Mexico holidays: are Tulum and Cancun safe to travel to right now? – Times Travel – The Times
Mexico’s popular Riviera Maya has historically been peaceful and largely problem-free. But the last few years has seen a rising number of headline-grabbing incidents of gang-related violence. Although these have largely involved Mexicans or international travellers connected with illegal activity, principally the drug trade, the violence has leaked into tourist areas. In Tulum in 2021, two tourists (one German, one from the US) were killed in crossfire in a gun battle between rival drug dealers.
Reports of violence are always concerning for holidaymakers. It’s important to always monitor the latest official safety advice. But it’s also worth noting that across Mexico, including the Riviera Maya, travellers are not the targets of drug gangs and it’s still extremely rare for tourists to be caught up in or affected by any violence.
I’ve spent plenty of time in Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, and have always felt as safe in the tourist areas as I do in US or UK cities and resorts. It’d be a shame to miss out on a holiday here because of the negative news stories. Here’s what you need to know.
Main photo: Tulum beach (Getty Images)
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Is Cancun safe?
Yes. Many British travellers will arrive at Cancun International Airport, take a taxi or bus to their hotel, and, with sun, sea, food and drink sorted, spend most or all of their holiday within the grounds. Most hotels across the Hotel Zone have always been security-conscious, with guarded gates and security patrols, and many have their own private beaches — as safe and hassle-free as holidays get.
As a new city, Cancun isn’t the most soulful place; but souvenir markets, restaurants, bars and shops, including modern, air-conditioned shopping centres, all feel perfectly safe. You might also find local events, such as music concerts with food trucks. The main advice is to stay in touristy or populated areas — don’t stray too far into the unknown. Be conscious of the petty, opportunistic crime that you find in any tourist areas — don’t flash cash, cameras or iPads.
For nightlife, stick to popular bars and clubs, stay with friends or groups, and always have a clear plan of how to get back to your hotel — lone, drunken wanderings at night, as in any city, are not a bright idea.
“Like all cities, Cancun has risk factors,” says Zachary Rabinor, founder of tour operator Journey Mexico. “Follow common sense guidelines and stay out of trouble. Don’t frequent establishments of ill repute, and, if travelling alone, ‘buddy up’.”
Is Playa del Carmen safe?
Yes. Midway between Cancun and Tulum, Playa del Carmen has a reputation as a party city, though plenty of the hotels are great for families or romantic breaks. As in Cancun, it’s possible to spend your whole holiday by the hotel’s pool or on the beach, though most people will want to explore the shops, bars and restaurants of safe, highly touristy Fifth Avenue and surrounding streets.
At night, avoid roaming too far from the brightly lit, busy area around Fifth. Take a taxi for longer distances after dark, ideally booked by your hotel or at an official stand — always confirm the fare before getting in.
Most tourists are likely to have found the stinky sargassum (algae) drifting onto Playa’s beaches more of an issue than security. The only times I’ve heard of issues, it’s been travellers trying to buy drugs from local dealers.
Is Tulum safe for tourists?
Yes. Hotels, bars and restaurants in Tulum’s downtown and along the beachfront are still safe. The ancient coastal ruins of Tulum are visited by thousands of people each day without any issues.
A few hawkers aside, Tulum beach is blissfully carefree, great for long walks, even for lone travellers, though, as in many other countries, once the sun has set, it’s advisable not to be on the beach alone.
Many travellers go up and down Tulum’s quiet, dimly lit beach road between bars, restaurants and boutiques on foot or by bike (there are a shortage of taxis), which is fine, though, again, after dark, it’s best not to be here alone.
Tulum’s downtown, a few miles inland from the beach, has bars, restaurants, shops and hotels, safe by day, and best enjoyed with friends or groups at night. Don’t walk the long, empty, dark stretch of road that links the beach to downtown.
Are Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum gay-friendly?
Yes. “Cancun and Tulum have the highest LGBTQ+ community in this area of Mexico,” says Stefan Arestis from the gay travel-blogging couple Nomadic Boys. “Outside these areas, we found a gay “scene” mainly in touristy Playa del Carmen. We felt very safe and welcome in Cancun and Tulum as a gay couple and noticed other queer couples there. However, as with all places in the world, we were more cautious about PDA in more rural areas.”
Loba Tulum is a gay, male-only hotel in Tulum, but Cancun, Playa and Tulum don’t have as many “gay only” or “gay-specific” hotels as some international destinations; however, many places are mixed and gay-friendly, including Hotel Breathless and Hostel 3B in Cancun.
“We found a few excellent, adults-only hotels that were very welcoming to LGBTQ+ travellers, such as Hidden Beach Resort au Naturel, a nudist resort, and the Illusion Boutique Hotel in Playa del Carmen,” says Arestis. “In Cancun, we liked Temptation Cancun Resort, Le Blanc, and Secrets — all three are adults-only. In terms of booking hotels, we definitely look at whether they’re welcoming to gay couples. It’s a question we always ask them at the outset.”
Cancun’s gay scene includes 11:11 Club, a large, popular gay club with electronic music, karaoke and stripper shows, Laser Hot Bar Beer y Queer (bar with drag shows) and Japi Cancun.
LGBTQ+ travel company Pink Flamingo Gay Tours operate tours along the Riviera Maya, including ATVs, caves, and Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
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Are Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum safe for solo female travellers?
Yes. Of the three, Cancun can feel more confined, with so many travellers staying at their (often all-inclusive) hotels, while Playa del Carmen and Tulum are the more sociable for solo travellers.
“I preferred Tulum over Cancun as it’s chilled out,” says solo female travel blogger Claire Sturzaker from Tales of a Backpacker. “Although it’s not the quiet fishing village it used to be, it isn’t as intense as Cancun and felt safer to me. There are some great hostels in Tulum where you can meet people, such as Amorcito Hostel, where I stayed, which has a rooftop pool.”
Many standard guidelines for solo female travellers anywhere in the world apply here. “Avoid walking around alone at night in places like Tulum’s beach road and places off the main streets that aren’t well-lit, including the beach itself,” advises Sturzaker. “Don’t accept drinks from people you don’t know, and never leave your drinks unattended. It’s a long walk from Tulum’s beach zone to the town, so consider getting a taxi after dark.
“But I don’t think you need to be any more careful in Tulum than you would anywhere else. You can always join a group tour to visit the ruins or go snorkelling or diving if you don’t feel like exploring alone.”
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Is Tulum safer than Cancun?
Not really. They’re both generally safe. The key difference is that Cancun’s mainstream holidaymakers tend to stick more to their hotels, especially the all-inclusives. Tulum, from the upmarket boutique hotels to the cheap hostels, has more of a bohemian vibe; with more travellers who come to hang out, meet other people and explore, including the beach road and downtown, which means more time outside the securely enclosed confines of a hotel’s grounds. But sensible travellers should feel safe in both.
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What other options are available?
If you have lingering doubts about the Riviera Maya’s hotspots, it’s worth remembering how much else there is across the region, including plenty of hotels north of Cancun, such as the Playa Mujeres* area, and in less visited towns, such as Akumal (famous for turtles in the ocean) and Puerto Morelos*.
There are also many secluded hotels along the coast, such as the massive all-inclusive Grand Velas Riviera Maya*, Hotel Esencia*, Belmond Maroma*, and four great luxury hotels inside the gated Mayakoba complex, including Banyan Tree*, Andaz*, Fairmont* and Rosewood*, all of which feel far away from tourist crowds and even the slightest hint of trouble. Even further removed, check out the scuba-diving island of Cozumel or the lovely laidback Isla Holbox.
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Take me there
Inspired to visit Mexico but yet to book your trip? Here are the best packages from British Airways* and Tui*.