Safe Travelling to The Riviera Maya

I get a lot of questions and comments about traveling to Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya. Most of these comments revolve around how people feel in regards to it’s safety. Personally, I feel safe in Mexico. In fact, I have traveled there each year for the last three years, two of those times with my husband and children.

There is a common misconception that traveling to the Riviera Maya is unsafe. While other parts of Mexico are certainly dangerous (as can be the case in all countries), The Riviera Maya and the neighboring town of Cancun aren't nearly as bad as the media makes them out to be. To put it simply, the Riviera Maya is a tourist spot, which means the locals are eager for your business and are pretty serious about keeping some of the dangerous elements of Mexico out. The Riviera Maya is a breathtaking place that is just begging to be explored. That said, there some things you should know to make the most out of a Riviera Maya excursion.

Watch Out for the Heat - While the Riviera Maya offers truly stunning natural landscapes, the whole region can become overwhelmingly hot and humid from June on through till October. The summer months may be peak vacation time, but they can also put the unprepared tourist at risk for heatstroke. On the subject of heat and summer, mosquitos are out in full swing during this season. So, if you're planning to visit The Riviera Maya during summer, pack some bug repellent. Many resorts have it available as well if you forget yours.

Rules on Food and Water - The subject of food and water is a hot-button issue for first-time travelers to The Riviera Maya. For one, you shouldn't drink the tap water in Mexico, as in some instances it will make you sick. Instead, you should also ask for bottled water while in restaurants, since they'll likely serve unfiltered tap water by default. Street food is a potential danger as well, as there is no telling whether or not a street vendor properly prepared the meal or adequately cleaned their cooking space. In these instances, it helps to have the 'golden cage' of a hotel or resort to escape to from time to time.
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Feel Safe to Explore - While it helps to use a resort as a home base during your trip, you shouldn't rely on it. Resorts tend to upcharge for all of their goods and services and will try to convince you that you need to use their expensive tour guides to explore The Riviera Maya safely. Instead, you should take excursions off of resort property to get a genuine taste of Mexico. The Riviera Maya is not the dangerous, crime-ridden place the news reports it to be. If you take a chance and explore the Riviera Maya on your own, you'll quickly discover all the raw natural beauty and amazing history this fantastic place has to offer.

With great packages to amazing resorts, Mayan history to explore, snorkeling and water sports, and some of the friendliest people you’ll meet, consider Mexico for your next beach vacation. I am happy to customize the perfect trip for you!