US issues 'increased caution' warning for people traveling to Mexico during Spring Break - as partygoers heading to Cancun and Tulum are warned about 'unregulated drinks and synthetic drugs' in country

The US has issued a warning for spring breakers who plan to travel to Mexico to exercise 'increased caution.'

As partygoers head to Cancun and Tulum, the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico have warned people about 'unregulated drinks and synthetic drugs' in the county. 

The message, posted on Monday said: 'Travel Smart – Be Informed: Each year, thousands of U.S. citizens visit Mexico during spring break.' 

It added that 'while the vast majority travel safely,' tourists should still consider the list of specific advisories including, crime, drugs, pharmaceuticals, drownings, and more. 

'U.S. citizens should exercise increased caution in the downtown areas of popular spring break locations including Cancun, Playa Del Carmen, and Tulum, especially after dark,' the message said. 

The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Mexico issued a travel warning for tourists traveling to country for spring break 

It added that 'while the vast majority travel safely,' tourists should still consider the list of specific advisories including, crime, drugs, pharmaceuticals, drownings, and more

The warning also mentioned the potential hazards of drugs, pharmaceuticals and unregulated alcohol. 

It specified that drug possession of any kind, including medical marijuana is illegal in Mexico. If caught with prohibited drugs, it could result in a long jail sentence in the country. 

Unregulated alcohol is also prohibited and is warned to possibly be 'contaminated' and 'U.S. citizens have reported losing consciousness or becoming injured after consuming alcohol that was possibly tainted.' 

The warning described pharmaceuticals as 'counterfeit medication' that is 'common,' but 'may prove to be ineffective' due to its strength and ingredients.

'Medication should be purchased in consultation with a medical professional and from reputable establishments,' it added. 

The message also noted sexual assault and said that 'U.S. citizens have been victims of rape and sexual assault.' 

It specifically said that 'perpetrators' might target those who are intoxicated or isolated, or that they could 'employ drugs that alter the victim’s physical or mental state.' 

The advisory also warned of drownings, noting that some beaches in the popular tourist areas tend to experience 'strong undercurrents and rip tides.' 

It added that lifeguards, signs and general warning are not always posted at every beach for tourists to turn to in an emergency. 

If medical attention is needed, the warning noted that private hospital rates are higher compared to those in the US. 

All guns and ammunition are considered illegal in the country, even it if it is a small amount of ammunition. If found with guns or ammunition, it could result in 'lengthy jail time,' it said

'Many facilities require payment (sometimes only in cash) either before providing treatment or before discharging a patient.' 

The advisory also touched on the topics of arrests, guns and ammunition and immigration. 

All guns and ammunition are considered illegal in the country, even it if it is a small amount of ammunition. 

If found with guns or ammunition, it could result in 'lengthy jail time,' it said. 

Arrests can be made for 'drunk and disorderly behavior' as well as open alcohol containers in vehicles and public urination. 

In terms of immigration, the warning said: 'Violating the terms of your stay in Mexico can result in steep fines and detention.' 

The warning then listed actions that can be taken to help prevent travelers from having a bad spring break experience. 

Some of the tips were to enroll in the State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to get live updates about safety conditions, drinking responsibly, monitor your bank cards, and keeping family and friends at home aware of your travel plans, among others. 

'Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate if you need assistance,' the message said.

The advisory also warned of drownings, noting that some beaches in the popular tourist areas tend to experience 'strong undercurrents and rip tides' 

This comes just weeks after a Los Angeles woman who was at a beach club watching the sunset was killed in crossfire between two drug gangs in Tulum, Mexico.

The woman, named locally as Niko Honarbakhsh, was shot dead during the ordeal - and prosecutors in Quintana Roo stressed she had no connection to the drug deal.

Another man, who went by the nickname 'Belize,' was also killed during the shooting. The deceased had been at a beach club in the Tulum Hotel Zone - which is a coastline tourist strip filled with upscale clubs and eateries.

Honarbakhsh, 44, was living in Cancun but was originally from California, according to ABC News. Local news site Riviera Maya News also identified her as 'Niko H.'

The woman was watching the sunset alone at the beach club with her dogs, and was just about to get up and pay when she was caught in the crossfire, witnesses said.

Onlookers, who say the shooting occurred at the Mia Beach Club, said Honarbakhsh looked 'so happy' with her pets, who were 'chilling out on the sand' all day long.

A couple sitting behind her said they thought the gunshots were fireworks at first - and that everything happened so quickly that didn't even have time to react.

Prosecutors denied reports in local media that the two deceased were a couple, saying a photo of the Belizean man showed him with a completely different woman.

Belize shares a border with Mexico on the Caribbean coast. Tulum is located south of Cancun and Playa del Carmen, closer to Belize.

In 2021 in Tulum, two tourists — one a California travel blogger born in India and the other German — were killed while eating at a restaurant. They apparently were caught in the crossfire of a gunfight between rival drug dealers.

In June 2023, two Californians Abby Lutz, 28, and John Heathco, 40, were found unresponsive in their hotel room at the five-star $780-a-night Hotel Rancho Pescadero near Cabo San Lucas, with reports suggesting the couple died due to inhalation of gas.

And in April last year, four people were found dead by a four-star all-inclusive beachfront hotel in the Riviera Maya resort of Cancun after a broad-daylight shootout.