Hi, can someone please confirm if the Cancun and Costa Maya areas of Mexico are safe areas for American tourists? I'd be flying into Cancun, btw. Particularly, spending 3-4 days in Costa Maya. My main objectives are to do a little bird-watching, especially, hoping to view some toucans and/or toucanets. I want to view other birds as well, but I'd love to see a toucan! And I want to spend a day or so at a nice, sandy beach also.

Any other parts of southern Mexico that are good for spotting toucans? And which are safe for American tourists? Thanks, Greg

Yes, Cancun and the Mayan Riviera is a safe area for American tourists. Read carefully when you see the media hype. The problems in Mexico are internal, about politics and the drug cartels. Not about vacationing tourists.

While I've never been as far as Costa Maya, I've traveled extensively between Cancun and Tulum. This is a very safe, friendly area. Your biggest worries will be the time share hustlers at the airport, and the sometimes unexpected speed bumps on the highway. Have you considered the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve for birding? You will have no problem finding beautiful sandy beaches, although the beaches in unpopulated areas often have lots of debris washed up on them since they are never cleaned.

The Costa Maya Area is absolutely Safe Area. This area is more safe that Cancun and also more quiet.

See this Travel guide for Costa Maya for information: http://www.mahahualhotel.com/mahahua...costa-maya.htm