Tulum and Playa del Carmen at night: official advice on taxis, drinks and assaults

Going out at night can be a big part of a Riviera Maya trip, and it is best done informed. This guide collects what the UK Foreign Office says in its Mexico safety advice, consulted in November 2026. It is not a venue list: we have not verified any bar or club with an official website in Tulum or Playa del Carmen.

After dark

The warning is clear: be very cautious after dark in downtown areas of Cancun, Tulum and Playa del Carmen. According to the same source, rival criminal gangs have clashed in popular tourist destinations and, since 2021, several shootings have affected tourists, although tourists are not described as direct targets.

Assaults and trusted staff

The source reports physical and sexual assaults on travellers in these locations, some involving hotel staff, taxi drivers or security personnel, who in some cases tried to persuade victims not to contact the police. Sexual offences have been reported in tourist areas, even close to hotels and especially after dark. Practical advice: stay together, tell someone you trust your plans and, if something happens, go to the police and your consulate.

Taxis and Uber

The UK recommends authorised 'sitio' taxis or hotel-arranged transport, and warns that unlicensed taxis have robbed and assaulted passengers. In Cancun, licensed taxi drivers protesting about Uber have blocked roads and pulled tourists from Uber vehicles; roadblocks made some travellers miss flights. Protests can happen without notice: ask your hotel and leave margin for the airport.

Drinks

Do not leave food or drinks unattended in bars and restaurants: travellers have been drugged and then robbed or assaulted. Tainted alcohol has caused illness and blackouts, and drinks containing methanol have caused deaths and serious illness in Mexico; you cannot detect it by taste or smell. Drink at trusted venues and do not accept drinks from strangers.

Tips for couples

Agree a time to head back, a code word to leave without explanations and a meeting point if you get separated. If you want an adult atmosphere with clear rules, our resort pages are a more controlled starting point. Advisories are updated: read the current version of the official notice before you go.