The recent murder of three young foreigners in Baja California has once again brought to light the issue of tourist safety in Mexico. Despite being a popular tourist destination, Mexico has been plagued by high levels of violence and insecurity, with a murder rate of 25.9 per 100,000 inhabitants, one of the highest in the continent.
Tourist areas that were once considered safe, such as Acapulco and the region around Cancun, have seen a surge in violent crimes in recent years. The number of homicides in Quintana Roo, where popular tourist destinations like Cancun and Tulum are located, has significantly increased, reaching over 600 murders each year. Acapulco, once a peaceful vacation spot, has also experienced a rise in violence, ranking as one of the most violent cities in the world.
The violence in Mexico is largely attributed to disputes among drug cartels vying for control of popular tourist resorts. Tourists have sometimes found themselves caught in the crossfire, with incidents like the recent shootings in Cancun and Acapulco resulting in multiple deaths.
In response to the escalating violence, the Mexican government has deployed over 8,000 troops in major tourist destinations. Despite travel warnings issued by the United States and Mexico, tourism in Mexico has remained relatively unaffected. In fact, there has been a 7.4% increase in international tourists arriving by air in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period last year.
Authorities have been quick to respond to crimes involving foreigners, with a high rate of crimes known to the Public Prosecutor’s Office going unpunished. However, there are still over 2,700 missing people in Baja California, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in ensuring the safety of tourists in Mexico.