Out of all the sunny destinations that are currently smashing records and close to selling out for the long-awaited winter period, such as the mighty Cancun and Punta Cana, Cabo is the one experiencing the fastest recovery and biggest increase in the number of tourists – but what is it about the Pacific coast of Mexico that has got Americans so hooked?
Tourism in Cabo may have slowed moderately for two and a half years due to the disruptive health crisis, but the fact it never closed its doors to sun-seekers and adopted looser restrictions on everyday life kept it from fading into the background. The relaxed measures seem to have paid off as the Pacific enters a new golden age of tourism.
Yes, the Riviera Maya remains Mexico’s best-selling product, but a growing number of Americans now favor Cabo instead. This is why:
Californians Make Up the Majority of Visitors to Cabo
‘The Capes’ are a dual attraction comprising the neighboring cities San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, which jointly form a major resort strip straddling the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula. They are also conveniently located in an area of outstanding beauty, where Magic Towns, golden sand beaches, and marine parks can be found.
As confirmed by the Los Cabos Tourism Board, the cities are expected to reach the end of 2022 with a total of 3.3 million guests hosted – a growth of more than 20 percent compared to 2021, and a 32% ‘compounded growth’ over the five-year period between 2017 and now. Naturally, Americans are the main contributors to Cabo’s excellent year-on-year results.
More specifically, Californians, who make up the majority of foreign tourists, or 68% of arrivals. They are the main beneficiaries of cheaper flight deals to Cabo. As reported by our sister website The Cabo Sun, flights departing from San Diego cost $240 round-trip from January through March, while airfares in Los Angeles average an even lower $179.
Americans (or Californians) are not the only ones avoiding Cancun: the Canadian market is projecting 19.3% more seats for the six-month period between December and May. Within Mexico itself, seat availability is expected to increase by 95.8% compared to the pre-pandemic era. Needless to say, locals and gringos alike are infatuated with Cabo.
The Wellness Capital of Mexico
Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Tourism Board, was quoted saying they take a ‘holistic approach’ in their promotional efforts. Instead of becoming yet another one of Mexico’s over-touristed, excessively developed tourist zones, their goal is to establish The Capes as a sustainable destination that cares for ‘the environment, community, culture and more’.
It’s precisely Cabo’s sustainability and laid-back vibes that make it such an appealing alternative compared to a much busier and far pricier Cancun. Exceeding expectations, it beat the Mayan capital, its strongest competitor domestically, to the number one spot as Best Destination in Mexico during this year’s Travvy Awards.
On top of that, it has kept on top of all the latest trends that will define travel in 2023, including wellness and ‘workcations’:
As concluded in research conducted by the Global Wellness Institute, The Capes are the wellness capital of Latin America. Its vast collection of world-class all-inclusive retreats, which line the seafront and offer guests an escape from the chaos of the modern world, has undoubtedly advanced its brand as a wellness center.
Additionally, the local Government has partnered with vacation rental platforms to encourage slow travel and long-term stays, in the first campaign of its kind in the country. Unsurprisingly, Cabo’s stunning nature, cultural relevance, and vibrant social scene led Airbnb to name it one of the top five destinations in Baja California Sur for digital nomads.
In sum, Cabo’s popularity is largely attributed to its natural resources, cultural wealth, incredible gastronomy, and fast-developing real estate, with an extra 1,500 hotel rooms to be delivered by 2024. If your heart is set on the azure waters of the Pacific, perhaps you should consider booking a seat on a (shockingly affordable) semi-private jet leaving from LA this winter. (https://www.traveloffpath.com/cabo-experiences-record-increase-in-tourists-heres-why-some-americans-love-it-more-than-cancun/)
