Four bodies were found on the beach of Cancun's hotel zone in Mexico this week, according to officials.
The identity and nationality of the bodies have not been disclosed. This comes just one week after an American tourist was shot in the nearby beach town of Puerto Morelos down the coast.
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The bodies were located on the Kukulkan Boulevard area of Cancun, a popular tourist destination for spring breakers. Authorities originally located three bodies on Monday, then found a fourth one in the "undergrowth on the same lot," according to ABC News.
"Prosecutors in the Caribbean coast state of Quintana Roo said two suspects had been detained in the killings. They said the deaths were under investigation, but did not give a cause of death. Reuters and AFP reported the four victims were shot to death," the outlet reports.
Is Cancun Safe to Travel to?
Cancun has not historically been known for much crime. Travellers Worldwide rates Cancun as "one of Mexico's safest vacation cities" as of 2022.
"While the city of Cancun itself may have crime, the resorts are typically extremely safe. In fact, many even have their own armed guards. Once you get toward areas like Riviera Maya and Costa Mujeres, the crime rates plummet," the site says.
"As long as you take the usual precautions such as not wandering out at night and staying on your resort, your stay should be worry-free."
But this has been changing, as local crime spills into previously insulated tourist enclaves.
U.S. Issues a Travel Advisory for Mexico
The U.S. State Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety issued a travel alert in March, warning Americans about traveling to the neighboring country. The warning came after four Americans were kidnapped while in Tamaulipas, a Mexican state that borders much of southern Texas. Currently, Tamaulipas has a "Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisory.
The following was posted on the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico site in March:
Crime: Crime, including violent crime, can occur anywhere in Mexico, including in popular tourist destinations. Travelers should maintain a high level of situational awareness, avoid areas where illicit activities occur, and promptly depart from potentially dangerous situations. See the Mexico Travel Advisory for specific information for each Mexican state. U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark.
There is currently a Level 2 advisory for Mexico's most popular tourist locales, including Baja California Sur (including Cabo San Lucas, San Jose del Cabo and La Paz), Tulum, and Quintana Roo (including Cancun, Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and the Riviera Maya).
A Level 2 advisory means tourists should exercise increased caution when visiting.
