Tag: Cancun

Cancun Expecting Its Worst Seaweed Season In 5 Years

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Cancun is expecting its worst seaweed season in five years – with record amounts of Sargassum expected to be washed ashore along its coastline and beaches.

With Mexico’s Navy Secretary, José Ojeda, having recently described the situation as “alarming” – the nation’s officials are bracing themselves for what could be the largest amount of the seaweed-like algae seen on beaches in the Mexican tourist hotspot of Cancun, since 2018.

And, with Cancun having recently been ranked as the most popular destination for American travelers, the news that the city could soon be experiencing record amounts of sargassum smothering its beaches could be catastrophic.

What Is Sargassum?

Sargassum is a type of seaweed that is brown in color and stringy with regards to its feel and texture.

It is often found in large amounts – and due to it not becoming attached to the seafloor – it constantly floats on top of the sea, which is why it gets continually washed up onto the shores of the Mexican Caribbean.

Although sargassum is not toxic for humans, it can cause a considerable stench when present in large amounts along the coastline – with its bad smell being comparable to that of rotten eggs.

You can find out a bit more about Sargassum by clicking here.

The Mexican Navy Has Already Removed Record Amounts Of Seaweed

Not that long ago, Mexico’s Navy Minister announced that the nation’s navy had already removed 97 tons of sargassum from its seas – with more than 9,000 of the seaweed being cleared from the country’s beaches.

How Much More Sargassum Is Expected?

It has since been reported that a further 32,000 tons of sargassum is being monitored not that far from the coast of Quintana Roo – which is a Mexican state located on the Yucatán Peninsula.

And, this is why Cancun is bracing itself for an overwhelming amount of the algae – which is expected to appear in its largest amount since 2018 – which saw the Mexican Caribbean experience its worst encounter with Sargassum – which completely covered its beautiful white sand beaches.

One Of Mexico’s Most Popular Beaches Was Recently Closed Due To Sargassum

Just a matter of weeks ago we reported that one of the most popular beaches in the coastal resort town of Playa del Carmen – El Recodo – had been closed due to an accumulation of Sargassum along its coast.

And, the news came following the announcement that local authorities in the area were to create seaweed barriers in the popular tourist hotspot of Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

How Does Mexico Plan To Deal With The Large Amounts Of Sargassum?

With Cancun having already seen an 83% recovery in its tourism figures – since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic – at the end of last year (2021), the first few months of 2022 has seen Cancun welcome even more tourists.

Therefore, with the nation becoming ever-popular amongst international travelers, the authorities inside the country are implementing measures to try and cope with the battle against sargassum.

At this moment in time, Mexico’s navy is operating 11 boats in the worst-hit areas – which have the capability of collecting sargassum before it reaches the nation’s shores and beaches.

However, it has recently been reported that the amount of sargassum being collected by these vessels at present is in fact less than the amount that they were able to collect in previous years.

In 2020, the navy was reported to have collected 4% of the seaweed-like algae before it reached the Mexican shores – with the remaining 96% having to be cleared from the nation’s beaches.

So far this year, though, authorities are said to have only managed to collect up to 1% of the Sargassum from the sea – with almost all of it being washed ashore the coastline.

Hotels Are Also Helping To Clear The Beaches

As well as Mexico’s Navy working hard to battle the nation’s sargassum problem, hotels in the local area are also doing their part to help.

Some resorts have been using machinery such as tractors to sweep away the sargassum from the beaches close to their accommodation, whereas hotels that do not have such resources are adopting a more ‘manual’ approach – with workers using rakes to clear away the algae.

Read more:

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May 9, 2022
U.S. And European Airlines Launch New Direct Flights To Cancun
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New Flights To Cancun, Mexico

Cancun was the world’s second most popular tourist destination in 2021 behind Dubai. And during the COVID-19 pandemic—Mexico never closed. As a result, airlines from every corner of the world are starting direct flights to the region.

Not only that, Mexico was the second nation worldwide to scrap all COVID-19 entry requirements—including things like passenger locator forms, although they never had testing or vaccine requirements.

So Cancun really is the perfect destination in 2022, regardless of where you come from.

The New Flights To Cancun From The U.S.

As Cancun continues to grow in popularity for U.S. tourists, some U.S. airliners are increasing flights, including:
- Frontier Airlines – Frontier Airlines will increase their flights from Tampa to Cancun to three times per week. They will also begin flying from Houston to Cancun 4 times per week from May.
The New Flights To Cancun From Europe

Cancun has always been a popular destination for European travelers, especially British and German tourists. Therefore, it’s no shock that airliners are increasing flights to the region.
- Condor Airlines – Condor Airlines will add another weekly flight on its Frankfurt to Cancun route, From May, there will be five weekly flights instead of four.
- TUI – Popular British airliner TUI is increasing its flight frequency to Cancun. From May, travelers can fly to Cancun from Manchester, London, Birmingham, Glasgow, Bristol, Newcastle, etc. Moreover, travelers can catch direct flights to Cancun from Amsterdam and Brussels.
- Iberojet – Popular Spanish airline Iberojet began flying from Lisbon to Cancun in April; however, they will also increase their flight frequency from Madrid to Cancun in July. In addition, they’ve announced a new direct flight from Barcelona to Cancun in June.
- AirCaraïbes – French airline Air Caraibes will start its route from Paris to Cancun in October with two weekly frequencies until December, with an increase to 3 flights from December 2022.
The New Flights To Cancun From South America

Various South American airlines are increasing their flight frequency to Cancun, including:
- SKY Airlines – SKY Airlines will increase its flights from Lima to Cancun on a daily basis.
- Volaris – Volaris will start daily flights from Lima to Cancun in June.
New Flights To Isla Cozumel
- Southwest Airlines – Southwest Airlines will start flights from Denver to Cozumel in June.
- American Airlines – American Airlines will begin flights from Denver to Cozumel on Saturdays from June onwards.
- United Airlines – United Airlines will restart weekly flights from LAX to Cozumel in May.
- Suncountry – Suncountry will restart flights from Dallas to Isla Cozumel in June with two weekly flights (Thursday and Saturday.)
The COVID-19 Situation In Cancun

Cancun is recording its lowest COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. The current 7-day case average is only 9.

However, although there are no entry requirements to visit Cancun from Europe or the United States, there are still internal COVID-19 restrictions. These include mandatory masks in indoor areas. However, since Mexico, at a federal level at least, has now declared this an endemic, indoor mask rules at the state level for Quintana Roo should be ending soon.

Cancun did, however, remove the outdoor mask mandate earlier in the year.

Tips For Heading To Cancun In 2022

Travelers wishing to visit Cancun in the summer of 2022 need to book their accommodation soon. According to reports, Cancun hotels are almost fully booked in the summer, with an impressive 90% occupation.

However, travelers can always choose another destination in Mexico if they want to avoid the crowds. Popular destinations with lower hotel bookings include Tulum, Playa Del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, and Cabo San Lucas.

Final Thoughts

As the Mexican tourism industry continues to rebound, Cancun remains an excellent destination for travelers. International flights are increasing, and the region is relatively back to normal.

Read More:

Is Cancun A Safe Destination To Visit For 2022?

Travel Insurance That Covers Covid-19 In 2022

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May 3, 2022
Is Cancun A Safe Destination To Visit For 2022?
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Cancun is unarguably the go-to sunny getaway for millions of Americans. A city like no other, it offers visitors both the vibrant atmosphere of other equally-busy global hubs, and more secluded beaches (if you know where to look for them).

On the other hand, Cancun’s prestige as an ideal summer destination has come under threat lately due to reports of increased violence, even in traditionally-safe tourist areas, travel scams, and even the landfall of an unprecedented amount of seaweed.

If you’re thinking of flying to Cancun soon, and have been following closely these highly-publicized developments, you might be questioning whether this massively popular beach hotspot is indeed an ideal pick. After all, is Cancun still a safe destination to visit for 2022?

There is a lot to unpack here, but in short, yes.

You might be wondering how exactly we are able to still deem it a safe city even after taking into account recent reports, which we have covered extensively ourselves, and the doubts raised by many other travel news websites about security in Cancun. Here is why:

On Travel Scams

By being an already sought-after destination that is now experiencing overwhelmingly high demand, it hardly comes as a surprise that ghost travel agencies, a few ill-intentioned cab drivers, and other scammers have intensified their operations in Cancun and the wider Riviera Maya in recent months.

Even though we cannot overlook the fact that 250 scams occur around Mexico per hour, and a large number of those are in Cancun, tourists also risk being victims of fraudulent taxis and/or tour operators virtually anywhere in the world. Although Cancun is no exception, this is far from being a Cancun-exclusive issue.

Foreigners have historically faced scamming when traveling throughout the Caribbean, with Belize and Jamaica being two notorious examples. Even the most popular cities in Europe are not exempt from their fair share of travel scams. In other words, international travel is never risk-free, especially when you can’t speak the language of the country you’re visiting and could, therefore, be taken advantage of.

Still, there are some precautions tourists can take to be better prepared when flying abroad and in fear of being scammed, such as:
- Booking travel packages only through licensed operators in Mexico
- Pre-book an airport transfer before landing in Cancun
- Once in Mexico, only use authorized taxis, either by calling or requesting a driver through an official app
- Never get into a cab with no visible taximeter or before agreeing on a price for the route
On Violence:

We have all heard of Cancun’s recent run-ins with the law. Gang shootings, robberies, and murders linked to organized crime in the city have taken the news by storm. For that reason, we do not blame more cautious tourists for having reconsidered Cancun as their summer destination.

Having said that, we would like to pose a question: which big city does not battle, one way or another, higher crime levels compared to less-dense areas? Cancun is not a single beach or a resort town: it is one of the largest cities in the Caribbean.

While violent incidents have undeniably increased, leading the United States to revise its Travel Advisories, Cancun is bound to record more incidents than other smaller cities in Quintana Roo due to its position as an international hub.

Still, when assessing travel risks and choosing their next destination, tourists should always research the violence levels in their dream vacation destination, but should also compare them to the place they currently live.

It is worth noting the city of New York, which offers of the leading city breaks in North America, is also facing a violence surge this year, with a marked increase in both shootings and homicide. The same goes for Los Angeles, where violent crimes were up by 60% in 2021 according to LAPD data.

Even though several cities across North America, both in the U.S. and Mexico, struggle with crime, it’s Cancun that has been particularly pinpointed as violence-ridden lately.

However, as the U.S. State Department itself affirms, shootings are not directed at tourists, and are instead a result of quarrels between criminal groups, even though bystanders can still be injured.

Despite these risks, that is the exception rather than the rule.

Mexico Takes Tourist Safety Very, Very Seriously

Lately, Mexico has been investing heavily in security, deploying none less than the National Guard to keep tourists safe in Cancun, and vowing to clamp down on corrupt entities extorting tourists in the wider Quintana Roo. This is a country seeking to establish itself as a safe haven in the post-pandemic world, as it has been known to take security concerns very seriously.

As Dario Flota Ocampo, Director of the Quintana Roo tourism Board stated, ‘Quintana Roo remains a safe destination to visit (…) it continues to operate normally and remains one of the world’s leading destinations’.

On top of that, the U.S. does not advise tourists against travel to Cancun (or the Quintana Roo state) citing violent crime, though they should ‘maintain a high level of situation awareness’ and avoid risky areas. Like anywhere else, visitors are urged to remain in tourist zones and be cautious when walking after dark.

While we do encourage all our readers to follow this guidance while on vacation, we can assure you Cancun isn’t any more dangerous than several other destinations in Mexico, including Mexico City, Baja California Sur, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.

In fact, the U.S. considers it much safer than particular Mexican states, such as Sinaloa or Colima.

Bottomline

Throughout the pandemic, Cancun has maintained its status as one of the freer, and perhaps most tourist-friendly places on Earth, earning a king-of-tourism, type nickname. Even during the woeful months of December and January, when Omicron was rampant and restrictions were the norm, it remained open and recorded a record number of visitors.

This means that, while numerous competitors across the Caribbean imposed strict entry requirements, Cancun went the opposite way completely and permitted all to enter restriction-free, irrespective of vaccination status. On top of that, Cancun Airport has not seen a single relatively quieter month since Mexico decided to keep its borders open.

Due to this ambitious move, it has been at the forefront of the minds of many travelers – and on the radar of the mainstream media – for months on end. To put it simply, Cancun is being closely watched by all, which means any local incidents will be quickly picked up on, and subsequently scrutinized.

Yes, shootings and robberies occur, and yes, they have become more common in tourist zones as gang activity worsens, but the risk of being caught in a crossfire, or experiencing any abuse at all, is still within acceptable levels both by Mexican, U.S., and other international standards.

Unlike in other parts of Mexico, where the U.S. government issued travel restrictions for U.S. government employees and has been adamant Americans should refrain from visiting, Quintana Roo and Cancun have not been specifically targeted.

This corroborates our findings that Cancun remains a safe destination with no particularly exacerbated safety or health risks when compared to others.

At the same time, we would like to remind travelers this does not mean Cancun is crime-free. When visiting, you should bear in mind all the information we have given you on here and beware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas where robberies and pickpocketing could occur, similarly to any large city.

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Mexico Adding Seaweed Barriers To Popular Tourist Hotspots Including Cancun And Playa Del Carmen

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April 26, 2022
Cancun Beaches Are Safe, Clean And Ready For Tourists

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Governor Carlos Joaquín said the Cancun region will remain in the covid ‘green zone’ and that beaches are safe for tourists

The Mexican government has been working hard to meet future tourists’ expectations during the Easter holidays. The tasks have included pandemic, criminal and nature control.

According to a recent update shared on the Mexican tourism portal Nitu, local authorities and the private sector in Quintana Roo have announced that beaches in Cancun, Playa Del Carmen and Tulum are safe and ready for tourists.

On Thursday, governor Carlos Joaquín shared important information: The Quintana Roo region will remain in the green zone during the following weeks and the strategies to guarantee visitors’ safety and clean the beaches have been successful.

The green zone refers to the safe level of Mexico’s epidemiological traffic light system. Carlos Joaquin explained that from April 4 to 10 the green light will continue.

Joaquin also explained how different authorities and members of the tourism sector worked together—from diplomats to police officers, to business owners, to tour operators— to prepare for the 3 million tourists expected to visit Cancun for Easter. An economic boom highly cherished by authorities and locals.

The government and businesses in the region have been sharing communication campaigns on the safety of popular destinations. The president of the Hotels of Tulum Association, David Ortiz Mena, said that these campaigns will have a positive impact and benefit the touristic destinations and those who live and enjoy the natural local beauty.

The Challenges For Local Authorities

Tourism is the core of the state of Quintana Roo’s economy which includes fascinating destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, and Tulum, and constitutes the main source of income for people and companies in the region.

Local authorities and businesses have been working together to face the main challenges and please traditional visitors like US and Canadian citizens.

These are the main situations local authorities had to address:

Excess Of Seaweed

Before the beaches of Cancun and Playa del Carmen got flooded by the brown algae called sargassum, local authorities decided to add seaweed barriers to protect the main popular beaches. The sargassum isn’t dangerous, but this strategy will prevent visitors from uncomfortable experiences including strong smells.

Governor Carlos Joaquin also made emphasis on the importance of understanding the nature and behavior of the sea sargassum to prevent and remove it from the coasts. Carlos Joaquin insisted that it is a shared responsibility that local authorities, citizens and businesses share.

Local Crime

International tourists and locals are concerned about safety in Cancun. The government and the police have been working hard to fight organized crime and assure tourists a secure vacation.

Recently, authorities discovered massage and jet ski tents used for drug trafficking and dismantled those involved. The beaches have been cleaned and police authorities are also developing strategies to protect and maintain a safe environment.

For this peak season, the governor has also requested tourists and locals to respect the legal framework of the state and avoid buying and consuming drugs, as well as exposing themselves to dangerous situations.

Covid-19

Just like every other country, Mexico has also faced the consequences of the covid–19, especially in tourism. The government has implemented plans to guarantee local safety, including the traffic light system.

International visitors are allowed and Cancun recently dropped its mandatory outdoor mask mandate, and, fortunately, good conditions are projected in the future. Travelers will be able to enjoy and take advantage of the beautiful beaches in Cancun. Regarding this point, the governor reminded citizens to get vaccinated and complete their vaccination schemes to achieve immunization.

Those traveling to Cancun during Easter can expect a more controlled environment and a high-quality stay. Hotel occupancy has already surpassed 85% for Easter and millions of tourists are about to experience the blue and warm waters of the beaches and the fascinating landscapes of the region.

Read More:

Cancun Will Sell Out For Easter As Over 3 Million Tourists Expected

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Mexico Adding Seaweed Barriers To Popular Tourist Hotspots Including Cancun And Playa Del Carmen

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April 2, 2022
Cancun Will Sell Out For Easter As Over 3 Million Tourists Expected

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Mexico’s most popular tourist destination, Cancun, will experience a rush of 3 million tourists for Easter this year, selling out all of the hotels in the city. Quintana Roo projects hotel occupancy above 85% for Easter with a risk of being completely booked by the time of the holiday. The influx of tourists is expected to cause an economic boom for the Cancun tourism industry.

Why Is Mexico So Popular?

Cancun is home to some of the most luxurious and beautiful hotels in the world. The destination serves as a staple for spring breakers, family vacationers, and couples looking for a romantic getaway. Mexico’s, and more specifically Cancun’s, proximity to the United States makes it an easy destination for people in the US and Canada to get to.

Flights to Mexico are generally cheaper and faster than flights to other popular tourist destinations in Europe or Asia. Plus, Mexico shares time zones with the US, making it the perfect place for digital nomads and remote workers to set up a base and work from.

Mexico currently has some no covid restrictions for entry. Entering the country is a breeze, with no pre-departure covid test required. In fact, it’s one of a growing list of countries in the world without any covid related entry requirements. Once inside, Mexico has relaxed COVID restrictions and Cancun has just dropped the requirements to wear masks outdoors.

Growing So Fast

Mexico became one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world during the peak of the COVID pandemic. This super fast growth did come with some growing pains though.The country suffered from overtourism for months and it caused a bit of a problem for some of the countries popular airports. Some travelers reported waiting as long as 2 hours to get through immagration. Though it seems that these problems have subsided.

There was also a spike in crime at some popular tourist destinations. The government has been versatile in dealing with these issues though, most likely not wanting to ruin the economic boom coming from the spike in tourism.

The Future Looks Bright

Many people expected the tourism boom to end when the pandemic fizzled, but that seems to not be the case. A wild spring break and now a likely sold out Easter weekend show that Mexico’s popularity is sustainable and some companies are confident in this.

American hotel giant, Hilton, is planning to expand its network in Mexico this year with 15 new hotels and resorts. In an interview with MILENIO, Juan Corvinos, vice president of development for Latin America and the Caribbean for Hilton stated, “Our prospects for Mexico are very good and the development team will continue working to make it so. We have aggressive growth plans, we will arrive before the end of the year with these 15 hotels, we have many scheduled openings”

Hilton is not alone. Eleven brand new resorts have just opened in Cancun and we can expect many more to be opening in the future.

Better Book Fast

With two weeks to go before Easter and hotels already at 85% capacity, you better book fast if you plan on visiting Cancun on your Easter weekend!

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March 31, 2022