In researching and writing my book on all-inclusive resorts in Cancun and the Riviera Maya, I have discovered many common questions potential vacationers to this area of Mexico have asked.  While these questions are covered in the book, I am going to give everyone a heads up and answer them ahead of the book’s publication.

So, here they are and my answer to them.  This is a new series of blog articles and will be divided into questions concerning safety in the area, deciding what kind of all-inclusive you are looking for in the area and what area is best to book, booking a resort stay, upgrading a resort experience, what to pack for an AI stay, making dinner reservations at a la cartes, what to know about the check-in process/rooms and suites, what to do about lounger “hogs”, exploring outside of the resort, and what exactly is supposed to be included in an AI resort–bare minimum to ultra luxury resorts.

Let’s start out with addressing safety issues.  Is it safe to travel to this part of Mexico?

One of the most common questions vacationers ask when considering a Cancun or Riviera Maya resort stay concerns the issue of safety.  While it is true that Cancun and the Riviera Maya have experienced an increase in crime during the last several years, the Mexican government has attempted to crack down on cartel and drug-related violence which has been the primary culprit of crime escalation in this area of Mexico.  Staying safe in Cancun and the Riviera Maya is really not that different than staying safe anywhere else in the world when traveling.  Here are some basic safety rules to follow:

• Don’t participate in any illegal activities.  Purchasing drugs from anyone here can potentially turn into a very messy situation.
• Leave your shiny baubles at home.  Don’t bring expensive watches or jewelry, it may only result in the higher likelihood that you may be targeted for bauble removal.
• Don’t flash cash anywhere, bring along only the money you may need as you go to clubs, excursions, etc.  Keep the rest in a secure digital safe.
• Use only ATM’s in well-lit popular areas such as banks, supermarkets, and resorts. Cover the ATM screen while using so that others don’t see any personal information being entered–be aware of who’s behind you.
• Don’t walk in non-lit or sketchy areas; try and walk with a group of individuals if possible.
• Don’t take the public Cancun bus system after midnight, use the taxi service.
• Take only regulated taxis after late night partying  Sit in the back seat, and no taxi sharing.
• It’s very tempting, but don’t walk along the beach at night. Beaches in Mexico are public, even at all-inclusive resorts, so anyone can be wandering around.  While all-inclusive resorts hire security guards who do their best to make the area safe, they cannot be at all places simultaneously.
• Don’t give other guests your room number unless you know and trust them.  Arrange to meet potential new friends in busier resort areas.
• If your drink tastes “funny”, order another at a different bar.  If you are at an all-inclusive resort you’ve already paid for it in advance.
• If out at a club, never ever leave a drink unattended.
• Drink responsibly even if you are in Cancun to party.  If you can’t commit to that, ask someone in your group to do so if you are going out for the evening.  That doesn’t mean others cannot drink (I’m assuming no one is driving in your party), it means that not everyone gets “blitzed” or falling down drunk.
• This seems an obvious item, but never ever get into a public transportation vehicle if the driver seems impaired.
• Don’t take colectivos/combis at night, take a regulated taxi.  Combis are most frequently found in the Riviera Maya.

Do these safety suggestion sound familiar?  They should, most are common sense rules we all follow to stay safe anywhere in the world when we travel.

Still concerned about safety?  United States citizens thinking of going to Mexico should make sure to check the US Dept. of State–Bureau of Consular Affairs website (travel.state.gov/content/travel.html) to see if there are any official travel advisories  currently in effect. Canadians can check their own travel advisories at travel.gc.ca, while UK citizens can check Mexican travel advisories at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice-Mexico. Further information about how safe it may be to travel to Cancun and the Riviera Maya at the time of one’s trip can be found at safearound.com/Americas/cancun.

Next blog article will address safety concerning food and drink at AI resorts.