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Now that travel restrictions are a thing of the past and temperatures are predicted to soar, Americans will be heading to their nearest airport in droves come July.
While some will be jetting off to a Mediterranean island or even exploring lesser-known coastal spots in Eastern Europe, a majority will be taking shorter trips South of the border and living it up in Cancun instead, Mexico’s luxurious beach resort.
In fact, TripAdvisor has named it the number one international destination for U.S. passport holders traveling this season. Despite revoltingly high prices and predictions of mass crowding, it remains America’s go-to summer getaway in 2023, but why does it remain so popular?
Americans Still Can’t Get Enough Of Cancun
As confirmed by TripAdvisor in their latest Travel Index, which tracks booking trends for summer 2023, Cancun is once again the highest-ranking destination for Americans going abroad, toppling major city breaks like Paris and London, and its main competitor in the Caribbean, Punta Cana.
The popular travel information and booking website has analyzed the number of searches for Cancun activities and vacation packages between January 10 and April 10, 2023, with trips to be undertaken between May 29 and August 31, 2023.
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Unsurprisingly, Americans searched for Cancun more than any other beach spot or international vacation. It also charted at number four in the overall ranking, which takes into account the travel preferences of U.S. citizens, as well as British, Australian, Japanese, and Singaporean nationals.
Cancun is by no means the most affordable option out of those listed, but its host of world-class attractions, riotous nightlife, rapid internationalization, and bright blue oceans make it an obvious pick for sunseekers.
Cancun Offers Sun, Culture, And Relaxation
Following three long years of doom and gloom, and the constant influx of bad news, travelers are simply hoping to relax when going on a vacation.
Due to its well-developed resort strip and wellness industry, Cancun is the ideal spot for solo travelers and families alike looking to kick back, bury their feet in the sand, sip some mimosas, and simply recharge their batteries after a long, stressful year.
It is also the gateway to the wider Mayan Riviera, which includes numerous other beach destinations within short driving distance of the bustling city, such as Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, and the offshore gem of Cozumel.
As a whole, the region is famous for its rich cultural heritage. In Tulum, the scenic Mayan ruins perched on a clifftop overlooking a sandy beach bounded by the turquoise waters of the Caribbean attract both beach bums and History enthusiasts alike.
Further inland, guests will find mystical cenotes tucked away in dense, tropical jungles, as well as a host of traditional Spanish-era settlements known for their vibrant colors and charming colonial architecture.
Cancun – and the Mayan Riviera, on an extent – may have been denounced lately for its shortcomings on the tourism front, particularly when it comes to overpricing, but there’s no denying its cultural wealth, and the quality of services provided, are hard to beat.
Additionally, new flight routes keep being added every year, linking Cancun to an ever-expanding list of airports in the States, Canada, and beyond.
Recently, Cancun also opened new e-Gates for faster border screening, allowing American citizens to cross into Mexico in record time, with minimal waiting at customs.
It is close enough to home, easy to get to, the service is phenomenal, and the panoramic views of the Cancun beach strip from atop a condo in the upscale Hotel Zone are simply to die for: can you really blame the average American for coming back for more yet another year?
What About Affordability?
The same TripAdvisor research that concluded Cancun is America’s favorite beach getaway informs that U.S. citizens are more likely to travel over summer than their foreign counterparts.
Over 82% of those surveyed are planning a trip, and 62% stated that ‘cost and affordability’ were a ‘key factor’ in selecting a destination.
Interestingly, Cancun is not as affordable as other entries on the list, but in comparison, the availability of low-cost flights departing from every major U.S. departure point, and a wide range of resorts and accommodation options, which promote competition in the hospitality sector and help make it more cost-effective, help offset costs.
Last year, over 30 million tourists landed in Cancun, drawn to its sunny weather and luxury scene.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com