Insecurity Perception Drops in Cancun and Chetumal, INEGI Reports

Graph showing percentage of population feeling unsafe in Cancun and Chetumal from March to June 2026

Cancun, Quintana Roo — The percentage of adults who feel unsafe living in Cancun and Chetumal fell during June 2026, according to the latest National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU) released Friday by INEGI, Mexico’s national statistics agency.

In Cancun, the share of residents who consider their city unsafe dropped from 74.9% in March to 70.1% in June — a decline of 4.8 percentage points. In Chetumal, the figure fell from 66.4% to 62.1%, a reduction of 4.3 points.

Nationally, the proportion of adults feeling unsafe in their city also fell, to 59.8% in June from 61.5% in March and 63.2% in June 2025. INEGI said the quarterly decline was statistically significant.

Despite the improvement, Cancun remained above the national average, while Chetumal was slightly above the average for the 91 urban areas surveyed.

The survey was conducted between May 22 and June 12, based on interviews in 27,300 households. It also found that crime fears continue to alter daily habits: 42% of respondents said they stopped carrying valuables; 38.2% changed their routine regarding allowing children to go out alone; 35.9% stopped walking near their homes at night; and 22.5% avoided visiting relatives or friends.

Among the most cited community problems were potholes (83.4%), water supply failures and leaks (65.4%), and clogged drains (60.4%).

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By Javier Mendez

Javier Mendez covers public safety, law enforcement, and legal affairs in Quintana Roo. He monitors official reports from the FGE (State Prosecutor's Office), the Mexican Navy, and municipal police to deliver accurate English summaries of crime, trafficking cases, arrests, and court rulings affecting the Riviera Maya region.Javier has been covering crime and public safety news since 2023, reporting on cases ranging from felony arrests and human trafficking investigations to court proceedings and organized crime-related incidents across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and Chetumal. His reporting provides English-speaking residents and travelers with reliable, timely information about safety conditions in Quintana Roo's major tourist destinations.Javier works closely with official government sources and press offices to verify facts before publication, and maintains an archive of law enforcement communications to provide context for ongoing stories. He is dedicated to accurate, factual reporting on complex safety issues that affect both residents and visitors to the region.For story tips: javier@rivieramayanews.mx