Cozumel is safe

The US Department of State does not name Cozumel in any travel advisories

The local crime rate is lower than US cities of comparable size

• We do not worry about walking around Cozumel at night

• There is no local "narcoterrorism" threat

• Almost all crime is theft rather than violent crime

Lock all doors doors (house, car)

Use the security system

Don't leave valuables unattended outside the house

Don't let anyone but our maid and staff in the house

• This includes your divemaster or that great guy you met at that place

• This is for both your safety and ours (to prevent someone returning later to break in)

• There may be exceptions if we know your intended guest

  • Tell us whom you'd like to invite and we'll let you know

  • There are people on the island we'd trust to the ends of the earth

Don't give anyone your door/alarm code for any reason

• Anyone who's authorized to be in the house will already have their own individual code

It's common to see state, federal, or military police patrolling with assault rifles or shotguns

• This is meant to make their presence seen and to be reassuring

Police normally drive around with their lights flashing all the time

• This does not necessarily mean they're responding to a crime or pulling you over

Traffic presents the biggest safety risk to Cozumel visitors

Do not rent scooters

Don't speed

Do not rent scooters

Pay attention to one-way streets

Do not rent scooters

Do not drink and drive

Do not rent scooters

Look out for "topes" (large speed bumps)

Do not rent scooters

If you must rent scooters, don't ride them

Mexico is very serious about controlling weapons. Do not bring them.

In particular, do not bring any firearms or ammunition at all. You're likely to end up in jail if caught.

Avoid carrying pocket or dive knives around town, as these can be determined to be weapons