How Safe is Riviera Maya, Mexico?
Mexico gives its visitors a wealth of beautiful, historical, and relaxing places for vacation and adventure.
Gorgeous locales like Riviera Maya, which sits along the Caribbean coastline on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, offer no shortage of pristine beaches, opportunities to explore the region’s ancient Mayan culture, and world-class resorts.
Some places in Mexico have an unfortunate reputation for crime, and sometimes we see news stories that may make us wonder whether Mexico is safe for tourists. If you’re thinking about booking a holiday in Riviera Maya, you might wonder about its safety.
Is Riviera Maya safe to travel to? Let’s learn more about Riviera Maya’s safety level and how to enjoy yourself while in one of Mexico’s most beautiful getaway destinations.
Is Riviera Maya Safe for Tourists?
The primary industry of Riviera Maya is tourism, and as a result, the local restaurateurs, resort owners, and tourism activity providers make every effort to provide a safe experience for visitors. Simply put, Riviera Maya is safe for tourists, especially when tourists take it upon themselves to do a little research about the destination before they arrive.
Most consider Riviera Maya safe for travel. With all of its different neighborhoods and regions, tourists may experience different levels of safety depending on where they visit.
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Riviera Maya
Overall, the United States Department of State gives Mexico an overall travel advisory of Level 2, which indicates travelers should exercise “increased caution.” The State of Quintana Roo, where Riviera Maya is located, also has a travel advisory Level of 2, meaning there are some risks for travel.
The State Department assigns risk levels of 1 through 4, with 1 being the safest and 4 being the riskiest, for travel. With a travel advisory of Level 2, Riviera Maya offers a safety level similar to places like Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Chile.
The State Department recommends that U.S. citizens who travel to Riviera Maya be mindful of their surroundings after dark and stick to the popular tourist zones. This advice is fairly routine for many towns in Mexico, where staying close to your all-inclusive resort and near your travel group tends to ensure the best level of safety.
RELATED: Best All Inclusive Resorts in Riviera Maya
Crime in Riviera Maya
Tourists enjoy excellent safety within Riviera Maya when they spend their time in its popular tourist areas and resorts, where the dangers of organized crime are virtually non-existent. Resorts provide 24/7 security for their guests, and they also have safety features like gated access and surveillance cameras.
Additionally, not only do resorts provide security for their guests, but tourists are rarely the target of serious crime in the region. The serious crimes that occur in Riviera Maya tend to happen outside the tourist areas and between locals.
Millions of tourists visit Riviera Maya every year, and the vast majority of those travelers never have any experience with crime, especially when they take routine precautions and have a basic understanding of what to expect before they depart.
Common Scams in Riviera Maya
Although crimes against tourists are rare, it helps to understand what sorts of scams tourists may experience, so you can avoid them. One common scam occurs when criminals steal your ATM card details, usually through an ATM skimmer machine.
Simply avoiding ATMs and credit card machines can help you avoid this scam. Staying at an all-inclusive resort usually reduces how often you need to use your personal cards, and you can also choose to use cash while outside the resort.
Other crimes include petty thievery, like pickpockets who might try to steal a wallet, a purse, or something you have hanging over your shoulder. These crimes happen more often in non-tourist areas where there isn’t the same level of safety as there is at the resorts.
Staying Safe in Riviera Maya
The tips that will keep you safe in Riviera Maya are the same that you would use almost anywhere, even in the United States. Simply remaining aware of your surroundings is one of the most significant ways to reduce the likelihood that someone might try to pickpocket you or scam you.
Staying around your resort and with your tourist group when you visit tourist destinations also helps to reduce the chance that you might meet someone bent on stealing from you or committing a crime. Criminals tend to engage in “crimes of opportunity” against unaware tourists who aren’t paying attention.
For example, if you choose to visit a restaurant, keep an eye on your drink and try to avoid going out alone if you plan to visit a nightclub or other place serving alcohol. You should also avoid venturing out alone at night because there is always safety in numbers.
Riviera Maya Safety Tips
- Always secure your belongings in a zippered pocket or purse
- Only take taxis with registered taxi drivers or use resort transport
- Stay in groups while venturing outside your resort
- Leave your valuables in your room when you go on excursions
- Book excursions through your resort or with trusted providers
- Let friends and family know your travel plans and itinerary before you leave
- Stay on main roads if you’re traveling on your own without official transport
Book Your Fun and SAFE All-Inclusive Vacation to Riviera Maya Today!
Are you ready to book your all-inclusive resort vacation to Riviera Maya? Staying at an all-inclusive resort is one of the best ways to have a worry-free vacation in Mexico while also enjoying some of the most luxurious and beautiful views of the Caribbean coast.
It’s easy to travel safely in Riviera Maya when you stay at a resort and take entirely reasonable precautions that you would while traveling anywhere. The best way to find your perfect all-inclusive resort destination is to book through All Inclusive Outlet, where you’ll find awesome discounts and vacation packages.
