top laws tourists may not know in Cancun Mexico (2024)

Last Updated on August 28, 2023 by Megan

Mexico is a great place to relax and let yourself get loose. It is important to understand a few laws and regulations before you start your partying. A few laws a tourist may not be aware of when vacationing in Mexico;

  1. Foreigners must have a valid tourist card or a resident visa to be in Mexico; it is illegal to overstay your visa.
  2. Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Mexico if you are renting a car you need insurance with liability coverage. Consider purchasing a policy which includes legal representation and the cost of bail bond from a service provider who is available 24 hours a day.
  3. Many tourists come to Mexico to indulge and take in the nightlife, but did you know it is illegal to be drunk and disorderly in public, even in Mexico. It seems logical but drunk driving is a serious crime in Mexico; foreigners do not get any special privileges regarding drinking and driving, and if you cause an accident you will end up in jail.
  4. The minimum legal drinking age in Cancun, Mexico is 18 years old. Mexico requires that you show a photo identification as proof of age when purchasing alcohol.
  5. It is not against the law to travel with alcohol in a vehicle in Mexico, driving while drunk is a criminal offense. Mexico's legal blood alcohol content is 0.8.
  6. The new alcohol law took effect in Cancun, Riviera Maya in February 2019; Under the new law packaged alcohol cannot be sold past 11:00 p.m. Bars that wish to sell alcohol after that time can apply for a special permit that will allow alcohol sales until 3:00 a.m.
  7. Under Mexican law, possession and trafficking of any illegal drug is a federal offense; you may be fined or imprisoned. To avoid any issues with a controlled medication, carry a copy of your prescription or doctor’s note with you.
  8. Considering some countries allow their citizens to carry guns, we should advise you guns and weapons are illegal in Mexico. It is also advisable you leave your pocket knife at home.
  9. Going fishing? Any boat carrying fishing gear in Mexican waters must hold a valid fishing license for each person on board, regardless of age and whether they are fishing or not. A fishing license is not required when fishing from land.
  10. Foreigners should not get involved in political activity including, demonstrations or protests. Foreigners who engage in this type of activity may be asked to leave the country.

If you are arrested or detained in Mexico, ask the police officials to notify your Embassy or Consulate immediately, they will notify your family or friends and put you in touch with alocal Mexican lawyer.

top laws tourists may not know in Cancun Mexico (2024)

FAQs

Top laws tourists may not know in Cancun Mexico? ›

A few laws a tourist may not be aware of when vacationing in Mexico; Foreigners must have a valid tourist card or a resident visa to be in Mexico; it is illegal to overstay your visa. Vehicle insurance is mandatory in Mexico if you are renting a car you need insurance with liability coverage.

What are the laws in Cancun, Mexico? ›

Arrests: Drunk and disorderly behavior, public urination, and open alcohol containers in vehicles are illegal in Mexico. If you break Mexican law, you can be arrested. Crime: Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations.

What laws should I know in Mexico? ›

Some activities are illegal for foreigners in Mexico. These include political activity, driving without insurance, and failing to report a road accident. Ensure you understand and follow local laws. Possessing or exporting ancient Mexican artefacts and carrying firearms or ammunition without a permit are also illegal.

What are the tourism laws in Mexico? ›

You must obtain a tourist card (also known as a Forma Migratoria Múltiple or FMM) if you stay more than 72 hours (3 days). Tourists traveling by air can obtain the FFM from airline personnel, while those traveling by land can obtain it at Mexican immigration checkpoints along the border.

Is there tourist risk in Cancun? ›

Cancun's Crime Rates

The crime rating in Cancun is 56.16. These crime rates are similar to the crime rates of some of the most popular tourist destinations worldwide. Miami, for example, has a crime rate of 53.14%. The city of love, Paris, has a crime rate of 57.23, whereas the crime rate of beautiful London is 53.85.

What can I not take to Cancun? ›

You are not allowed to bring food, fruits and/or products that are not "company" packed and sealed. And if you are bringing food or products they are allowed only if you need them because of a special diet or for medical reasons. The same rule applies to medicine.

Is Cancun under cartel control? ›

The Gulf Cartel, the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG for its Spanish acronym), the Sinaloa Cartel, and a smaller organization known as Grupo Regional, a cartel formed of former Zetas cartel members and neighborhood street gangs, have all been identified by authorities as operating in the greater Cancun area as ...

What are the five laws in Mexico? ›

At the next level are the five major codes of the Civil Law Tradition to which Mexico's legal system belongs. These codes are the civil code, the commercial code, the criminal code, the civil procedures code, and the criminal procedures code.

What is the right to be forgotten in Mexico? ›

Mexico's right to be forgotten lies within the boundaries of the right to cancel the processing of personal data and the right to oppose to the said processing.

What is the drinking age in Cancun? ›

The minimum legal drinking age in Cancun, Mexico is 18 years old. Mexico requires that you show a photo identification as proof of age when purchasing alcohol. It is not against the law to travel with alcohol in a vehicle in Mexico, driving while drunk is a criminal offense.

What is the drinking age in Mexico? ›

The legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old.

This is standard across Mexico and does not vary state by state. The legal drinking age in Mexico, at any given time, under any circ*mstance is 18 years of age.

What is the Cancun travel warning? ›

Cancun is part of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, which is labeled as Exercise Increased Caution. So, it's not the safest place, but it's not bad enough to reconsider traveling there at all.

What is the threat level in Cancun? ›

Due to recent events, crime in places like Cancun has soared and it now ranks number 6 on the list of most dangerous cities in Mexico (based on homicides per 100,000 residents). And, it is also placed as the 12th most dangerous city in the world.

Is it safe for a woman to travel in Cancun? ›

In Cancún, the street harassment level is moderate. While most locals are respectful and polite, you might occasionally encounter unwelcome comments or attention which can be uncomfortable as a solo female traveler. This is more common in the more bustling areas such as the Hotel Zone or Downtown Cancún.

Can you walk around Cancun at night? ›

Is Cancun safe at night? It is always wise to be extra cautious after sunset, which takes place between 6:30PM and 7:30PM throughout the year. Secluded areas of beach are best avoided, as are roads away from the main strip of the hotel zone.

What is the legal age to drink in Cancun? ›

The minimum legal drinking age in Mexico is 18 years old. Mexico requires that young adults show photo identification, either a passport or driver's license, as proof of age when buying alcohol.

At what age can you drink in Cancun? ›

Maintaining moderation seems especially wise if you're new to drinking—and, as a matter of fact, Mexico permits drinking at a younger age than the United States does. In contrast to the age minimum of 21 north of the border, the legal drinking age in Mexico is 18.

Can you go out at night in Cancun? ›

This city is a place people visit for its world-class beaches and resorts, but also for its nightlife scene, where the party never stops. For over 3 decades, it's been amongst the top spring break spots in the world, and many clubs see long lines waiting to get in, with one-price unlimited drinking a popular offering.

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