Riviera Maya driving safety

Old Dec 4th, 2016, 07:14 PM
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Riviera Maya driving safety

Hello, all: I know this topic has been discussed many times on this site, however, copied information below is directly from the US Department of State OSAC website. As a former NYC cab driver and someone who has driven a fair amount across the US, Canada, Costa Rica and Europe without concern, it is disconcerting to read what is pasted below, as well as numerous postings about scams by police, gas stations and others in the Riviera Maya area. I have carefully read previous posts, but for those who are frequent travelers to this area, can you offer perspective? We are still planning to visit. Grateful for your thoughts.
*****
3/7/2016
Overall Crime and Safety Situation
More than four million Americans safely visit the Yucatán peninsula each year due to its numerous tourist destinations.

Post Crime Rating: Medium
While the three states in the peninsula (Campeche, Quintana Roo, Yucatán) have not suffered the same level of escalating violence seen in other parts of Mexico, 2015 saw a significant increase in violent criminal activity in Quintana Roo, specifically in the non-tourist areas in Cancun and Playa del Carmen. From 2014-2015, the state of Quintana Roo saw a 40 percent increase in homicides and a 43 percent increase in violent robberies. Additionally, Quintana Roo ranks 5th nationally in reported cases of extortion (source: Sistema Nacional de Seguridad Publica). A recent study conducted by the Autonomous University of Monterrey ranks Cancun as the Mexican city with the highest levels of human trafficking activity for the purpose of sexual exploitation.

While there is no evidence indicating that criminals specifically target American citizens, crime victims are usually chosen based on perceived wealth, vulnerability, and inattentiveness.

Non-narco-related crime varies in type and frequency throughout the Peninsula but is generally low.

Most incidents of crime affecting U.S. citizens involve the excess consumption of alcohol.

Cybersecurity Issues
The Yucatan peninsula has significant cybersecurity concerns, specifically ATM/credit card scams. This type of criminality is especially common in Cancun and Playa del Carmen where organized groups specializing in cloning ATM/credit cards have been detected and dismantled by local authorities.
InspiredTravel is offline  
Old Dec 5th, 2016, 05:37 AM
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>

While my city, Merida, has one of the lowest crime stats in the world, I do believe that if you stay away from drug dealers, watch your back when using a CC or ATM, don't drink too much or act stupid you'll be fine. As for driving, I've never seen anything bad. I also feel safer walking around here at night than I do in the US and many other places.
That said, I've tried to tell Mexicans and even some people in Africa and other places that not all of the US is like Chicago. They don't buy it because they think everyone runs around with guns.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 07:23 AM
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SO let's look at what that report actually says.
"More than four million Americans safely visit the Yucatán peninsula each year due to its numerous tourist destinations."
Violent crime in the Yucatan is not targeted toward tourists.
Most tourist crime involves people who are intoxicated and therefore not able to look out for themselves.
As in many places including the US, ATM machines can be cloned. (so inform yourself of what to look for) In any destination, if your credit card is out of your sight, it can be cloned. (so do not let a waiter take it away, and take any carbon copies with you to destroy)

As far as driving, watch out for the speed bumps! Not all of them are posted, but you can expect them in any inhabited area along a less populated roadway.
Watch the guy pumping your gas. Check the pump to see that it is zero-d to start. Make sure of the denomination of the bill you give the guy; 200 not 20, for example. Do not let yourself get distracted by another employee wanting to check your oil, for example; let him do this after the gas transaction is finished.
Drive AT the posted speed limit, no matter what the other drivers on the road choose to do.
If you are worried about a police shakedown, have handy while driving only a wallet with a minimum (small) amount of cash for any such person to see. DO NOT PAY BRIBES if you have done nothing wrong; this only encourages such people. Such scammers are said to back down if you call their bluff by saying you will go to the police station to pay.

And I will add that in many trips around the Yucatan, we have encountered only a gas scam. once, where I specified in Spanish how many pesos, but the guy filled the tank (which I actually wouldn't have minded so much, and maybe would have paid for, if we had been driving far enough to use it up). He backed down.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 08:05 AM
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In the Yucatan peninsula, if you go out looking for trouble, you will not have much difficulty finding it. Just like most of the planet.
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Old Dec 5th, 2016, 10:52 AM
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Still not sure what the article has to do with driving in the area but agree again with Samba Chula. Have driven all over with my late husband, solo and with my travel buddy.
Never had any problem other than someone trying on a gas scam but always get out of the car and watch them pump, better if there are two of you who both get out of the car.
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