Summers in Mexico have never been as awfully busy as winter.
As the wet season approaches bringing more precipitation and sargassum begins to make landfall along the coast, tourists have always shown reluctance about taking trips South of the border this time of year.
Instead, they’d flock to Mediterranean Europe or other coastal destinations that are not sitting in the path of tropical storms, but this year, something has changed. Mexican Caribbean bookings are actually on the up when they should be down, and arrival figures keep increasing.
It is a phenomenon hard to describe, but it looks as if there is no longer an off-season in the region, and this is largely due to a single city’s vast tourist offer, which largely offsets the negative aspects of the Mexican summer.
Of course, we’re talking about the mighty Cancun, one of the most popular destinations in the world – now, irrespective of season:
One Of The Top Destinations Globally
According to new flight search data, Cancun is one of the top 30 most sought-after destinations worldwide based on searches alone.
During the pandemic, it rose steadily up the charts as a free haven at a time when a majority of countries worldwide shut down for tourism. In Cancun, however, they have always been welcome, as Mexico never imposed strict entry rules or vaccination requirements on foreign visitors.
Naturally, it exploded in popularity between the dire years of 2020 and 2022. Interestingly, it seems to have kept up the momentum by gaining even more ground in the post-crisis scene, despite competition from all of the world’s top sunny hubs, which are now also open for tourism.
Even though Mediterranean Europe is once again welcoming visitors restriction-free, and border curbs have been lifted across the entire Caribbean, it looks as if Cancun’s ’15 minutes of fame’ have now been extended for a much longer period of time.
Why Cancun Is Still Popular In The Wet Season
It is now summer in Mexico, a period where guests expect more rainy days and a higher incidence of seaweed on beaches, but Cancun still ranks as the 24th-most popular destination globally, reaching close to 500,000 arrivals only in the week of July 1-7, based on information gathered by the Ministry of Tourism.
This is particularly relevant seeing that, historically, summers in Cancun have always been associated with a decrease in bookings. Not anymore, as the concept of low seasons slowly rapidly becomes obsolete across the Mexican Caribbean.
Cancun is warm year-round, with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees irrespective of season, but as humidity is more intense between the months of May and September, leading to more precipitation and even storms, it used to be avoided by travelers looking to bask in the sun.
Even though your risks of finding yourself in the midst of a tropical storm during the Mexican summer are somewhat higher than in winter, Cancun guests still enjoy more sunny days than rainy ones, and they have found clever ways to make their trip worthwhile even if beaches are hit by the seasonal smelly seaweed.
Cancun’s tourist offer is incredibly vast, and it extends beyond merely resorts and sunbathing.
A Diverse Offer
Within driving distance of the city, you will find numerous inland cenotes with crystal-clear waters, Mayan ruins dating back several millennia, traditional villages that have retained their quaint character, and beautiful colonial-era settlements best known for their European-style architecture.
Whether beaches are seaweed-free or not, it may be that ‘off-seasons’ will cease existing now that travelers are growing more aware of the region’s vast array of attractions, being drawn to not only beach clubs and the Caribbean sands but also Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and natural attractions.
As the report confirmed, leisure travel has ‘been in the lead’, with flight bookings to search destinations being 22% ‘ahead’.
Additionally, nature getaways have experienced an increase of 45% in flight searches year-on-year, as well as shopping destinations, the most advanced at 53%.
Other than its beautiful coast, fascinating History, and world-class resort zones, the Mexican Caribbean – and particularly Cancun – is a major shopping hub, filled with leisure centers, malls, and upscale shopping districts.
Cancun just ticks all the existing boxes, and it’s no surprise it’s continued to grow as a global destination.
Book Your Cancun Winter Vacation Now
With historical occupancy rates of 74% this season, it is busier than ever, and experts are already warning potential vacationers to book their Cancun winter trip as soon as they can or risk having fewer accommodation options, and far more shocking price fluctuations later in the year.
Read more on Cancun and Mexican Caribbean travel trends by clicking here.
