Last Updated
There’s no denying that Cancun is a popular vacation destination; you can see it in the tourism numbers that keep growing year after year.
The destination went from having 12.7 million tourist arrivals in 2019 to more than 21 million in 2023.
Now Cancun has come out on top again, landing in the number 9 spot on the Euromonitor International Top 100 City Destinations Index.
Let’s go over 5 reasons why it’s among the most visited destinations on earth.
White Sand Perfection
When it comes to beaches, Cancun is home to some of the best in the world, e.g. Playa Norte, which sits across from Cancun on the island of Isla Mujeres.
Playa Norte has been rated among the world’s top beaches several years in a row by Lonely Planet.
Cancun itself also has over 14 miles of perfect white sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise water, which are the top attraction for tourists visiting the destination.
Enchanting Underground Swimming
The beaches aren’t the only places in Cancun where you can take a swim.
Some places have lakes, others have rivers, but Cancun has underground swimming holes called cenotes.
Cenotes are formed when limestone sinkholes collapse in on themselves and fill with rain and groundwater.
These swimming holes have crystal-clear water and are typically surrounded by lush vegetation, making for enchanting scenery.
Fascinating Mayan History
Cancun isn’t just beaches, parties, and jungle….
It’s also the perfect place to explore the fascinating history of the Mayan people and their culture.
Along with several museums located throughout the region, one of which is right in the Cancun Hotel Zone, there are also numerous archeological sites to explore.
The most famous, Chichen Itza, is located just over two hours from Cancun and makes for a perfect day trip.
Amazing Accommodations
Few vacation destinations in Mexico have as many amazing accommodations to choose from as Cancun.
Chain hotels, hostels, boutique hotels, and, most importantly, beautiful sprawling all-inclusive resorts offering all kinds of amazing amenities are distributed throughout the city.
The wide range of accommodations gives every traveler who visits the destination the opportunity to find exactly what they’re looking for.
Extensive Connectivity
What’s better than a vacation destination with great accommodations and plenty of amazing things to do?
How about a vacation destination with all of that that is also easy to get to?
Cancun International Airport is connected by direct flight to 121 airports around the world.
This makes it one of the most connected airports worldwide.
Who Flies To Cancun The Most
Half of all international tourists who visit Mexico go to Cancun.
Of the 121 airports with direct flights to Cancun, 42 of them are in the U.S.
In total, more than half of all travelers who visit Cancun are American tourists, proving just how popular the destination is among travelers from the United States.
Why Cancun Is Set To Become Even More Popular In The Future
Cancun’s popularity isn’t going to decline anytime soon; in fact, it’s likely to become even more popular in the future.
The arrival of the Maya Train, which already has several routes between Cancun and other Mexican cities with the Yucatan Peninsula in operation, will likely spur even more growth as all of the sections become operable.
This will allow visitors to not only visit Cancun but easily explore the entire region, which is just one more reason for travelers to love Cancun.
Plan Your Next Cancun Vacation:
Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!
Choose From Thousands of Cancun and Riviera Maya Hotels, Resorts and Hostels with Free Cancellation On Most Properties
↓ Join the community ↓
The Cancun Sun Community FB group has all the latest travel news, conversations and tourism Q&A’s for the Mexican Caribbean
Subscribe to our Latest Posts
Enter your email address to subscribe to The Cancun Sun’s latest breaking news affecting travelers, straight to your inbox.