With colleges across the U.S. inching closer to their spring breaks, resort towns such as Daytona Beach and Panama City in the U.S. and Cancun in Mexico are also preparing to welcome the millions of students who traditionally use the time to party near a beach with other young adults.
According to statistics released by the Mexican government, the 10.04 million tourists who came to Cancún during this time last year is a 27% percent increase from 2019. Other traditional spring break destinations in Mexico include Playa del Carmen in the southeast and Cabo San Lucas in the western Baja California peninsula.
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U.S. Embassy warns popular tourist destinations are hot spots for crime
In advance of the period, the U.S. Embassy in Mexico released a new advisory for citizens traveling to the country in March and April.
“Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations,” the updated advisory reads. “[…] U.S. citizens should exercise caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break spots. This includes Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.”
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Generally, resort towns like the above are considered some of the most destinations in Mexico due to the high numbers of law enforcement and their isolated nature. The U.S. State Department ranks border territories such as Michoacan and Sinaloa as “do not travel” due to high levels of drug trafficking and gang activity while Campeche and Yucatan are considered very safe and are under “take normal precautions.”
Home to Cancún, Quintana Roo is under “exercise increased caution” due to elevated levels of petty crime that have also been called out by the latest advisory. The embassy warns that common party activities which may be seen as normal and legal in the U.S. could result in heavy fines or even jail time in Mexico.
Baja California Sur is a popular Mexican destination for residents of California and other West Coast states.
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Tourists in Mexico sickened by ‘tainted’ alcohol
“Drug possession and use, including medical marijuana, is illegal in Mexico and may result in a lengthy jail sentence,” the advisory continues. “[…] Unregulated alcohol may be contaminated, and U.S. citizens have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming tainted alcohol.”
Standard tips included whenever such advisories are issued are to check that one’s travel insurance covers one’s visiting and be aware of surroundings particularly if consuming alcohol. Advice specific for spring break and resort towns are to be mindful of ocean currents and stay away from water after consuming alcohol.
Over in the U.S., Miami Beach authorities have also been preparing to welcome large numbers of partiers and the local complaints that arise as a result. For the second year in a row, the city published a public campaign mimicking a reality show preview in which partiers come down for a fun time and discover that they still need to follow laws and rules of proper conduct just as at home.
“The show is fake but the rules — $100 parking, curfews, heavy police presence, security checkpoints, DUI enforcements — are very real,” the City of Miami Beach concludes in bold font across the screen at the end of the advisory video.
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