Page last updated: 18 November 2024
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?
Over 10.04 million international tourists visited Cancun in 2023. 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 with 6.72 million visitors.
- Inbound tourism rose with 9.36 million visitors in 2022 and continued to recover in 2023 with 10.04 million visitors, surpassing the number of tourists in 2019 by 27%.
How many people visited Cancun in 2024?
- As of October 2024, 16.68 million international tourists and 8.53 million domestic tourists visited Cancun. Note: This data is preliminary from Tourism Analytics and subject to change.
| 2024 Air Passenger Movement | ||
| Month | International | Domestic |
| Jan | 2,096,243 | 824,158 |
| Feb | 2,032,642 | 705,560 |
| Mar | 2,281,525 | 789,963 |
| Apr | 1,796,360 | 796,486 |
| May | 1,560,736 | 878,015 |
| Jun | 1,606,132 | 870,730 |
| Jul | 1,637,174 | 940,874 |
| Aug | 1,414,445 | 983,288 |
| Sep | 1,034,391 | 864,863 |
| Oct | 1,218,036 | 874,782 |
How many people visited Cancun in 2023?
- In 2023, Cancun welcomed a total of 10.04 million visitors. This represented a 27% increase from the peak pre-pandemic year of 2019.
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. This increased by 36% in 2021 to $3.62 billion.
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 2023, the United States was the top source of international visitors to Cancun, accounting for 5.67 million visits with 60.5% of market share.
- Canada also contributed approximately 10.4% with 971,124 tourist visitors.
- The United Kingdom accounted for 438,089 international visits with a market share of 4.7%.
How long do visitors stay in Cancun?
- Generally, inbound tourists spend 5 days exploring Cancun’s popular cities and attractions every year.
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 2022, driven by monthly international visitors, were March, December, April, July and February.
- March 2022 had the highest number of visitors, with 940,980 people travelling to Cancun, largely due to Spring Break attracting many college students and families on school holidays.
- December saw 918,425 visitors, as the winter holidays led many tourists to escape colder climates and enjoy Cancun’s warm weather and festive activities.
- April attracted 836,167 visitors, influenced by the Easter holidays and the continuation of the spring break season, drawing families and students alike.
- July experienced a peak of 882,978 visitors due to summer vacations, with families and individuals taking advantage of the break to travel.
- February saw 748,527 visitors, with events such as Valentine’s Day and favourable weather attracting couples and tourists looking for a mid-winter getaway.
How popular is Cancun as a tourist destination?
- 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 was ranked the 6th best overall global destination in TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Awards 2023.
- 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.
- 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.2
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.
