Playa Del Carmen, Tulum, And Isla Mujeres Also Get Recognition
Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean highlighted their popularity once more as Cancun, and several other Quintana Roo destinations were ranked on TripAdvisor’s 2022 best destination list. Cancun pulled in the highest honors, being named the best city in the world for sun-seekers.
The yearly Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards highlight a range of global destinations for their beauty, experiential value, and popularity. The Mexican Caribbean featured heavily on multiple lists, with Cancun grabbing the first-place spot on the sun-seeker destinations award.
Introducing the list, Trip Advisor says “Paradise looks different for everybody. But these sunny destinations are as close to the real deal as you can get”, before saying of Cancun:
“Sunny Cancun has much more to offer than its party-town reputation might suggest. Plenty of gorgeous, drama-free family resorts cater to folks who want to experience the tropical Yucatan climate. There are significant Mayan ruins here, such as El Rey and the Yamil Lu’um, a crumbling tower of pale gray stone. Learn more about this ancient civilization at the Museo Maya de Cancun. For a literal taste of Mexico, take a tour of the Museo Sensorial del Tequila.”
The popularity of Cancun speaks for itself, and the pandemic has only cemented its place as the number one destination for Americans traveling outside the country.
Playa del Carmen came in at fifth place, just behind Cancun’s west coast rival Cabo San Lucas. It beat out tourism giants Bali and Crete, which came in at second and third, respectively.
Almost more impressive was Cancun’s third-place ranking on the overall popular destinations. Dubai ranked first, while London came in second. Cancun is holding its own with some of the greatest destinations on the planet. Its world-class hotels, stunning beaches, and an excellent array of nearby Mayan ruins have combined to create the perfect storm for vacationers.
Tulum and Playa del Carmen also ranked on the trending destinations list. This list centers around lesser-known or brand-new destinations that have gained considerable traction in the past year. Tulum ranked number fourth, thanks to its astronomical growth in the past few years. The beautiful seaside town has exploded in popularity after Mexico’s relaxed stance during the pandemic drew digital nomads and younger crowds to the Mexican Caribbean in their thousands.
Global franchises like Hilton have taken notice and are investing millions in Tulum, with new hotels springing up every few months. Its Airbnb market is massive, with short-term rental properties dominating the residential landscape of the town.
It’s not been without controversy, however, as the surge in growth has increased the wealth disparity drastically, with poverty rates well above fifty percent.
Playa del Carmen also landed at fourteenth on the list after enjoying its own surge in popularity. The town enjoys a more relaxed beach-town feel than nearby Cancun, with many vying for the fast-growing alternative. Often viewed as an extension of Cancun itself, Play del Carmen has emerged from the shadow of its more famous neighbor, turning into a world-class destination in its own right.
Isla Mujeres even grabbed some space on the world’s best beaches. Its Playa Norte beach was listed last year, and although it dropped a few places this year, was still recognized as a world-class beach thanks to its pristine sand and crystal clear water.
Isla Mujeres is expected to grow considerably in the coming years as multiple tourist efforts have been devised to acknowledge its excellent location and the different type of experiences available.
The Mexican Caribbean is only set to grow in popularity in the coming years. Cancun Airport is one of the most connected hubs in the world, far outperforming other airports of its size, and Tulum is going to enjoy its own airport next year.
The Maya Train, slated to be finished in 2024, will transform the landscape for tourism in Quintana Roo, and attract an entirely new demographic of travelers. Expect to see more locations appear on Trip Advisor’s list next year.
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