Cancun & Playa Del Carmen are SO Dangerous 👀 

I usually see or read reviews posted by younger and able bodied travellers. As seniors and, disabled, we have concerns when we travel. As I tell my husband, I, am a sitting duck for abuse or violence. That being said, after thirty five years traveling through Mexico I had never been hurt, threaten, ignored, left behind, robbed. It is about making safe decisions , knowing the environment, and not putting yourself in danger with drug or alcohol abuses. Pack your suitcase, and remember to pack your brains too.

Amen, I’m born and raised Chicagoan and YES been to CanCun, PDC, Isla Mujeras, Tulum and Cozumel over 20 times and NEVER felt unsafe

On point! Been to Cancun multiple times. Never felt unsafe or threatened

In the hotel zone, I had a store clerk chase me down to give me my credit card I had left behind after a purchase. We’ve been back many times because we love the people and the hospitality in Cancun.

As a Mexican, thanks for commenting on this topic. The amount of fear mongering across the us and Canada regarding how mexico is “unsafe” is astonishing. So many people i know as a Canadian resident are so ignorant about it

You are spot on in your logic. This applies to most places in Mexico and the U.S. Nothing wrong with being cautious, but just use your head. Would be a shame to miss out on life changing opportunities based on fear.

I feel 100% more safe in Playa Del Carmen than I ever would walking in downtown Portland or Seattle. I will walk that entire city with my wife and kids. its an amazing town!

Thank you for this! 👏🏻 I’m a travel agent and have clients concerned about Mexico all the time. I don’t try to sway my clients but I do try to inform them. I live near Baltimore and am far more concerned about going there vs Mexico. I traveled solo as a woman in January and had an incredible experience. I love Mexico and I hate that it gets such a bad reputation from the media.

Thanks for a much needed video! I don’t get to travel internationally but I travel all over the US on business and can tell you there are places where I do not feel safe. It is all about situational awareness. Great and important video James!

I’ve been to Playa each year (except COVID) for almost the last 10 years; never had any issues or seen any problems. Back there again next month, and can’t wait. Love Mexico and the Mexican people

I have been traveling to Mexico for over 40 years. I have never had any issues with the kind people of Mexico. Recently returned from Cancun and had a blast. Traveled to remote areas and never felt unsafe. All our tour guides were awesome and went out their way to help everyone. I’ll be back sooner than later. My best Dan

James, as you mentioned, walking the Cancun Hotel Zone is safer than walking lawless cities at night like LA, Chicago and etc. I walk from resorts to the Red Casino in Cancun in the middle of the night and feel perfectly safe.

Travelled recently to San Jose Del Cabo. I can’t state strongly enough how clean and safe it was! I’ll be back!!

Damn you did a hell of a job on this video. Every word choice was exceptional. Made me respect you even more.

Went to the Yucatan and stayed in the city of Merida in 2021 for a week. Had a great time, no issues.

Just booked our first all inclusive to Cancun! This video made me feel much better about it, safety wise. Always a concern when all you hear about Mexico is cartel violence.

Booking a trip with my lady and this has been on my mind. Thanks

Excellent video!! Love Cancun! Thanks for all you do!

i went to Excaret and we rented a locker to put our stuff in while we walked the park. My wife and i unknowingly left our locker open when we left and when we came back we saw all of our stuff gone. We panicked and thought we lost everything (our money and camera) We found an employee and told them we lost our stuff. They looked us up on a computer and they said our locker alerted them that it was left open so they went ahead and took our stuff and brought it to the lost and found (they didnt know if we had our key on us or if we left it in the locker so they took it). Everything was there and we were so releived. Oh and there was no time wasted on checking bags people just walking into the park which was really wierd for us XD

Yesssssss!!!! PREACH JAMES! It is crazy how much of a bad reputation Mexico gets. So many people turn their nose up to travel there when I bring it up.

It’s unsafe EVERYWHERE there is no such thing as “the safest place” the media headlines will always be dramatic it’s called COMMON SENSE if you don’t have any go look it up

I drive in Mexico. The roads are greatly improved. Drive in the daytime on the main roads and you will not have a problem.

I love the way that you threw Sinaloa under the bus. I live in Mazatlán and it’s a very safe city in Sinaloa. A lot of the violence has occurred in Culiacán Sinaloa which is two and a half hour drive away but the whole state gets tarred by the same brush.

You are the best. Thank you for your sincerity

Thank you for that video. I wish more people would make videos like that. We have been traveling to Cancun for 20 years and have had nothing but amazing experience. I had many friends that have gone to Jamaica and have been robbed and held up at gunpoint.there are many more dangerous places including cities in America that are more dangerous

As a lifelong Chicago resident, i agree with you. Pre-covid i used to take the train downtown every week. I would go shopping and eating in the loop. I havent been downtown in 3 years because of the shootings and robberies there.

Just got back from Playa del Carmen, NEVER felt in danger. Ive been to Mexico City, Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita,Bacalar,Tulum,Pdc,Cancun,Merida. Never felt that safe in Usa

Great video. I got lost once driving in downtown Detroit, and it was one of the scariest moments of my life.

After this video I respect you and what you do much more!!!

Alert! Please. Please. Please always plan your travel appropriately. Including rides to and from the hotels. Taxis are “connected”. If you travel here. Travel with all of your rides planned ahead of time. Do NOT get your rides when you arrive. Especially if your plane ride is late at night. Please be aware!

I was in Playa Del Carmen, Cancun and Cozumel in 2020. Walked around tourist areas no problem, and we ventured out of the tourist areas a few times too. Only issues I remember were the stray packs of dogs, and random road kill (saw a very gruesome scene of a dead cat) outside of tourist areas. Not surprising when you realize how they drive over there. In the tourist areas you'll meet random drug dealers who will offer you about a million types of drugs in one sentence as you're walking down the tourist strips, which honestly didn't scare me at all. At the bus terminal, we saw an old dude peeing his pants while standing there in a daze. Other than that it was an amazing time and I saw so much that I've never seen before.

Thanks for posting this video. I've traveled to multiple spots on the Pacific side of Mexico (like Cabo and PV), and I never felt in danger... Except for that one time when I was walking in the Gallery District in San José del Cabo, and I clumsily tripped down the sidewalk stairs. Even then, I only suffered minor scratches, and I was able to get back up and get walking again. Never once did I sense I was about to stumble into some c----l shootout! IMHO, as long as you use some common sense and avoid the obvious c----l hotspots, you should be fine traveling around Mexico. Yes, you can probably even leave the hotel and explore the cities!

I live outside of Philly in the bubs. I cant tell you that when I travel to Cancun, it is MUCH safer than going to Philly at any part of the day. I have a 4yr old and my wife's parents are going nuts on us because we are going to Hilton Tulum in May. We have a private shuttle, and its also not my first rodeo at Cancun. Meanwhile, we live near Philly and New York.... The mexican people I have interacted with on my travels there have been some of the nicest people I have ever encountered. I cannot say the same thing about some of my fellow Americans...

That was a great video and topic. Thank you.

We are senior couple and we bought a condo in downtown Playa Del Carmen five years ago, we leave Canada and stay more than five months every winter. We see young girls walking their dogs in a little dark side streets, and girls are coming back from night club at around three o'clock after midnight. There is no place on earth that is 100% safe, but PDC is for sure much safer than many cities in the USA or Canada.

Oh man. The comments about River North made me sad. I love that city, and that's one of my favorite parts of it. I haven't been there in like 6 years, sucks that's apparently an area where you need to be vigilant these days. Edit for clarity. You should always be aware of your surroundings. I'm talking about that "next level" of awareness.

I travel and am going somewhere all the time. I’ve been told a million times by people that I shouldn’t go somewhere because it’s “unsafe.” After each trip I come back fine and don’t see what they’re saying. I’ve also noticed that those people sit home all the time, so there’s no way they can know. They just rather put me down than make changes in their own life.

Great video as always. I love the Las Vegas videos as well.

Thankfully I have never had a bad or unsafe experience in 20 years of traveling to Cancun, Playa or PV...not to say things dont happen but it's alot more rare than news and media make it out to be. Great video James.

Nice to see these numbers put into perspective.

hi there, where exactly are you situated at 3 min 25 - 40 seconds? NICE STREET

A buddy of mine and I many years ago broke down in his Porche 911 in Cicero! Talk about scary!

Only once did I ever stay at a hotel in Mexico (Orizaba). We used to make day trips here and there to the border in Nogales (less than 3 hours from my house), but twice we made trips that lasted 2 weeks in like 1987 and 1994. Went to Mexico City, Orizaba, and Veracruz where we visited relatives. We stayed with relatives except for Orizaba. I remember staying with an aunt and before going to bed she covered our stuff with sheets so that burglars wouldn’t see it. I remember my aunt who lived with us telling me stories of growing up in Veracruz and hearing the burglars walking across the rooftops of the houses. When I was a missionary 24 years ago I was sent to Guayaquil, Ecuador. We lived in the areas where we serve. In talking to people, they always ask where you’re from. I would ask them where the thought I was from before I told them. Being Hispanic and from Arizona, having spoken Spanish a lot when I was little and taking Spanish classes in high school for easy A, only once did anyone ever correctly guess I’m American. Most people thought I was from a Latin country like Mexico or Bolivia since I could blend in easier than the other Americans. But yeah, some of those areas in Guayaquil like Union Civica and Mapasingue aren’t places tourists should go

As a person that grew up in Chicago I no longer go to the downtown area at all anymore. Although I do not know anyone who personally has had anything happen, we just don’t go. And I went there most of my life and you could comfortably move about. When my mom was worried about us going to Playa Mujeres last year for vacay I told her more happens here in Chicago than it does in the resort area of Cancun. More happens here in Chicago and the surrounding areas. I went and took my then 17 year old daughter. And to get to our resort we had a good 45 to hour drive bc of the construction and it literally was like riding through anywhere else. I do want to visit Bacalar and I AM hesitant bc it IS away from the resort area. But it looks like such a beautiful relaxed and lazy place to just eat good food, mix with the people and loaf.

Never felt threatened in Mexico in playa Del Carmen hotel.

From someone that has spent quite a bit of time traveling in these areas, it does not feel as safe as it did, for example in 2018; however you're spot on in saying many US cities are also unsafe.. Chicago, NYC and New Orleans just to name a few. New Orleans has a huge amount of crime that often isn't talked about.

Just booked Iberostar Selection because of your video.

I think common sense must be used in any city crime is certainly on he rise & mental health issues everywhere seems like an epidemic. I have been to Cancun a few times & they have always said be careful off the resort late at night meaning like if your in your own city late at night pay attention to what is going on. I love Mexico we went to Puerta Vallarta last year instead of Cancun really liked it there too.

I'm from Canada and have lived in Cancun for three years. I don't live in the hotel zone far from it and I have never had a problem here. I take public transport and walk the streets amazing place and people. Trouble can happen anywhere if you're looking for it! Don't get me wrong, anything can happen, but that can happen anywhere!

It can be quite a dangerous and unpleasant experience when you're trying to explore somewhere outside a hotel area, to go buy car to the pyramids, or just visit a gas station, or stay at a regular non-resort hotel. On the roads you can see many pickup trucks with people armed with rifles, and these trucks are not the police. Many locals are trying to make money from you in any situation. When I was driving a rental car in the Playa Del Carmen area, the police stopped me and tried to get money from me, I was lucky that my wife knew Spanish and they didn’t get anything from me, this is a very common story if you have a rental car. Many of my friends were deceived at gas stations by giving out change incorrectly and stealing the money. One friend in Cancun had his laptop stolen from his room in a hotel outside the hotel area. My advice is to only take the shuttle and do not leave the hotel area.

I had a time share at the Royal Caribbean in Cancun for decades and even in the 1990's they had armed guards around but it was safe to get in a cab, go shopping, walk around the tourist areas of downtown, go to restaurants and clubs etc. but you also knew there were a whole series of mansions along the water owned by drug kingpins and the cops were shady but generally if you stayed with the herd you were very safe because the area had a separate police force from the rest of the country and they wanted to make this work, to do that it had to be safe. Then maybe 10-12 years ago there were some drug dealer battles in the area, someone found a bag of human heads in Cancun (all Mexican drug people, not tourists), then they had problems with the alcohol being laced with something in Playa Del Carmen. It doesn't take much to spook Americans with options away from a place. Look at Aruba after Natalie Holloway got murdered by that psycho Van Der Sloot - tourism ground to an instant halt on that Island. All it takes is an incident or two to hit the US news (open gun battle and murders in Playa Del Carmen between drug dealers) and their reputation is wrecked.

Totally agree with you I actually walk that area in Playa del Carmen or Playacar you showed on your video About the only thing you need to watch out for is people trying to get you to buy something lol

Yes Cancun is safe but it still can happen. But to keep it in perspective, the last time something 'serious' happened in Cancun/PDC was in 2021 when there was a low level cartel vs cartel shootout on resort grounds and some tourists got shot in the crossfire. The Mexican national guard was all over that incident and keep visibility in tourist areas to this day.

I’ve been to playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Riveria Maya Tulum, puerto morales, Puerto Vallarta and have done excursions at each one and never felt unsafe

I watch a RU-vidr that has lived in Merida 6 years. His family came from Cuba but he grew up his whole life in miami. Supposably Merida which is not that far away from Cancun is the second safest city in all of the Americas only behind Quebec. It's not a tourist area

The people you mentioned that went to a Mexican border town from S Carolina to get a “tummy tuck” were actually found to be there for drugs. Which is important to note, because that’s one of the top reasons people find trouble in Mexico. So, don’t look for drugs, buy drugs or talk to anyone about drugs, stay in the tourist areas, and you’ll be 100% fine.

Been to Bovaro, Punta Cana and felt very safe. Next is San Pedro, Belize then Cancun and that's why I'm here.

I have a friend who was robbed on their shuttle bus to the resort. Apparently theyre targeted because they know which vans have tourists and know tourists carry cash

I am asked the same thing from people when I tell them my plan is to retire in playa del carmen. They say Mexico is so dangerous I tell them u can find trouble in your own city. It's there if u are looking for it. Common sense is important where ever u go. I've been going to Mexico in different locations all my life. Never felt unsafe at all. My wife and I stay at a place off the tourist area in playa never had an issue.

Been to Cancun a Mayan riviera 30+ times in last 15yrs and always felt safe ! Even bombed at whatever strip club a never felt unsafe . If you go looking for trouble you’ll find trouble as they say . So feel safe . I bring my family to Cancun at least twice a year . They love going to Mexico 🇲🇽

Great video I so agree with you my wife and I have gone to Playa del Carmen so many times and never felt unsafe. We love playa at night do pretty all the lights

Seriously excellent information. Thank you so much.

Leave it to New Weak, to distort the facts, they lost their credibility 20 years ago.

100 percent truth. I traveled to Mexico at least three times a year all of them in resort towns for at least 20 years now. If you're looking for nefarious things that will definitely increase your chances of trouble but most people are not that stupid so I would bet my house that nothing will ever happen to me In tourist towns of Mexico. It is very safe and ninety-nine percent of the locals are extremely friendly and helpful. It's their livelihood it's a necessary thing to protect the tourist industry in their respective towns.

I hate cheap crowded beach destination

I just came back from Cancun, and I live in Chicago. I felt much safer in Cancun than I do here at home especially in hotel zone. I walked from the party stripped to my hotel at 3 AM and was 100% fine. I will never walk that late in River north, Lincoln Park, Streeterville, or Lakeview.

Bro, why is it that YOU GUYS, AMERICANS, always talk about safety, when in a month and al half, the US has 2,000 murders in just 2024, greeting from a Mexican living in Mexico..

It's a real shame to see so many fun place ruined by criminals. In Chicago, the River North area up to Ohio St is still pretty safe and exciting. West loop where all the new restaurants are is pretty good. I wouldn't go to other areas at night. In Cancun, my family used to take the bus downtown to local festivals in the town square. If you have kids, they'll have a lot of fun with local kids. It would be really boring if you are just restricted to the Hotel zone.

As someone that has lived in the Chicagoland area for most of my life I agree with everything you said about the city.

I totally agree! Much safer Playa del Carmen or cancun than almost any city in the United States now a days, and thats the unbelievable truth, no deniel !

Currently in Playa Del Carmen and was in Cancun last week. For anyone wishing to visit this part of the world I would stay away. Playa Del Carmen is a tacky run-down destination with exorbitant prices. Cancun is a little better. But to be honest there are much better places to visit around the world than here. Everyone we have spoken to in our hotel said they wouldn't come back. Street vendors openly offer hard drugs and whatever else you might be into just feet away from our 5 * hotel even though the street is crawling with police vehicles!! The police are more interested in having their shoes cleaned by a street vendor than properly patrolling the area. Airbnb issues with properties being nothing like the photos with pools closed, and construction noise - all scams. Beaches are dirty with loads of seaweed and the smell!!!! Don't feel unsafe here just uncomfortable, exposed and ripped off.

I was in Chicago over a 3 long weekend. After the business trip, I had google how many people were shot over that period. 75 people were shot in a 3 day span. WTF!

As a person who does high end security for a living and has for 30 years I think you are doing a disservice by saying these areas are safe. Comparing them to Chicago isn't really helping your argument as Chicago isn't safe either. Mexico is a naco state run by corrupt politicians corrupt police and the cartels paying them all, most of the crime isn't even reported in Mexico because very few cartel members ever get arrested. I like how you bring up the story of 8 people found dead in Cancun but then say we don't know if they were tourists, that was very funny. Then you make it worse by saying it' even ok to walk around. While it may be OK security is all about mitigating risks, going to an all inclusive resort and never leaving is much safer then leaving it to walk around the town for example. You only bring up murder but there are many more crimes then that, also for every article you want to show it is safe I can show an article of people being arrested and harassed by corrupt police looking for bribes. I would never let my kids go to spring break in Mexico there are so many better options. I understand people want cheap vactions or kids want to drink at 18 but my advice is if you do never leave the resort and only have the resort do the transport to and from the airport.

Your videos are really great

I never thought Cozumel was dangerous. Go to the museum and snorkel in Chankanab lagoon!

I’ve lived in Chicago all my 30 years of life. River north is safe. The media is what’s dangerous.

Me, a Chicagoan in River North debating on PDC. "Oh, alright send it boys" 😂

Good commentary, I posted on the same topic as a Canadian and a perm resident of Mexico, I fee safer in Mexico, especially in BCS where I live, its good to warn but propaganda, click bait and opinion has ruined the reality, we can all find toruble, its everywhere, there are daily shootings in Vancouver, rarely do I hear of a shooting in La Paz, not a consiracy theorist in any way, just a normal person tryng to carve out a life, we are brainwashed in NA that there is no better places than Canada and the US, I can say bowshite on all that, everything from costs of foods, medical care has been great, and the core of Mexican value....Family, something that has been errodining in North America for years

people are so sheltered

Just stay around the resort is the best advice.

Going to Cancun for the 3rd time in September. We did get stalked for our phone but put it away quickly .

The interior of Mexico is very very dangerous but the small enclaves of the coastal regions like Cabo out West or Riveria Cancun region to the East are extreme outliers, and in fact are very safe, well protected and very popular places for Americans and outside tourists to visit, but people have to understand that Mexico in general, the entire country as a whole, is still very very dangerous because it's a narco driven underground economy controlled by the cartels. I've been to Cancun Riveria region multiple times and it's very clear that as long as you don't venture far out and stay within the hotel zone, your time there will be very enjoyable while soaking up the paradise sun and ocean, however that should not and does not override that the rest of Mexico, the majority of the interior towns and cities would be much much more dangerous, I mean it's so dangerous people would not even rent cars and go for a drive without high risk of abduction or robbery.

Just go to California, Texas, Vegas, or Florida.

Just got back from Cancun. Its awesome. Safer than Chicago, Philadelphia, Detroit, New York

I agree with everything you said 100% I've walked all of those areas numerous time's and always felt safe!!

I think you hear more about issues in Mexico because there are so many more tourists going there than to other warm destinations so it stands to reason that more instances will occur but that doesn't necessarily mean it's less safe. For instance tourist visits to Mexico are around 5 times more than to DR. so if the 'risk' is equal in both countries on average you will have 5 times more instances of problems in Mexico. Most often people who get into dangerous situation its because they put themselves into dangerous situations.

I choose to take my wife and kids to Riviera Maya for vacations because it is so safe. Much safer than Miami, Chicago, Vegas, LA, Nee York, etc. once again I agree it’s you 100% you are the best James!

people report that lawyers won’t even take their cases when the cartel threatens them

Hi James, Thanks for the video on safety. When I stayed at the Wyndham Alltra Playa Del Carmen, I would go out to the clubs every night. I walked back to the Wyndham at 2am each night alone. Never had a problem. The tourist areas of Playa Del Carmen are very safe. I walked everywhere with no issues. Keep up the great work James and I'll keep watching. 😎👍

I just spent three months in playa del carmen.you are correct.i have even been told by cartel people that tourists are off limits for robbery and violence. They make their money from tourism.also the police and national guard are all over 5 ave and beach area. Actually going back in a couple weeks

What about Acapulco ??? Used to be my second home in 80’s and 90’s…. WOW what a place it was , felt like Las Vegas but without the gambling… always went 4 weeks in January was the most perfect weather never a cloud in the sky WOW….

The most dangerous thing when travelling is yourself, make foolish decisions get drunk beyond comprehension and then see what happens LOL I’ve been to Mexico 45 times and never once felt unsafe . I returned from Zipolite a few weeks ago and that by far was the safest town in Mexico I’ve ever been to. Use your brain when travelling and you will be safe.

Lol I just moved from an apartment that had a direct view of e=mc2. West facing in streeterville.

I have lived in the poorest part of Playa del Carmen for 5 years Winters only 6 months of the year and I never seen anything.

we have always stayed in the Riviera Maya but the hotel we want to stay at in the Riviera Maya doesn't have the room we want available in July so what is your favorite place to visit ? Riviera Maya ? Punta Cana? Jamaica / ETC. ?

I’ve been telling people this for years, Dominican is much dangerous outside of the resorts and excerusion IMO then Mexico 🇲🇽 feel much safer in Mexico

I absolutely agree! If you are not involved in the drug trade, Mexico is much safer than the US and life is much better. Thank you for sharing.

I always feel safe in mexico...We love to goto Puerto Morelos and walk down by the shops and beach.

James - I have lived in Central America for 12 years - I have NEVER ONCE FELT UNSAFE EVER.

Someone on vacation just got shot in Tulum