Home / Destinations / Cancún / Riviera Maya
Threat assessment · Mexico
Cancún / Riviera Maya
Our rating, plus the advisories, health notices, emergency numbers and crime data behind it, from official sources checked Oct 20, 2026.
Nepsis threat assessment
Cancún / Riviera Maya
Reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Scored with our published method; never below the State Department level.
Crime and scams sets the level.
Top actions
- Leave expensive-looking jewelry, watches and clothing at home or in your hotel safe.
- Plan road trips between resorts and towns for daylight hours whenever possible.
- Share your travel plans with trusted contacts and check the hurricane forecast through November.
Know before you go
Dial 911 in Mexico for ambulance, fire or police; Atlantic hurricane season runs through November.
Official advisories
What governments say right now.
Checked Oct 20, 2026. We link every source so you can read it yourself.
| U.S. State Department | Level 2: Exercise increased caution (updated May 28, 2026) Read it → |
|---|---|
| UK Foreign Office (FCDO) | Last updated Oct 20, 2026. Latest change: Removal of information about Hurricane Trudy ('Warnings and insurance' page). Read it → |
| CDC health notices | Level 1 - Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever in Mexico (Dec 22, 2025) CDC travel notices → |
| Emergency numbers | Telephone: 911 (ambulance, fire, police) |
| Main airport | CUN |
Crime and scams
What the UK Foreign Office advises.
Excerpt from UK FCDO travel advice, lightly trimmed for travelers outside the UK. This advice covers all of Mexico, not only Cancún / Riviera Maya. Full FCDO safety advice →
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Crime is a risk to foreign nationals in Mexico, particularly in major cities and tourist resort areas. Street crime is a serious issue in these places.
Many Mexican and foreign businesses choose to hire private security. You should:
- research your destination thoroughly
- only travel during daylight hours when possible
- monitor local media
- tell trusted contacts your travel plans
If you want to report a crime, do so immediately at the nearest branch of the state prosecutor’s office (‘Agencia del Ministerio Público’). A criminal investigation is not possible without a formal complaint to the Mexican authorities. You must make a complaint in person before you leave Mexico.
The Mexico City Command and Control Centre (‘Centro de Atención a Emergencias y Protección Ciudadana de la Ciudad de México’) has information and advice on safety in Mexico City in Spanish.
Using ATMs
Take care withdrawing money from ATMs or using exchange offices (bureau de change). Criminals have targeted people using these services. It’s generally safer to use ATMs during daylight hours inside shops or malls. Avoid withdrawing large amounts and watch who is around you while you are at an ATM.
Protecting your belongings
Pickpocketing and theft are common, including on public transport. You should:
- avoid wearing expensive-looking clothing, jewellery or watches
- limit the amount of cash or credit and debit cards you carry
- watch your luggage, even in apparently secure places like the lobby of your hotel
Scams
Be wary of criminals posing as police officers and trying to fine or arrest you for no reason. They have targeted travellers driving rental cars.
Some genuine police officers have extorted money from tourists for alleged minor offences or traffic violations. If this happens:
- do not hand over money or your passport
- ask for a copy of the fine, which is payable later
- ask for ID
- try to note the officer’s name, badge number and patrol car number
Criminals may try to get your friends or relatives to transfer money to Mexico. This can happen if your phone is stolen or hacked. Before you travel, agree how you will contact friends or relatives and how you woul
What this page is
Built on official data.
Our rating above is built on the official government and police data on this page, checked Oct 20, 2026. It does not replace your government's advisory. Planning a trip here? A Nepsis kit turns it into an arrival plan you can carry. See the kits.