Does Cancun Have Bed Bugs? A Practical Guide
Nothing quite ruins a trip to Cancun like the experience of arriving at your stunning hotel or resort after a long day of traveling and exploration, and as you crawl into your soft bed, you find it speckled with bedbugs. It’s undoubtedly an unpleasant mental scenario, but how likely is it to actually unfold when you arrive at this popular seaside city?
Bed bugs can be found living throughout Cancun. Unfortunately, these critters can be found in homes, hotels, and resorts nearly anywhere in the world. They typically infest high-traffic locations and can travel via luggage, purses, backpacks, and other common items; so, if you’re a Cancun visitor, it isn’t unlikely you’ll encounter them.
In this article, we’ll provide a practical guide regarding bed bugs while in Cancun. As you read, you’ll learn what steps you can take to limit the chances of staying in locations that host bed bugs, how you can discern if your accommodations are bed bug-free, and what to do if the worst were to happen and you discover you are cohabitating a space with bed bugs while in Cancun.
How to Find Lodging in Cancun That Is Bed Bug-Free
The first step in avoiding the unpleasant scenario described previously is to do your research on your Cancun lodging as a preventative measure. While it is never guaranteed that the nicest, cleanest resort or hotel/motel room will be bed-bug free, this is one of many signs to look for that will certainly increase your odds of avoiding these pests. Some of our favorite resorts in Cancun are El Dorado Royale, Generations, El Dorado Seaside and Margaritaville Island Reserve.
Always be proactive in finding Cancun lodging that is bed-bug free. The first step to doing this is to research potential options and determine if the locations seem to have a history of bed bugs.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to simply check reviews posted by each location’s previous patrons. If someone encountered bed bugs at some point during their stay, it is highly likely that they will mention it in their review, along with what the company/owner did to remedy the situation.
We will note that you’ll want to take some of these reviews with a grain of salt, so to speak. If you notice that numerous customers have mentioned the presence of bed bugs, then odds are the location actually has a history of the pests. However, if you find one lone review with this complaint, it isn’t unreasonable to conclude that the individual is being dishonest for various reasons (ex. it could be a fake review from a competitor).
This is one reason why reviews can be helpful but shouldn’t be the only basis for your decision. It is always fair to ask the businesses themselves what preventative measures they have in place for keeping their accommodations bed bug-free. The most trustworthy options will have an action plan in place from proactive inspections to cleaning routines to contracts with pest management companies, and more.
Where to Look for Bed Bugs in Your Cancun Lodging
An unfortunate reality of beds bugs, which we alluded to earlier, is that they are not always directly correlated to cleanliness or expense. These pests have a way of getting around and could easily find their way into your hotel bed after hitching a ride with the previous guest, unnoticed by staff.
Therefore, you should always check common locations within your lodgings where bed bugs like to live. These include:
- The entire exterior of your mattress(es) including underneath and behind the headboard
- Fixtures surrounding your mattress(es), such as:
- The desk (especially underneath phones, lamps, clocks, etc.)
- Bookshelves
- Foot benches
- Furniture
- Bathroom towels
- The closet
While you are searching these areas, be sure to place any luggage you may have on a luggage rack to keep it off the ground and away from these common areas until you are sure they are clear. Otherwise, you increase the chances of any bed bugs that might be present finding new lodging amongst your belongings and even returning home with you.
Remember that there is no such thing as searching these areas “too thoroughly;” when you search the mattress, take off all blankets and sheets so you can look at the lining properly. When you search the furniture, be sure to remove all cushions and look amongst the cracks and seams.
Another important note to make is that you aren’t just looking for the bed bugs themselves, but also signs of their presence, such as black excrement spots or red blood spots and translucent or light brown skin castings.
What To Do If You Find Bed Bugs In Your Cancun Lodging
Finding bed bugs in your Cancun lodging is never ideal, but once you discover signs of their presence, immediate action is necessary.
First, remove yourself and all your belongings from the room to further reduce the risk of the bed bugs somehow traveling with you to your new accommodations. Next, bring this issue to the attention of the hotel/motel/resort staff.
It is understandable that some guests might be reluctant to confront the staff or owners about this issue, but we cannot understate how vital it is to do so. If gone undetected, the number of bed bugs present in the room will only grow, increasing the odds of it spreading to multiple rooms within the building.
Although bed bugs do not pose any serious risks to a human’s health, they can bite guests in their sleep, creating inflamed spots. The more significant risk comes from individuals who are allergic to bed bugs and could experience itching, swelling, and insomnia around them. In serious cases, the presence of or a bit from bed bugs could cause anaphylactic shock in allergic individuals. To read more about what to do if you need medical attention in Cancun, click the link.
Once you have informed the staff that your room is infested with bed begs, they should offer to relocate you to another room (if they do not, you should either demand a refund for your lodgings or that they find you another place to stay).
When the staff offers to relocate you, request that you be placed two floors above where your last room was situated or in another building, if possible. Bed bugs can travel through drywall, electrical outlets, or other guest’s belongings, so moving this distance limits the chances of finding your new room is also infested.
Final Thoughts
Bed bugs are not unique to Cancun, but infestations might be higher here due to this being a high-traffic location, especially during vacation season. Following the steps in this guide will help ensure you find bed bug-free lodging and, if they are present where you’re staying, that the transition to new lodging is as easy and as stress-free as possible.
