FBI Travel Alert: Safety Concerns in Cancún & Tulum

The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) has recently issued a travel alert due to an escalating crime rate in Tulum and Cancún. This warning aligns with a series of violent incidents that have recently occurred in the region.

The most recent and alarming event was the murder of Tulum’s Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection, José Roberto Rodríguez Bautista, on March 21st. The assault took place around 8:30 PM at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 11th Street, in the La Veleta neighborhood of Tulum. Two assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on Rodríguez Bautista and his escort. Despite their attempts to fight back, both were critically injured. One of the attackers was killed on the scene, while the other managed to flee. Rodríguez Bautista was taken to the General Hospital of Playa del Carmen, where he sadly succumbed to his injuries early the following Saturday morning.

This incident follows another violent event that occurred just five days prior, when an armed attack was launched against the offices of the State Attorney General of Quintana Roo in Tulum. Unidentified individuals fired approximately twenty rounds at the building’s facade. Fortunately, no one was injured in this attack.

The FBI’s travel alert comes amidst this surge in violence. The agency has identified a series of crimes that pose a significant risk to tourists visiting the Mexican Caribbean, particularly during the spring break season. 

• Robberies and assaults: Victims are usually tourists in hotels, restaurants and shopping areas.
• Frauds and scams: From fake agencies to card cloning and deceptive reservations.
• Express kidnappings: Criminals hold visitors for a short time to demand quick payments.
• Dangers in bars and clubs: Alcohol and substance abuse increase travelers’ vulnerability.

One of the most shocking cases occurred in January, when a tourist was murdered on a beach near the Riu Caribe Hotel in Cancún. The attackers escaped on jet skis, raising serious concerns about security in the hotel zone.

The combination of these events and the FBI warning underscores the urgency of exercising extreme caution when visiting Tulum and Cancún. Local and federal authorities have strengthened security measures and reiterate their commitment to protecting both residents and visitors to these high-profile tourist destinations.

Crime in Tulum and Cancún has become a matter of concern for international authorities.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  has issued a travel alert regarding the increase in robberies, fraud, and express kidnappings in tourist destinations, especially during spring break, when thousands of young people visit these places.

Despite these warnings, thousands of travelers continue to choose these destinations.

However, authorities in the neighboring country insist on the importance of taking precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime in Tulum and Cancún.