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The Mexican Caribbean continues to top the charts as the most popular region in Mexico for international travel, with several locations in the sun-soaked destination reporting the highest occupancy rates nationwide.
And as the popular coastal hotspot inches closer to the winter season, travel numbers are only expected to grow further.
With travelers seeking warm, safe, and sunny destinations close to North America, Quintana Roo stands out as one of the top choices for tourists.
With that in mind, here’s a recap of the most popular Mexican Caribbean destinations right now.
Mexican Caribbean Travel Numbers Skyrocket Amid Soaring Demand
Travelers can’t seem to get enough of Quintana Roo’s splendid white-sand beaches, industry-leading hospitality, and vibrant culture. New statistics from the country’s Secretariat for Tourism (Sectur) reveal just how popular the Mexican Caribbean is with travelers.
According to the number-crunching organization, the thriving Caribbean region is home to three of Mexico’s most sought-after resort locations based on the average occupancy rates across hotels and resorts during the first seven months of the year.
@kateinmontreal Are you looking for an incredible adults only all inclusive resort? This is definitely one of the best! #allinclusive #allinclusiveresort #rivieramaya #akumal #mexicotravel #vacation ♬ original sound – Salt in our Hair
Akumal
Perhaps surprisingly, Akumal stands out as a destination where hotel rooms were most likely to be sold out during the first half of the year. The coastal resort hub had an average occupancy rate of 85.1% between January and July, officially making this tropical paradise the most sought-after in all of Mexico.
Although much smaller than Cancun, Tulum, or Isla Mujeres when measured by the total number of rooms, the remote hotspot between Playa del Carmen and Tulum is a quaint beach destination full of life and adventure.
@mtinatravels This is truly one of my absolute favorite all-inclusive resorts! I can never get over how beautiful the water, and how the staff goes above and beyond to ensure you have an amazing stay! #traveladvisor #allinclusiveresort #secretsakumal #rivieramaya ♬ Chill Vibes – Tollan Kim
This year, Akumal is trending with travelers thanks to its stunning wildlife, including its array of sea turtles, which tourists can swim with from May to November.
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is currently the second most popular resort destination in the Mexican Caribbean after Akumal.
The Caribbean hotspot recorded an average occupancy rate of 84.1%, ranking Playa del Carmen among the hottest destinations in Mexico.
@tailoredtif My favorite hotel/ 3rd visit! @HotelXcaretMexico #hotelxcaretmexico #hotelxcaretarte #hotelxcaret #mexico #playadelcarmen #cancun #luxurytravel #blackgirlluxury #blacktravel #blacktravelbloggers #travel #travelbucketlist #fyp #blackgirlmagictiktok #DoritosTriangleTryout #trending #vacation ♬ Where Have You Been x The Hills – DJ L BEATS
While the tropical city has always been popular with travelers, Playa del Carmen’s travel numbers have skyrocketed in 2023 thanks to its excellent beaches and growing community of digital nomads.
Playa del Carmen is also home to an impressive number of Airbnbs, which in some cases see more bookings than resorts and hotels. Offering travelers a unique way to experience local life, online vacation rentals have surged in the coastal destination to new records this summer.
But Playa del Carmen is also home to some of the best resorts in the Mexican Caribbean, including Hotel Xcaret, which offers a comprehensive array of rooms and outdoor adventures.
@fernlomelii Xcaret Arte was AMAZING🧡🫶🏻✨ #xcaretmexico #xcaretpark #xcaretarte #travel #traveling #hotelsinmexico #cancun #travelaesthetic #vibes #vlogs #fyp #foryoupage #foryou ♬ Love Tonight (David Guetta Remix) – Shouse
Cancun
New statistics show that Cancun is among Mexico’s most coveted destinations, with an average hotel occupancy rate of 76.4%, placing the resort heavyweight just ahead of Puerto Vallarta in terms of resort bookings.
However, Cancun remains by far the most popular destination for International travelers in Mexico when measured by absolute numbers. The coastal destination just wrapped up the busiest summer on record, smashing travel records and paving the way for an even busier winter.
@trendytraveler Beautiful ALL-INCLUSIVE resort in Cancún 😍 SHARE this with your travel buddy ✈️ 📍Breathless Cancun Soul #travel #cancun #allinclusive #allinclusiveresort #resorts #rivieramaya #mexico #cancunmexico #breathlesscancunsoul #breathlesscancun #traveltiktok #travellife #travelbucketlist #travelwithme ♬ Running up that will (House remix) – Trinix
Overall, hotel bookings are up by over 9% compared to last year, which was already a record-breaking year for travel. But the sunny destination is growing even more this year as travelers flock to enjoy Cancun’s rich culture and an ever-growing number of stunning all-inclusives.
During the course of the year, officials have continued to invest heavily in bolstering safety in Cancun safety in an effort to protect travelers from organized crime and safeguard the city’s reputation.
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