Thefts Account for 59% of Tourist Complaints Handled by CAPTA in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo — Thefts were the most frequent complaint among tourists who sought help from the Tourist Assistance and Protection Center (CAPTA) during the first quarter of the year, accounting for 112 of the 189 incidents recorded in that period.

According to the agency’s statistical report, theft cases represent approximately 59% of all reports, far exceeding the rest of the incidents handled.

Fraud ranked second with 26 cases, followed by 25 reports of lost belongings. Together, these two categories account for about 27% of the incidents logged during the first three months of the year.

All other categories each accounted for less than 5% of the total, which CAPTA said reflects isolated or low-frequency situations compared with the main problems identified.

The remaining cases included three assaults, three calls to the 911 emergency line, three muggings, two cases of vehicle damage, nine swindles, two disappearances, and one case each of abuse, threats, extortion and violence.

CAPTA tourist assistance center in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo
CAPTA’s office in Playa del Carmen handled 112 theft reports during the first quarter.

Thefts Are the Main Risk Reported

The statistics show a stark gap between thefts and every other category handled by CAPTA, with theft alone accounting for nearly six out of every 10 reports received.

The agency provides assistance and guidance to visitors who experience any type of incident during their stay in the destination, and refers cases that require the intervention of other authorities.

The data covers only tourists who visited CAPTA’s offices or requested its assistance, so it does not necessarily represent the full universe of crimes or incidents affecting visitors in Playa del Carmen during the period.

Still, the information shows that, at least among tourists who asked for help, theft is the top concern, followed by fraud and lost belongings.

Discover more from Riviera Maya News

Sign up to receive a summary of the best news in your inbox, every day.

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

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