I've been going to Cancun now just shy of 20 years-at least an annual trip but there have been several years in the past that I went as many as three times in one year. I've never seen a homeless person or a beggar, never been mugged, never been hassled by the cops. My friends and I have (on numerous times) stumbled onto the buses, drunk -never a hassle.
I've been to other places in the Carribean, Asia and Europe and I always go back to Cancun. I've clubbed in Pattaya, London, Manila, Ibiza -I prefer the nightlife in Cancun. For people that have NEVER been, it's easy to get hysterical about stories and rumors.
I don't know if anyone else can comment about the cops ,let's say in NoLa in the 90's. Please. It didn't even have to be Mardi Gras for you to get hassled by the cops.
Acapulco -different story, PV not a huge fan, same with Los Cabos, you can't pay me enough to go to Juarez, TJ or any other border town, but Cancun; and the Mayan Riviera area -I go every chance I get.
Jamaica and DR not my cup of tea -and yes I've actually been there. Bahamas, Bermuda and St Kitts -nothing to do -beach is beach as far a I'm concerned.
Cancun is a one stop destination -drinking, shopping, fine dining- some of the best restaurant outside Vegas , golf, water sports -fresh water and deep sea fishing, snorkelling, diving in the mangroves and even cave diving and of late -gambling. They didn't have casino gambling in Cancun for the longest time -they had cock fights and bull fights but no sportsbooks or casinos. Now they do. The service at any of the 5 stars is polished -everbody speaks English, most staff are multilingual. You can't compare the service to any other Carribean destination. Even if it's a Riu or Bahia -the Cancun resorts are way better served than a 5 star Riu or Bahia anywhere in the Carribean.
Cancun isn't a cheap destination either. DR is cheap, Cuba even cheaper but most of the 5 stars in Cancun aren't cheap. So I don't go there for the price. I really do like the city and their beaches.
Now -if you're a heat score, a beligirent loud mouthed obnoxious drunk or just a general asshole -you can be anywhere and get into trouble. Plus it's funny how a lot of tourists lose "situational awareness" when they're on vacation -that could lead to trouble as well. But this trouble isn't confined to just Cancun, I assure you; it's everywhere.
I tell people there all the time -No. Weed is illegal and God forbid you get caught with it. It's easy to get -but don't get caught. No. It is illegal to piss up against a wall.lol Can't think of anywhere where this is legal -but some drunks do do it -and are shocked when the cops hassle them.lol. Common sense, that's all.
Like I say -for those who have been, no explanation required. For those that have never -no explanation will do.
I'm curious where exactly in Cancun was you friend who got robbed by the cops? The only place in Cancun i really wouldn't go to at night is at Plaza 21 -where BlackJacks is. It's the local Red Light district in Cancun. That where some shady people, who btw cater to the tourists, can be found for some out- of- resort entertainment -ladies, mind altering substances and such.