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The latest occupancy statistics for Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean are so impressive that, if this trend continues, this will be the destination’s greatest-ever year for tourism.
Across the super popular traveler hotspots of Cancun, Costa Mujeres, Isla Mujeres, Tulum, and Puerto Morelos, occupancy continues to stay above 80%.
With that being said, occupancy numbers aren’t exactly a source of excitement for travelers, but what these numbers represent is for sure worth taking note of. Cancun’s amazing growth and reputation is transforming the whole of the Mexican Caribbean into one huge destination of excellence.
More Than Just Cancun
For a long time, the Mexican Caribbean was just seen as being the destination of Cancun, with the smaller and quieter Playa del Carmen acting like the more grown-up cousin to Cancun’s wild nightlife.
But these days, the Mexican Caribbean has become a hugely diverse tourist destination, catering not just to tequila and taco lovers but also to off-the-beaten-path travelers, cultural enjoyers, and boutique-hotel-loving beach worshippers.
Perhaps the greatest example of this would be the now world-famous and Insta-trendy Tulum.
Tulum
This formerly sleepy fishing town has grown at an unbelievable pace. 20 years ago the only travelers even aware of its existence were those after back road exploration and a small community of hippie-like nature lovers.
Fast forward to now, and Tulum is home to some of the most luxurious boutique hotels in all of North America. The town is now a hive of activity with trendy bars, original nightclubs, and some of the greatest beach spots in all of Mexico.
And this growth is starting to spread to other small destinations in the Mexican Caribbean.
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Puerto Morelos
Located perfectly right in the middle of Cancun and Playa del Carmen is the small neighborhood of Puerto Morelos.
Along this quiet but super well-connected stretch of beachfront, travelers can find some of the area’s most luxurious and exclusive resorts.
While the Hotel Zone may be the most famous resort area in the Mexican Caribbean, its popularity and already heavily developed landscape means that there isn’t a lot of room for nature.
On the other hand, Puerto Morelos has a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop of mangroves and jungle foliage that preserves the relaxing vibe that draws millions to the Mexican Caribbean each year.
An Industry Committed To Satisfaction
Something that the Mexican Caribbean does very well is not standing still and only continuing to improve the offering to travelers year after year.
Competition is very healthy in the destination; it’s not uncommon to see classic resorts close for 6 months to completely renovate and reinvent their offering.
And the overall “keeping up with the Jones’s” approach that businesses take here with each other ensures that pricing never gets out of control and the tours, activities, and amenities never get stale and boring.
The Downside
Overall, the never-ending popularity of Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean is a net positive for travelers, but it’s only right to point out the cons and not just the pros of this.
Crowded Beaches & Tours
A complaint becoming more common in the Mexican Caribbean is overcrowding. This is especially an issue on some of the more convenient beaches in the Hotel Zone and Playa del Carmen.
But travelers should know that there is far from a shortage of beachfront in the Mexican Caribbean; the area has miles upon miles of beautiful beaches, many of which are just a short 10-15 minute cab ride from those that are crowded.
Talking of crowds, many of the tours available in the Mexican Caribbean are beginning to feel the effect of the never-ending yearly increase in visitor numbers.
Historical marvels like Chichen Itza and the Tulum Ruins are known to be extremely crowded during the early and late afternoon.
Many of the organized tours that ferry large numbers of travelers to these attractions arrive around the same time, meaning that avoiding the crowds isn’t out of reach to travelers willing to have breakfast an hour or two earlier and waste no time in journeying to these unforgettable hotspots of culture and history.
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