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Cancun Popularity Soars As Airfares Decrease For Winter

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The Mexican Caribbean is undoubtedly one of the most popular hotspots for American holiday-goers this year, breaking all records compared to 2022. 

The Ministry of Tourism of Mexico reported that the first half of 2023 saw over 100 million international tourists entering the country, which is a 5.7 % increase compared to 2022. 

tourists enjoying sunbathing in a hammock in the mexican caribbean

Cancun and other popular areas such as Tulum and Playa Del Carmen are hitting hotel levels close to capacity this summer, and it is no surprise that top airlines are increasing their air connectivity to the country to meet the demand.

Now hoteliers and airlines alike are looking ahead to winter to strategize how to continue their record-breaking year, with luxury hotels reopening after long periods of refurbishments and airlines looking to introduce a reduction in airfare prices. 

United Airlines has become the latest airline to ramp up its connectivity offerings, announcing more weekly flights to Cancun from popular U.S. destinations to combat the area’s significant popularity and demand.

united airlines flight departing airport

It hopes to operate a total of 87 flights from Denver, 73 flights from Los Angeles, and 86 flights from Chicago this December, showing a strong commitment to offering Americans a plethora of options when traveling to their favorite resort destinations. 

American Airlines have introduced 40 daily non-stop flights to the Cancun route in their winter 2023 – 2024 season, as well as Air Canada increasing its air connectivity to the area also. 

Some companies such as Aeromexico and Frontier have already launched packages that offer such deals as interest-free months and promotions on international and domestic flights with affordable pricing structures. 

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Cancun hotel zone with turquoise blue bay

Aeromexico most recently just had a sale with top destinations, including Cancun, priced at $1,480 pesos per person, a significantly cheaper rate for the specific time of the year. 

Frontier recently announced a monthly version of the All You Can Fly Pass, the GoWild Pass in order to keep sales high and flights full, showing the popularity of the area has no signs of slowing down.

Mark Hoplamazian, CEO of Hyatt, believes these are “positive signs for markets such as Cancun” with the decrease in airfares enabling hotels and resorts to create and offer better pricing structures to match the demand. 

Cancun resorts and a white sand beach with blue water

Though these decreases are being announced, it is still worth noting just how busy the winter season is expected to be this year and why booking in advance is not only encouraged but strongly advised. 

American tourists made up over 6,500,000 people who arrived in the first six months of the year, and this number is only expected to increase in the latter.

Winter High Season is one of the busiest times in the Mexican Caribbean as more international tourists flock to the white sandy beaches and turquoise waters in search of the perfect vacation away from the cold, unforgiving season experienced in their home countries. 

busy Cancun beach area during winter season

Cancun International Airport alone received over 4,800,000 international tourists in the first part of the year, which can be attributed to many factors.

The airport has grown its connectivity levels significantly with a large focus on routes between the US and Canada.

Direct flights are available from over 40 U.S cities, with airports offering more than 200 flights per day and an expectation that that number will increase during the winter season.

With immigration technology becoming updated and ever easier to use, as well as the airport’s closeness to other top destinations in the Mexican Caribbean, it is no wonder that the number of tourists flocking to Cancun remains at an all-time high. 

Local authorities are continuing to do everything in their power to keep this record-breaking year smashing all targets with the Vacation Security Plan in place in order to protect all tourists this summer, as well as the enhancement of public transport networks such as the new Maya train which is set to be in operation from December 2023. 

A pool in a large resort in cancun

So if you are thinking about swapping the cold months of December for the golden warmth of the Mexican Caribbean, we recommend booking flights as soon as possible before airfares begin to increase again!

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