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Cancun is a great destination to visit all year round, thanks to its warm climate, global popularity, and the availability of flights throughout the year. However, as travelers are no doubt aware, flights departing around Christmas (when travelers from North America are keen to trade the harsh winters for that sweet winter sun) can be pretty pricey, particularly as Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean look like they’re set to boast record-breaking arrivals figures in the coming months.
Thankfully though, with diligent searching, flexibility with dates, and a willingness to travel for your departing flights, bargains can still be found – meaning an afternoon spent wearing a Santa hat on Playa Delfines doesn’t have to break the budget. Here’s a look at which dates are traditionally the most expensive to fly on in December, plus some analysis of the prices you can expect to pay for a flight to Cancun from a leading airport in the U.S. right now.
Travel in December – Dates To Avoid For Travelers
As one of the largest travel-related companies in the world, it’s fair to say that Expedia knows a thing or two about travel. The travel-booking giants analyzed flight data to determine which dates are the most expensive to travel on this December, with two dates, in particular, standing out. According to Expedia, the most expensive date to fly on is Thursday, December 22nd, whilst Saturday, December 17th, was found to be the second most expensive – dates to avoid if you’re watching your wallet this holiday season!
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On top of specific dates, Expedia also highlighted other tips that can help travelers save this winter. Expedia’s analysis revealed that leaving earlier in the week is key to getting bargain fares, with prices for Monday, December 19th, and Tuesday, December 20th, coming in at nearly 20% lower than leaving on a Thursday. The company also claims that flying on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are also usually cheaper, with the added benefit of emptier airports.
Cheap Flights To Cancun – Information For Travelers
Fortunately for travelers, there are still plenty of affordable flights to Cancun – particularly if you’re flexible. Travelers looking for a two-week trip to the sunny city from the freezing winters in New York can find prices starting from just $242 if you leave on December 12th, making Christmas on the beach a reality. For those who’d like to extend their stay longer past Christmas Day, the price begins to escalate rapidly; a trip from NYC to Cancun from December 13th to December 27th will set travelers back $350, whilst leaving the following day will cost $455. These prices are with JetBlue’s economy class service, so baggage will also need to be factored in.
Flights departing from Miami to Cancun are more expensive than those from New York but still refreshingly affordable, given the destination’s current popularity. A two-week non-stop return trip lasting from December 12th to December 26th will cost travelers $378, whilst flights departing on the 13th and 14th of December will cost $418. These flights are with American Airlines and so will include a carry-on bag.
Travelers looking to visit Cancun from the world’s busiest airport, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackon International, can also benefit from several sub-$400 options. December 12th to December 26th are the cheapest to fly, costing travelers just $313 at present. If you’re flexible, two-week trips departing on December 13th, 14th, and 15th are also available for less than $400. Given that these flights are with Frontier, travelers will need to purchase their baggage, too, with prices starting from $52.
Finally, travelers with an eye on visiting Cancun from Chicago O’Hare airport will be pleased to know there are also bargains to be had. Both Spirit and Frontier are currently offering flights between the two cities for less than $400, departing on either the 12th or 13th of December and returning on the 26th or the 27th. With more cities set to benefit from increased connectivity to Cancun in the coming months, it’s worth searching around and doing research to ensure you get the best possible fare for your trip – or plan your trip earlier to save even more.
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