Cancel Wedding due to Travel Advisoryfor Mexico

I know you are 82 days out, but if I were you I would listen to the warnings as well. They don't put them out for no reason.

I've never been one to really heed travel warnings however if this were my wedding and the warnings were making my guests nervous and they were considering declining, then I would also cancel. You are doing the right thing.

I'm sorry that you are going through this so close to your date!

Is your wedding in one of the cities that are bad? I looked at the link and some cities don't seem that bad, but I completely understand and respect your choice to not endanger yourself or your guests. Have any of your guests purchased airfare already? Can you move the location state side?

Everything was purchased in a package deal flight,hotel and land transportation. Yes they listed Cancun on there as well the government updated the travel advisory 7 days ago.

The state that includes Cancun doesn't have a severe warning but there is one there. Did they just add this warning? I feel like these dangers aren't new but perhaps there has been a recent surge of activity. This is tough... I should personally still fine to go to a resort but I would feel bad about my family too. Perhaps show the warning to some of your family and see what they think?

I've traveled all around the Caribbean often while living in Miami and I don't understand why people go to Mexico!! The beaches are not as nice as other islands who respect their tourism. If you can cancel with a full refund, do it! I could share horror stories about Mexico, specifically one that left my Boss' husband in a coma for the last 3 years. The whole fake/poison alcohol has just been the latest issue that's made the press. They do not respect their tourist, this is nothing new.

I would suggest looking into St Thomas, St Martin, Caymans are nice, or any of the British islands.

Avoid Jamaica, that's another place I don't understand why people go there. Bahamas, I would be on the fence about as it's pretty there, but the bahiamian people won't give you great service (on island time).

Good luck!!! It stinks being 82 days out, but if something bad would ever happen on your wedding... that would be awful.

It's great that you have ins to cover a refund or change of location; but...what about your guests? Do they have refundable flights/hotels, etc?

IDK; but my gut says that this has been happening for some time & just now getting attention. Certainly not something to take lightly; but I'm one where I feel you can just be aware of your surroundings, travel in groups & even for our Punta Cana honeymoon....our travel agent told us not to leave the resort unless we are with a guide. We are OK with that.

Everyone added the travel insurance to their packages. So every one is fully protected. I've traveled to Los Cabos last year with no issues. I am one that over thinks EVERYTHING and I have addressed with my sister and aunt yesterday when a co-worker brought it to my attention to look into it (because I'm not on social media right now) It's truly a hard pill to swallow; and we're traveling with children. We have always used precaution while traveling we do not leave the resort with out the tour guides etc. I'm all over the place simply because everyone moved our normal summer family vacation to November Thanksgiving week for the destination wedding.

OP, what do your guest think or haven't you talked to them yet?

I was just in Cancun last month with the same worries and decided that I would just be extra vigilant while I was over there. While that's always a good thing, I never felt unsafe at any time during my week there and we had even ventured out of the resort out towards Coco Bongo. I also had concerns about the poison in the alcohol but the way I saw it was, no resort wants to be labeled as the resort where such a thing happened. So at least all respectable resorts should be all good there. I think as long as you're smart about your surroundings and where you're keeping your money and such, that you should be fine and having a fantastic time!

I also don't like to live in fear. But this is easier said than done for a lot of people. You need to do what will cause the LEAST amount of extra stress for you. There is no wrong answer here since everyone is fully protected from loosing out on any money.

Honestly, I think if you take extra precautions, like, booking your airport transfers and tours through the resorts, and not doing much off site, you'll be fine. We are honeymooning in Cancun in Mid October and are not too worried since we plan on staying in the resort the whole time.

Only you and your guests can decide how comfortable you are with going. There's no way of knowing what will happen there or anywhere. Honestly, as soon as you change plans to avoid place A out of fear, place B will be the one on the news next, even if place B is your hometown. World events are unpredictable. That's not to say not to do your research, but things can happen just as easily anywhere. I most certainly would not cancel but I'm also a big traveler and proponent of thinking that the events you see on the news have incredibly low odds of happening to you. They're rare, which is why they're news at all.

I just found out yesterday evening about the travel advisory update; and started doing additional research before I freaked anyone out. Just to be able to provide everyone with further information I did inform my aunt and my sister. My sister isn't worried and my aunt suggested either looking into a different destination( she's the travel agent). We also thought about maybe moving the funds from this trip to a family trip for Christmas. ( The entire destination entourage is family and a few friends that always take the summer trips about 15 people total) I'm just trying my best to bring different options to the table.

Cancun doesn't really seem that bad on the list, think of how many people get married there every day. I think if they stay in the resort and don't wander around at night they will be fine.

ETA:

Cancun): U.S. citizens should be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, the state of Quintana Roo experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to 2016. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted criminal organization assassinations, turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Shooting incidents, in which innocent bystanders have been injured or killed, have occurred.

Honestly, that sounds like that could happen anywhere. I live in Orlando and it's probably the same thing.

Ugh have the same problem only family members are concerned and mine isn't till next year!

This is where we'll be staying

Royalton Riviera Cancun

Carretera Federal 307 Cancun-Playa del Carmen Km 332,15, SM31, MZ 03, 77500 Cancun, Benito Juárez, Mexico

I posted something along these lines a week or two ago. We are traveling to playa del carmen... Tuesday!

We have decided to go. Our resort doesn't have any recent bad reviews (worried about the alcohol) and people here made me realize that this area has a huge population. Homicide rates compare no differently than those in Chicago/NY. We are going to go and be aware of our surroundings.

You have a while to contemplate, me, not so much. Wait a little longer before making a decision!

We will be in Quintana Roo in just over a month for our honeymoon. After reading the warning for this state I feel a little relief. You should always use caution in foreign countries. The warning regarding this state suggests that the issues are typically gang wars but innocent people have been struck as bystanders not sought out attacks on tourists. Does anyone want to be hit by a stray bullet? Of course not! But if you read warnings for other states in Mexico some of them seem much more severe.

Good luck! No one needs this added stress.

I agree with you 100% but will your guests lose money? If so, id move forward Bc i wouldn't want them to lose out on money but if they can get their money back then I would switch the location for sure

Eta saw you said they did - are they on board with switching? I would get their feedback

I have friends who just got back from Cancun, it was totally fine. I'm not saying there is no risk at all, but that's true whenever you're travelling outside the country. I would go ahead with everything as planned, but I'm sure people will understand if you make a change.