cancun police warning!

lbberger · 04-03-2008, 08:22 PM

at least 4 of my wedding guests got pulled over in the hotel zone. apparently the cops pull over who ever they want. they say they are going to take your driver's license and you have to go to the police station to pay fine and get your license back...this is a total scam!! all of the people pulled over knew, because we warned them, that you put separate money in your wallet, $25-50 and you offer the cop the cash and say you don't have time to go to the station, can you just pay the fine now. don't keep all your money in your wallet or they will take it. just have the amount you are willing to part with in your wallet. i have never experienced it so bad, i heard other tourists talking about it at the airport as well. maybe because it was around spring break the cops just want to make lots of $$. bummer because it doesn't make you feel very welcome there.
best idea is to not rent a car, just take taxis and the local bus.
my brother got pulled over for talking on his phone, another car for not wearing seat belts, and several other cars for 'speeding'...there are several speed traps where the cops are standing on the side of the road pulling people over.
just thought i would share our experience...

Yari · 04-03-2008, 08:29 PM

Thanks for posting this. This is so unfortunate.

sunnydaes · 04-03-2008, 08:37 PM

that sucks! thanks for the info

Matt Adcock · 04-04-2008, 10:12 AM

Our assistant, a Mexican citizen, was riding his bike on leisure in the streets of Playa del Carmen last night. He has these pegs on his bike that allows a 2nd passenger to stand on them at the back of the bike.

His brother was actually riding on the pegs, they were bothering no-one, driving down the street.

The police stopped them, said that the bike was for 1 person and that they would take the bike if he didnt get off the pegs. Seriously, hungry wolves looking for loot!

What it boils down to is that police here are on a cash mission, sadly. Corruption and politics seem to be hand in hand.

I have noticed that in Mexico, almost anything goes. It just depends on the time of day and being at the right place at the right time. One thing on your side is that most people reading this or on this forum visiting Meixco are TOURISTS. Believe it or not, this place really is built to cater to tourists... Keep positive and you will be fine :)

BUT, be sure you stay off the back of anyone's bike :)
Cheers!
matt

Hartyt509 · 04-04-2008, 01:55 PM

Robbing bandits !! its the same where my Dad lives in Bali, hand in your pocket all the bloody time lol

tlomlad · 04-04-2008, 02:03 PM

Thanks For The Post!

dragonfly · 04-04-2008, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbberger

at least 4 of my wedding guests got pulled over in the hotel zone. apparently the cops pull over who ever they want. they say they are going to take your driver's license and you have to go to the police station to pay fine and get your license back...this is a total scam!! all of the people pulled over knew, because we warned them, that you put separate money in your wallet, $25-50 and you offer the cop the cash and say you don't have time to go to the station, can you just pay the fine now. don't keep all your money in your wallet or they will take it. just have the amount you are willing to part with in your wallet. i have never experienced it so bad, i heard other tourists talking about it at the airport as well. maybe because it was around spring break the cops just want to make lots of $$. bummer because it doesn't make you feel very welcome there.
best idea is to not rent a car, just take taxis and the local bus.
my brother got pulled over for talking on his phone, another car for not wearing seat belts, and several other cars for 'speeding'...there are several speed traps where the cops are standing on the side of the road pulling people over.
just thought i would share our experience...

Thats so funny about being pulled over for not wearing seatbelts, considering hardly anyone who lives in Cancun does and there were not even any seatbelts in the back seats of half the cabs there. The bus system in cancun is so simple, cheap and fast, it is the best way to travel. The cabs which we took alot because I was there alone with 3 of my children, were also simple and really didn't cost much since everything is seconds away. We also requested the same cab driver all week, we had his card and he came right away, he was great, not running the clock the entire time, waiting for us in town, ect. I loved cancun and found some of the nicest people I have experienced in all the places I have travelled, I can't wait to go back.

lambert13 · 04-04-2008, 02:50 PM

That happens all the time in the Riviera Maya south of Cancun as well.

If you are going to be driving, keep $20 in your wallet and leave the rest of your money in a different pocket. If they say something about taking your license to the police station.... say go ahead and tell them that you will follow them down there. Ask for their name and badge number too. Most of the time that will make them give up all together.

It sucks that it happens, but that's how it is there.

Kryztan · 04-04-2008, 03:22 PM

Can we say money hungry??!?!?!?

SIMBASIM · 04-04-2008, 03:27 PM

I know we are not driving but I will inform my guests. Thanks for the info.