Tag: Exploding

This Small Beach Destination Near Cancun Is Exploding In Popularity Right Now

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 1 second ago

The Mexican Caribbean is the go-to spot for Americans traveling abroad.

With its turquoise waters, charming coastal settlements, and wellness scene, there is truly no better place for sunseekers to be, but if Cancun no longer appeals to you, then vacationing in a smaller beach destination away from the big city that’s surging in popularity, this might be your best bet.

Akumal Is The Next Trendy Caribbean Spot

Akumal is one of the trendiest beach resorts in the Maya Riviera, with the Secretary of Tourism of Mexico reporting occupancy rates of 87.6% for the first quarter of 2023.

According to a report issued by the entity, it already outpaces well-established tourist towns like Playa del Carmen, its closest competitor in the Caribbean (86.6%), Cabo San Lucas on the Pacific coast (84.5%), New Nayarit (84.4%), Puerto Vallarta (83.6%), and even the mighty Cancun (80.5%).

As we have discussed previously, while Cancun remains Mexico’s number one sunny hub in terms of overall figures, largely due to its record-breaking tourism – last year, over 30 million arrivals were recorded in Cancun Airport – it has long ceased being the fastest-growing destination.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

For months now, it has been bumped off the number one spot by competing cities as returning travelers and first-time visitors alike look for alternatives to the jam-packed Mayan city.

In a way, it feels like Cancun is yesterday’s news, and places like Akumal, and the lesser-known Bacalar, are finally getting the hype they deserve.

What Can Akumal Offer?

Akumal is a small coastal community of roughly 1,300 inhabitants, sitting between the much busier Playa del Carmen and Tulum, 62 miles south of Cancun.

It straddles both Akumal and Half Moon Bays, two of the most scenic swimming sites in the state of Quintana Roo, where marine life still thrives, and overtourism has yet to drive out a majority of the locals with its associated gentrification.

Due to its size, it can feel more exclusive, with a more limited selection of hotels, resorts, and luxury stays than internationalized Cancun. More specifically, there are only 23 five-star properties listed on Booking.com, against Cancun’s 48 or Tulum’s 32.

Though it is a lot smaller, it is by no means less well-equipped, offering visitors both all-inclusive resorts – the adults-only Unico Hotel Riviera Maya is a perfect romantic getaway for couples – and charming, boutique hotels nestled in the jungle, where you can go ‘glamping’.

Fellow budget travelers, rejoice: unlike other Caribbean destinations, Akumal still warmly welcomes us.

A king room with a garden view at the three-star Akumal Natura Glamping costs a mere USD$84 for an overnight in June, while private stays at the colorful Del Sol Beachfront Hotel are on the market for USD$89.

All in all, whether you’re the splurging type or a budget-conscious vacationer, Akumal has some great deals for you.

Beautiful Natural Attractions

Seen from above, it looks like a beautiful crescent lapped by crystal-clear waters, and although it is a miniature development zone, it certainly has no shortage of attractions.

Other than the beautiful beaches, most notably the landmark Playa Akumal, a sandy extension of coast bounded by the translucent waters of the Caribbean, tourists have access to a monkey sanctuary, inland, shallow, family-friendly cenotes, such as Ya-kul, and relaxation spas.

Basing yourself in Akumal, you can also take a few day trips out to explore the Tulum Ruins or spend a day at the Xel-ha aquatic theme park. Adult tickets start from USD $89, including all food, drinks, and unlimited snorkeling.

But first and foremost, Akumal is a natural oasis where people go to escape the hustle and bustle of Cancun.

If you’re wary of the latter’s mega resorts and Instagram crowds, and you’re hoping to have a more relaxed Caribbean experience, then this is the place for you.

Mexico Is Set For A Record-Breaking Year In Tourism

Overall, Mexico has reached occupancy rates of 60.5% in Q1, 9.5 percentage points higher than in 2022, which indicates the country could be set for yet another record-breaking year once the December count is in.

In beach areas, an average of 142,685 rooms were filled, against 124,300 in the previous year, at a year-on-year increase of 14.8%. In terms of occupancy, this means an even higher rate of 71.7%, surpassing that of the national average, which accounts not only for coastal zones but also for inland destinations like the country’s capital, Mexico City, or the beautiful Guanajuato.

Though it faces strong competition, Akumal has resurfaced as one of the leading beach zones amid Mexico’s post-crisis tourism revival.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

[ad_2]

Source link

June 2, 2023
Why This Caribbean Destination Is Exploding In Popularity

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 1 second ago

While the Caribbean has always been a popular travel destination, one island, in particular, is experiencing a massive surge in popularity right now.

Jamaica has been seeing a boom in tourism lately. According to Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the latest predictions show that Jamaica will receive more than 3.8 million tourists in 2023.

From January to March alone, the island saw nearly 1.2 million tourists, an increase of 94% compared to the same period in 2022.

So what makes Jamaica so popular?

Here are the top reasons visitors are flocking to this Caribbean destination!

1. Affordable Resorts

One of the biggest draws to Jamaica is the abundance of affordable all-inclusive resorts.

Although there is much more to Jamaica than just resorts, that’s one of the biggest reasons tourists visit this island destination — they’re looking for a relaxing, do-nothing getaway where they can relax on the beach and sip piña coladas.

Jamaica has dozens of all-inclusive resorts across the island, especially in popular areas like Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. And many all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica are affordable, with the total cost coming in at under $300 a night.

2. Beautiful Beaches

Jamaica is known for having some of the best beaches in the Caribbean. Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril are all home to beautiful white sand beaches with crystal-clear turquoise waters.

The beaches in Jamaica are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, water sports, or just relaxing under an umbrella with a drink in your hand.

The best time of year to visit Jamaica is mid-December through mid-April for the sunniest weather. The rest of the year is considered off-season, and tourists will experience more rainy days, but there’s still plenty of sun for enjoying the beach.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

3. Stunning Nature

Jamaica may be known for its incredible beaches, but the rest of the country boasts even more natural beauty that visitors shouldn’t miss.

There are quite a few waterfalls dotted throughout the interior of Jamaica that are worth checking out, like the Ocho Rios Blue Hole and Dunns River Falls. For hikers, the Blue Mountains in Jamaica offer great trails and beautiful scenery.

4. Easily Accessible

It’s easy to get to Jamaica from the United States or Canada. More than twenty cities in the United States offer direct flights to Montego Bay, along with half a dozen cities in Canada.

Many flights to Jamaica are also very affordable, with round-trip flights as low as $250 on budget airlines from the United States. Frontier Airlines even offers flights as low as $99 to Jamaica.

You can find the best deals in the off-season, especially in September and October.

5. Friendly People

Jamaica is well-known for its friendly people and excellent hospitality.

You’ll see the top-notch hospitality on display if you stay in an all-inclusive resort, but the best way to experience it is to venture beyond your resort and experience the “real” Jamaica.

Trying local restaurants, shopping in local boutiques and stores, and supporting local tour operators is a great way to see a different side of Jamaica than just your resort and to meet more friendly Jamaicans.

6. Culture Capital

Finally, Jamaica is known for being one of the cultural capitals of the Caribbean.

The island has a rich and lively culture. It’s known for being the birthplace of reggae music and its popular derivatives like dancehall music. There are always street dances and festivals happening in Jamaica.

Jamaica is also known for its food. Jerk chicken may be the most popular Jamaican food, but other dishes like ackee and saltfish and beef patties are worth a try.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

[ad_2]

Source link

April 22, 2023
Why This Asian Destination Is Exploding In Popularity

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 1 hour ago

South Korea may not be as popular with tourists as other destinations like Japan, but this Asian nation is growing in popularity due to the incredible value it offers for travelers.

After tourism came to a halt for over two years due to restrictions imposed by the government, South Korea’s reopening has seen tourism numbers start to grow again.

Here’s what makes South Korea a great destination to visit in Asia this year:

Amazing Food And Culture

One of the top reasons to visit South Korea is for its food and culture. Korean food is incredibly distinctive, and South Korea is a foodie paradise.

Kimchi, bibimbap, and tteokbokki are just a few of the foods to try in South Korea.

In addition to food, South Korea is also full of culture. From ancient Buddhist temples to modern Korean culture like K-pop music and Korean fashion and beauty products, South Korea is a fascinating cultural destination with something for everyone.

City Life And Nature

South Korea is a relatively small country that combines bustling city life and tranquil natural beauty. On a trip to South Korea, you can experience both aspects of this country.

Vibrant Seoul is one of the most exciting cities in the world, with great dining, shopping, nightlife, and other attractions.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

However, you should also make time to visit the ancient coastal city of Gyeongju, about two hours from Seoul by train, and Busan, the beach city that’s three hours from Seoul by train.

For those with a little more time in the country, Jeju Island and Seoraksan National Park are two other remarkable places to visit. Jeju Island was even named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places of 2023.

Accessibility With Frequent Flights

South Korea is growing in popularity thanks to increasing flight service to the capital city, Seoul. A trip to South Korea might be more attainable than you think,

There are nonstop flights from many cities across the United States, Europe, and Asia to Seoul.

Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, New York, and Boston are just some of the cities in the United States that offer frequent nonstop flights to Seoul.

Although it’s a long journey from North America, South Korea is the perfect destination in Asia to explore with just one or two weeks of vacation.

Relatively Affordable Prices

South Korea isn’t going to make it to the top of the list for the most budget-friendly travel destinations in Asia, but it is considerably more affordable than some of its neighbors.

Compared to popular destinations like Japan or Singapore, you can save a lot more money on a vacation to South Korea when it comes to everything from accommodations to transportation to food.

According to the website Budget Your Trip, you should expect to spend around $90 per day on travel in South Korea. This is significantly less than Japan ($112 per day) or Singapore ($166 per day.)

Of course, you can easily spend much more, but overall a trip to South Korea doesn’t have to cost as much as you might expect.

No More Travel Restrictions

Asia as a whole was slow to reopen to tourism after heavy restrictions were put in place during Covid, and South Korea was no exception.

However, the country finally dropped all entry requirements in September 2022, including testing and vaccine requirements.

South Korea still had a strict indoor mask mandate in place until January 2023, when it was dropped everywhere except for public transportation. Even the public transportation mask mandate was finally lifted in March 2023.

Although many Koreans still voluntarily wear masks, travelers are not required to do so.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

[ad_2]

Source link

March 26, 2023
Argentina Is Exploding In Popularity Right Now – Here’s What Americans Love About It

[ad_1]

Share The Article

Last Updated 9 mins ago

Having re-emerged from the health crisis as a free, more welcoming country, Argentina is exploding in popularity right now, drawing in a record number of visitors and comfortably leading recovery trends in South America.

But what is it about Argentina that has been captivating so many Americans lately?

Believe it or not, South America is one of the strictest continents in the world for travel right now, at least when it comes to entry restrictions. Only a handful of countries have lifted their border measures, while an overwhelming majority continues to adhere to an early-pandemic state of alert.

Argentina is, of course, not one of them, but its relaxed border policies are far from being the only reason why it is so trendy all of a sudden:

Pre-Pandemic Capacity Exceeded By 101%

According to a new report published by the Latin American and Caribbean Air Transport Association, abbreviated to ALTA, Argentina has officially exceeded its pre-pandemic levels of passengers in January 2023, suggesting this year could be on track to become the country’s biggest since records began.

Effectively, it has reached 101% of growth in the first month compared to January 2019, placing Argentina at the forefront of the tourism scene in the wider Latin World: no other destination in the geopolitical group has kickstarted 2023 as successfully:

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Although it is still likely to top an ‘overall passenger numbers’ chart somewhere, Mexico has only grown by 25% compared to 2019, perhaps slowed down by Cancun’s less potent rebound; meanwhile, Brazil is yet to return to its pre-pandemic traffic, having got as far as 93%, with no growth in January 2023.

The fact that Brazil has recently decided to re-impose visa requirements for Americans is also not playing out in its favor. In Chile’s case, where 88% of January traffic levels have been recovered, the slower growth can be attributed to a strict border regime and other harsh local anti-COVID measures.

In other words, Argentina is crushing it compared to its strongest competitors. But how did it outpace them so quickly?

One Of The Safest Countries For Tourists In South America

Not only is it relatively affordable to visit, with the excellent currency exchange rate, but Argentina also ranks as one of the safest countries in South America. It is one of only three countries in the continent where Americans are not advised to exercise ‘increased caution’ when visiting or even avoid visiting at all by the U.S. State Department.

Crime rates in parts of Argentina are surprisingly low — lower than some U.S. cities, for that matter — and urban safety levels are high, with cities like Buenos Aires, Rosario, La Plata, and Mendoza all deemed low-risk. In comparison, neighboring Brazil has one of the highest crime rates globally.

And then, it boasts an endless supply of cultural attractions. You could easily spend an entire month in Buenos Aires only and never exhaust your possibilities, from wandering the city’s colorful La Boca district to indulging in fine dining, watching a polo match in upscale Palermo, or simply marveling at the beautiful 18th and 19th-century Europe-inspired architecture.

Well-delineated by wide boulevards flanked by green patches, interspersed with Belle epoque, Art Deco, and Neo-Gothic buildings, Buenos Aires has deservedly earned the nickname ‘Paris of South America‘, and in this respect, it is easily the most beautiful capital Mercosur capital.

In other parts of the country, tourists will find glaciers and even Welsh-speaking minorities, particularly in the Patagonian South, as a result of a large influx of migrants from Wales. Alternatively, approaching the border with Brazil, where the Iguazu Falls are located, the landscape is dominated by vineyards, tropical forests, and hiking trails.

The diversity is immense, and it won’t be long until you’re enamored with Argentina yourself.

No COVID Entry Requirements

Lastly, Argentina has no entry requirements, as mentioned above. In order to visit from the U.S., you will not be expected to present a vaccination card upon boarding nor undergo any form of testing upon landing. Entry is a breeze, and the attitude towards COVID is much more relaxed than it was in 2020 or 2021.

Americans are generally allowed to stay in Argentina legally for up to 90 days as tourists, though there have been instances where they were granted a longer sejour.

Traveler Alert: Don’t Forget Travel Insurance For Your Next Trip!

↓ Join Our Community ↓

The Travel Off Path Community FB group has all the latest reopening news, conversations, and Q&A’s happening daily!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox

This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

[ad_2]

Source link

March 14, 2023