Is Cancun or Riviera Maya safer?

No where is perfectly safe but the Mayan Riviera is one of the safest areas of Mexico. Traffic is getting worse (and thus more accidents) and both Cancun and Playa del Carmen have recently had some incidents of gang/cartel violence.



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Cancun and Riviera Maya offer unique and exciting vacation experiences on Mexico's Caribbean coast. While Cancun is known for its lively nightlife, shopping, and entertainment, Riviera Maya offers a more laid-back and tranquil experience focusing on nature, eco-tourism, and cultural heritage.

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DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE THE RESORT The Mayan Riviera is all for tourism, most of it is perfectly safe for everyone, I always say, every place in the world has dangerous areas, and they're usually easy to spot if you're just mindful of the surroundings. Go out and explore, this land is full of wonders!

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Playa del Carmen is one of the safest places to travel in Mexico, and one of the best beach towns in Mexico. For the most part, Playa del Carmen is considered safe for the majority of visitors, with the biggest threats usually being hurricanes, hangovers, sunburns and mosquitoes.

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Playa del Carmen, the north beach in Tulum, and Akumal all have lifeguards for the beaches but they are limited. Swim close to shore and it you are not a big swimmer, wear a life vest. Waves will not get to big, this is a not a surfers paradise so swimming can be done every day!

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Check out the hip epicenter of nightlife Calle 12, Playa del Carmen is a street lined with bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and entertainment that is one of the major hubs of local Riviera Maya nightlife.

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June 2023 Update: Of course it's quite a diverse region, so the safety situation can vary in different areas. However in general the Riviera Maya remains one of the safest areas you can visit in Mexico.

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The short answer: No, it isn't that dangerous. Is it extremely dangerous to leave the resort in Mexico? I've been all over the Yucatan and never experienced any problems. I've walked away from the resort area and into the city of Cancun and have never been shot or beheaded.

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Its pristine, white beaches, beautiful cenotes, archaeological sites, divers cuisine, restaurants, hotels, condos and resorts. Here are 10 reasons to visit the Riviera Maya, in the south of Cancun, from Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen, Sian Ka'an in the south of Tulum.

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Violent crimes, in particular, are typically target individuals connected to cartel activity. I mention all of this here just to make you aware, not to deter you from traveling to the Riviera Maya. Despite what the media portrays, the Riviera Maya is a welcoming and safe destination for solo travelers in Mexico.

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Oftentimes, people use Cancun and the Riviera Maya interchangeably; however, they are two different locations. Cancun is a city with a lot of residents while the Riviera Maya is a region south of Cancun with many smaller resort towns such as Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Puerto Morelos all located along the water.

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TRAVEL ADVICE: IS CANCUN SAFE? If you're thinking about a vacation and wondering, “Is Cancun Safe?” … the short answer is: the Yucatán Peninsula, including Cancun, Tulum, and the Riviera, is the safest area of Mexico in 2023, according to the US State Department.

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Looking for the safest places in Mexico to travel?
  • Merida – Safest City in Mexico & Latin America.
  • Puerto Vallarta – Safest Mexico Beach City.
  • La Paz – Safest Mexico Beach Town.
  • Sayulita.
  • San Miguel de Allende.
  • Huatulco.
  • Puebla de Zaragoza (Puebla City)
  • Isla Holbox Island.


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The best time to visit is between December and March when the weather is most settled. The hottest month of the year is May with an average daily maximum of 36 C and an average low of 23 C.

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The Riviera Maya is one of the safest places in Mexico, but that doesn't mean you should not be precautious. One thing you can do is invest in theft-proof clothing and accessories such as a slash-resistant shoulder strap. So that if anything does happen, at least your belongings will be safe.

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What airport is close to Riviera Maya? A The Cancun International Airport is the closest to Riviera Maya, which is located 20-60 minutes away, depending on where you go.

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