Mexico’s Top Beach Tourist Destinations See Decline In Airport Arrivals

Mexico’s top beach tourist destinations—Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta—experienced a surge in international arrivals as tourism rebounded after the pandemic in 2022. What once seemed like a rather optimistic outlook has now raised concerns among authorities and industry leaders. So, what’s going on with these Mexican hotspots?

A combination of factors appears to be driving the steady decline in passenger numbers. While multiple sources confirm this trend throughout 2024, data reveals that the issue actually began in the first quarter of 2023.

In July 2023, the Migration Policy Unit reported a significant drop of 10.2 percent in international visitors to beach destinations compared to data from 2022, with just 1.1 million arrivals. At the same time, the agency highlighted that the decline had started in March of that year.

Fast forward to August 2023, and the situation in airports like Cancun International Airport (CUN) had worsened—although this airport has a unique situation we’ll delve into later. According to ASUR, the operator of Mexico’s main airports, CUN saw a 13.6 percent decline in international passengers compared to August 2022, a month that was already underperforming.

This week, a report by the Mexican National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI) reveals that the airports in Cancun, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta have experienced a sharp decline in arrivals throughout the year.

In July, these airports recorded a combined 3.6 percent decline compared to the same period in 2023—a year that was already showing a downturn in visitor numbers.

The trend continued in August, with a 6.2 percent decline, followed by a 6.4 percent drop in September, making an even steeper decline than in previous months.

Adding to the concerns, more Mexicans are choosing to travel internationally. During the first eight months of 2024, 5.4 million local travelers went overseas—a substantial 19.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

So, Why Have Tourists Been Turning Away from Mexico’s Beloved Destinations?

Depending on whom you ask, everyone has a theory about why, month after month, more travelers are opting for other Caribbean destinations.

Among the reasons supported by data are environmental, human, and technical factors.

Since 2011, Mexico’s Caribbean destinations have been grappling with a massive problem. Rising water temperatures and eutrophication—caused by an influx of nutrients, like those coming from large-scale agricultural runoff in the U.S. and Brazil—have led to excessive seaweed growth, impacting beaches across the region.

And let’s be honest—nobody wants their Instagram photos ruined by piles of brown algae. On the bright side, the 2024 sargassum season has officially ended, so now is the time to book your tickets and enjoy a sargassum-free Christmas getaway.

Meanwhile, industry leaders argue that there hasn’t been enough national marketing to promote these destinations, while other Caribbean nations have become increasingly attractive to U.S. and other international travelers.

Visa restrictions for nationals from Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru have also negatively impacted the number of visitors. On top of that, some flights and routes have been reduced due to necessary ongoing engine inspections.

As mentioned, the reduction in arrivals at Cancun airport is a unique case. 

The opening of Tulum’s Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO) on December 1, 2023, has been diverting a portion of passengers who previously had to fly into Cancun, even when it wasn’t their intended destination. As a result, CUN has seen a steady 5.5 percent drop in passenger numbers throughout 2024.

So, Should I Still Book a Trip to Mexico This Winter Season?

Of course, you should! In fact, a record number of Americans are planning to visit Mexico this winter season.

According to TripAdvisor’s latest Winter Travel Index 2024-2025, four of the top five destinations U.S. travelers are flocking to this winter are in the Caribbean—and most of them are in Mexico.

Cancun tops the list as the most visited city in the coming weeks, followed by Punta Cana, Cabo San Lucas, and Playa del Carmen. Other popular destinations include Puerto Vallarta, located on Mexico’s Pacific coast.