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Cancun has been the place for years number one tourist destination for Americans going abroadknown for its luxurious resort zone, world-class amenities, and of course, the miles of sandy beaches bordered by the turquoise Caribbean Sea.
Its popularity has extended well into 2023, even after the wider reopening of the world to tourism and the return of other countries to the competition. This year there will be no fewer than 20.5 million visitors expect to visit the wider state of Quintana Roo, proving that the Caribbean giant is still on top.
It may already be the king of tourism, but with the diversification of tourism offerings elsewhere in Mexico, it looks set to gain a new edge over its competitors thanks to 4 new reasons:
Revitalization of the Tajamar promenade
One of the biggest complaints among those vacationing in Cancun is that the city feels largely underdeveloped, with potholed streets and poor walkability outside the resort walls. That is why a majority of tourists often restrict their movements to the glitzy hotel zone.
Soon, Cancun’s urban infrastructure issues will be formally addressed, reviving more areas of the city, from municipal parks to smaller beaches away from the main, the well visited Playa Delfinesalthough the project we’re most excited about is the Tajamar Boardwalk project.
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Currently it makes for a pleasant leisurely stroll along the waterfront overlooking the turquoise ocean, but there are no significant amenities or tourist attractions along the ‘malecon’, at least for now.
In the near future, more than $700,000 will be invested in making the promenade more attractive.
This may include widening pedestrian and cycle paths, the introduction of restaurants and bars in the area, which borders the distinctive Nichupte Lagoon, and open green spaces for the promotion of outdoor activities.
Free WiFi on the beach
Cancun isn’t exactly known for the speed of its public WiFi, especially in beach areas outside of resort complexes, where connectivity can be remarkably weak. Unless you have a generous data package to accompany you on excursions from your hotel, you could lose connection to the online world.
That’s not necessarily a bad thing, as the majority of tourists landing in the Caribbean actively try to disconnect and take in the natural surroundings, but it can also be a bit of a nuisance.
Fortunately, Cancun authorities have been paying attention to feedback, and they are now doing so Install WiFi antennas along the hotel zone.
By the end of August, two of Cancun’s busiest beaches, Kilometer Zero and Playa Delfines, will be served by GigNet, a popular infrastructure provider in Mexico known to have introduced fiber to the Caribbean provinces.
While you shouldn’t exactly expect super fast internet in public areas, at least now you don’t have to rush to the nearest supermarket to buy more data if your package suddenly expires.
Reopening of Las Coloradas
After months of being closed to tourists due to environmental concerns, the famous Las Coloradas are finally open again and receiving tourists.
It’s one of the most popular day trips from Cancun and a top attraction on the Yucatan Peninsula, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico.
Aside from the green nature reserves that border it, the Las Coloradas Lakes are of course most famous for their bubblegum pink shadeas a result of a combination of red algae native to salt lakes and small shrimp that live in the incredibly salty waters.
Last March, access to the site was closed due to disagreements between tourist guides and the salt company that oversees the monument. These now appear to be resolved, allowing visitor groups to return.
Day trips to Las Coloradas can be booked from Cancun through the many tour companies and private, certified guides that operate in the city, as well as through Rio Lagartosthe nearest major city, and as far away as Merida, the capital of the state of Yucatan.
Launch of a new tourist train
Finally, tourists can expect connectivity to and from Cancun to improve starting in December when the much-anticipated Mayan Train launches.
The train loops around the Yucatan Peninsula, stopping at all major tourist stops as many as 34 stationsincluding Cancun and Cancun International Airport, making it much easier for passengers arriving in the Riviera Maya to reach other destinations on the coast.
The train runs parallel to the ocean and, in some sections, over a viaduct, with panoramas of the verdant landscape below, Mayan ruins and open air cenotesand must leave each station every two hours, daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Official ticket prices have not yet been announced, but previous reports indicate that they could cost between 60 and 80 Mexican pesos. Learn more about the Mayan Train and how it will transform travel in the Mexican Caribbean here.
Traveler warning: Don’t forget your travel insurance for your next trip!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
