From Cancun to Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and beyond, the Mexican Caribbean is one of the world’s hottest travel destinations. So much so that a number of local tourism professionals in the region are estimating an even better year in 2023 compared to the record-breaking year that the Mexican Caribbean had in 2022 as they prepare for the biggest year on record for tourist arrivals.
What’s in store for 2023 when it comes to tourism in Quintana Roo? We’ve got all the latest information below.
Why Travelers Flock To The Mexican Caribbean
It is estimated that Quintana Roo will welcome over 20.5 million visitors this year, which is a 4.5% increase from 2022. Some of the draws to the area are obvious. Beautiful white-sand beaches that stretch for miles, perfect weather all year, fantastic all-inclusive resorts, and turquoise waters that dazzle the eye are all major reasons tourists flock to the Mexican Caribbean year after year. There is no better place to unwind and enjoy a completely stress-free vacation.
Plus, other major elements that the state will promote to attract most tourists to the region will be food, culture, nature, medical tourism, and sports.
To break down the numbers expected for 2023, there will be over 13 million international tourists as well as about 7.4 million domestic tourists. Americans, Canadians, and UK residents make up the majority of international tourists flocking to the Mexican Caribbean, though the area is loved by travelers worldwide.
The numbers expected this year (20.5 million tourists) are well within reach, given the fact that the Mexican Caribbean saw over 19 million tourists visiting throughout the year in 2022. The region saw constant growth in 2022, breaking record after record. A record number of 1 million tourists visited the region in September 2022 alone, and Cancun was even crowned the most popular destination for U.S. tourists over the summer.
We even reported back in July of 2022 that the state of Quintana Roo set a new all-time record, welcoming more tourists than at any point in history.
2022 Best Year On Record For The Mexican Caribbean
Up until the 2022 numbers were released, the Mexican Caribbean’s best year on record was a few years prior, in 2019, when approximately 16.7 million tourists arrived in the state. And things are already looking good for 2024 — that’s right, hotels in the Riviera Maya are already being booked for the year 2024.
High Connectivity Will Make Another Record-Breaking Year Possible
Cancun airport is one of the most highly connected tourist destinations in the world, making another record-breaking year totally possible. Americans enjoy the most connectivity, but they aren’t alone. Here are the number of routes available to the countries that visit Cancun the most:
- United States — 41 direct connections, including from most major cities
- Canada — 21 direct connections at the time of writing (some routes are seasonal)
- United Kingdom — 7 direct connections
As the destination continues to grow in popularity, travelers from all countries can expect more connections along with more frequency.
Covid Worry Is Out, Sargassum Worry Is In
Even though most countries’ travel restrictions are lifted, and international tourism is back in action; some concerns continue to be top of mind for many of those planning to visit the Mexican Caribbean. Among them is the ongoing issue of sargassum showing up in droves on beaches along the Caribbean coastline.
While the state is working hard to combat this issue, the smelly brown seaweed substance will continue to be produced as long as the ocean’s temperatures continue to rise.
For the Mexican Caribbean to continue to boom, local tourism authorities have stated that they will focus on promotion (as if the region even needs any).
With tons of direct flights available and hotel properties popping up everywhere across the region, more tourists are finding the time to travel to Cancun and explore the Mexican Caribbean.