Page last updated: 13 July 2025
Cancun, Mexico, is a top vacation spot famed for its turquoise waters, luxurious resorts, and a wide array of activities ranging from ancient Mayan ruins to modern entertainment and water sports.
How many tourists visit Cancun each year?
A total of 9.72 million international tourists visited Cancun in 2024. 1
- In 2019, Cancun welcomed 7.89 million international visitors, marking the highest number of recorded visitors in pre-pandemic years.
- When the pandemic started, this number dropped by 58% to 3.25 million visits in 2020.
- By 2021, Cancun experienced a 106% increase in international tourists to 6.72 million visitors.
- Inbound tourism rose further in 2022 to 9.36 million visitors and continued to recover in 2023 to 10.04 million visitors, surpassing the number of tourists in 2019 by 27%.
- In 2024, Cancun received 9.72 million international visitors, representing a 23% increase from 2019 (7.89 million) but a 3% decrease from 2023 (10.04 million).
How many people visited Cancun in 2025?
- From January to May of 2025, Cancun received a total air traffic of 13,095,238 visitors, comprising 9,105,270 international tourists and 3,989,968 domestic visitors, representing a 4.9% decrease from the 13,761,688 visitors in the same period of 2024.
Note: This data is preliminary and subject to change.
Total Air Traffic in Cancun 2025
| Month | International | Domestic | Total |
| Jan | 1,945,595 | 813,464 | 2,759,059 |
| Feb | 1,809,498 | 680,189 | 2,489,687 |
| Mar | 2,142,355 | 794,115 | 2,936,470 |
| Apr | 1,739,253 | 835,045 | 2,574,298 |
| May | 1,468,569 | 867,155 | 2,335,724 |
| YTD | 9,105,270 | 3,989,968 | 13,095,238 |
How many people visited Cancun in 2024?
- In 2024, Cancun welcomed a total of 9.72 million international visitors. This represented a 23% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019 and a 3% decrease from 2023.
How much do tourists spend in Cancun every year?
- Inbound tourist revenue generated $6.08 billion in 2019. This number decreased to $2.65 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus travel restrictions and fewer international visitors.
- However, tourist expenditure increased by 36% in 2021 to $3.62 billion.
- Updated Cancun-specific spending figures for 2022 onward have not yet been published online. Visit the Mexico Tourism Statistics to view the most recent total spending data, including Cancun.
Which country visits Cancun the most?
The leading sources of foreign tourists to Cancun are the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Colombia and Argentina.
- In 2024, the United States was the top source of international visitors to Cancun, accounting for 6.16 million visits with 63.4% of market share.
- Canada also contributed approximately 11.8% with 1,147,416 tourists.
- The United Kingdom accounted for 204,201 international visits with a market share of 2.1%.
- Colombia accounted for 262,544 visits (2.7% market share), and Argentina for 155,582 visits (1.6% market share).
How long do visitors stay in Cancun?
- Generally, inbound tourists spend 5 days exploring Cancun’s popular cities and attractions every year.
Why do people visit Cancun?
Tourists visit Cancún for a combination of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and a wide array of recreational options:
- Iconic beaches & marine life: Pristine white-sand shores and access to the Mesoamerican Reef offer premier snorkeling, diving, and water-sport experiences.
- Year-round tropical climate: Consistently warm, sunny weather makes Cancún an ideal escape from colder regions.
- Cultural & ecological attractions: Proximity to Mayan ruins (e.g., Chichén Itzá, Tulum), cenotes, and eco-parks like Xcaret draws history buffs and adventure seekers.
- Robust hospitality & nightlife: World-class resorts, vibrant nightlife in the Hotel Zone, and seamless international access via Cancún International Airport enhance convenience and entertainment.
Cancun Tourism Statistics
- The tourism industry of Cancun contributed 8.4% to the GDP in 2022, creating 2.5 million direct jobs and over 5 million indirect jobs.
Where is Cancun?
- Cancun is a coastal city located in the eastern part of Mexico, specifically in the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatán Peninsula. It lies on the northeastern coast, facing the Caribbean Sea, and is part of a popular tourist destination.
- Cancun is approximately 528 miles (about 850 kilometres) south of Miami and is easily accessible via its international airport, which serves numerous flights from North America and beyond.
- Cancun is approximately 528 miles (about 850 kilometres) south of Miami and is easily accessible via its international airport, which serves numerous flights from North America and beyond.
When is peak season in Cancun?
Based on Cancun tourism, the peak tourist months in 2024, driven by monthly visitors, were March, January, December, February, and April.
- March 2024 had the highest number of visitors, with 3,071,488 people travelling to Cancun, largely due to Spring Break attracting many college students and families on school holidays.
- January saw 2,920,401 visitors, as holiday travel and winter escapes continued into the new year.
- December saw 2,803,277 visitors, as the festive season drew tourists seeking warm-weather celebrations and year-end events.
- April attracted 2,592,846 visitors, influenced by Easter holidays and the continuation of spring break, drawing families and students alike.
When is the best time to visit Cancun?
The absolute best time to visit Cancún is during the dry season, from December through early March, experiencing near-perfect weather (warm, sunny days with minimal rain) and the lowest chance of hurricanes
- To avoid the largest crowds and snag better hotel and flight deals, consider the shoulder seasons of April–June or September–November. During these months, rainfall is still moderate, and temperatures remain pleasant.
Keep in mind that the wet season, which includes the peak hurricane risk, runs from June through November, with September historically the most active month. Plan carefully and purchase travel insurance.
How popular is Cancun as a tourist destination?
- As of 2024, Cancun is one of the hottest summer travel destinations for American travellers, ranking among the top 3 globally along with Aruba and London according to Mastercard data.
- Cancun is the top tourist destination for travellers from the United States and Canada. In 2023, Cancun became the world’s second-most-visited tourist destination.
- Cancun is the 9th most visited city destination globally according to the Euromonitor International Top 100 City Destinations Index. Its popularity is driven by factors like perfect white sand beaches, fascinating Mayan history, amazing accommodations, and extensive connectivity via Cancun International Airport.2
Cancun Travel Resources
Cancun’s Most-Visited Tourist Destinations and Attractions
- Chichén Itzá: A renowned Mayan archaeological site and UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of the most recognized landmarks on the Yucatán peninsula.
- Grand Fiesta Americana Coral Beach Cancún Hotel: Ideal for beach vacations.
- Playa Tortugas: A favourite local beach spot well-known for its relaxed atmosphere, clean sands, impressive views, and nearby dining options, with daily ferries to Isla Mujeres.
- El Rey Ruins: Located in the Hotel Zone, these easily accessible ruins date back to 1250 and were once a royal retreat.
- Isla Contoy National Park: North of Cancún and Isla Mujeres, this park is famous for its stunning white sand beaches, spectacular nature views, and as a refuge for over 170 species of seabirds and marine wildlife.
America Travel Statistics Resources
- Canada Statistics (incl. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver)
- Mexico Statistics (incl. Cancun)
- Panama Statistics
- Peru Statistics (incl. Machu Picchu)
- USA Statistics
