Cancun remains one of the most popular hotspots for American travelers this year. Unfortunately, some in the media paint a terrible picture of the pristine beach destination.
They say if it bleeds, it leads. American news outlets often seem to be out for blood for Mexico’s tourism industry.
While they do report accurate death tolls and violent protests, other important factors tend to be left unsaid.
It’s only natural for those looking for a nice vacation to be a little weary of traveling to Cancun or the entire country of Mexico in general.
Violent attacks, kidnappings, muggings, robberies, and random shootings can happen anywhere.
The recent reports of violence in Cancun and other areas of the country have left a stain on Mexico’s tourism industry, but it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
Political Ping-Pong
Official warnings and travel advisories have come from different areas of the U.S. government, which obviously won’t entice travelers to visit.
Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, encouraged Texans to avoid crossing the border after a kidnapping story in the Mexican border town of Matamoros took over headlines.
This became a back-and-forth battle of political ping-pong between Mexican officials and U.S. officials, as Mexico’s President rebutted that the U.S. is more dangerous than his country.
Who you believe is up to you, but there are arguments to both sides. There are isolated incidents in both of these neighboring countries that may not tell the whole story.
For Cancun, in particular, it remains a very safe place to travel. Millions of U.S. tourists flock here each year for a fun getaway.
Crime does occur here as it does just about anywhere, but Cancun has taken the necessary steps to safeguard tourists from any imminent threats.
Why Cancun Remains Safer Than You Are Lead To Believe
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There has been a strong increase in security presence across Cancun in areas where tourists typically visit.
It will not be unusual at all right now to see armed forces along the beaches and resorts to protect tourists from any outside threats.
Military, as well as private security, are lining the streets and tourist districts. Visitors may also notice more security cameras than ever before outside popular restaurants and bars.
Statistically, the more common areas visited by tourists have very low crime rates. Often times when a crime involving travelers does occur, it is in a neighborhood where travelers should have more awareness.
There have been reports of shootings in and around the Tourist Zone, but these are rare events that should not deter travelers from enjoying one of the best beach destinations in North America.
Although scary, most often, these out-of-the-blue violent crimes are between criminals involved in illegal activities that do not have anything to do with tourists.
What About Safety In The Rest Of Mexico?
Border cities typically have a sketchy reputation, but Tijuana is one of the most visited cities in the world.
Violent crime does occur, but the vast majority of visitors remain unharmed and go about their day safe and sound.
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When the random attack in Matamoros happened, it left a stain not only on border cities but the broad view of Mexico as a whole.
There are so many beautiful destinations, both culturally and visually, across this wondrous country.
Travelers would be doing themselves a disservice by solely looking at travel advisories and falsely judging a book by its cover.
Sure, it is important to do research and remain vigilant no matter where you travel in the world.
There are so many amazing places to visit in Mexico, but random and often exaggerated crime reports should not be the only determining factor.
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It’s important to know Mexico thrives on the tourism industry. The last thing they want is to have their guests harmed in any way.
In the more popular beach destinations such as Los Cabos, Tulum, and more, Mexico has already implemented more security.
Other cultural hubs, such as Oaxaca, Mexico City, and Merida all remain remarkably safe, even to U.S. government reports.
In fact, much to the delight of Mexico’s President, the lovely city of Merida is safer than most U.S. cities.
Travelers should go where they feel comfortable, but Mexico has more than meets the eye when it comes to inflated crime reports.
