In a recent high-level meeting between Consul General Justin Thomas and Quintana Roo’s Governor Mara Lezama, the US official made positive remarks about the state’s overall safety.
These comments were confirmed just two days later when the US State Department reassessed its Travel Advisory for Mexico, concluding that places like Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum remain relatively safe for Americans to visit, although some safety precautions were recommended.
Mexico is one—if not the only one—country in the world where the United States conducts an exhaustive state-by-state security review.
While it’s common for the agency to make recommendations about specific areas within a country, especially those near borders with troubling neighbors, there is no other destination worldwide where the US carries out such a thorough evaluation.
In its most recent assessment, the US updated its advisory for Chiapas and Durango but made no changes for Quintana Roo, leaving the Caribbean state at “Exercise Increased Caution,” a level of advisory similar to that for countries like Spain or Italy.
Not all is fun and games though. According to the advisory, crime and violence can occur at any time, including at tourist landmarks.
Shootings among rival gangs have also taken place in different locations injuring and killing innocent bystanders, including Americans. Nonetheless, the advisory notes that such violence is not specifically aimed at US citizens, as it is in other regions like the Middle East.
The government also wants citizens to be aware that homicides and assaults have been on the rise in Tulum in recent times.
Meanwhile, Consul Thomas praised the work carried out by Governor Mara Lezama regarding security, stating that he considers Quintana Roo a safe state for Americans to visit.
“There are strong and close relations between the United States and the state. I believe that the government of Governor Mara Lezama has been phenomenal in terms of collaboration,” he said.
Mexico as a whole remains the primary destination for Americans, attracting nearly 40 million visitors annually, with Quintana Roo alone bringing home 12 million of those travelers.
Regarding this figure, Thomas says that Quintana Roo is considered a safe state and emphasized that “the alerts are only protocols that must be followed and not necessarily to stop people from traveling.”
“For us, Quintana Roo is primarily a safe destination for the more than 12 million Americans who travel every year, so security is essential and we see that work is being done in that direction.”
He also stressed the need to maintain and improve safety at the destination.
“I believe that security strategies can always be strengthened since our goal is for tourists who travel to Quintana Roo to enjoy an excellent experience, not only in terms of security but in every sense.”