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Easter week (Semana Santa) in Quintana Roo holds a special kind of energy. You can almost feel the buzz as world-famous spots like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the Riviera Maya prepare to welcome visitors from around the globe. It’s peak season, and the numbers show it – an estimated 1.2 million people are expected to arrive, drawn by the promise of sunshine, stunning beaches, and rich culture.

That sheer number of visitors is a testament to the region’s incredible appeal. But, as you can imagine, it also requires thoughtful planning to ensure the experience remains positive and safe for everyone – both the visitors making memories and the residents who call this beautiful place home. To manage this vibrant influx, the state government has put a significant support plan into action, running through April 27th.

A Major Commitment to Well-being

At the heart of this plan is a considerable mobilization of personnel – over 7,000 security individuals are involved across the state’s 11 municipalities. Governor Mara Lezama highlighted this deployment, underscoring its purpose: to serve the public during this exceptionally busy time.

Seeing a figure like 7,244 personnel gives a sense of the scale. It’s not just local police; it’s a coordinated effort involving state and municipal officers (5,560 of them), federal forces, and dedicated teams from the Mexican Navy (472 personnel), the Ministry of National Defense (233 troops), and the National Guard (979 members). This kind of teamwork across different agencies is crucial for managing logistics and ensuring widespread coverage.

Visible Support, Focused on a Positive Experience

What does this coordinated effort look like on the ground? For people enjoying the area, it translates to a visible, reassuring presence. According to security officials like Undersecretary Antonio Esteban Peralta Amador, you’ll see patrols actively monitoring popular gathering points – beaches, entertainment districts, restaurants – helping to maintain a safe and pleasant atmosphere.

Crucially for travelers, 217 dedicated Tourism Police officers are deployed in the main hubs (Cancún, Cozumel, Chetumal/Costa Maya, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen). These officers are specifically trained to assist visitors, readily available to offer directions, answer questions, or provide support. Think of them as accessible points of contact focused on ensuring a smooth visitor experience. Road safety checkpoints and camera monitoring are also part of the strategy, aimed at managing traffic flow and providing oversight.

Enabling Exploration Beyond the Beach

Governor Lezama emphasized that the goal extends beyond just basic safety. It’s about allowing visitors to have an “extraordinary vacation” and confidently explore the diverse wonders Quintana Roo offers. While the beaches are legendary, she pointed to the state’s stunning lagoons, unique cenotes, fascinating archaeological sites, rich gastronomy, and connections with Indigenous cultures as experiences to be discovered.

This security framework provides the foundation, the peace of mind, that allows people to comfortably venture out and immerse themselves in everything the region has to offer.

Balancing Popularity with Quality Experience

Ultimately, this plan reflects the reality of managing a world-class tourist destination during its peak season. It’s about finding the right balance – ensuring visitors have an unforgettable and safe trip, while also supporting local communities and infrastructure under the pressure of high demand. It’s a significant undertaking aimed at preserving the positive atmosphere and reputation Quintana Roo is known for.

By proactively coordinating resources and personnel, the state aims to ensure this Easter holiday period is remembered for the right reasons – vibrant culture, stunning nature, and a welcoming, secure environment for everyone.

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Last Updated 5 months ago

Isn’t it nice to share? Well, that’s what’s happening in Taiwan, where an exciting new pass allows locals and tourists alike to both enjoy the perks of unlimited train travel.

Some countries can be stingy only allowing locals to relish the perks of such a pass, but not in this case.

While Taiwan certainly found itself in some eye-popping headlines in recent months, safety concerns at this point are null and void.

The last travel advisory issued was in July 2023, and even then it was the lowest designation for safety risks with Level 1 status.

Taiwan has been given the all-clear. Its vast wonders from the bustling streets of Taipei to lesser known Chiayi are safe to explore, and what better way than by train?

Especially at high speeds!

The Need For Speed

There are 3 different pass packages, but we’ll start with the most thrilling and make our way down.

Asia is synonymous with lightning-fast bullet trains in terms of rail travel. Taiwan is no different, except here you have unlimited travel for 3 days with the new Taiwan Pass.

Those with the need for speed seeking for a fast-paced adventure through Taiwan’s stunning sites should look no further.

In fact, this pass for Taiwan’s High-Speed Rail is only for foreigners, so take advantage! At just $67, this seems more than worth it, right?

Your starting point, in all likelihood, is the capital city of Taipei as this is the most popular entry point into Taiwan.

High-speed trains run north to south ending in the highly underrated city of Kaohsiung with stop-off points to transfer to other Taiwanese treasures.

Why is this important? Because not only do you receive 72 hours of access for unlimited bullet train rides, you also receive:

• Choice of 1 Taiwan MRT pass (local metro)
• Choice of 1 Taiwan Tourist Shuttle pass

Ride Low And Slow Through Taiwan: A 2-For-1 Deal

Next up is the Taiwan Railway, a more traditional train ride where you can actually snap some photo-ops along the way.

This package is for those who take on the popular perspective of ‘it’s not the destination, it’s the journey’.

Costing slightly more than the high-speed line, for $86 you get to ride through some of Taiwan’s most beautiful scenery as you can essentially make a loop around the entire island nation.

Better yet, taking a page out of Southwest Airline’s book, this package comes with a companion pass. So really you and a friend are only spending $43 – an unbeatable deal.

Since this train doesn’t travel at breakneck speeds, you also get an extra couple of days for unlimited train travel.

Go anywhere you want within a 5 day period and also make the most out of the same benefits as above with an additional Metro and Tourist Shuttle Pass.

MRT And Tourist Shuttle Add-Ons

It would be foolish not to take advantage of freebies thrown into your package, but knowing where the MRT and Tourist Shuttle go is probably your net question.

Only 4 cities have MRT lines, which are:

• Taipei
• Taoyuan
• Taichung
• Kaohsiung

Additionally, there are 4 Tourist Shuttle stops (labeled A, B, C, and D on the route map):

• Nantou Qingjing Line
• Nantou Sun Moon Lake Line
• Chiayi Alishan Line
• Kenting Express Line

Taipei is where your adventure begins, not necessarily where it should end. Milking the perks of free MRT tickets is an unnecessary excuse to explore this amazing city.

If you were to head south from Taipei on either the high-speed train or the Taiwan Railway, the last thing you should do is feel guilty freeloading from the Tourist Shuttle.

It goes to some really cool places like Chiayi, for example. You can hop off and take the Chiayi Alishan Line and discover a hidden gem nobody ever talks about.

Brimming with fascinating temples, scenic nature reserves, and delicious local cuisine, you’ll quickly realize there’s so much more to Taiwan beyond the urban sprawl of Taipei.

No matter where you go, whether high-speed, low and slow, or shuttle, all you have to do is download the Taiwan Pass app from the Apple Store or Google Play for easy access for the ultimate adventure.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.

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Love it or hate it, Cancun is the most popular destination for Americans going abroad this winter: for some, it just can’t be beat on the hospitality front, what with the numerous luxury resorts, bustling shopping scene, and of course, beautiful beachfront.

That being said, a growing number of visitors seem to have had enough of Cancun–or, to be more specific, its surging crowds–and are now banking on this paradisiacal island lying just off the Yucatanese coast.

It has unspoiled beaches running along crystal-clear oceans for several long miles, it feels far more peaceful and offbeat, and it offers something Cancun can’t: ancient culture.

Welcome To Cozumel

The largest island off the coast of Mexico, Cozumel is experiencing a well-deserved tourism revival at the minute, as vacationers swap the jam-packed Riviera Maya for less-busy alternatives––and it doesn’t get more laid-back than an island getaway.

According to a new report by Expedia, it is particularly popular among young travelers right now, who do not have children, are flying to Mexico primarily for relaxation and some much-needed quality time in the sun, and no longer feel Cancun’s mega resorts meet their needs.

All you got to do is look at the figures for both: while Cancun is home to a whopping 189 properties, as listed on Booking.com, Cozumel has 45; Cancun is a coastal metropolis over 800,000 people call home, whereas the entire population of Cozumel is 88,626.

Last but not least, Cancun hosts over 10 million international guests yearly, so it never feels exactly idyllic, even when you’re lounging by a private beach––Cozumel, on the other hand, receives an average 2 million visitors per year.

Cozumel Is Perfect For Beating The Riviera Crowds

Expedia’s report is particularly timely, seeing Cancun is gearing up for another record-breaking season, with occupation within the Hotel Zone already 90%, and it’s not even December: great news for the local tourism industry… not-so-great news for crowd-wary vacationers.

Lucky for them, Cozumel offers a plethora of unspoiled playas and tourist attractions that are not as crowded:

Think Playa Palancar, with its vibrant-colored reefs and soft, white sands, the snorkeling hotspot that is Playa Corona, or the well-frequented Paradise Beach, a beach club playing uptempo beats and serving food and drinks all day.

For families, Playa Mia Grand Beach Park is the place to go, offering a wide range of amenities, including oceanfront pools, restaurants and water slides for the kids, and if you’re a nature enthusiast, Chankanaab National Park has verdant areas, jungle trails, and secluded beaches.

Costing $29 to enter, it is one of the largest protected reserves in the Mexican Caribbean, and it’s also a popular port of call for cruise ships, so if you want to experience it in all its glory, without the day-trippers, we suggest going early or later in the day.

Cozumel Has The Culture Cancun Doesn’t

Another advantage Cozumel has over Cancun is it wasn’t built in the 70s to accommodate American tourists:

It’s an island that’s been inhabited for thousands of years, and it has the cultural wealth to back it up, with Mayan ruins scattered around its 184.5 square miles, some as old as 800 AD, like El Cedral, a group of Mayan dwellings lying in ruins near the namesake town.

Cozumel’s most relevant historical site is San Gervasio, an ensemble of monuments and temples attributed to a cult to Mayan jaguar goddess Ixchel––some of the main structures include Las Manitas, where local leader Lord Itzá de Cozumel lived, Casa Alta and the Central Plaza.

Even in Chankanaab there are Mayan landmarks, or should we say, replicas of them: if you’re visiting the park, make sure you stop by its collection of reconstructed Mayan temples, the famous reclining Chacmool statue, and the colossal Olmec heads.

Looking For Unique Experiences?

Expedia has noted there is an increasing preference for more unique experiences among visitors to the Mexican Caribbean.

In other words, lying by the poolside all day sipping mimosas no longer satisfies their wanderlust, and they’re craving more… well, it’s not like Cozumel is lacking in cultural attractions, with its historic sites, authentic villages and thrilling tours:

Tourists can, for instance, opt to visit San Gervasio with a jeep tour, passing by unforgettable landscapes and undeveloped jungle on their way to the abandoned Mayan settlement, for $95.34 per person on GetYourGuide.

Small-group buggy tours starting at $143 are also offered in Punta Sur, where some of the most pristine beaches on the island are found, and if you’re a water baby, you’ll love this guided excursion of Cozumel’s Mayan treasures, topped with free time in the exclusive Playa Uvas.

Cozumel is one of the top trendiest destinations for the upcoming year-–again, according to Expedia––and it’s not hard to see why.

Vinicius Costa

Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.