Riviera Maya is a coastline area of Mexico located south of Cancun. The region is located in the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. It is a popular travel destination with plenty to do. Riviera Maya has many small resort towns within it that boast some of the best nightlife and tours for the region’s natural wonders. There visitors can enjoy the historic zones, fine dining and ultimate relaxation. It has many beautiful landscapes that tourists love to view during their trip there. Its diverse lands include cenotes, white sand beaches, an array of archaeological sites and tropical jungle. For tourists that want to stay in all-inclusive resorts right on the beach, Riviera Maya is one of the best places to plan a trip.
Some of Riviera Maya’s most popular things for tourists to do are natural attractions. Two Eyes Cenotes, Xenses Park por Xcaret, Portal Maya and Gran Cenote are some of the most stunning nature sites that visitors can tour and explore. Some of the creatures that tourists can see while in Riviera Maya are the famous Howler Monkeys, Whale Sharks and Agouti. Animal lovers can even book close encounters if they dare, by going into the tropical jungle or water with a knowledgeable tour guide. Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cancun and Cozumel are all cities in the Riviera Maya that are highly sought after by travelers.
Since there are so many different cities and things to do that fit any budget, many travelers are unsure about the security of the Riviera Maya in general. For travelers that want to assess the region and perhaps compare it to other areas of Mexico, this review may be helpful. Check out all the most important information about safety for potential tourists in the Riviera Maya.
Best Travel Advisories
Travel advisories are great resources for tourists that want to learn more about their potential travel destinations. In order to properly research places abroad and get the best information pertaining to safety and security, it is important to only trust information from legitimate sources. Since safety threats can come from a variety of things, we recommend that travelers depend on a variety of platforms.
In terms of reporting on physical security and safety threats, The U.S. Department of State and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) are among the best organizations to check when considering travel to unfamiliar places. The Department of State’s travel advisory assesses entire countries and their regions to assess the safety level and what particular precautions that travelers should be taking should they decide to travel there. According to them, the state of Quintana Roo (which Riviera Maya is located in) is considered a level two destination. This means that travelers should exercise increased caution while traveling and be informed about regional safety threats. Quintana Roo in particular has some crime threats like gang activity and petty crime. But there are plenty of ways for travelers to avoid being singled out or targetted, like knowing local customs and social differences. The CIA’s World Factbook clues travelers in on the local culture, travel requirements and tourism tips.
Health safety is a top priority for the wisest travelers. Knowing that different destinations may present unfamiliar risks, it is a smart move to first investigate the health and wellness of locals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provide the public with regular reports and assessments of specific destinations. For the health rundown on Mexico, the traveler’s health page is helpful. They post travel health notices, like the recent one on Dengue which is a disease transmitted by mosquitoes. So, travelers may find that official websites like this one are their first defense against unfamiliar health risks. They even provide the latest information on what medicines are available, preventable diseases and how travelers can keep their health in mind during their travels.
Is Riviera Maya Safe for Tourists and Solo Travelers?
Riviera Maya is generally considered a safe destination for travel. It is a diverse region with many different areas and features. Because the Riviera Maya is not uniform, travelers will notice that the safety level depends on the exact location they visit or stay in. Since the Riviera Maya spans 80 miles on the Mexican Caribbean coastline, travelers should do research on where and where not to stay. In general though, other than some instances of local crime the Riviera Maya is safe for solo travelers as well. Crime there is rarely targeted at tourists but travelers are advised to maintain regular travel safety precautions. It is best that travelers do not get involved with any drug or gang activity since violent crime that has occurred in the past has been related.
How to Stay Safe in Riviera Maya
Tourists should always exercise a baseline amount of caution while abroad to avoid being put in preventable and situational danger. These precautions include, but are not limited to, travelers staying alert while out and about, securing their personal belongings, not flaunting expensive things and not exploring the area alone at night. These things are incredibly important for travelers that may try to go out at night in poorly lit areas or areas that are not the safest.
Outside of those regular safety precautions, there are some scams that travelers should be knowledgeable of. Some opportunistic scams that travelers should be wary of while in Riviera Maya include online frauds and inflated tour rates. These scams either end up with travelers not receiving what they purchased or an extreme overcharge for basic products or services. To avoid falling victim to these scams, travelers should ensure they book with reputable companies, not answer illegitimate looking messages on social media platforms and check that any travel agency they use is registered with the national travel agency registry.
Travelers that go to the Riviera Maya often rely on public transportation, so travel safety is a big deal. There are taxis available for tourists that want to get around the central areas. Taxis are the main mode of transportation for tourists, so they are easily accessible and affordable for relatively short distances. Travelers can also arrange bus tickets at the local stations through the bus company called ADO. Although there are lesser known bus companies that operate in Riviera Maya, ADO is the most popular and dependable option. For travelers that want to independently explore the area or not be limited to bus departure times, a rental car may be ideal. A private car is a great way to get around and have some travel autonomy. While on public transportation, travelers should never drop their guard (i.e. fall asleep), be sure to secure their luggage or personal belongings and ensure that their ride and driver are up to date and certified.
Where to Stay in Riviera Maya
Tulum, Cancun and Playa del Carmen are the safest places to stay in Riviera Maya. None of these cities pose a great risk to tourists or have exceedingly high crime rates. Tulum is a popular travel destination that has some of the best ancient Mayan ruins. The tourist-centric town is also among the safest of the Mayan Riviera beach towns. Visitors of Tulum can tour archaeological sites like El Castillo and Chichen Itza. Cancun is a top vacation destination in Mexico that is known for its resorts and vibrant nightlife. In the secure town of Cancun travelers can relax by the beach or choose to indulge in more exciting activities like water sports. Playa del Carmen on the other hand has a more intimate and laid back feel to it. Tourists may even notice that Playa’s beaches have less crowds than the more tourist-heavy areas, which may make some travelers feel safer.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Riviera Maya depends on the weather conditions. Since the hurricane season runs from June to November, travelers should be wary during that time period. But the highest risk for stormy weather is between August and October, although hurricanes are not super common. To avoid the rain, travelers should visit in the spring. The weather is the most calm between December and March, since the weather is warm and sunny.
People Also Ask
Why is Riviera Maya so popular? Riviera Maya is an expansive and welcoming region that has some of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations.
Is Puerto Vallarta or Riviera Maya safer? Riviera Maya is a safer place to visit since it has a lower violent crime rate and better all around reputation.