An incredible 58.6% of all international trips taken by United States travelers are to Mexico — but if you think everyone is heading to the beach, you’re wrong.
Mexico is increasingly seeing a new kind of tourism trend, taking travelers far from the coast and to culturally rich destinations at impressive rates. Mexico City saw a 21% increase in tourism arrivals in just one year.
To meet the changing tides, resorts in Mexico take on the look and feel of an amenity-rich city “resort.” Some of these offerings look good enough to convince even the most beach-loving traveler to abandon their spot on the sand in Cancún.
The Variety of Mexico
The appeal of Mexico’s most popular beach destinations is undeniable. Mexico’s Anahuac University estimates that sun and sand adventures largely contributed to the country’s 9.4% tourist growth over pre-pandemic levels.
However, experts say it is just one part of the increasingly diverse attractions that draw visitors.
“The promotion of Mexican gastronomy, the rise of adventure tourism in mountainous regions, and a focus on sustainability have contributed to new destinations shining, offering travelers an authentic and enriching variety throughout the country. This shift reflects the diversity and richness of experiences that Mexico has to offer beyond its stunning coastlines,” says Rainer Weinberg, General Manager of W Mexico City, a city resort in the heart of Mexico City.
Mexico City’s meteoric rise as a trendsetting culinary and cultural capital has been one of the most profound tourism changes. Time Out magazine recently named Mexico’s capital city the #1 city in the world for culture, an increasing travel priority for many travelers.
Home to many of the best things to do in Mexico, some of the region’s best high-end restaurants, low-cost street food, and unique accommodations, an increase in tourist arrivals is just the start. Visitors from the United States are even sticking around for more than just a vacation, with the number of Americans applying for permanent residency soaring by 85% in recent years.
Despite the unique appeal of a Mexico City stay, many travelers crave plush resort experiences they would have enjoyed during a coastal vacation. To meet such demand, hotels in Mexico City, once tailored to business travelers, are rebranding, utilizing fixtures and features of a resort-like experience in the city — sans sand.
W Mexico City
Located in the heart of the upscale Polanco neighborhood, W Mexico City is one destination that brings Mexico City without sacrificing coastal resort perks. Weinberg says that W Mexico City provides “a stylish retreat near the diverse cultural experiences of iconic neighborhoods, making it a convenient base for exploring Mexico City’s rich history and contemporary vibrancy.”
While the sleek 237-room hotel caters to many business travelers, its impressive offerings draw leisure travelers and even locals. W Mexico City’s stated “whatever/whenever” philosophy has made it a hit among travelers craving the city’s cultural richness, with a little extra.
Amenities like pools, fitness centers, and spas might seem standard elsewhere, but feel intentional here, boasting colorful style drawn from the city’s vibrancy. Details like a traditional Mesoamerican temazcal, offering age-old ceremonies that feel a world away, are hard to come by amid the city’s hustle and bustle.
W Mexico City’s most impressive draw is its next-level food and beverage options, which shine with Mexican flavors and international favorites. The colorful Living Room Bar “highlights the flavors, colors, and aromas found in the streets and fairs of the country” while letting growing Mexican mixology trends shine. Visitors enjoy breakfast at the hotel’s 25DOS restaurant and finish their meal with the classic chile-crusted tamarind and mango bites from the Mexican candy cart.
For business travelers and leisure visitors, it’s one of the best ways to connect with the authentic taste of Mexico City as a culinary capital, one of the major draws in the city’s budding tourism appeal, without ever needing to leave the hotel.
More Than Just the Beach
For travelers who can’t picture a trip to Mexico without the beach, Mexico’s three major coastal destinations — Cancún, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos — continue to shine. The international airport in Cancún saw a whopping 35% increase in international arrivals in December 2023 over its pre-pandemic levels, the same Anahuac University report on tourism in Mexico finds.
However, rather than the only story to tell about tourism in Mexico, the popularity of the beach vacation is now one of its many facets. Travelers, now more than ever, realize how much more Mexico offers.
