Cancun, one of the most important tourist destinations in the country, registered a reduction in the perception of safety.
According to the National Urban Public Safety Survey (ENSU) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi), 74.6 percent of the population aged 18 and over said they felt unsafe in December 2023. However, this figure is 7.4 percentage points lower than in December 2022, when 82% felt they lived in an unsafe city.
According to Inegi, people in Cancun feel safer in public spaces such as schools, homes, workplaces and shopping centers, while the places where they feel most unsafe are ATMs, public transport, banks and the streets they habitually use.
This decrease in the feeling of insecurity coincides with the fact that in 2023 the Cancun Civil Courts registered an improvement in social behavior among both visitors and residents.
The director of the Civil Courts, Eduardo Pacho Gallegos, reported that 7,000 fewer administrative penalties were issued in 2023 compared to 2022, and attributed this decrease to the fact that embassies and consulates were informed so that visitors avoid consuming drugs or alcohol on public streets and in tourist areas during their vacation.
According to the municipal authority, 15 thousand fines were imposed last year on citizens who did not comply with civil justice regulations. This figure is lower than that of 2022, when more than 22 thousand people, including tourists, were fined.
For its part, Chetumal registered a slight increase in the feeling of insecurity between December 2023 and December 2022. According to Inegi, 55.2 percent of the population aged 18 and older considered the capital unsafe to live in, a figure that is 1.9 percent higher than in 2022.
Cancun’s effort to improve safety in 2023
In 2023, Cancun made significant strides in enhancing safety for both residents and tourists. This involved a multi-faceted approach, including increased police and national guard presence in key areas, improved surveillance systems, and stronger collaboration between local authorities and tourism stakeholders.
Initiatives also focused on community engagement and awareness programs to foster a safer environment. These efforts have been aimed at maintaining Cancun’s reputation as a top tourist destination while ensuring the well-being of its community.