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The number of foreign tourists who visit popular vacation destinations in Mexico has skyrocketed over the last year or so, and just in Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean alone, 4 million Americans have visited already this year. More Americans visit the area than tourists from any other country, and even pre-pandemic, 50 percent of foreign tourists that visited Cancun came from the United States. Now, in 2022, the number of American tourists who visit the most popular Mexican Caribbean destination is on track to go even further beyond that number.
In the first half of the year, the percentage of foreign tourists who were American that visited Cancun was already at nearly 60 percent. And although some of the busiest seasons for the area are in the first six months of the year, the fall and winter months are popular too. For this reason, there is a good chance that the number of U.S. citizens who visit the Mexican Caribbean will far exceed the 4 million that have already vacationed there.
Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum are some of the most popular destinations in the Mexican Caribbean because they have so much to offer. Beautiful beaches, fascinating history, and breathtaking natural scenery may be what draws people to the area, but these fantastic amenities are only the beginning. Cancun, for example, is also known for its huge array of luxury all-inclusive resorts, exciting nightlife, and world-class dining options.
Many tourists don’t really realize until they visit the Mexican Caribbean just how much there is to do in addition to enjoying the spectacular beaches and vibrant nightlife. Beyond the energetic, busy Cancun Hotel Zone, there is much more to explore. So, to help you make the most of your trip to Cancun we’ll list three more options that will help you plan the ultimate Cancun vacation.
Cenotes
Cenotes are not something you will find everywhere but you’ll find them all over the place in the Mexican Caribbean. A cenote is a natural sinkhole formed in limestone that fills up with water from underground rivers and rain. Some are open, others are closed within caves, and regardless of the type of cenote, it is they make for great swimming on a hot summer day. One of the best ways to see the most beautiful cenotes in the area is to travel along the La Ruta de Los Cenotes in nearby Puerto Morelos, but you can also book tours through one of the local tour companies too.
Adventure Parks
Adventure Parks are a great way to enjoy the natural side of the Mexican Caribbean and all that it has to offer as well. At many of these parks you will find a long list of activities, such as ziplining, underground river swimming, jungle tours, snorkeling, and even wildlife sightings. Xcaret is the most popular adventure park in the area and has more than 50 different activities and attractions to explore. Visitors pay an admission of $109.99 for adults 12+ and $54.99 for children 5-11 to have access to all that the park has to offer and there is plenty to keep busy all day long.
Mayan Culture and History
The Mexican Caribbean is the perfect place to explore Mayan culture and history and you don’t have to go far from Cancun to do so. There are Mayan ruins all up and down the coast, and in fact, you can even find some spots right in Cancun, at the Mayan Museum of Cancun, located right in the Hotel Zone. There are also ruins in Playa del Carmen and Tulum but the crème de la crème is Chichén Itzá, which is only about 2.5 hours from Cancun. If you don’t have a car while visiting the area there are plenty of tours that will take you to any of these popular ruins.
There are many reasons for Cancun being the number one destination in Mexico for tourists and having already welcomed millions of visitors this year. Warm weather, sunshine, breathtakingly beautiful beaches, amazing all-inclusive resorts, fantastic food, and endless opportunities for adventure, just to name a few. And since none of those things are going away anytime soon, we will likely see the destination’s popularity continue to grow for the foreseeable future.
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