Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun: Mass Illness Outbreak, NDA Scandal, and Cartel Violence Hit Cancun All at Once

Cancun and the surrounding Riviera Maya are facing a perfect storm of crises in February 2026. The Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun — a sprawling all-inclusive resort operated by Blue Diamond Resorts under the Marriott Autograph Collection banner in Puerto Morelos — is at the center of a growing mass illness outbreak that has hospitalized dozens of Canadian tourists and triggered accusations that staff pressured sick guests to sign non-disclosure agreements in exchange for medical care. Simultaneously, cartel violence has placed Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum under a U.S. Embassy shelter-in-place advisory following the killing of CJNG cartel leader El Mencho on February 22, 2026. Travelers heading to the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun are navigating two separate emergencies at once.

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun Outbreak: What Guests Are Experiencing

Kelly Bennett and her extended family travelled from Hamilton to the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun and began "dropping like flies" on day three of their stay — five and six at a time — with the illness spreading quickly through others at the resort. Many families were unwell, confined to their rooms, with children bedridden or napping in towels on poolside furniture while adults barely left the bathroom.

Neil Matheson told CTV News he went into medical distress on his return flight, passing out on the plane and requiring hospital treatment after departure. He described it as worse than COVID — cramping, vomiting, with his eyes feeling like they were being ripped from his head. Tests from travelers who spoke to CTV News came back positive for E. Coli, a type of bacteria often transmitted through food.

Doctors suspect the culprit was Rotavirus or Norovirus — highly contagious viruses that result in intestinal symptoms. Families at the resort described a chaotic scene with children wrapped in towels lying drained all day and adults making multiple trips to the bathroom.

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun NDA Scandal: "Sign This or No Doctor"

The outbreak alone would be damaging enough for the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun. The resort's alleged response to sick guests has made the situation catastrophically worse. Matheson asked for a doctor while at the resort and was told that while a visit to diagnose four people would normally cost $900, it would be free in exchange for signing a document requiring him not to talk about his experience. He refused. "I know people are trying to run a business. But we're human beings," he said.

Another guest, Jesslyn Schigol, said the front desk presented her with an NDA when she sought medical help for her vomiting husband. "The front desk said, 'You must sign this. This is a must or else we're not sending the doctor,'" Schigol said. The NDA states that by accepting medical help, guests cannot hold the companies involved responsible and are forbidden from discussing their experience publicly.

Wayne Smith, director of the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Research at Toronto Metropolitan University, said such a contract would almost certainly never hold up in court. "You need a doctor? Sign this NDA before you go to the doctor. That's never going to be enforceable."

Several fire trucks and ambulances were called to Toronto's Pearson airport on February 19, 2026, to respond to seven passengers vomiting on one return flight from Cancun. Peel Public Health confirmed paramedics responded at the airport.

Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun: A Pattern of Complaints

This is not the first time the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun has faced these exact allegations. The resort is owned by Blue Diamond Resorts and operates under Marriott's Autograph Collection branding. Blue Diamond issued a statement confirming it is conducting an internal investigation, saying it is committed to addressing the matter with the utmost care. Questions sent to Marriott were referred to Blue Diamond. Wayne Smith suspects the NDAs in this case are not official company policy but the work of local management and staff, adding: "The message the NDA sends is that we're not going to fix this problem. We don't care if our guests get sick. That's not the image you want to put out to the broader audience."

Cancun Cartel Violence: What the Shelter-in-Place Means for Resort Guests

In Quintana Roo state — where Cancun is located — at least three cars were intentionally set on fire on highway 180 between Cancun and Puerto Morelos on Sunday morning, February 22, 2026. Two cars were set ablaze in the Centro Maya shopping mall parking lot in Playa del Carmen. In Tulum, two OXXO convenience stores were set on fire after vandals doused the fronts with gasoline.

Police in Cancun urged the public to avoid sharing unverified information, noting the spread of false information — including a widely circulated but false notice about a 4 p.m. mandatory curfew in the city. The public safety agency for Quintana Roo posted that verified information saves lives and misinformation puts people at risk.

British tourists in Cancun and other Caribbean coast resorts remained largely unaffected by the worst violence, which was concentrated around 1,000 miles away in Jalisco. Flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Gatwick, and Heathrow to Cancun operated normally, with only services to Guadalajara canceled.

What Cancun and Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun Guests Must Do Right Now

For anyone currently staying at or traveling to the Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun and broader Cancun area, here is the essential checklist:

• Do not sign any NDA or release — legal experts confirm such contracts are almost certainly unenforceable
• Document everything — photograph menus, food served, and symptoms; keep all medical records
• Seek independent medical care if possible rather than relying solely on the resort's on-site doctor
• Shelter in place if you are in Quintana Roo — follow directions from local authorities and monitor official government advisories
• Contact your airline regarding potential rebooking options; monitor flight status continuously
• Call your travel insurer immediately if hospitalized — ensure your policy covers international medical evacuation
• Contact the Canadian or U.S. Embassy if in distress: U.S. emergency line from within Mexico is (55) 8526-2561

The Royalton Splash Riviera Cancun remains open as of February 23, 2026 — but with two simultaneous crises engulfing the Cancun region, travelers and their families are rightfully demanding answers from both the resort and government authorities on both sides of the border.