JDiver
Apr 17, 05, 4:57 pm
The U S State Department has issued a "public announcement (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_2243.html)" for Cancún recently. The gist of it is nothing new - the municipality is virtually broke, the state of Quintana Roo has had more than its share of corruption (previous governor Manuel Villanueva Madrid, "El Chueco", was involved in massive drug trafficking and "disappeared" two weeks before his term was up as he would lose his consitutional governmental immunity, and was taken in tow by the authorities when he was found "relaxing" in nearby Belize jungle resort about 18 months later.) Last year, the Cancún city council resigned and the mayor was ousted - over financial issues and accusations of corruption.
Tourists driving rental or imported atuos are being hassled at times: some crooked cops and cop-wannabes are alleging they have "broken the law" and "need to pay a fine - NOW!" This is a shakedown for a bribe - in cases, they have actually escorted people to an ATM to recover cash. At other times, crooked taxi drivers inflate prices and demand payment, using intimidation and bullying tactics - especially if they can gather a crowd (never take a taxi without agreeing on the price before you take it - your hotel or restaurant should tell you what the usual fare to your destination is, and in Mexico, taxi drivers do not expect tips unless they perform a service beyond transporting you.)
First of all, don't take someone's word that he is a police officer; officers must produce official identification, and the proper procedure is to warn when something improper has been done or to issue an "infracción" (ticket) - which usually includes removal of the vehicle's rear license plate - which can be properly paid off at the municipality, where one recovers the license plate. If you are concerned or they are insisting taking on your license and passport, ask to go to the government offices if it is during their open hours - normally Monday thru Friday 8am to 2:30pm.
It ha also been recommended to avoid the government offices / city hall area (municipalidad) and Plaza de la Reforma downtown if you see large crowds or demonstrations. Though these are not anti-tourist or anti-foreginer and are actually about lack of paychecks, etc. it is always wise to stay away from disturbances where people are excited, upset and possibly inebriated. These are somteimes more likely when elections are approaching -
U S citizen assistance in Cancún:
The U.S. Consular Agency is located on the second floor of Plaza Caracol, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5 Zona Hotelera, Cancun, and can be reached by telephone at (52) (998) 883-0272.
Tourists driving rental or imported atuos are being hassled at times: some crooked cops and cop-wannabes are alleging they have "broken the law" and "need to pay a fine - NOW!" This is a shakedown for a bribe - in cases, they have actually escorted people to an ATM to recover cash. At other times, crooked taxi drivers inflate prices and demand payment, using intimidation and bullying tactics - especially if they can gather a crowd (never take a taxi without agreeing on the price before you take it - your hotel or restaurant should tell you what the usual fare to your destination is, and in Mexico, taxi drivers do not expect tips unless they perform a service beyond transporting you.)
First of all, don't take someone's word that he is a police officer; officers must produce official identification, and the proper procedure is to warn when something improper has been done or to issue an "infracción" (ticket) - which usually includes removal of the vehicle's rear license plate - which can be properly paid off at the municipality, where one recovers the license plate. If you are concerned or they are insisting taking on your license and passport, ask to go to the government offices if it is during their open hours - normally Monday thru Friday 8am to 2:30pm.
It ha also been recommended to avoid the government offices / city hall area (municipalidad) and Plaza de la Reforma downtown if you see large crowds or demonstrations. Though these are not anti-tourist or anti-foreginer and are actually about lack of paychecks, etc. it is always wise to stay away from disturbances where people are excited, upset and possibly inebriated. These are somteimes more likely when elections are approaching -
U S citizen assistance in Cancún:
The U.S. Consular Agency is located on the second floor of Plaza Caracol, Boulevard Kukulcan, km. 8.5 Zona Hotelera, Cancun, and can be reached by telephone at (52) (998) 883-0272.