Is Cancun Safe Right Now? Latest Travel Update for Cancun Airport — February 24, 2026
Is Cancun safe right now? This is the single most urgent question for millions of travelers with upcoming trips to Mexico's most popular resort destination. Here is the complete, up-to-the-minute breakdown of the Cancun travel situation, Cancun airport status, and what the U.S. Embassy is saying today.
Breaking: Cancun Shelter-in-Place Has Been LIFTED
The most important update for travelers: as of February 23, 2026, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Tulum in Quintana Roo, Mexico have been cleared by the U.S. Embassy for normal travel, following the lifting of the temporary shelter-in-place directive.
The emergency shelter-in-place order — issued February 22 — lasted less than 24 hours for the Cancun area. The situation in Quintana Roo stabilized significantly faster than it did in harder-hit states like Jalisco, where the chaos originated following the killing of CJNG cartel leader "El Mencho."
What Triggered the Cancun Alert?
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico issued an updated security alert on February 22, 2026, urging 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 the primary concerns.
The alert was a ripple effect from the nationwide cartel retaliation following the Mexican military's killing of El Mencho in Jalisco, which triggered unrest across at least 20 Mexican states.
Cancun Airport (CUN): Is It Open?
| Status | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport Status | OPEN — Operating Normally |
| Flights | No cancellations reported at CUN |
| Road Access | Cleared — no active blockades |
| Shelter-in-Place | LIFTED as of Feb. 23 |
Cancun International Airport and other airports in Quintana Roo are now operating normally, and the embassy has confirmed that travelers should not expect any flight disruptions from Cancun or other airports in the region. This contrasts sharply with Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta airports, where most flights were cancelled and roadblocks remain a concern.
Current Travel Advisory Level for Cancun
While the immediate emergency shelter-in-place directive has been lifted, the U.S. Department of State's standard travel advisory for Quintana Roo remains at Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution. This is the ongoing baseline advisory — not an emergency escalation — and reflects general crime risk rather than active armed conflict in the tourist zones.
Key context for visitors: Cancun's primary hotel and resort zones are largely insulated from the unrest affecting inland areas. The Hotel Zone — a dedicated tourist district with robust police and National Guard presence — generally exhibits lower crime rates than downtown areas of the city.
What Travelers Should Do Right Now
Cancun is open, the airport is running, and the emergency directive has been cleared — but the broader Mexico situation remains fluid. Travelers are advised to:
- Monitor the U.S. Embassy Mexico website and your airline for any new updates before departing
- Stay in tourist corridors — the Hotel Zone, resort areas, and major beaches remain the safest zones
- Avoid travel to states still experiencing unrest: Jalisco, Tamaulipas, Michoacán, and Guerrero
- Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at Travel.State.gov
- Check road conditions before any ground travel outside of the resort zone
In summary, Cancun is not under active lockdown, but visitors should exercise caution, monitor official advisories, and remain informed as conditions continue to evolve.
