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The Mexican Caribbean has always been an extremely popular tourist destination for American travelers.
With miles of tropical coastline, a world-famous catering industry and luxurious resort areas, it is theirs the place to relax and letting go of their everyday worries.
This year, however, this popularity seems to have soared to unprecedented new highs, leaving us to wonder if “shoulder season” is even a concept that still applies to the region. That’s especially true in a trendy seaside town that witnesses a record increase in bookings.
Playa del Carmen does already full for the winterand travelers are now being advised to book their end-of-year holidays as soon as possible before they get locked out:
There are already far fewer rooms available this winter
After the start of the school year, bookings are normally expected to decline as families return from the holidays and resort communities slow down operations in preparation for a much busier winter.
In this sense, 2023 has been quite atypical, as numerous destinations in Quintana Roo, especially those on the Mayan Riviera, have already registered a large number of hotel reservations in September.
A small beach town an hour’s drive south of Cancun, Playa Del Carmen is no exception.
According to data collected by the Cancun sunthe leading news source about everything Cancun, 40 percent of the rooms in Carmen are already filled for the high season, which runs from December 2023 to February 2024.
September has traditionally been less busy, but bookings are now starting to increase already in the autumn period, with holidaymakers anticipating the high winter prices and either taking trips during the shoulder months or booking their winter holidays well in advance.
That seems to be the case for a majority, as highlighted by Osner Arjona, president of the Association of Small Hotels of Playa Del Carmen, who said the city already has a “movement of reservations” for late 2023 and early 2024.
This trend is expected to happen further intensify in Octoberthe busiest month for winter bookings, as prices start to rise and undecided tourists are forced to make a decision or miss their Mexican-Caribbean experience altogether.
The fact that bookings are already at a whopping 40% should be concerning for those planning to fly to Playa del Carmen this winter, as we are still early in the fall and Vacancy has already fallen significantlyas low as they would normally have been later in the year.
There is just no way to tell How much lower occupancy rates will there be in October or November.
The longer you wait, the less attractive holiday offers will be
While it’s unlikely that Carmen will sell out completely — there are far too many accommodation options to consider, from luxury resorts to more affordable AirBnB properties — the biggest concern here is the fluctuation of prices.
The higher the occupancy rate, the more expensive the accommodation becomes, due to reduced competition and increasing demand. Therefore, you are advised to book right now, not only to secure the best prices but also to secure a spot on the beach.
Still, you might be wondering why Carmen is suddenly on everyone’s radar.
Why is Playa del Carmen so popular?
Carmen has a high concentration of luxury resorts, wellness centers and entertainment venues, making it one of the leaders in the Mexican Caribbean’s tourist offering. up there with Cancun and Tulum.
You could even say that these three beach areas complement each other, with Cancun serving as the entertainment capital, Tulum the cultural heart and entertainment district, and Playa Del Carmen the more relaxed alternative.
When going abroad, Americans strongly prefer destinations where it is easy to go and where they can be pampered without worrying too much about the complexities of planning an international trip. With an average of only 11 days of paid vacation per year, they want an all-inclusive vacation.
Carmen’s well-appointed resort area offers them just that, with all their favorite hospitality brands such as the Hyatt, Thompson, Fairmont and Marriott (to name a few) set up on the pristine coastline.
Aside from its ancient Mayan ruins and indigenous culture, the Mexican Caribbean is often associated with its five-star beachfront accommodations and thin, white-sand beaches bordered by turquoise seas. all the boxes that Playa Del Carmen ticks off effortlessly.
Being much smaller than Cancun, it has a reputation for being more exclusive, even if it is not exactly as picturesque as the lesser-known Akumal: every weekend thousands of people flock to its bars and beach clubs to sample the (un)famous local nightlife.
It is extremely safe
Another reason why Carmen is exploding in popularity is its high level of security, following improvements made by the current government, which is responsible for the revitalization of the tourist zone, and the deployment of more police in critical locations.
Due to increased supervision and zero tolerance towards criminalsit is now one of the safest resorts in Mexico, after years of having a bad reputation as a dangerous place for tourists.
The Cancun sun even going so far as to suggest that Carmen may be added to the “Magic Neighborhoods” program, a designation awarded by Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism in recognition of an area’s cultural, historical, environmental or economic significance.
The city will also be easier to reach from Cancun this winter, as it will be a stop on the Mayan Train Route, a new scenic railway line that connects all the major tourist hotspots in the Mexican Caribbean. certainly a boost for tourism and the impact on hotel occupancy.
All things considered, it’s best that you book that getaway better now than never.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
