Americans Flock To Cancun More Than Anyone Else, Here's Why

Last Updated 1 year ago

We reported a few weeks ago that approximately 19 million tourists visited the Mexican Caribbean last year and that the numbers are expected to increase in 2023. On top of that, it was recently revealed that around 8.2 million of those tourists were from international destinations, which some travel officials in Quintana Roo have named “strategic markets.” And as these international tourist numbers continue to go up in Quintana Roo, it’s the United States that’s consistently at the top of the list.

Cancun aerial view of Hotel Zone in Playa Linda at Mexico.

Statistics from the Quintana Roo Tourism Promotion Council were released this week, revealing that the top three international markets last year for the Mexican Caribbean were the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.

The region welcomed approximately 5.6 million travelers from the United States, followed by Canada with almost a million visitors, and then the United Kingdom with over 443,000 travelers arriving in Cancun and the surrounding area. For reference, these numbers are from January until December of 2022.

So while Cancun may be a beloved tropical vacation destination for a number of travelers around the world, the data reveals that Americans are still flocking to Cancun more than anyone else.

colorful Cancun city sign during the day.

Cancun Attracts 5 Major Markets In The Americas And 4 In Europe

This week’s report also noted that Cancun’s three major tourist markets from Latin America are travelers from Brazil, Colombia, and Argentina. This means that in 2022, the five major countries in the Americas with travelers visiting Cancun and the Riviera Maya throughout the year were:

The United States
Canada
Colombia
Brazil
Argentina

This list, though, is just of international destinations. Mexicans also love Cancun, and local tourists from other provinces make it a habit to escape the big city and head to Cancun for a beach break. The report showed that Quintana Roo received around 5.4 million Mexican tourists in 2022, which is actually the largest amount after the U.S.

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Sunset Cruise in Cancun with the Sun Setting in the Background.

And as for European travelers, it was noted that Quintana Roo welcomed over 925,000 tourists to the region’s three major airports (Cancun, Cozumel, and Chetumal). The major European markets for Quintana Roo in 2022 were, of course, the U.K., followed by Germany, France, and Spain. Arrivals from the U.K., France, and Spain increased in 2019, while Germany’s tourist arrivals are still lingering from their pre-pandemic levels.

Panoramic view of Cancun beach and its hotel zone

U.S. Travelers Can’t Get Enough Of Cancun

With the U.S. still dominating when it comes to tourist numbers, let’s break down why Cancun and the rest of the Mexican Caribbean continue to be a top choice for their vacation.

Lots Of Flight Routes

It doesn’t hurt that paradise is just a quick flight away for millions of U.S. Americans. Cancun is the second-busiest airport in Mexico (after CDMX Airport), and the transportation hub even became the 10th busiest airport in the world in 2022.

That being said, there’s been a record number of flights arriving at Cancun Airport over the past year, and flights from the U.S. account for a significant part of that record. Whether you live in Austin or Cleveland, Raleigh or Milwaukee, you can find a last-minute direct flight to Cancun. This is just one reason why Cancun is such an ideal vacation destination for U.S. American travelers.

Amazing Activities In Cancun

Whether it’s taking the kids to spend the day at the amazing XCaret Park or hopping in a colectivo to head to your favorite cenote near Cancun, the list of outdoor adventures in Cancun seems almost endless.

There are also some Cancun tours so popular that they sell out, indicating that travelers not only love Cancun for the blissful beaches but also because they can explore the wonders of the Riviera Maya on their trip.

The Sun Shining Through to Ik Kil Cenote Near Cancun

Could It Be All Of The All-Inclusive Options?

You could visit Cancun for a week or two without leaving your hotel property and still have an unforgettable time. That’s because Cancun is one of the best destinations to book an all-inclusive vacation: there’s no shortage of beachfront properties that cater to different travel tastes, not to mention all the amazing food and entertainment served up throughout the day that really shows how Cancun is a destination that goes the distance for its guests.

Tourist resort balcony overlooking a stunning tropical beach

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