Safety / Playa del Carmen and Cancun

[Kel]

We are traveling to Playa del Carmen and Cancun for two weeks next month. (political comment removed) We have been to Playa del Carmen and Cancun eight times in the last 20 years and we always use caution like we would at home or anywhere else. And, we have always had a good time and the Mexican Nationals have always been nice to us. Has anyone been there in the last month or so? And, did you get any sense that the locals feel anger towards Americans right now? Thanks.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

.... We have been to Playa del Carmen and Cancun eight times in the last 20 years and we always use caution like we would at home or anywhere else. ........ And, we have always had a good time and the Mexican Nationals have always been nice to us.

Hi Kel ,
As you said - "always use caution like we were at home ....."
Always a good plan.

*****
Our last Mexican visit was Feb 2018 - Puerto Vallarta / no problems .
We have met Mexican Nationals who lived in the USA & moved back - some likely because .... & some to return for family reasons .
None have been negative about the USA as a country or the people they met there .

(political comment removed)

I think your biggest risk remains - the Timeshare Shark Tank in the Cancun airport as you exit .

Have fun on vacation

 

[buzglyd]

No issues at all. The Caravans are from Central America. I live near Tijuana and the Mexicans were telling them to go home.

 

[Phydeaux]

Having been there 8 times before, you should know by now the character of the Mexican people, and in particular those whose lives along with their children's lives rely on tourist pesos. Most of those pesos from US citizens. Go and enjoy yourself. I'd suggest you warm up a bit more to the locals and talk with them. Bax ka wahle.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

We were in Cabo in Dec 2018 and found no issues and the locals welcoming. We did see armed guards in the tourist areas and in front of major stores. It is comforting to know that they are deploying measures to ensure tourist safety.

political comment removed

 

[easyrider]

We are traveling to Playa del Carmen and Cancun for two weeks next month. We have been to Playa del Carmen and Cancun eight times in the last 20 years and we always use caution like we would at home or anywhere else. And, we have always had a good time and the Mexican Nationals have always been nice to us. Has anyone been there in the last month or so? And, did you get any sense that the locals feel anger towards Americans right now? Thanks.

I have some friends that own a home in Playa del Carmen. They moved their family there last summer and plan to move home next fall. They say there isn't anything to worry about unless a person decides to stay out very late drinking. Occasionally these type of tourists become easy targets for criminals.

In 2018 , Puerto Vallarta's flea market had t-shits that had the wall thing going on and there was a bad vibe, imo. The vibe was very good everywhere else. There are many ex-pats in this area of PV so he tee's could be a product of political American ex-pats living in Mexico.

A few weeks ago in Mazatlan I was speaking with some locals who were telling me that the new trade deal forced Mexico to pay higher wages. The new president of Mexico has also put the Mexican Army to work as police. Wages have improved and the banking system now allows people to use credit. Mazatlan is still mostly real Mexico and these people seem to like the USA and the new policies.

It sounds like you should just do what you have been doing in Mexico. Your going to have a good time for sure.

Bill

 

[pittle]

We were there in late April/early May 2018 and felt safe. We had no problems at all. We spent most of our time at the Grand Bliss, but did make one trip to Puerto Morales and 2 to Playa.

We were in Puerto Vallarta November 10 - December 5, 2018 and rode the buses everywhere and walked around town. No issues whatsoever.

By the way - you can click this link and fill out your Mexico tourist Card online and they will send you one to print. It saves time at the airport.
Mexico Tourist Card - ENGLISH

 

[Kel]

Thanks everyone. And, thank you for the link to the Mexico Tourist Card. Happy and safe travels!

 

[dioxide45]

By the way - you can click this link and fill out your Mexico tourist Card online and they will send you one to print. It saves time at the airport.
Mexico Tourist Card - ENGLISH

I would agree, though I tend not to use third party sites for these types of things. Here is the official Mexican government site for completing the same form.

https://www.inm.gob.mx/fmme/publico/en/solicitud.html

 

[whitewater]

no issues at all. We just took 4 trips to cancun and each time went to playa del carmen with our family and friends. 4 kids under 10 and never felt unsafe in anyway. Used taxi service & chartered van service. Went to chichen itza and all around - loved every minute. All locals, store clerks, and resort staff all very kind.

(political comment removed)

Beyond that have a blast and enjoy Mexico.

 

[Karen G]

A gentle reminder: Political comments of any kind are not appropriate for TUG. Stating that one "doesn't want to get political but . . ." is still political. Thanks in advance for sticking to TUG rules for posting.

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

When you are a visitor to another country - don't wear clothing items & items with visibly controversial dialogue that are likely
to create issues with local residents .

Might be a good idea even at home -

(but I do wear the T-Shirt I bought in Puerto Vallarta at home in Canada )

 

[CalGalTraveler]

Also, don't wear expensive jewelry or expensive designer items outside the resort where you may be targeted for theft. When we traveled to Rio I left my wedding ring, handbag and designer clothing at home. Probably not as necessary in the tourist zones in Mexico, but not a bad idea to do the same just to be safe.

 

[MoPops]

I think your biggest risk remains - the Timeshare Shark Tank in the Cancun airport as you exit .

Have fun on vacation

Unbelievable airport experience. We went in one time, and happened to catch the first day of Mexico’s spring break Holiday. Agh! We were at the airport for five hours! I swore I would never go back to the Cancun airport again. Last year we arrived in the evening and went through in less than an hour. Much better!

We were there in late April/early May 2018 and felt safe. We had no problems at all. We spent most of our time at the Grand Bliss, but did make one trip to Puerto Morales and 2 to Playa.

We were in Puerto Vallarta November 10 - December 5, 2018 and rode the buses everywhere and walked around town. No issues whatsoever.

By the way - you can click this link and fill out your Mexico tourist Card online and they will send you one to print. It saves time at the airport.
Mexico Tourist Card - ENGLISH

Good to hear everything is fine there. We sensed a little tension in RM last year from some of the staff, but nothing too serious. Just a little more reserved than previous visits.

 

[Phydeaux]

Unbelievable airport experience. We went in one time, and happened to catch the first day of Mexico’s spring break Holiday. Agh! We were at the airport for five hours! I swore I would never go back to the Cancun airport again. Last year we arrived in the evening and went through in less than an hour. Much better!

Good to hear everything is fine there. We sensed a little tension in RM last year from some of the staff, but nothing too serious. Just a little more reserved than previous visits.

Staff may just had a bad meeting, bad day, under tipped, or, fill in the blank. Quite a stretch to assume it had anything even remotely close to something paramount on a gringo's mind. Did you talk to them?

Re. Airport, having been through this one several dozen times over more years than I care to admit, I've never experienced a 5 hour exit. Anywhere between 10 minutes (carry on luggage) to 2 and a half hours (other arriving flights). Flip a coin,your experience will be what it is, but frankly, I've NEVER heard of 5 hours, and honestly find this very hard to believe, regardless of arrivals. Not saying it didn't happen, but suggesting there more, or less, to that story.

 

[DrQ]

I think common sense is the answer. As much as you want to get the "real flavor" of Mexico, if you don't know what you are doing, stay to established tourist areas. If you want to explore, hire a reliable guide that knows the area and has recommendations.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

This might be overkill for the tourist areas of Cabo and Cancun, but here is another tactic which we found helpful for traveling in South America.

http://www.travelinsurancereview.ne.../prevent-cash-losses-with-fake-travel-wallet/

 

[MoPops]

Staff may just had a bad meeting, bad day, under tipped, or, fill in the blank. Quite a stretch to assume it had anything even remotely close to something paramount on a gringo's mind. Did you talk to them?

Re. Airport, having been through this one several dozen times over more years than I care to admit, I've never experienced a 5 hour exit. Anywhere between 10 minutes (carry on luggage) to 2 and a half hours (other arriving flights). Flip a coin,your experience will be what it is, but frankly, I've NEVER heard of 5 hours, and honestly find this very hard to believe, regardless of arrivals. Not saying it didn't happen, but suggesting there more, or less, to that story.

I talk to everybody, and generally over tip. We’ve been there a number of times, maybe I was “looking” for signs. I don’t think so. We had a great time, it just seemed like we ran into more reserved folks working at Vidanta last year than in previous trips. No one was rude or even close. Please don’t take my original comment as a negative experience, just different.
As far as the airport is concerned, it was chaos. Too many planes in all at once. Only 3/4 of the entry booth were manned. The lines were backed up into the terminals going back toward the gates. When you finally got to the lower area to go through the entry booth, the room was completely packed. Lines snaking around the entire area. People cutting in. After several hours everyone was a bit out of sorts. It’s only happened once. As I said, last year we were through in less than an hour.

 

[Phydeaux]

I think common sense is the answer. As much as you want to get the "real flavor" of Mexico, if you don't know what you are doing, stay to established tourist areas. If you want to explore, hire a reliable guide that knows the area and has recommendations.

Well, that's certainly not us. We've been vacationing in the Yucatan for the past 27 years, and every year we rent a vehicle to explore on our own. Our Mexico adventures began in Cancun, but rather quickly we migrated outside of Cancun when we discovered all of the beautiful off-the-beaten-path places. It's how we discovered a beach side eatery frequented mostly by locals. No electricity, and only recently added paper menus, in Spanish. This year, my son & I rented bicycles for the day in Tulum pueblo and cruised the entire city back streets. Discovered some great places to eat, with zero gringos in attendance. Cenotes with only a few locals, almost made it down to Punta Allen several times, but the road decided not cooperate with our rental car, and on and on. Discovery is our #1 objective when we vacation, and the better the adventure, the happier we are. Made good friends with a number of Mexicans and remain in touch throughout the year. Several have helped me with the Maya language. If you think Mexicans appreciate it when you speak Spanish, try communicating with some of them in Maya! I've had some people light up like a candle when doing so. I've considered writing a book about these adventures.

Ka mah sik Malo Ki'in!

 

[DrQ]

Well, that's certainly not us....

If you had read my post:

I think common sense is the answer. As much as you want to get the "real flavor" of Mexico, if you don't know what you are doing, stay to established tourist areas. If you want to explore, hire a reliable guide that knows the area and has recommendations.

My post was not intended for "experts".

 

[Phydeaux]

I don't consider myself an expert, just someone that would be bored to tears not leaving the confines of the condo, and exploring. We learn new things every visit.

 

[pittle]

Also, don't wear expensive jewelry or expensive designer items outside the resort where you may be targeted for theft. When we traveled to Rio I left my wedding ring, handbag and designer clothing at home. Probably not as necessary in the tourist zones in Mexico, but not a bad idea to do the same just to be safe.

A few years ago, I bought a cheap CZ (or crystal) ring to wear on vacation and I do not wear the diamond pendant that was my mother's 25th anniversary diamond as I do not need a necklace with a swimsuit. Now my D-I-L and good friend do the same. We would give them up willingly - none of us bought big sets - just 1/2 to 1 CT fake rings with no real gold and a plain band. (So far my finger has not turned green!) I also have a cheap ring that I bought from a beach vendor to wear on my right hand. My cell phone is in a zipped pocket in my tote bag and I just carry enough Pesos to get back to the resort and buy a couple of beers and tacos if need be. That way, I do not have cash for things that I really do not need to take home. With a swimsuit or shorts and top carrying an old blue Disney totebag, I do not look like I have anything worth stealing.

 

[pittle]

I don't consider myself an expert, just someone that would be bored to tears not leaving the confines of the condo, and exploring. We learn new things every visit.

We have been time sharing since 1991 - so right at 28 years. We now go to Puerto Vallarta every year and love staying there and soaking up the sun, listening to the waves and reading. We have done all the touristy things over the years and just want to enjoy the atmosphere and meet new people. We do check out different resorts by choosing a new one to tag on to our home resorts. Last year we went to WIVC up in Conchas Chinas and this year Rancho Banderas near Punta De Mita with friends and family. We had a great time at both and spent most of our time at the resorts. Both were small and we met many other people while there.

Everyone is different. We are preparing for our Senior certificate time at Grand Luxxe where it is difficult to escape from anyway. But, they do have awesome beaches, restaurants and units! I would rather sit on the deck or beach there than stay at home all the time.

 

[Phydeaux]

Everyone is different.

You're certainly correct in that. We vacationed once in Puerto Vallarta, and would never return. We didn't care for it a bit. The best day of that vacation was when we left P V for a day trip to Yalapa.

Tourist attractions are definitely not our idea of fun, and we purposely avoid them. Exploring, and getting off the beaten tourist paths is our idea of a vacation. The people.We enjoy meeting and making new friends with are the locals. Many wonderful friendships have developed over the years, and have expanded our understanding of the regions tremendously.

We have been renting out our TS for a number of years now, since the entire resort concept has left us cold. We'll undoubtedly be selling it, as we've moved on from that type of accommodation. Will use Tug to sell it though

 

[pittle]

We like using VRBO rentals a lot. You can see exactly what you are getting before you go. My husband has told several people that he wished we had known about it years ago. For the MF and other costs of a timeshare, we could have stayed anywhere we wanted to. But, we got into timesharing before the internet was so readily available to find great rentals. We do like staying in a condo or house and meeting the neighbors.

We have met quite a few people who live in PV at least part of the year, but one couple lives between Punta Mita and Sayulita all the time. We always look forward to seeing them. (That is how we came to learn to ride the buses to outlying areas.)