Mexico has always been hugely popular among Americans, and that’s been well and extensively documented.
After decades of being on the podium of tourism, you would expect growth to slow down or even stall at this point, and that’s clearly not what’s happening.
In spite of the increased competitiveness, with Colombia and Argentina currently trending as cheaper alternatives in Latin America, Mexico remains at number one with a huge advantage, having hosted over 42 million tourists in 2023 according to INEGI (National Institute of Statistics and Geography).
Seeing it’s arguably lost some of its ‘exoticness’ – nearly every American traveler is expected to visit Mexico at least once in their lifetime – why does Mexico continue to capture the hearts of an entire nation and still be the top vacation destination right now?
Here are 6 reasons why:
It Has Cancun. Full Stop.
If all-inclusive getaways and long miles of sandy coast lapped by turquoise seas are your thing, perhaps you’ve heard of Cancun?
The Western Hemisphere’s leading resort destination, it is a vibrant coastal city with a long-standing reputation for operating only to the highest standards of hospitality.
When vacationing in Cancun, Americans can expect to be treated to the round-the-clock pampering they deserve after another long laborious year, and get glimpses of Mexico beyond the luxuriousness of a five-star enclave without feeling as if their safety bubble is compromised.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing: Cancun is perfect for lovers of the Tropics who are risk-averse and are simply hoping to have a relaxing, worry-free time by the beach, and this leads us to point number two, perhaps the most relevant for U.S. nationals.
Mexico Is Relatively Safe To Visit
Not only is Cancun safe, but most of Mexico is surprisingly safe to visit.
We know it may be hard to believe based on the U.S. mainstream media’s coverage of anything Mexico-related, but all of the major tourist spots are, in fact, deemed safe by Washington itself.
All it takes is a quick glance at the State Department’s Travel Advisories to learn that close to 60% of the country is deemed either medium or low-risk, with Cancun, Mexico City, and Los Cabos all featuring in the medium ‘Level 2′, where U.S. citizens are not discouraged from visiting.
Mexican President himself has reiterated time and again Mexico is safe, and though visitors should not let their guards down – i.e. flashing valuable items in public and walking poorly-lit, deserted areas at night – they shouldn’t be as concerned about their personal well-being as they would in Ecuador or Colombia.
Did you know that many credit cards offer travel insurance that’ll cover your stuff?
Some Of The Prettiest Historic Towns In The World
Americans are also flocking to Mexico in 2024 for its unique Iberian-Mesoamerican heritage.
Say what you will about the overly Americanized resort zones, there’s no denying this is a country that boasts a lot of cultural value, particularly when it comes to colonial towns.
Historical gems like Merida, San Francisco de Campeche, Oaxaca, and San Miguel de Allende, established as early as the 16th century, are known for their preserved cobbled Old Towns, richness of details in façades and Spanish-built shrines, and European-style fortifications.
Perhaps the most famous of them all and the most visited, sprawling capital Mexico City has a diverse architectural style, combining elements of Aztec city-building, Neoclassical and Baroque, and it’s where tourists will find iconic landmarks like the Metropolitan Cathedral and stately Chapultepec Castle.
Awe-Inspiring Ancient Ruins
Expanding on the cultural aspect, Mexico’s Mesoamerican origins are an equally big draw for Americans, who do not have an opportunity to admire centuries-old buildings or explore vast archaeological zones in their own, relatively-young country.
Prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, entire civilizations called Mexico home, and remnants of their several once-glorious city-states are still scattered around the national territory, with the World Wonder that is Chichén Itzá and the UNESCO-listed pre-Hispanic city of Teotihuacán to name a couple.
The Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico is truly your best bet at soaking up Mexico’s ancient culture, as it is where the Mayans developed, leaving behind step pyramids, ornate temples, and sacrificial cenotes at the demise of their civilization.
A New Tourist Train Visiting Important Sites
Feeling inspired to go on an immersive adventure around the Mayan heartland of Mexico, but you’re wary of trusting local bus companies and renting cars in Mexico amid reports of police misconduct towards foreign drivers? Since December, that is no longer an unattainable dream:
The new Maya Train traveling on a loop around the Yucatán Peninsula helps you visit both widely-known historical sites, such as the Caribbean-facing ruins of Tulum, and up-and-coming leisure destinations like multi-colored Lake Bacalar in a more convenient, much safer manner.
From your resort zone in Cancun, there are now connections to as many as five Mexican states, including Quintana Roo and Yucatán, named after the peninsula, where a majority of Mayan landmarks are centered, and the incredibly-safe, culturally-charged Campeche.
Impressive Connectivity With The U.S.
Finally, no country can beat Mexico when it comes to connectivity with the U.S. As reported by Simple Flying in late 2023, there are at least 396 flights to the Latin country leaving from the United States, with an average of 165.4 seats per departure.
Irrespective of where they’re flying to and regardless of reason, be it for Cancun’s glitzy Hotel Zone, a business event in Mexico City, or a party weekend in Puerto Vallarta, the average American is living an easy commute away from an airport with plenty of nonstop links to their Southern neighbor.
This year, the opening of Tulum’s long-awaited international airport, set to eliminate the need for landside transfers from Cancun, is likely to lead to a further increase in U.S. arrivals, with as many as 9 Stateside hubs already offering flights to the trendy Mayan town.
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