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Is it safe to cruise to Mexico right now?

Travelers to Mexico are warned to be aware of the inherent risk of contracting and spreading the virus by visiting the area. The CDC recommends that all tourists to Mexico be fully vaccinated and follow local health and safety protocol such as mask wearing and social distancing.



As of March 2026, cruising to Mexico is generally considered safe, though some itineraries have seen recent adjustments. In late February 2026, some cruise lines like Norwegian, Princess, and Holland America rerouted ships or canceled stops in Puerto Vallarta due to localized security operations and unrest in the state of Jalisco. However, industry experts and major ports like the Port of San Diego emphasize that these changes are proactive safety measures and that the ships themselves remain highly secure environments. Other popular destinations like Cabo San Lucas and Mazatlán are currently reporting normal operations with no significant disruptions. On the Caribbean side (Cozumel and Costa Maya), travel continues as usual. The U.S. Department of State provides state-specific advisories for Mexico, so it is wise to check the current "Level" for your specific ports. Most travelers find that sticking to organized excursions and staying within tourist zones ensures a safe experience, as cruise lines will not dock in any area where they cannot guarantee passenger safety.

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Mexico is a safe destination if visitors use common sense and educate themselves about the particular region of the country they are visiting. Due to crime, several regions of Mexico are subject to elevated travel advisories.

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Latest update:There's a high rate of violent crime in Mexico, especially after dark. Kidnapping and extortion are serious risks (see 'Safety'). We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico overall due to high levels of violent crime.

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The dry season runs from October to April, with little to no rainfall, making it a great time to soak up the sun on one of Mexico's fantastic beaches or explore some of Mexico's ancient history.

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In general though, the best time for a Mexico cruise is during the dry season, which begins in November and runs through May. The very best deals can typically be found during the summer and throughout hurricane season–June through September–although hot and humid conditions and the occasional rainstorm are prevalent.

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Hurricane season in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean officially runs from June 1 through November 30. Although the exact paths and initial development of individual hurricanes are hard to predict, the season is generally busiest between mid-August and mid-September.

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Cancun's Current Safety Situation According to the US State Departments, the Yucatan Peninsula is the safest region in Mexico for Americans in 2023. However, the State Department does have a travel advisory of “exercise increased caution” in the state of Quintana Roo.

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One of the biggest foes of good health in Mexico is contaminated water. There's a whole host of different bacteria and parasites that can cause the body harm, and it's usually one of the most reported causes of illness whilst traveling in Mexico.

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Mexico Travel Advisories As of time of publication, the following Mexican states were under a “Do Not Travel” advisory from the U.S. State Department: Colima state (crime & kidnapping) Guerrero state (crime) Michoacan state (crime & kidnapping)

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???? 30 Safest Cities in Mexico for Travelers & Expats in 2023
  • 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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There are high rates of violent crime, such as homicides, kidnappings, carjacking and assaults, including in popular tourist destinations such as the Mayan Riviera (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Morelos and Tulum), and Acapulco. Criminal groups and drug cartels are present in tourist areas.

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Cruising in 2023 is mostly back to normal following the pandemic-induced changes implemented across the industry in 2021 and 2022. Pre-cruise testing has been almost entirely abolished, ships are sailing at full capacity, and new ships are being constructed.

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With 2023 poised to be a big year for both new and frequent cruisers — thanks in part to an abundance of new ships and itineraries — Travel + Leisure has hand-selected 16 different types of adventures to consider in the year ahead.

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If you've ever wondered why cruise ships always stop in a foreign country during the trip, this rule is the answer. The rule states that if a passenger sailing a foreign vessel is on a trip only to one or more American ports, then it is a violation of the law for them to get off the ship.

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Mexico is safe generally but requires precautions, and Playa del Carmen is no exception to this. Playa is overall a safe to travel to and I hope this article gave you the information and tools you need to travel here with confidence.

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Avoid visiting during Christmas, New Year's, and especially Spring Break as these are the most hectic travel periods for Cancun. If possible, avoid Mexico's hurricane season, which stretches from late-July to late-October.

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Mexico has a crime rate of 54.19 while the Dominican Republic has a crime rate of 61.02. This means that per every 100,000 people, 61 of them are subject to a crime in the Dominican Republic while 54 are subject to a crime in Mexico.

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Cozumel is one of Mexico's safest destinations to travel or reside in. The crime index is one of the lowest, 34.57% out of 120%, so the U.S. State Department hasn't appointed any restrictions on visitors to this island other than to “Exercise Increased Caution.”

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You might get one or more extra days at sea, or the captain could swap out the missed port for a new port, should one be available. Sometimes, the entire order of ports is rearranged so that all are still visited but at times when the weather will be less disruptive.

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Cruise ships are designed to be incredibly safe in storms. They have advanced navigation systems and stabilizers that help them stay on course, even in rough seas. The hulls of the ships are also built to withstand strong winds and waves, so they can handle most storms without any issues.

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In such cases, cruise lines have two options: head to a different port up or down the coast to disembark passengers or remain at sea until the ship's home port reopens.

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