They did it again.
For the second, third, fourth? We're not even sure at this point, Mexico has concluded yet another calendar year with a record number of arrivals: that's over 19 million foreign arrivals and a 16.6% increase over 2019.
2019, as you know, is the reference year for pre-health crisis figures.
Needless to say, Americans lead by a wide margin, comprising 86 percent of foreign tourists landing in Mexican airports, and thanks to the latest data from INEGI, the country's National Institute of Statistics and Geography, we now know the top 3 destinations they're flocking into:
Los Cabos
The third most popular destination for U.S. travelers south of the border, Los Cabos, in fact, refers to a duo of sisterly municipalities lining the southernmost tip of the Baja California peninsula, facing the Pacific: Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo.
The 20-mile stretch of coast linking both settlements is interspersed with unspoiled marine preserves, sun-kissed golden-sand beaches, and upscale spa resorts, including an award-winning Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal, Mexico's top-rated hotel, according to Travel + Leisure.
It is, without question, the country's most sought-after beach destination after the Mexican Caribbean, thanks to its more exclusive, upscale environment––to the tune of $600-a-night, but hey, it's not like Americans care when they know they'll be treated like royalty.
On top of that, the Mexican Capes are extremely safe: it's no wonder celebrities have been flocking here instead of Quintana Roo in recent years, not only due to the luxuriousness but also the area's lower levels of violent crime and gang activity compared to other port cities along the Pacific coast.
Mexico City
The bustling capital of Mexico, Mexico City (or CDMX, in its Spanish acronym) is officially the country's second-most visited destination, boasting connections with as many as 23 U.S. airports, and being a short 3 to 5-hour flight away for most Americans.
Whether you're here for the incredible cuisine or just some sightseeing, one visit to CDMX is simply not enough to do it justice: tourists keep coming back year after year to explore its diverse neighborhoods, sample food from local markets, and admire the stately architecture.
From the Zócalo, playing host to the 16th-century Metropolitan Cathedral, to an elegant Condesa, where leafy avenues are lined with posh colonial homes, and all the way to Polanco, with its fine dining scene and buzzing shopping streets, there's plenty in CDMX to keep you busy for weeks on end.
Of course, no visit to the Mexican capital is complete without a day trip to Teotihuacan: one of the country's largest archeological complexes, it is an open-air museum that features towering pyramids and ornately carved temples––and you can book a tourist trap-free visit from only $17.28 per person.
Cancun
It's not like you didn't see it coming: with a Hotel Zone straddling turquoise waters and a bustling entertainment district packed full of lively beach bars and casinos, Cancun is all the rage this gloomy season (and every other).
It receives its fair share of criticism for not being as authentic as other Mexican destinations and catering primarily to middle-income earners who are cosplaying as big spenders for the week, but there's no denying that it's just what you need after another long, laborious year.
If you're not yet sure where to go for your next Spring Break vacay, there are plenty of all-inclusive offers in Cancun starting from $2,941 for the week at the luxurious Hyatt Vivid Grand Island, or if you value exclusivity, the adults-only TRS Coral Hotel in Costa Mujeres will set you back by $3,999.
Similarly to Cabo, Cancun is far from being a budget-friendly destination, that is, if you're envisioning sipping mimosas by a winding pool adjacent to the ocean and getting pampered all week, but you can rest assured it's money well-spent.
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