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Expedia – one of the world’s leading online travel agencies – has ranked Tulum the trendiest fall destination in 2024 for American travelers as the coastal Mexican Caribbean hotspot surges in popularity.
Unlike summer, which draws massive crowds to Quintana Roo’s stunning beaches, fall is a much quieter time for travel, with prices for resorts & flights generally dropping.
With its quaint beaches and massive Mayan archeological site, Tulum is slated to be one of the hottest fall destinations this year, with Expedia projecting a 70% increase in bookings.
As the Mexican Caribbean gears up for the calmer – but still rather busy – fall season, here’s why travelers will flock to Tulum in the coming months.
Tulum Beats Major European Hotspots In New Fall Travel Ranking
While the Mexican Caribbean is traditionally seen as a strong winter and summer destination, many travelers overlook the region’s autumnal appeal.
The shoulder season, which runs from September to mid-November, is a period that sees lower occupancy rates and less traveler buzz.
But that’s set to change this year, according to Expedia, which just released its annual Fall Travel Outlook, which analyzes key traveler trends for the fall period.
According to the leading online travel agency, Tulum ranks number one among travelers in international beach destinations this year, beating key global hotspots like Majorca or Tokyo.
Expedia notes a 70% rise in flight booking searches for Tulum, placing the historical destination number one globally by that metric.
The fantastic news has been met with delight from local Tulum businesses and travel organizations, who say the city is prepared for the upcoming travel boom.
According to Jorge Pérez, the head of Tulum’s municipal tourism department, the coastal hotspot has everything travelers need for a stress-free holiday.
From stunning clean beaches to top-notch safety, Tulum is a fantastic year-round destination, the executive notes.
Tulum has invested heavily in its tourism infrastructure in anticipation of skyrocketing arrival figures.
From improvements to the city’s renowned archeological site to new safety upgrades, Tulum aims to compete for the spot of the leading hotspot for travel to the Mexican Caribbean.
More Travelers Choosing Tulum Or Cancun
With the launching of the brand-new Felipe Carrillo International Airport last December, flying to Tulum instead of Cancun has become a viable choice for many travelers.
There are already a handful of non-stop flights from the U.S. to Tulum, including from Chicago, New York, and Atlanta, with nearly all major carriers operating flights to the cultural destination.
Delta became the latest carrier to announce a new nonstop route from Detroit to Tulum starting next January, coinciding with the peak of the high season.
And while most travelers are still choosing to fly into Cancun for their holidays, Tulum’s modern airport, minimal congestion, and variety of attractions make this destination a competitive choice.
That’s all the more so with the completion of the southern portion of the Maya Train railway system, linking Cancun and Playa del Carmen with Tulum.
Despite fresh construction setbacks, officials are hopeful the project will be inaugurated sometime this year, although the official September 15 deadline looks somewhat unlikely as of now.
Still, Cancun travelers have several options to reach Tulum, including by bus or private transfer. ADO, the largest bus company operating in the region, maintains an extensive network of connections to the coastal city, enabling affordable day trips as well as longer stays.
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