Of course the Q Roo Tourism Board will make that statement. And USA Today apparently published it even though it is also inaccurate...?

The initial USA Today article linking the 8 bodies found in Cancun with the August 22 update to the travel advisory was definitely inaccurate (what’s new?). The August travel advisory update was issued for Ciudad Juarez and not Q Roo, which has been at level 2 for some time.

But the Q Roo tourism board statement is also very inaccurate and misleading, as the “major tourist destinations...” of Cancun and Playa Del Carmen have seen several violent murders IN the tourist areas. Most of these are considered cartel slayings, but the potential danger to innocent bystanders cannot be ignored.

But the media has once again contributed (either in the pursuit of sales using hype or just plain lack of basic research) to uncertainty in the minds of those considering travel to Q Roo, especially new visitors. There are several posts on other travel forums from folks canceling trips to Q Roo based on the USA Today article...a shame...

So to clarify, the actual travel warning for Q Roo has not changed. This is the Level 2 advisory for Q Roo from the US State Department:

Quintana Roo state – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Exercise increased caution due to crime.

According to Government of Mexico statistics, the state experienced an increase in homicide rates compared to the same period in 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 injuring or killing bystanders have occurred.

There are no restrictions on U.S. government employees for travel in Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cancun, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the Riviera Maya.