Is Hyannis Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Hyannis, Massachusetts, is the unofficial capital of Cape Cod and one of the most bustling locations for tourists and locals.

The village of Hyannis is actually a neighborhood in the town of Barnstable.

It’s just because of the largest population center of the Cape while also offering a fishing port and ferry service to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Hyannis has so much charm, class, and quaintness that even the famous Kennedy family has a series of homes on the water.

Main Street is the literal main street of Hyannis, with 120 shops and restaurants tucked into a one-mile stretch of road.

That’s not all there is to this village.

Beaches, boat tours, scenic driving tours, historic districts, and museums round out a Hyannis adventure.

Hyannis and Hyannis Port are not the same places but are just two miles apart.

Hyannis Port is a small, affluent neighborhood and also home to the Kennedy Compound of homes.

While Hyannis is packed with people in the summer, this community doesn’t shut down during the off-season.

To help you plan a winter trip, you should know that Provincetown, Falmouth, and Chatham are also popular winter destinations.

Warnings & Dangers in Hyannis

OVERALL RISK: LOW

While there's a low risk across Cape Cod, the highest risks would be in Hyannis. No concerns here are at the level of big cities like Chicago but pay attention to the specific details as we go through this article. You'll find there's so much to do here that you might not even notice any element of crime, especially if you're using good safety practices.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Cape Cod Regional Transit Authority extends from Falmouth and Bourne on the west end to Provincetown at the northern tip. Taxis and rideshares are readily available across the Cape and are especially prominent in Hyannis. Trolley service is available in Hyannis from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Water ferry service is available from Hyannis to Nantucket or Martha Vineyard.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The risk isn't as high as the potential, with just three pickpockets or purse snatchings reported in 2021. Summer visitors should be prepared for crowded streets and restaurants and use extra care with purses and wallets.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The weather can be nasty in Hyannis any time of year, but all risks come with plenty of warning. Winter and summer storms can cause flooding or storm surges. The hurricane season runs from June through November, and an approaching storm will likely lead to evacuations. Heavy snow and ice storms can cause driving challenges in the winter.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

10 robberies were reported in 2021, and just 20% of those were person-to-person among strangers. The risk is low, but some increasing crime rates could elevate the risk in the future.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk here is low, but you'll see extra security around the Kennedy Compound. The port could be a potential target, but there is just a lot of security and law enforcement presence in this vital area.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Getting a subscription to the Cape Cod Times is a great way to check for new scams. The biggest risks here are skimming devices on gas pumps or ATMs and rental scams. You won't find a great bargain in Hyannis, especially in the summer, so any bargain-basement deal is likely a scam. Use a local agency to help you with a rental to get a verified listing.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women have an overall low risk, but there's one warning I want to give you. During the summer of 2022, a few bars had patrons report the effects of the date rape drug. While no assaults were connected to the complaints, it's worth reminding you never to take a drink from a stranger. Always keep your drink covered when you aren't taking a sip, and don't leave a drink unattended to hit the dance floor.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report for Barnstable shows no violations and full compliance. If you have concerns about PFAS (the "forever" chemical), you should review the water quality report to learn about those levels and the safety steps you can take.

Safest Places to Visit in Hyannis

Hyannis.com is a local Chamber of Commerce website that focuses on Hyannis-based activities, restaurants, and hotels.

It does include the other villages in Barnstable.

You can also read our article “How Safe is Barnstable for Travel?” to learn more about all the villages in this town.

VisitCapeCod.com include Hyannis locations but also offers details for more than a dozen other cities on the Cape.

Both sites offer newsletters and visitor guides by request.

Main Street from Yarmouth Road to Stevens Street is the busiest part of the village.

HyannisMainStreet.com is the best resource to take a deep dive into the businesses here.

They also have an Instagram @hyannismainstreet.

It’s important to review the restaurants ahead of time on Main Street because most of them will require reservations up to two weeks in advance, or else you could find yourself waiting in a very long line.

Hyannis also has several museums worth exploring:

• John F. Kennedy Hyannis Museum
• Cape Cod Maritime Museum
• Toad Hall Classic Sports Car Collection
• Massachusetts Air & Space Museum

Not all beaches in Cape Cod are open to the public, but residents or guests of residents will have more options.

The public beaches in Hyannis are Kalmus Park Beach, Orrin Keyes Beach, and Veterans Park Beach.

If you need a parking permit sticker, you’ll have to get that in Hyannis at the Community Youth Center, 141 Bassett Lane.

While you’re at the JFK museum, grab a walking tour map known as the Kennedy Legacy Trail.

Each location offers video and audio links to learn more in addition to informative kiosks.

The trail is 1.6 miles long.

Ocean Street runs parallel to the east side of the port, and you’ll see the Hyannis Harbor Lighthouse in the distance.

It is not open for tours, but Keyes Beach offers the best scenic views of it.

The dock is where fishing charters, ferry services, and tours launch.

BaySpiritTours.com offers various types of tours, from sunrise to sunset.

Whale-watching tours launch from Barnstable Village on the north side of the peninsula.

Just 10 minutes to the east in West Yarmouth, the Whydah Pirate Museum is a literal treasure trove from the 1717 shipwreck.

The Whydah first set sail in 1715, but pirates took over in early 1717, just months before the wicked storm buried the ship at the bottom of the ocean.

It would be 267 years before the ship’s remains and accompanying treasure were found.

Places to Avoid in Hyannis

We do have a few safety notes in Hyannis that are more for your benefit than reasons to avoid the area.

Homeless people can be found along Main Street and nearby areas to the port or the beach begging for money.

A rash of panhandlers and aggressive jewelry sellers were reported in 2022 across Cape Cod.

Kalmus Beach has seen an increase in drug deals and drug use, and international tourists need to be aware of the opioid crisis facing America.

Any drug that is sold illegally, even if it looks like a prescription drug such as Xanax, should be assumed to contain potentially lethal doses of Fentanyl.

Do not buy or take drugs that aren’t prescribed to you.

You’ll notice I haven’t mentioned the Kennedy Compound, which is a private piece of land containing three homes.

You cannot tour any part of the property, and security will quickly approach you if you try.

The best viewpoints of the Kennedy homes can be found on the ferry to Martha’s Vineyard and with a robust walk along Eugenia Fortes Beach.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Hyannis

So... How Safe Is Hyannis Really?

Tourism here brings in more than a billion dollars a year, so you can be sure that every effort is being made to keep the community safe.

On top of that, the community of year-round and seasonal residents is very involved in policing and reporting issues.

A lack of community policing is what causes some cities to spiral out of control with crime.

Hyannis is safe for tourists, but there are the homeless people, aggressive vendors, and petty theft risks you’ll find in any resort community.

In 2017, Hyannis was widely reported as one of the 100 dangerous places in America because of a data reporting error, not a real risk.

The majority of violent crimes that happen in Hyannis are at private homes.

This could include vacation rentals, so you should still use extensive security measures like locking doors and windows at night.

If your rental has a security system, ensure it is being used.

With the abundance of law enforcement, you will find some safety standards that could be annoying – parking tickets, speeding tickets, enforcement of private vs. public beaches, and citations for breaking beach rules about smoking and alcohol.

You’ll still find that Hyannis and surrounding Barnstable are one of the safest vacation destinations in America.

Enjoying this unique region is worth every overpriced hotel night and meal.

How Does Hyannis Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a visa issued by the U.S. State Department to get through Customs at the port of entry or airport. This process can take several months, so don't delay. For international travelers taking ferry rides to Nantucket or Martha's Vineyard, those are part of the state, so you won't need additional screening.

Currency

You'll only be able to use the U.S. Dollar here and try to pay for as much as you can in advance. Credit cards are widely accepted, so let your bank know irregular spending could occur during your trip. For budgeting, the standard tip anywhere in Cape Cod is 20-25%.

Weather

Dress appropriately for all four seasons, but don't use the forecast from Boston to check temperatures. Cape Cod can be anywhere from 10 degrees warmer or colder. Winter will be blustery, with temperatures below freezing at times and winds fueling wind chills much lower. Some people are surprised by how windy Hyannis can be. Bring waterproof outer layers any time of year, and you must bring comfortable walking shoes, or else you'll regret it since there's a lot of ground to cover.

Airports

Cape Cod Gateway Airport is in Hyannis, with commercial service to Boston and New York. You can also get to the major airports in Boston or Providence, Rhode Island, within 90 minutes by car, and shuttles are also available.

Travel Insurance

We always recommend travel insurance to high-demand tourist destinations, especially with a location like Hyannis that is so prone to weather delays.

Hyannis Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Massachusetts - Safety by City