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Cancun has long been a favorite destination for American travelers, especially during the busy winter and spring break seasons.
Nevertheless, Cancun remains a popular getaway for U.S. travelers during summer, and a recent list by Google Flights of the top destinations for Americans confirms this year will be no different.
The ranking was determined based on an analysis of Google Flights search data, focusing on the most searched destinations on the platform between June 1st and August 31st.
Cancun earned the 6th spot, just behind destinations like London, Rome ,Tokyo, and New York.
If you’re thinking that Cancun’s ranking seems rather low compared to winter and spring, when the sunny beach town typically claims the top spot as the go-to travel destination for U.S. travelers – you’d be right.
This can be largely explained by Cancun’s scorching summer temperatures, leading many to choose cooler destinations in Europe or Asia instead.
There are also a few additional drawbacks to a Cancun trip during summer, such as a rise in humidity and the peak of the sargassum and hurricane seasons.
Still, Cancun remains a fantastic summer getaway for Americans despite these downsides, and there are some interesting benefits to visiting during this season that are worth exploring.
Moreover, exciting developments taking place in the Mexican Caribbean are set to elevate the already massive allure of the region this summer.
Let’s dive in!
What Makes Cancun A Great Summer Destination
Traveling to Cancun during the winter or spring break holidays usually means dealing with a lot of crowds and higher prices.
But in summer, the opposite is true.
Not only will you find much better deals in terms of flights, hotels, and tours, but you’re likely to encounter fewer crowds at beaches and other tourist attractions.
So, what about the dreaded sargassum and hurricane seasons?
While it’s true that these unwelcome weather events might be a deal-breaker for some, there’s some good news.
The first one is that local authorities take the sargassum problem quite seriously, going above and beyond to ensure the best beach experience for tourists.
Recently, the Mexican Navy launched a massive sargassum-cleaning operation, deploying more than 30 vessels to aid the already extensive anti-sargassum initiatives.
As for hurricanes, it’s worth noting that Cancun hasn’t been significantly affected by a major hurricane in years, and there’s a robust system in place to protect tourists in case one hits.
Booking your trip just before late summer-early fall, which marks the peak of the hurricane season, can also go a long way.
In terms of rain and humidity, summer often brings about more rainfall compared to other seasons, especially during June. Thankfully, the rainfall is generally light and sporadic.
Best Summer Activities In Cancun
There’s little doubt that one of Cancun’s biggest attractions is its stunning beaches, and summer is prime time to enjoy them.
With water temperatures averaging 84.7°F during the summer months, it’s the perfect season to take a relaxing swim in the crystal-clear waters.
Summer also brings one of Cancun’s most popular activities: swimming with whale sharks.
During late spring through early fall, these gentle giants migrate near Cancun’s shores to breed.
There are many tours that allow you to enjoy this exciting and unique experience, some of them also offering diving and snorkeling trips.
Speaking of tours, the lack of crowds during summer makes it the perfect time to visit adventure parks like Xcaret, Xplor and Xel-Ha.
Swimming in refreshing cenotes and lazy rivers, ziplining, biking through the jungle, enjoying vibrant night shows – these are only some of the exciting activities awaiting travelers at these popular parks.
Moreover, with the Maya Train already up and running, reaching Xcaret (which has its own station) and other popular Mexican Caribbean destinations will be easier than ever, as the final section connecting Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum is expected to be ready this summer.
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