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Cancun Is The Number One International Destination For Americans This Summer According To TripAdvisor

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For years now, in light of record-breaking arrivals, new flight routes added on a monthly basis and scenes of its stunning beaches flooding social media, it’s been apparent that for American travelers, Cancun is their number-one destination of choice – and now it’s official.

Cancun Is The Number One International Destination For Americans This Summer According To TripAdvisor

According to data recently released by travel giants TripAdvisor, the quintessential Mexican beach destination is the top international for American travelers this summer, and it’s looking like the city will eclipse its recent tourist arrivals record. 

As new hotels, attractions and amenities are cropping up year after year to capitalize on its success, Cancun offers many travelers not just the familiarity, affordability and experiences that they love, but the chance to experience new things and make new memories every time they visit.

Here’s a look at what TripAdvisor’s recent findings have to say about the United States’ long-time favorite international destination and why Cancun’s popularity is set to endure long into the future. 

beach isla mujeres

Cancun At #1 – What Travelers Should Know

Cancun, and its nearby destinations, such as Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Cozumel and Isla Holbox, are some of the most in demand destinations in the world – particularly for American travelers.

During last year’s record-breaking number of foreign arrivals into Cancun, almost six million Americans flew into the city, keen to take advantage of its glorious weather, beautiful beaches, and unbeatable cuisine. This year, the situation is unlikely to change as Cancun has emerged as the top destination for Americans once more. 

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cancun hotel zone aerial

TripAdvisor has compiled a list of both the top international destinations and domestic travel hotspots for travelers from five countries around the world – the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, and Japan.

The data was sourced from two areas; a survey issued in March and from analyzing first-party traffic data on the TripAdvisor platform between January and April for those looking to travel between June 1st through August 31st of this year. 

The Mexican Caribbean Is The Most Popular Vacation Destination In Mexico This Year

As it has been for several years now, Cancun was top of a list of the most in-demand international destinations for Americans in a list that featured two other top destinations in Mexico.

While Cancun proved to be the most popular destination, Cabo San Lucas emerged as the fifth-favorite destination for Americans, and Playa Del Carmen – a beach town located just over an hour’s drive and around 70km from Cancun – was ranked as the 8th most in-demand destination. 

Beachgoers in Playa del Carmen in packed location

The findings also revealed that Cancun wasn’t just a travel hotspot for American tourists but one of the most popular destinations in the world. On the global list, which took into account the preferences of travelers from all five of the countries included in the research, Cancun held a respectable fourth-place spot.

The most popular international destination proved to be the City of Lights, Paris, while fellow travel heavyweights London and Rome took the silver and bronze medals on the podium, respectively. 

cancun aerial beach shot

According to the results, American travelers are more likely than the rest to travel in the summer, with 82% planning a trip. It also stated that the cost and affordability of a vacation was the key factor in travel decisions for American travelers, with 62% stating it was the most important aspect.

For many American travelers, Cancun is not just affordable to fly to compared to most international destinations, but its diverse range of resorts, restaurants, and entertainment options makes it a cost-effective vacation choice. 

Street Filled with Restaurants and Shops in Isla Mujeres, Mexico, with people eating and walking in the background.

With exciting changes in infrastructure and the city’s blossoming skyline also coming throughout the year, Cancun could well solidify its spot as the #1 choice for Americans for years to come.

The city’s exciting Maya Train project looks set to provide travelers with a whole new lens to view the region, while exciting hotel developments and airport additions look set to make visiting the Mexican Caribbean even easier and coupled with the city’s beaches, temples and stunning nature, and its a recipe for success that’s sure to keep travelers coming back. 

Tourists on a Beach in Cancun, Mexico

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Fred Munguia

Friday 12th of May 2023

The Beautiful white sand beaches and blue turquoise water beach front views, the Culture, great variety of good tasting food, the Mayan Archeological sites like the Chichenitza, keeps me coming to Cancun two or three times per year. The Mayan Train, Will be very popular and convenient for tourists to get around, once completed. All types of entertainment day or night. Dental and Medical procedures done by professionals at great affordable prices. The different malls to go shopping and eating out are great. Security all over the place makes me feel welcome and safe. I wish I was in Cancun right now, the locals are very nice and welcoming, very helpful.

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