U.S. Warns Spring Break Travelers to Mexico to 'Exercise Increased Caution'

The U.S. warned those travelling to Mexico for spring break to "exercise increased caution" as "crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations." Consequently, it advised travelers to maintain situational awareness and leave potentially dangerous situations.

Among the places where the statement advised particular caution are Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Tulum, popular spring break destinations for Americans. It also advised against using synthetic drugs, unregulated alcohol and counterfeit medication.

The warning comes after two other recent travel warnings in the region: to Bahamas and Jamaica. Regarding the former, the advisory also urged travelers to "exercise increased caution" when visiting the Caribbean country. Burglaries, armed robberies and sexual assaults in the Island of New Providence, home of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, are some of the felonies mentioned by the State Department.

There has been violent crime in both tourist and non tourist areas, according to the State Department. Travelers have been urged to stay vigilant when staying in short-term vacation rental properties, such as AirBnbs —where private security companies do not have presence.

"In Nassau, practice increased vigilance in the 'Over the Hill' area (south of Shirley Street) where gang-on-gang violence has resulted in a high homicide rate primarily affecting the local population," the government alert states.

As for Jamaica, the government issued a level 3 advisory, warning to exercise "extreme caution" if they plan to travel to the Caribbean country. The warning came after increased crimes and violence in the island in January. This level encourages tourists to "reconsider travel" and, if they don't, to remain extremely cautious.

"Violent crimes, such as home invasions, armed robberies, sexual assaults, and homicides are common," the U.S. Embassy in Jamaica warned Americans. "Sexual assaults occur frequently, including at all-inclusive resorts."

The advisory also called out the Jamaican police system, claiming that it does not properly respond to criminal incidents, as well as hospitals and some private institutions, who may either not be reliable, or require payment up front.

"The homicide rate reported by the Government of Jamaica has for several years been among the highest in the Western Hemisphere," the State Department noted.

Tourism is a huge sector for Jamaica's economy, and Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett told the country's lawmakers in December that he expected a "spectacular growth pattern" seen during 2022 and 2023 to continue.

So what can you do if you still wish to visit Jamaica? Get traveler's insurance, the State Department recommends.

"We strongly encourage you to obtain traveler's insurance, including medical evacuation insurance, before traveling to Jamaica," as many health providers overseas won't accept U.S. health insurance, and neither Medicare nor Medicaid benefits apply abroad.

In the warning, the Department advised travelers to be aware of their surroundings, to keep a low profile and to avoid public buses, walking or driving at night, secluded situations and resisting attempts at robbery.