petty crime. It happens often in both tourist and non-tourist areas. Use extra caution at night, especially outside popular tourist areas where police patrol more often.
Other parts of Mexico carry much stronger warnings. The U.S. “Do not travel” list includes Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. The U.S. also says to reconsider travel to Baja California, Chiapas, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Jalisco and Morelos. Quintana Roo is on neither list.
Canada also tells travellers to avoid non-essential travel to parts of Guanajuato, Jalisco and Nayarit, citing violence and organized crime.
What happened in February 2026?
On February 22, Mexican security forces killed cartel leader El Mencho in Jalisco. Revenge violence followed in Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Gunmen blocked highways and torched cars.
On February 23, the U.S. government issued a security alert that named Quintana Roo, including Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum. It urged U.S. citizens to shelter in place, limit unnecessary movement and keep family and friends informed.
The worst disruption was far from Cancun. Most flights were cancelled in Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta, and all ride shares were suspended in Puerto Vallarta. No airports were closed, but roadblocks did affect airline operations. Authorities in Jalisco, Michoacan and Guanajuato reported at least 14 other people killed, including seven National Guard troops.
President Claudia Sheinbaum urged calm. Authorities cleared most of the more than 250 cartel roadblocks across 20 states. The alert was lifted within days. Flight schedules were back to normal by February 26, and U.S. citizens were asked to return to standard precautions.
The lesson is simple. Events elsewhere in Mexico can still affect roads and flights, even when your resort is calm.
Does cartel and gang violence reach Cancun?
Not in the way February’s unrest did. Cancun is on the Caribbean coast, in a different region, more than a thousand miles from Jalisco. Officials confirmed normal tourism operations during those events.
Cancun does have its own gang problem. Rival criminal gangs have clashed in popular tourist destinations and surrounding areas. Gangs have not targeted tourists. Even so, violent incidents could affect anyone nearby, and several shootings have affected tourists since 2021.
What security is in place?
Local authorities have put visible resources into the tourist areas. Over 7,000 security officers are deployed across the region. The city added 70 new patrol vehicles. Each has six cameras that send live feeds to the C5 monitoring center.
A federal-state Tourist Security Battalion monitors beaches and nightlife areas. The Marina area also has a strong police presence. In an emergency, dial 911 or contact the Cancun Tourist Police.
Travelers describe feeling very safe in the Hotel Zone and established tourist areas. Millions of Americans visit Cancun each year without incidents.
What kind of trouble affects tourists?
Incidents that affect tourists are rare. They usually involve preventable situations, such as accepting rides from unlicensed drivers or carrying large amounts of cash. The Level 2 rating reflects standard urban precautions, not a high level of danger.
A short list of habits covers most of it:
- Use licensed or app-based transport. Skip unlicensed drivers.
- Carry only the cash you need for the day.
- Save 911 in your phone.
- Stay on well-lit pedestrian streets and in tourist zones. Watch your surroundings after dark in downtown Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen.
- Stay in the Hotel Zone at night.
Which scams should I know about?
- ATM risks. It is generally safer to use ATMs during daylight hours inside shops or malls. Avoid taking out large sums. Watch who is near you.
- Fake police. Criminals posing as police officers have targeted travellers driving rental cars. Some real officers have also taken money for minor offences.
- New acquaintances. Travellers have been drugged and robbed after inviting people they met online to their accommodation. Do not share your room number or plans with strangers.
- Panic calls. In a common scam, criminals pose as a kidnapped family member and demand money. If you get such a call, hang up and check on your relative.
Money scams can start at home too. Criminals may try to get your friends or relatives to transfer money if your phone is stolen or hacked. Before you travel, agree how you will contact each other.
Online scams, such as phishing emails and romance scams, are also listed. Some scams target senior citizens.
What about timeshare pitches?
Tourist areas are known for timeshare sales. You are legally entitled to cancel a timeshare contract without penalty within 5 working days. It is illegal for a company to ask you to sign a waiver that blocks this right.
To cancel, you must write directly to the timeshare company. Keep your paperwork and take your time before you sign anything.
Are drinks, beaches and tours safe?
Some bars, restaurants and resorts have served unregulated alcohol. Some travellers reported getting sick or blacking out. Even small amounts of methanol can kill, and you cannot spot it by taste or smell. If you or a friend show signs of methanol poisoning, seek urgent medical help.
Do not leave food and drinks unattended in bars and restaurants. Criminals have robbed or assaulted travellers after drugging them.
Many beaches do not have warning flags to show unsafe conditions. Check the sea before you swim. Ask locals or lifeguards if you are unsure.
Tour operators may not meet Canadian safety standards. For adventure sports such as scuba diving and jet-skiing, equipment may not meet UK safety and insurance standards. British visitors have been injured and, in some cases, killed. Check that your insurance covers each activity.
Is Cancun safe for solo, women and LGBTQ+ travellers?
Cancun is safe for solo travelers, including women traveling alone, if they follow a few practical rules. Stay within the Hotel Zone at night. Use app-based transportation. Join group tours for day trips to remote sites.
Tours remove the need to arrange your own transport. From the Hotel Zone, Chichen Itzá is 2.5 hours away and Tulum is 1.5 hours. Some tours include round-trip hotel pickup in air-conditioned vans with bilingual drivers. Group tours also help you meet other travelers.
Women travelling alone may still face some forms of harassment and verbal abuse. Canadians have been assaulted, and in some cases hotel employees, taxi drivers and security personnel at popular tourist destinations were involved. Hotel staff are sometimes not helpful. Report an assault right away to 911. Canadians should also contact the nearest Government of Canada office.
For LGBTQ+ visitors, 2SLGBTQI+ persons could be discriminated against. Transgender and gender non-conforming people are disproportionately targeted for violence. Think about this before you pick your stops.
Where do I get medical care?
The Hotel Zone has excellent medical facilities with English-speaking staff. Two hospitals stand out. Hospital Galenia is on Avenida Tulum in downtown Cancun. Hospiten is in the Hotel Zone on Boulevard Kukulcán.
Both offer 24-hour emergency services. They are listed with modern equipment and doctors trained in the United States. Note the addresses before you travel, and save them with your insurance details.
What should I do before I go?
- Enroll in STEP. It is a free State Department service. Enrolling takes about five minutes online. The embassy can then contact you in an emergency and send safety updates.
- Download the emergency app. The U.S. Embassy recommends a free emergency services app for Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Cozumel. It offers bilingual help.
- Leave the vape at home. Vaping devices, e-cigarettes, pods and e-liquid are illegal to bring into Mexico. Penalties range from confiscation and fines over $10,000 to arrest.
- Check your insurance. Choose cover that includes medical evacuation. Basic plans typically do not cover cancellations due to civil unrest. Buy before you leave.
- Check health advice. Read the CDC’s latest travel health information for Mexico.
- Share your plans. Tell trusted contacts your travel plans and travel in the daytime where possible.
- Guard your documents. Keep your passport and other travel documents in a secure place.
- Check the advisory again. Read your own government’s advice before you book and again before you fly.
Which busy daytime stops are good choices?
Staying in the Hotel Zone by day keeps plans simple. These sights sit along Boulevard Kukulcan, listed from the north end to the south. Check prices and hours before you go, because listings can change.
- One full turn takes about 30 minutes.
- Entry is M$100.
- The settlement peaked around 250-600 AD. Bring mosquito repellent.
Is it safe to go right now?
The latest dated reports describe Cancun as safe with normal caution. Tourism ran normally after the February 2026 events. Those reports are months old, so treat them as background, not as this week’s status.
Media coverage can make Mexico sound worse than daily life in the tourist zone. The Level 2 rating is the same one given to popular European countries. Weigh that fact against the headlines, then read the current advisory before you book.
Opening hours, prices and visiting details: Torre Escénica de Cancún, Skywheel Cancun, Interactive Aquarium.