These are the tourist scams Trzly has documented across Mexiko, grouped by destination. Each one is real, with a clear way to stay safe. Read before you land.
Hur det fungerar: From the airport arrivals hall to the Hotel Zone, friendly 'greeters' and vacation-club salespeople (OPCs) offer free breakfasts, tours, show tickets or transfers in exchange for attending a short 'presentation'. The 90-minute pitch routinely stretches to four or five hours of high-pressure selling for an expensive timeshare.
Hur man undviker det: Politely decline anyone offering something free in exchange for your time. Never sign anything or hand over a deposit on the spot; walk away, and book tours and transfers through your hotel or a reputable operator instead.
Taxi overcharging and no airport Uber
Hur det fungerar: Cancún taxis have no meters and set fares by zone, so drivers may quote tourists far above the real price — sometimes MX$800–1500 for a ride that should be MX$250–330. At the airport, taxi-union contracts mean Uber cannot reliably pick up at arrivals, and pirate drivers in official-looking gear approach new arrivals.
Hur man undviker det: Agree the fare before getting in and know the rough rate, or pre-book a fixed-price transfer. Use the cheap ADO bus from the airport, and in town use Uber (legal in the Hotel Zone) or ask your hotel to call a trusted taxi.
ATM skimming and dodgy machines
Hur det fungerar: Card-skimming devices have been documented on standalone ATMs in tourist areas and inside some convenience stores, capturing your card details and PIN. Machines that aren't attached to a bank branch are the higher risk.
Hur man undviker det: Use ATMs inside a bank or your hotel lobby during the day, cover the keypad as you type, check the card slot for anything loose, and set up a transaction alert. Carry some cash so one blocked card doesn't strand you.
Fake tours and booking websites
Hur det fungerar: Fraudulent websites mimicking real Cancún resorts and tour companies take full payment and then vanish, and street or beach 'agents' sometimes sell tours that don't exist or aren't as described. Authorities report many new fake hotel sites appearing each month.
Hur man undviker det: Book through well-known platforms or directly with established operators, check reviews and a real physical address, and be suspicious of prices well below the norm or demands to pay only by bank transfer or cash.
Dynamic currency conversion
Hur det fungerar: When you pay by card, a shop, restaurant or ATM may offer to charge you in US dollars instead of pesos 'for your convenience'. This dynamic currency conversion bakes in a poor exchange rate and an extra markup, so you pay more than if you'd been charged in local currency.
Hur man undviker det: Always choose to be charged in Mexican pesos (MXN) and let your own bank do the conversion. Check the currency on the card machine before you approve, and decline any 'pay in USD' option.
Hur det fungerar: Some street money-changers or informal exchange points give a poor rate or short-change tourists who are not counting carefully, and a few ATMs in touristy areas charge excessive fees or dispense less than requested.
Hur man undviker det: Withdraw from ATMs attached to major banks inside malls or bank branches, count cash before walking away, and avoid street money-changers entirely.
Unofficial street taxi risk
Hur det fungerar: Unregistered taxis hailed outside tourist areas have occasionally been linked to overcharging or, rarely, more serious incidents, especially late at night.
Hur man undviker det: Use a rideshare app or call a registered taxi through your hotel instead of flagging a car on the street, particularly after dark.
Fake police shakedown
Hur det fungerar: Individuals posing as plainclothes police or officials stop tourists, claim a fabricated violation, and demand an on-the-spot cash 'fine'.
Hur man undviker det: Real officers do not demand payment on the street. Ask for identification, offer to go to the nearest police station, or call your hotel or embassy rather than paying anyone directly.
Tourist-zone restaurant markup
Hur det fungerar: Restaurants right on the main tourist squares sometimes present a menu without prices or add unexpected service charges once the bill arrives.
Hur man undviker det: Always ask to see a priced menu before ordering, and check the bill for any added charges before paying.