Is Cancun Safe Right Now? U.S. Embassy Shelter-in-Place Alert Active — What Travelers Must Know

BREAKING — Monday, February 23, 2026

Cancun and the entire state of Quintana Roo are under an active U.S. Embassy shelter-in-place directive following one of the most significant security events in Mexico in recent memory. Here is everything travelers need to know right now.

What Triggered the Cancun Safety Alert

The directive followed news reports that the leader of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel — Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, known as "El Mencho" — was killed by the Mexican army on Sunday. The killing set off hours of roadblocks with burning vehicles in Jalisco and other places across Mexico.

In retaliation, cartel-linked groups launched coordinated disruptions nationwide — including in Quintana Roo, the state that includes Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Cozumel.

At least three cars were intentionally set on fire on highway 180 between Cancun and Puerto Morelos Sunday morning. In Playa del Carmen, local fire brigades were out extinguishing vehicle fires. Two cars were set ablaze in the Centro Maya shopping mall parking lot. At least one fire at a store in Cozumel was reported.

The Official U.S. Embassy Cancun Warning

U.S. government staff in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Cozumel have been directed to shelter in place and work remotely on Monday, February 23, and the Embassy urged U.S. citizens to do the same. This is an active, still-in-force directive as of the time of this article.

The shelter-in-place alert covers a massive geographic footprint across Mexico:

Cancun Airport (CUN): Open but Disrupted

While CUN airport itself is functioning, the shelter-in-place order for the Cancun area is active and in force. Roadblocks and security operations have been reported in Quintana Roo state. If you are at a Cancun resort, remain on-property until further notice.

The hardest-hit airports are Puerto Vallarta (PVR) and Guadalajara (GDL), where most domestic and international flights were cancelled entirely. Cancun International Airport has not been closed, but flight disruptions — including delays and some cancellations — are being reported as ripple effects move through the North American aviation network. Airlines with confirmed cancellations or waivers active for Mexico routes include American Airlines, United, Delta, Southwest, Alaska Airlines, Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines. Check your airline's app directly before heading to CUN.

What Cancun Looks Like on the Ground Right Now

Local travel monitors note an important distinction: the shelter-in-place order was issued as a sweeping nationwide precaution following a major cartel event, not as a direct response to active threats inside Cancun's Hotel Zone. There are no highway blockades in the Riviera Maya. The physical infrastructure in Quintana Roo is operating completely normally today. Resort hotels remain operational. The situation is significantly more severe in Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara) than in the Cancun area.

What Travelers Should Do Right Now

• If you are currently in Cancun: Remain at your resort or hotel property. Do not attempt to travel by road until the shelter-in-place directive is lifted. Monitor the U.S. Embassy Mexico website for updated alerts.
• If you have an upcoming trip: Check your airline directly for flight waivers, which may allow you to rebook or cancel without fees. Do not make decisions based solely on social media — consult the official U.S. State Department travel advisory at Travel.State.gov.
• Quintana Roo's standing travel advisory from the State Department remains at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution — unchanged from before this weekend's events.
• Register with the Embassy: U.S. citizens traveling to or in Mexico are urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at Travel.State.gov.

The situation is evolving rapidly. The Embassy has issued multiple updates since Sunday evening ET and has not yet issued an all-clear for Cancun or Quintana Roo.