Days before gunmen burst into a bar in Cancun and opened fire, tourists were photographed frolicking on beaches, taking photographs and strolling along the popular Fifth Avenue. On Saturday, five people were killed and five more were wounded in the Caribbean resort city that has seen crime stats increase at an alarming rate.<doc-sep>MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Five people were killed and another five wounded Saturday when gunmen opened fire inside La Kuka, a bar in Cancun, Mexico. Investigators say four men walked into the club and started shooting. The bar is about four miles away from the hotel zone along the ocean where many tourists stay. The rise in violence has the attention of Minnesotans making plans to spend spring break on the beaches of Mexico. WCCO sat down with a travel agent for tips on how to stay safe. As record-breaking February snowfall inches closer, a trip with a tropical view looks nice. But headlines from Mexico have sent some Twin Cities travelers in different directions. The latest attack this weekend in Cancun killed five people at a bar off the beaten path. “From what I understand this is very much a local spot,” Tricia Pirner said. The murder rate is up more than 30 percent across Mexico, prompting an extended travel advisory from the U.S. State Department. As a drug turf war plays out, Pirner reminds her travelers to listen to their gut and follow the same rules they do at home. “You’re not going into off neighborhoods, you’re not going into areas that just are for mostly the locals,” Pirner said. “Just use your common sense.” Pirner also recommends people stay at their resort, eat at restaurants on site and only go on guided tours managed by the property. While Pirner hasn’t had any cancelations to Mexico, she has noticed some spring breakers opt for a trip to Jamaica or the Caribbean instead. “I usually let the traveler decide what their comfort level is,” Pirner said. Relaxation with a positive review is the goal. “Most of our travelers come back, they’ve absolutely loved it,” she said. Some reports say cancelations to Puerto Vallarta are the highest ahead of Spring Break. More than 10,000 Americans have reportedly canceled their plans to that destination in Mexico.<doc-sep>When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Sign up fornow and never miss the top Royal stories again. What is the situation in Cancun, Mexico? Armed men stormed a nightclub in Cancun, less than five miles from the popular Mexican tourist destination at the weekend. Five people were killed in the attack at the La Kuka party hotspot, which is a short walk from a host of hotels packed with Britons craving winter sunshine. Four attackers wielding a long gun and three hand guns are said to have stormed into the venue before opening fire. British holidaymakers warned of FOOD BUG as Mexican resorts hit again As well as the fatalities, five people were left injured. Police confirmed two of these had been left in a critical condition. What has the British Government said about travel to Cancun? The Government has not issued Britons with any advice not to travel to the holiday destination. Yet it has sent out a warning about crime in the area. The official website, gov.uk, states: “Major tourist destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta have mostly not seen the levels of drug-related violence and crime experienced elsewhere in Mexico. “However, since 2017 there have been a number of reported shooting incidents and other incidents of violence in the main tourist destinations, including in locations popular with tourists. “There is currently an increased police presence in the Cancun area, including in the hotel zone. “While tourists have not been the target of such incidents, anyone in the vicinity of an incident could be affected. “If you’re visiting any of these areas, you should monitor local advice, remain vigilant and follow the advice of the local authorities and your tour operator.”<doc-sep>The violence reportedly occurred at a club located several miles away from the city's tourist zone Five people were shot and killed in Mexico Saturday after a group of gunmen opened fire at a club in the popular resort city of Cancun. Quintana Roo state prosecutors said in a statement that the men, armed with one long gun and three handguns, injured an additional five people, two of whom are in critical condition, according to the Associated Press. Get push notifications with news, features and more. The bloodshed reportedly occurred at a bar called La Kuka, which sits about four miles away from where the city’s popular tourist hotels are located. The incident follows a January bar shooting in the resort city of Playa del Carmen, also in the state of Quintana Roo, that left seven men dead, according to the AP. RELATED VIDEO: A Year Later, Remembering 17 Lives Lost in the Parkland High School Shooting The AP reports that the coastal area has seen an uptick in cartel-fueled violence as the Jalisco New Generation cartel continues to fight local gangs for control of the area. In response to the violence, the U.S. issued a travel advisory in November 2018 urging tourists bound for Quintana Roo to “exercise increased caution” in their visits. Tropical storm Nate heads toward Mexico, Cancun - 06 Oct 2017 Credit: Alonso Cupul/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock “Criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain a primary concern throughout the state,” the advisory read. “While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations and turf battles between criminal groups have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders have been injured or killed in shooting incidents.”<doc-sep>
At least five people were killed and another five were wounded Saturday after four gunmen opened fire inside a club in Cancun, Mexico, authorities said. The men, armed with a long gun and three handguns, opened fire inside La Kuka, a club located on a main avenue in central Cancun about 4 miles away from the seaside tourist hotel zone, Quintana Roo state prosecutors said. Two of the five wounded in the shooting remain in critical condition on Sunday. Cancun and Quintaroo have seen an uptick in violence, with federal authorities reporting 774 people killed in the state last year, compared to the recorded 359 killings in 2017. The violence may be due to reports of the Jalisco New Generation cartel moving into the Caribbean resort city and fighting other local gangs to gain control of the area. MEXICO MURDER RATE BREAKS RECORD WITH MORE THAN 33,000 CASES OPENED IN 2018, STATISTICS SHOW In January, three gunmen in Cancun shot and killed seven people at a home. The deadly shooting was due to an apparent dispute between street-level drug dealers and ordered by a suspected gang leader who has been linked to the Jalisco cartel. Homicide cases in Mexico rose by 33 percent in 2018, shattering the country’s record for the second consecutive year, government statistics show. The U.S. State Department’s travel advisory in November urged people to “exercise increased caution” when traveling to Mexico due to crime. “Violent crime, such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, is widespread,” the advisory stated. CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX NEWS APP Cancun remains one of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico and in the world. Fox News' Greg Norman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.