Travel to Mexico has been met with increased concern over the last several weeks following the killing of El Mencho, a Mexican drug lord and cartel leader, on February 22, 2026. The headline-making event had an impact on the travel industry, resulting in delays and flight disruptions, while the U.S. Department of State issued a reactionary Level 3 (do not travel) travel advisory for areas like Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara.
Now, two weeks later, some U.S. vacationers are wondering if Mexico is a safe choice for their upcoming spring break travels. As of March 11, popular beach destinations in the state of Quintana Roo — including Cancun, Cozumel, Riviera Maya and Tulum — are under a Level 2 advisory issued by the U.S. Department of State, which suggests visitors should "exercise increased caution” while in the area.
“Put in perspective, that’s the same rating that Italy and France have,” said Ray Snisky, group president of ALG Vacations, in an on-air interview with Spectrum 1 News Ohio on February 26. “There certainly has been criminal activity in lots of destinations all around the world, and it’s really uncomfortable when that first happens, but it’s how the destinations rally around resolving those issues [that matters].”
When asked if American travelers can feel comfortable vacationing in Cancun and the greater Riviera Maya area this spring, Snisky reminded Fox 2 Detroit viewers during a Feb 24 interview that there are 1,300 miles between Quintana Roo and Puerto Vallarta — that’s similar to the distance between New York and Miami. Regarding travel to Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara specifically, Snisky said the area is currently receiving airport arrivals and departures as normal.
Snisky also noted there’s a lot of misinformation swirling around on social media right now and urged travelers to seek facts from government-issued resources and their trusted travel advisor. “I think the most important thing is to use all the different websites that are available to get the most up-to-date information as well as talking to your travel advisor,” he said. “A lot of this content is available for folks, and I think it’s just important for them to seek those things out so that they can make their own decisions that are in the best interest for themselves.”
Snisky also noted that the recent events in Mexico are not typical. “This is not a normal occurrence at all in [common travel] destinations, especially Mexico,” he said. “There aren’t any [‘do not travel’ advisories] in the high-leisure traffic destinations. … [Until recently] Vallarta wasn’t in there, Guadalajara wasn’t in there, Cabo wasn’t in there, Cancun, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, all those were level 2. And so, we [ALG Vacations] watched those very, very closely, and we’d be proactive to share with customers and advisors when those change.”
Insights From Brands and Suppliers
“It’s completely understandable that some travelers have questions — and honestly, asking questions is a good thing,” said Carolina Iglesias, marketing and communications manager for Amstar DMC. “What we can share from our side is what we know on the ground, every day, in the destinations Amstar operates. All of our Mexico destinations — the Mexican Caribbean, Puerto Vallarta, Los Cabos, Mazatlán, Ixtapa, and Huatulco — are operating as normal and welcoming visitors. This includes airports, seaports, highways, hotels, and tours.”
Alexis Rios, a member of RIU Hotels & Resorts’ sales department in Costa Mujeres, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Cancun is today a safe destination and ready to receive international tourism. … Travelers can be sure that they will find a stable environment.”
One underlying theme for both brands is their continued commitment to guest safety, something Amstar and RIU Hotels & Resorts take extremely seriously 365 days a year.
At RIU, controlled access protocols and advanced security infrastructure are in place at each property. “Security is the fundamental pillar of our hospitality,” said Rios. “To guarantee a safe and private environment, we maintain strict access control in all our facilities. Each of our guests is identified by an official wristband; this system allows us to ensure that only people with an active reservation enjoy our services, maintaining the resort as an exclusive and protected space at all times.”
Similarly, Amstar recently rolled out Amstar Connect, a new platform that allows guests to track their vehicle in real time, view their driver’s profile, receive updates and instructions to their mobile device and enjoy an overall smoother transfer experience. “It gives travelers peace of mind and takes the guesswork out of airport transportation,” said Iglesias. “We’re focused on offering travelers experiences that are safe, authentic, and memorable.”
If vacationers have questions about the current resort experience in Mexico, Rios recommends they contact their travel advisor for assistance. “For us, communication is key,” he said. “Travel agents have the direct support of their Business Development Managers (BDMs), who are available to resolve any questions before or during their clients' stay. This direct channel allows us to offer quick and personalized solutions, ensuring that every trip has the expert support of our team at all times.”
Our First-Hand Experience in Cancun
Last week, VAX VacationAccess and ALG Vacations headed to Mexico’s Hotel Zone and the surrounding area to bring travel advisors and their clients on the ground coverage of what the destination looks like now. We found the experience at Cancun International Airport (CUN) to be “business as usual,” with mid-sized crowds and normal entry and security protocols. Transfers and traffic between the airport and our resort, RIU Palace Kukulkan, were normal, and there wasn’t an increase in police presence along or on the roads. Upon arriving at the hotel, the energy was high among guests, and the beaches were open and active.
On our second day, we headed south to Playa del Carmen to monitor road conditions and the general vibe among vacationers as we ventured deeper into the Riviera Maya. Our transfer with Amstar was comfortable, and traffic flowed steadily until we approached our exit for Playa del Carmen. There was no noticeable uptick in police along the highway. After parking on the street, we headed to Quinta Avenida (5th avenue) to stroll the colorful pedestrian-only street, and the outing was nothing short of enjoyable with medium-sized crowds, colorful shops and delicious eats.
Overall, we all agreed that we felt comfortable throughout the duration of our short visit in Cancun and the Riviera Maya.
Advice To Share With Clients
There are a few things vacationers can do to prepare for their upcoming travels to Mexico. “Before you go, there’s a great program called STEP, it’s the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program and it’s a free service, you can go to login.gov and sign up,” said Snisky. “You’ll get updates from the government on any activity, any health issues, anything that’s going on in the destination which you’re traveling to. But while you’re there, all these alerts are location-specific and time-specific, so they’re usually for very short durations, if they even occur.”
Snisky also underscored the value of working with a travel advisor during uncertain times, stating they act as a reliable source for the latest information and resources, some of which is provided to travel pros directly from ALG Vacations and other brands. “We work very, very closely with advisors all across the country,” he said. “The best place to go to would be your travel advisor.”
Spring Break Checklist for Travelers:
- Work through your travel advisor
- Enroll in STEP
- Stay up to date with current events
- Share location with friends and family
At the end of the day, Snisky told WWLP-TV Springfield, MA viewers that it’s up to individuals to know the facts and make the choice that feels best for them. “It doesn’t matter what the person down the street’s doing, it doesn’t matter what they’re doing in other cities, get the right information for yourself and make the decision that you feel good about.”
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