I think it’s time to address “the elephant in the room” as it pertains to Cancun, your safety as a traveler and crime in the area.
First, I’d like to say that I’m an American citizen who runs a successful business (
After Dark Events & Entertainment) out of Cancun, Mexico. I lived in Cancun for eight years full-time while building the business and I currently reside there part-time, mainly during the high season for tourism.
Over the last year we’ve read about tainted alcohol, cruise ship explosions, murders, and drug wars. Gosh, that’s seems like a lot when it’s typed in one sentence. Well, either I was dreaming for the last decade or these stories have been massively exaggerated and dramatized, often taking on a whole new life of their own. I’ll be honest; it’s upsetting to see Cancun painted in such a negative light, but before diving into any type of rebuttal, why don’t I tell you about the Cancun I know…
Cancun is home. Its blue skies and clear waters are peaceful. Its people are friendly and welcoming. They learn our language(s) in schools at a young age, to better serve the growing tourism industry as adults. Cancun is somewhere you come to escape the chaos of your daily school/work grind by relaxing on the beach, taking a
catamaran out to snorkel over the coral reefs, or having a couple drinks at the world-renowned
nightclubs. Cancun is one of a kind. It is paradise in every sense of the word.
Yes, like every major city in the world, crime has occurred in Cancun. Let’s pause and talk about that for a moment. Did you know that Orlando FL, also known as “Happiest Place on Earth”, is currently labeled as one of the murder capitals of America, with 84 homicides and 2,349 violent crimes in 2018 so far [Neighborhood Scout]? According to the [New York Post], 37 people were killed in London during just the months of February and March of 2018. The same article states that there were 35 people killed in New York City during those same months. Let that sink in…. These are not only places where some of you live, but they are tourist destinations where millions of people vacation every year! Ehh hmmm… Disney World……
The stories you may have heard about the most in Cancun have taken place in areas that tourists wouldn’t ever go. Areas that are miles and miles from the Hotel Zone of Cancun, on the outskirts of downtown (centro). This crime is targeted and concentrated, far from any point of interest for travelers in the area. Tourism is Cancun’s entire economy, and that is not taken for granted. The federal and state police patrol Cancun all day and night to keep tourists safe and criminal activity at bay.
It is actually fairly simple, if you are not involved with dangerous people, you will not be in danger.
Do I advise that you take precaution when traveling to a new city? Of course, I do. Keep a close watch on your personal belongings, placing valuables in a safe location. Never travel outside of the tourist area alone if you are unfamiliar, particularly at night. Don’t get in a stranger’s vehicle or engage in illegal activity. These are steps to take no matter where you travel… no matter where you LIVE. Be cautious. Be smart. Be aware of your surroundings. Everywhere, at all times.
In closing, I stick out like a sore thumb in Cancun; Instead of bronze, my skin is fair. Instead of dark hair, mine is blonde. My first language is English and I’m taller than most. I don’t blend in or go unnoticed, and I say this because it is essential to my next point: I have NEVER felt any type of threat or danger in all the time I have spent working and living in Cancun. Shocked? Don’t be! Come see it for yourself. Draw your own conclusions. Don’t let uninformed articles and overly-hyped news reports scare you away from experiencing this beautiful and peaceful paradise!
Don’t want to take my word for it? Check out After Dark Events & Entertainment’s reviews on TripAdvisor for honest and raw feedback from many of our past clients
HERE. There is no better way to get the true picture than to read about previous traveler’s experiences.
I urge you to reach out to us should you have any questions or concerns (www.afterdark-entertainment.com). Please remember what Cancun made headlines about to begin with: THE VACATION OF A LIFETIME!
Sincerely,
Ashley Verrill
After Dark Events & Entertainment
www.afterdark-entertainment.com
I think it’s time to address “the elephant in the room” as it pertains to Cancun, your safety as a traveler and crime in the area.
First, I’d like to say that I’m an American citizen who runs a successful business (After Dark Events & Entertainment) out of Cancun, Mexico. I lived in Cancun for eight years full-time while building the business and I currently reside there part-time, mainly during the high season for tourism.
Over the last year we’ve read about tainted alcohol, cruise ship explosions, murders, and drug wars. Gosh, that’s seems like a lot when it’s typed in one sentence. Well, either I was dreaming for the last decade or these stories have been massively exaggerated and dramatized, often taking on a whole new life of their own. I’ll be honest; it’s upsetting to see Cancun painted in such a negative light, but before diving into any type of rebuttal, why don’t I tell you about the Cancun I know…
Cancun is home. Its blue skies and clear waters are peaceful. Its people are friendly and welcoming. They learn our language(s) in schools at a young age, to better serve the growing tourism industry as adults. Cancun is somewhere you come to escape the chaos of your daily school/work grind by relaxing on the beach, taking a catamaran out to snorkel over the coral reefs, or having a couple drinks at the world-renowned nightclubs. Cancun is one of a kind. It is paradise in every sense of the word.
Yes, like every major city in the world, crime has occurred in Cancun. Let’s pause and talk about that for a moment. Did you know that Orlando FL, also known as “Happiest Place on Earth”, is currently labeled as one of the murder capitals of America, with 84 homicides and 2,349 violent crimes in 2018 so far [Neighborhood Scout]? According to the [New York Post], 37 people were killed in London during just the months of February and March of 2018. The same article states that there were 35 people killed in New York City during those same months. Let that sink in…. These are not only places where some of you live, but they are tourist destinations where millions of people vacation every year! Ehh hmmm… Disney World……
The stories you may have heard about the most in Cancun have taken place in areas that tourists wouldn’t ever go. Areas that are miles and miles from the Hotel Zone of Cancun, on the outskirts of downtown (centro). This crime is targeted and concentrated, far from any point of interest for travelers in the area. Tourism is Cancun’s entire economy, and that is not taken for granted. The federal and state police patrol Cancun all day and night to keep tourists safe and criminal activity at bay.
It is actually fairly simple, if you are not involved with dangerous people, you will not be in danger.
Do I advise that you take precaution when traveling to a new city? Of course, I do. Keep a close watch on your personal belongings, placing valuables in a safe location. Never travel outside of the tourist area alone if you are unfamiliar, particularly at night. Don’t get in a stranger’s vehicle or engage in illegal activity. These are steps to take no matter where you travel… no matter where you LIVE. Be cautious. Be smart. Be aware of your surroundings. Everywhere, at all times.
In closing, I stick out like a sore thumb in Cancun; Instead of bronze, my skin is fair. Instead of dark hair, mine is blonde. My first language is English and I’m taller than most. I don’t blend in or go unnoticed, and I say this because it is essential to my next point: I have NEVER felt any type of threat or danger in all the time I have spent working and living in Cancun. Shocked? Don’t be! Come see it for yourself. Draw your own conclusions. Don’t let uninformed articles and overly-hyped news reports scare you away from experiencing this beautiful and peaceful paradise!
Don’t want to take my word for it? Check out After Dark Events & Entertainment’s reviews on TripAdvisor for honest and raw feedback from many of our past clients HERE. There is no better way to get the true picture than to read about previous traveler’s experiences.
I urge you to reach out to us should you have any questions or concerns (www.afterdark-entertainment.com). Please remember what Cancun made headlines about to begin with: THE VACATION OF A LIFETIME!
Sincerely,
Ashley Verrill
After Dark Events & Entertainment
www.afterdark-entertainment.com
