Escape to Cancun: Secrets of Mexico’s Luxury Oasis

Cancun, a renowned tourist destination in Mexico, is a city of contrasts. Nestled on the Yucatan Peninsula and bordering the Caribbean Sea, Cancun is known for its stunning coastlines and luxury resorts. However, the city also has a less glamorous side, particularly in the suburbs where many of the resort workers live.

These suburbs, often overlooked by tourists, are facing increasing levels of decay. Despite this, efforts are being made to provide new opportunities for the younger generation. Many individuals, driven by poverty, come to Cancun in search of work but are unable to enjoy the city's natural beauty due to their financial constraints.

Workers spend their days serving in the city's luxurious resorts before returning to their homes in Villas Otoch Paradise, a suburb located 30 kilometers from the hotel zone. Here, the reality is starkly different. The area is marked by urban decay and social issues, with daily incidents of violence and drug trafficking.

Local officials and media report that violence has escalated since 2018 due to increased weapons trafficking and rivalry between two of Mexico's most notorious cartels, Jalisco New Generation and Sinaloa. These criminal organizations, involved in drug and weapons trafficking, also operate businesses across Europe.

Children growing up in these neighborhoods face challenging circumstances. With their parents at work, they are often left home alone or playing in the streets, where they are vulnerable to recruitment by criminal gangs. It is estimated that about 40% of these children do not attend school.

Despite these challenges, there are individuals like Sofia Ochoa, a cultural animator, who are working to rehabilitate the area. Since 2022, Ochoa has been striving to revitalize public spaces and abandoned parks in Villas Otocha, aiming to provide a safer environment for children.

In 2023 alone, Cancun Airport welcomed 32.7 million passengers, with 63% of them being foreigners. Tourism provides employment opportunities for many individuals from poorer regions like Chiapas. However, affordable housing is only available in the suburbs of Cancun.

Although there are opportunities in hospitality construction and other tourism-related services, a day at the beach remains unaffordable for many locals. A day in the hotel zone costs approximately 30 euros, while the average monthly salary in this part of Mexico is 450 euros. Staying at a hotel during the high season is an expense far beyond the reach of most locals.