Is Cancun safe in 2025? Travel advisories and safety tips

Is Cancun safe for tourists in 2025?

If you’re dreaming of booking an all-inclusive vacation filled with sun, sand, and margaritas but are nervously asking yourself “is Cancun safe?” — no need to rethink your travel plans just yet. Cancun is generally safe for tourists in 2025, but this seal of approval comes with a couple of caveats.  

In order to understand Cancun safety, we’ll first have to cover where the city is located. Cancun is in Quintana Roo state on the Yucatan Peninsula. The city had one of the highest increases of global tourist demand in the world when comparing flight bookings from summer 2019 to 2024.¹ And between its stunning beaches, highly-rated all-inclusive resorts, and short distance from the World Wonder Chichen Itza, it’s easy to see why Cancun is such a popular destination for tourists around the world — especially for American and Canadian travelers who are only a short flight away.²

On February 19, 2025, the US Embassy issued a warning to be aware of increased petty crime during spring break travels to Mexico, including Cancun.³ However, the US Department of State has not changed its travel advisory for Quintana Roo state since 2024, which still advises tourists to “exercise increased caution.” The department’s website does not include a Cancun, Mexico travel advisory specifically, but warns that “Criminal activity and violence may occur in any location, at any time, including in popular tourist destinations.” The advisory suggests that since most crimes happen after dark, tourists should stick to well-lit pedestrian streets once the sun is down. For some perspective, the department issues the same travel advisory for France, Italy, Spain, the UK, and Sweden for various reasons including threats of terrorism and civil unrest. Just as Rome, Paris, and London have been long-standing bucket-list destinations for tourists around the globe, these cities all come with risks — just as Cancun does. 

What is the Cancun crime rate?

While we’re still in the early stages of 2025 and Cancun crime statistics for this year are not yet available, one study from February 2024 found that the most common crime in Cancun was robbery, which accounted for nearly 25% of crime in the city for that month.⁴ 

In 2024, Cancun’s homicide rate was about 64 per 100,000 residents.⁵ For the sake of comparison, the 2024 homicide rate in St. Louis, Missouri was 69.4 per 100,000 residents, a rate cementing the city as the “murder capital of the US.”⁶ We won’t sugarcoat it — these statistics may paint a gruesome image of the city. However, crime and homicide statistics alone do not account for where these crimes happen or who the intended targets are. Tourists are rarely the targets of violent crime. As long as you’re following basic safety precautions when you travel to Cancun, such as not going out alone at night and refraining from wearing “flashy” jewelry and clothes, you minimize your risk of being in the wrong place, at the wrong time.   

Is Cancun safe from cartels in 2025?

If you’re nervously asking yourself “is Cancun safe from cartels?”, we’re sorry to say that like other cities in Mexico, Cancun is not immune to cartels and drug trafficking. A few headlines from February 2024 detail an alarming case where tourists were collateral damage from cartel violence in Cancun.⁷ However, we could single out cases of gang violence and shootings in popular US cities like Los Angeles, New York, Miami, or Las Vegas. Despite alarming headlines, these four cities are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the US. Be mindful of people’s tendency to attribute sensational headlines to generalizations about places. Headlines like these can paint a broad and subsequently, inaccurate, picture of Cancun. 

What areas of Cancun are dangerous?

It’s difficult to pinpoint dangerous areas of Cancun because the city is generally considered safe, though some sources report an increase in violent crimes in downtown Cancun and Alfredo V. Bonfil, a suburb of Cancun. 

Chances are that if you’re staying at an all-inclusive resort, you’re minimizing your risk of danger and likely will not experience the same risks as those who choose to venture outside of their resort. However, petty theft, scams, and violent crime are possible, even in touristy areas of Cancun. As such, the US Department of State recommends exercising increased caution after dark in Cancun and to stick to well-lit pedestrian areas. 

Is Mexico safe to visit?

The short answer is that safety in Mexico is not guaranteed — it depends on what region you’re traveling to and what safety precautions you’re taking. The sad reality is that Mexico does indeed have a high rate of violent crime. But, and this “but” is important, please note that like any other country, Mexico is not a monolith and its crime statistics can be taken out of context to make sweeping generalizations about travel in the country. Traveling to some Mexican states and cities comes with far greater risks than others. 

No matter where you plan to visit in Mexico, always check travel advisories from official government websites because in some cases, you may want to reconsider travel plans. Let’s take a look at Mexico travel advisories issued by the US, Canada, and the UK. 

• The US Department of State’s Mexico Travel Advisory (updated on September 6, 2024): “Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread and common in Mexico. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or restricted. In many states, local emergency services are limited outside the state capital or major cities.”

• The Government of Canada’s Mexico Travel Advisory (updated on January 28, 2025): “Exercise a high degree of caution due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.” The advisory also lists regions where Canadian citizens should avoid “non-essential travel.”

• The Government of the UK’s Foreign Travel Advice for Mexico (updated on October 10, 2024) lists terrorism, political demonstrations, and crime as potential travel risks.

So, is Mexico safe? The bottom line is that some regions of Mexico should be avoided at all costs according to the US Department of State, the Government of Canada, and the Government of the UK. Before planning your trip, make sure you check your country’s updated travel advisories for places to avoid in Mexico and cities or regions to remain extra vigilant. 

While these warnings should be taken seriously, you don’t have to let them deter you from visiting relatively safe places like Cancun. No destination in the world is 100% safe and it’s wise to take a few extra precautions when you travel to a new place to ensure you have the most enjoyable trip possible. Be aware of your surroundings at all times, but stay calm. 

How safe is Cancun compared to other Mexican destinations?

Compared to other cities in Mexico, Cancun is considered a safer one. You can get a better idea of Cancun safety by looking at travel advisories for its home state, Quintana Roo, and comparing it to other Mexican states. 

The US Department of State uses four levels of travel advisories for countries and states:

1. Exercise normal precautions.

2. Exercise increased caution.

3. Reconsider travel.

4. Do not travel.

Quintana Roo State, where Cancun resides, is currently issued a “level 2” travel advisory “due to crime.” Comparatively, states Michoacan, Sinaloa, and Tamaulipas are issued a “level 4” advisory and should be avoided at all costs. At this moment, only two Mexican states have been assigned a “level 1” advisory — Yucatan, the neighboring state to Cancun’s Quintana Roo, and Campeche.

This data was taken from the US Department of State’s official website on February 12, 2025. Please note that travel advisories are updated every day. For the most up-to-date information on travel advisories, see the US Department of State’s interactive travel advisory map.

So, is Cancun safe? As of February 12, 2025, Quintana Roo and in turn, Cancun, is relatively safe but increased levels of caution are advised by the US Department of State. 

How safe is Cancun compared to other Mexican cities? Cancun is safer than many cities in the country, but not the absolute safest according to this data. Just a reminder that the same “level 2” travel advisory has been assigned to the UK, France, and Italy as well. 

10 Cancun safety tips for travelers

If you’re still wondering “is it safe to go to Cancun?,” consider the following safety tips to feel more confident on your trip: 

1. Get travel insurance. No matter where you’re vacationing, purchasing travel insurance that covers medical care ensures that in the event of an emergency, you won’t be left with exorbitant fees. 

2. Know Mexico’s national emergency number. Like the US and Canada, the number is 911. 

3. Don’t buy or use drugs. Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is illegal in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence.

4. Use a fanny pack for cash and valuables. Petty crime like pickpocketing and purse-snatching is common in Mexico. Keep a fanny pack or something discreet to put your phone and money in and be aware of your personal belongings at all times. 

5. If driving, stick to main roads. Avoid driving in secluded areas, especially at night. 

6. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash and wearing “flashy” jewelry. 

7. Drink responsibly. Police may arrest you if you’re deemed too drunk in public. If you plan on clubbing, exercise the same caution you would at any club (for instance, always monitor your drink and keep it with you at all times). 

8. Use taxi services like Uber instead of street taxis, especially when outside the Hotel Zone. According to the UK Government’s Mexico travel advisory, unlicensed taxi drivers have robbed and assaulted passengers. The US State Department also recommends avoiding taxis and suggests instead to use Uber. You’ll need an internet connection for this, so you may want to consider getting an eSIM for Mexico. 

9. Prioritize exploring during daylight hours. If venturing out at night, try not to go alone and stick to well lit pedestrian streets.

10. Use common sense. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave. 

Cancun safety in 2025: The bottom line

• Cancun continues to be one of the most visited destinations for tourists around the world and is considered to be a safer city in Mexico compared to others. 

• Not all areas of Mexico are safe — you should always check your country’s travel advisories for Mexico before going.

• Be aware that just because you see alarming news headlines, it does not cover the whole picture. Be mindful of the availability heuristic. 

• Practice safety precautions — perhaps more than you would at home. 

• If you really feel nervous after reading headlines, you can always reconsider your travel plans.

References

¹ Statista Research Department. (2024, June 5). Travel destinations with the highest increase in share of flight bookings worldwide between June and August 2024 vs. 2019. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1466426/summer-travel-destinations-highest-change-global-tourist-demand/

² Olmos-Martínez, E., Álvarez-Carmona, M. Á., Aranda, R., & Díaz-Pacheco, A. (2023). What does the media tell us about a destination? The Cancun case, seen from the USA, Canada, and Mexico. International Journal of Tourism Cities, 10(2), 639-661. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJTC-09-2022-0223

³ U.S. Mission to Mexico. (2025, February 19). Message for U.S. citizens: Spring break travel. U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico. https://mx.usembassy.gov/message-for-u-s-citizens-spring-break-travel-2/

⁴ Statista Research Department. (2024, July 5). Most common crimes in Cancun in February 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1465308/most-common-crimes-cancun-mexico/

⁵ Mamchii, O. (2024, June 11). Top 10 most dangerous cities in Mexico. Best Diplomats. https://bestdiplomats.org/most-dangerous-cities-in-mexico/

⁶ Lloyd, M. (2024, October 1). America’s murder capitals: A 2025 ranking of the deadliest cities. Freedom for All Americans. https://freedomforallamericans.org/highest-murders-in-us-by-city/ 

⁷ Eberhart, C. (2024, February 23). Tropical resorts popular with Americans no longer 'off limits' for cartel killers: 'The rules have changed'. Fox News 11 Los Angeles. https://www.foxla.com/news/cartel-violence-against-americans-tropical-resorts.