Is it safe to travel to Cancun? Advice after deadly shooting

1 human being has been killed and 6 other people were hurt on Friday (6 May well) in shootings on a main boulevard in Mexico’s vacation resort of Cancun, authorities said.

A suspect had been detained in relation to the assault in the Caribbean coast city, which did not just take location in the resort’s hotel zone, in accordance to prosecutors in the coastal condition of Quintana Roo.

The shootings transpired on an avenue lined with restaurants and bars additional inland.

The shootings are the hottest instance of violence that has damaged Cancun’s track record as a laid-back again holiday spot.

Mexico is a well known hoiday desired destination, with about 500,000 British nationals traveling to the country each yr.

Nonetheless, the gang-connected violence that blights a great deal of the region has influenced the common Cancun location in the latest months.

In March, holidaymakers have been despatched scrambling by loud bangs listened to at the worldwide airport in Cancun.

Flights have been suspended for almost 3 hours following authorities obtained reports of gunshots at the airport. Movies posted on social media showed travellers rushing out of a terminal.

The Countrywide Guard said afterwards there was no proof of any gunshots obtaining been fired, and mentioned the bangs may well have transpired following somebody knocked about a few free-standing vertical screen stands in the terminal.

Also in March, authorities located 4 bodies dumped in undergrowth in Cancun, and claimed they ended up portion of a full of 13 murders committed by the Jalisco cartel in the resort because September.

Most of the bodies have been observed in vacant heaps or homes.

The Caribbean coast, Mexico’s top rated tourism income-maker, has been strike by rampant violence.

In January, prosecutors reported the killing of two Canadians near Cancun was inspired by money owed amongst worldwide gangs seemingly dedicated to drug and weapons trafficking.

In late October, further south in Tulum, two travellers – one particular a California journey blogger born in India and the other German — were being caught in the evident crossfire of rival drug sellers and killed.

The Uk Government’s information on the Overseas Place of work internet site for Brits thinking of vacation to Mexico, and Cancun in unique, states: “The Mexican govt tends to make attempts to shield main vacationer locations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta.

“However, since the starting of 2021, there have been numerous clashes in between rival criminal gangs in preferred vacationer locations in Cancun and surrounding places. Two foreign travelers ended up killed in Tulum, extra tourists were hurt during a shoot out in Puerto Morelos, and most lately there was a taking pictures in a hotel in Playa del Carmen in spots popular with travellers.

“There is presently an amplified police presence in the Cancun location, like in the lodge zone. Even though visitors have not been the concentrate on, any person in the vicinity of an incident could be affected.

“If you are browsing any of these regions, you should really keep an eye on neighborhood suggestions, keep on being vigilant and adhere to the advice of the community authorities and your tour operator.”