The United States has lifted restrictions on the Mexican coastal resort town, Playa del Carmen, nearly two weeks after issuing travel warnings for the area.
As we reported last week, the US embassy slapped travel warnings on five suburbs and neighbourhoods in and around the major tourist zone, citing fears of an “ongoing security threat”.
After the first wave of restrictions from the US embassy, the Mexican government defended Playa del Carmen, as they were apparently concerned about a potential decline in tourism numbers ahead of the upcoming Easter break.
The cause of concern for the US is the threat of drug and gang violence in the Quintana Roo area.
The restrictions also included beach resort towns like Cancun and Tulum.
As well as this, a recent explosion on a ferry in the area which injured 26 people including several Americans, has caused the US to slap Mexico with the travel restrictions.
Mexico Daily News reports the restrictions surrounding Playa del Carmen are now lifted and a new security alert observes that Mexican authorities have put into place “new security procedures in tourist areas.”
US citizens are still being urged to be aware of their surroundings and exercise extreme caution in the areas previously affected by the restrictions and to purchase travel insurance that specifically covers Mexico.
Mexico as a whole is graded “level 2” and the US State Department urges tourists to “exercise caution” while travelling around the country.
