Over 2.28 million passengers went through Cancun International Airport (CUN) in March 2024, an increase of 10.8 percent, breaking the record set in the same timeframe in 2023, according to data retrieved from ASUR.
This achievement places Cancun as the most sought-after hotspot in Mexico. Authorities forecast that this city will welcome over 6 million travelers this year if the trend continues.
These figures are particularly impressive considering that with the opening of the new Tulum International Airport (TQO), some Cancun air traffic was expected to be rerouted to Tulum.
As of today, Tulum boasts more than 60 international flights per week and counting. In December 2024, Felipe Carrillo Puerto is scheduled to receive its first non-stop flight from Europe.
(TQO) is also expected to surpass 32 thousand operations, carrying over 5.5 million local and international travelers in its first year of operation.
Other international airports receiving massive numbers of passengers include Cozumel, Huatulco, Merida, Minatitlan, Oaxaca, Tapachula, Veracruz and Villahermosa.
The second destination international visitors choose to visit is Cozumel, for its laid-back atmosphere and friendly locals.
This time around, the Pueblo Magico of Cozumel registered 73,439 passengers in only March, representing an increase of 19 percent compared to March 2023.
Data spanning January to March reveals the island saw 30 percent more passengers than the numbers registered in the same period in 2023.
This destination features nine direct flights from the US, two from Canada and many others from Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Along with these impressive airport figures, January to March registered a hotel occupancy rate of over 85 percent.
The destination also welcomed 452 cruise ships carrying 1.4 million visitors. Authorities are confident of being able to house over 9.3 million cruise passengers by the end of 2024.
Merida is another destination that experienced an increase of over 10.8 percent in international tourist numbers compared to the same month last year.
On the other side, domestic travel only saw a minor rise in tourism of 3 percent.
Everything suggests that the skyrocketing fares offered during Easter holidays motivated Mexicans to stay home.
The hard truth is that traveling to Mexico is becoming more expensive year after year. Last Easter season, visitors to Los Cabos had to spend over $550 per person, per night, with no airfare included.
Thus, if planning a winter getaway to this tropical paradise, make sure to book your accommodation and airline tickets in advance to avoid overcharges.