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If it feels like you’re seeing more Maple Leaf logos at baggage claim lately, you’re not imagining it.

We at The Cancun Sun have watched Canadian travel roar back, and local officials say the Canadian share of visitors to Cancún nearly doubled in the first half of the year.

That momentum isn’t a fluke—it’s being powered by easier flight options, smoother ways to explore beyond the beach, and more resort choice than anywhere else in Mexico.

1) It’s never been easier to fly here from Canada

This winter, Canadian carriers are piling on “sun” capacity to the Mexican Caribbean.

WestJet’s expanded schedule adds hundreds of leisure routes across Mexico and the Caribbean, giving Canadians more nonstops and better frequencies to Cancún than in recent years. Meanwhile, Sunwing (now under the WestJet umbrella) is running a coast-to-coast charter program that funnels travelers from 20+ Canadian airports directly to beach hubs like Cancún.

And newcomer Porter Airlines is launching its first-ever Cancún service from Toronto, Ottawa, and Hamilton—great news for travelers who love no-frills fares and a modern onboard experience.

Want some trip-planning inspo? You can now fly nonstop to Cancún from over 100 international cities, a reminder that CUN is one of the most connected beach gateways in the hemisphere—so your friends can meet you here from just about anywhere.

2) Exploring is easier (hello, Maya Train and Tulum Airport)

Beach days are still the main event—but getting to cenotes, ruins, and quieter beach towns is simpler thanks to the evolving Maya Train network. Service now links Cancún Airport with Puerto Morelos, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, and there’s even a Maya Pass for unlimited travel across multiple stations in a week—handy if you’re planning a ruins-plus-beach itinerary. We’ve tested the experience and analyzed hundreds of traveler reviews; our bottom line: it’s increasingly useful, especially for day trips, and a lot of fun for rail nerds.

Pro tip: the train stations sit outside the Hotel Zone and Tulum’s Beach Road, so plan your “last mile.” We break down the easiest ways to connect from station to resort (and how to avoid overpaying) here.

Add in the new Tulum International Airport (TQO), which opens up the southern Riviera Maya, and many Canadians are crafting split stays—first few nights in Cancún for that classic turquoise-water fix, then south to Akumal or Tulum for cenotes and jungly vibes.

3) A resort scene that keeps getting better (and bigger)

If choice is your love language, you’re in the right place.

An eye-popping 90% of Mexico’s new hotel rooms this year are opening in Cancún & the Riviera Maya, from family-pleasers to next-level luxury. That means more inventory (and often more promo deals) during shoulder seasons.

Recent standouts include a major Hotel Xcaret expansion and fresh flags and rebrands up and down the coast. Keep an eye on late-2025 too—new properties like RIU Ventura are already dated and taking bookings.

Quick tips for Canadian travelers right now

• Shop flights smart. With more carriers in the mix, compare WestJet/Sunwing charters with mainline options and Porter’s new routes to snag the best schedule from your city.
• Use the train strategically. It’s fantastic for cenote-hopping or a Tulum day trip—just plan station transfers in advance.
• Expect variety, not just bargains. New hotels = lots of choice. Prices can swing based on season and exchange rates, so shoulder-season dates usually deliver the sweetest value. We’re tracking price trends closely here.

Canadians are coming back to the Mexican Caribbean in a big way—and with the flight map expanding, the Maya Train unlocking more adventures, and a resort boom that keeps raising the bar, it’s easy to see why.

If you’re weighing Cancún vs. somewhere else for your next escape, this might be the year Cancún & the Riviera Maya check every box.