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.
Riviera Maya, along with other popular travel destinations in Mexico, is safe and see millions of visitors every year. When crime does occur, it's rarely targeted at tourists, and that's why you often see headlines when it happens—it's an exceptional event that's newsworthy in part because it's very rare.
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.
Check out the hip epicenter of nightlifeCalle 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Riviera Maya has over 700 kms of underwater caverns and almost 200 archeological sites sprinkled across the peninsula. Making it a great destination to explore ancient Maya Ruins, cenotes, and connect with nature too!
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.
Is the Riviera Maya water clear? The Riviera Maya is one of Mexico's most popular tourist regions and for good reason: it offers a wide variety of options for those seeking sun, sea, and relaxation. With its stunning beaches of crystal-clear waters and white sands, the region is a true tropical paradise.
If you like excursions, I would say Riviera Maya as well. Good snorkeling, Xel-Ha, Tulum, and Chichen Itza come to mind. If you value a relaxing vacation on one of the best beaches in the world, it's Punta Cana hands down.
However it's still wise to keep a watch on seaweed conditions as landings of sargassum can still occur. The most recent sargassum forecast for Mexico's Caribbean Coast predicts minimal seaweed in summer 2023 but there may be landings in some locations (such as this beach on June 2023).
Although there will be some bacteria in the water from the tap it is fine to brush your teeth with, even if you are at a place where you can't drink the tap water.
The Riviera Maya hurricane season begins in late May and lasts until early November, with the peak in September and October. The odds of a hurricane hitting Riviera Maya are low (five hurricanes have hit the Yucatan in the past 40 years), but hurricanes traveling near Riviera Maya can still cause severe weather.
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.
Riviera Maya, located on the opposite coast from Cabo, had a surge in celebrity travel a couple of years ago. Paris Hilton, Justin Bieber, and Drew Barrymore all list Tulum as a top destination spot. Neil Patrick Harris joined the list when he and his family traveled to Fairmont Mayakoba for his husband's birthday.
Compare with the average cost of living in:On average, the cost of living in Riviera Maya in 2023 is 27% less than the average cost of living in the United States (USA).