Safety in Cozumel
 

I'm usually a fearless traveller but with all the hoopla about crime in Mexico I would like to hear from a recent visitor to Cozumel. My mom and I are going on the Voyager of the Seas in January and one of our stops is Cozumel. Has Cozumel been affected by all of the violence we are hearing about in other parts of the country? My gut tells me it will be OK but my DH needs reassurance. He really hates the thought of Mom and me being in Mexico, but I'm thinking the cruise wouldn't go there if it weren't OK. Your input will be appreciated.

Thanks.

Cozumel has not been affected by drug violence. The Cruise ships are very sensitive to crime and have pulled out of ports where there have been issues. I was in Cozumel not too long ago. We stayed in a local hotel, and rented a jeep to go around the island. Never felt threatened.

Thanks Tim_J, that's exactly the info I needed.

P_M you probably know I haven't been to Cozumel or even that side of the country, but I have spent a lot of time in Mexico (Puerto Vallarta, Cabo San Lucas, etc.) and read several travel forums daily for these places.

To date there has NEVER been any violence against tourists in the resort destinations associated with drug cartels or politics. Where I would not go right now is places like Mexico City, Monterrey, Juarez and any border towns.

Me neither suze, YIKES!! Many years ago Mom and I used to enjoy driving down to Monterrey as it's only ~150 miles south of the TX border. We loved doing our Christmas shopping there but that will probably never happen again. It's a beautiful city and it's sad we can't go there anymore.

Thanks for the extra info about the resort towns.

The worst I have ever heard of, and even this is rare, is people getting a wallet or camera stolen that they leave on the beach or in a taxi or something. A truly odd occasion of someone getting money taken right after they leave an ATM machine. I would not walk alone down a dark alley or deserted beach at midnight. I stay reasonably sober when I'm traveling solo. Like that.

I wish when the media was all over the current political troubles of Mexico, they would publish a map each time an incident comes up. The unrest is hurting the economy of tourists destinations and for nothing based in reality.

The two most recent stories I remember, one involving two Canadian guys who were shot (trying to break into the local drug trade) and the woman from the U.S. who was found dead in a sewer in Cancun... her husband had murdered her on their vacation!

Hi P_M, I spend part of every winter in Cozumel and have for nearly 20 years. You couldn't be in a safer place. The local people are sweet and kind and honest. There has been no drug violence on the island. That mostly happens on the border towns on the west coast and is always drug related. The one time drug dealers tried to set up shop on Cozumel a few years ago, the locals "gift wrapped" them in their car and put them on the ferry back to the mainland with the full cooperation of the local authorities. You would be safe walking around anywhere on the island at any hour of the day or night. Enjoy!

I'm glad to hear it, I'll pass this along to my DH so he can relax. Thanks all.

Went to Cozumel December, 2009 (4th trip) and just returned from Playa del Carmen a couple of weeks ago. (3rd trip) No issues. We've been going to Caribben Mexico every year for the past 10 years. Never had a problem.

Cozumel is a huge tourist draw for the cruise ships. Without them their ecomony will be greatly affected.

Go! You are safe in Cozumel. We go every year at least once for the snorkeling. I once left my handbag in the city square (SM)and it was still there an hour later. Seriously, tourism is there only trade, it's their livelihood. The residents and police depend on us, so they make sure we are safe...use common sense as you would anywhere else, but go! It's safer than many places we go in the US and never think twice about.

********UPDATE*********

I'm back from my trip and it was great. Snorkelling in Cozumel is the best and we felt perfectly safe. Thank you all.

I know this is a little too late, but...My father moved to Cozumel 14 years ago. He has a sports bar there in town called "Kelley's" and Cozumel is his year round home. I have visited several time with my kids over the years and even spent 3 months there last year. It is like being afraid to travel to the US after hearing about earthquakes in California when you are going to a small town on the beach in Alabama. Thousands of tourist descend on the island everyday from Cruise ships all over the world, and in the evening when the sunsets and the cruise ships pull out, it turns in to a quiet island with the most wonderful friendly people. As anywhere there is the occasional crime of opportunity (theft) and people who had too much to drink, but really a very safe place.