Cancun: Is cancun Safe to Depart or Visit Amid U.S. Embassy Travel Alert

With just a few weeks left until Spring Break 2026 in the United States, travelers face uncertainty as cancun and the surrounding region confront security and travel disruptions. On February 23, 2026, dozens of flights were delayed or canceled at Cancun International Airport, leaving hundreds stranded even though airport officials confirmed the facility remains operational with no closures.

Cancun International Airport status

Operations continued at Cancún International Airport (CUN) on February 23, 2026, but widespread delays and cancellations left hundreds of travelers stranded and scrambling to rearrange plans. Reinforced security presence at the airport helped maintain functionality, though airlines were working to stabilize schedules as ripple effects continued throughout the day.

Flight delays and cancellations

A combined total of 62 delays and 29 cancellations was recorded across two major airports, with Cancún hit hardest. Cancún recorded 40 delayed flights and 23 cancellations, while Mexico City’s Benito Juárez International Airport registered 22 delays and six cancellations. Dozens of travelers experienced long queues, extended waits and confusion as airlines reorganized schedules.

Airlines and crew disruptions

Multiple carriers operating domestic and international routes were impacted. One carrier experienced three cancellations and 10 delays, while another recorded one cancellation and two delays. A low-cost carrier logged six delays. Avianca and Delta Air Lines also reported delays. Disruptions were tied to road blockages and criminal activity across multiple Mexican states that complicated crew movements and logistics and amplified operational pressures.

Security alert for Quintana Roo

The chaos stemmed from broader regional instability and prompted an updated U. S. Embassy security alert issued on February 22, 2026. The alert urged American citizens in Cancun and other parts of Quintana Roo state — including Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum — to shelter in place until further notice, citing ongoing security operations, road blockages, and heightened criminal activity as primary concerns. The State Department's travel advisory for Quintana Roo remained at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution and emphasized that no airports have been closed nationwide. Travelers were advised to monitor local media, check road conditions, and keep family informed of their whereabouts.

Regional airport effects

The most severe flight cancellations affected other coastal hubs, where roadblocks had led to the suspension of most services at Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara. Disruptions at those airports amplified travel chaos across two of Mexico’s busiest air hubs and created ripple effects for international tourists, business travelers and domestic commuters. For travelers with tight connections, delays of several hours resulted in missed tours, lost hotel bookings and unexpected expenses.

Health risks and mosquito-borne diseases

In addition to security concerns, travelers to cancun and surrounding areas in Quintana Roo were reminded of ongoing risks from mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika, transmitted primarily by Aedes mosquitoes. Dengue remains endemic in Mexico: in 2025 Mexico reported approximately 141, 421 total cases, resulting in 85 deaths nationwide. Quintana Roo and neighboring states such as Veracruz and Sonora accounted for a notable share of cases last year. As of early 2026 (through epidemiological week 4), Mexico had seen low activity, with 185 confirmed cases and 1, 972 probable cases reported in the first two weeks alone — an 83% decrease compared to the same period in 2025 — though experts warned of potential seasonal increases as the year progressed.

Chikungunya transmission in Mexico had been sporadic and low in recent years: in 2025 only a handful of cases were documented nationwide, with reports indicating just four confirmed infections, primarily in southern states like Quintana Roo, Chiapas, and Yucatan. The Pan American Health Organization noted that Zika virus activity in Mexico declined sharply since the 2015-2016 epidemic: in 2025 there were only four confirmed Zika cases nationwide, down from 30 in 2024. The Pan American Health Organization also said Zika poses particular risks to pregnant women due to potential birth defects. The U. S. CDC and the Pan American Health Organization emphasized mosquito bite prevention.

Practical steps for travelers

Travelers were urged to check flight status through official airport portals or airline apps before departing for the terminal. Mexican passenger rights regulations generally entitle travelers to rebooking or refunds for canceled flights, and passengers were encouraged to speak directly with airline representatives about their options. Contributing factors to the disruptions included surging passenger volumes, operational pressures on airlines, crew availability and weather-related disruptions, and the burden of rerouting aircraft and assisting passengers fell largely on airline and airport operations teams when delays accumulated.

Cancún had welcomed more than 29 million visitors last year, underscoring how even modest disruptions can quickly spread through airline rotation schedules and crew assignments.

Prakriti Deb is a journalist whose work covers American politics, crime, sports, entertainment and weather; she has a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication with a specialization in Journalism and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature. She has previously worked with another digital news organization and describes enjoying travel and storytelling, including painting, theatre, dance and photography.

Travelers in and around Quintana Roo were advised to remain alert to developments, follow official guidance, and allow extra time for travel as operations stabilize.