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Hotel Zone (Cancún)

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Coordinates: 21°08′04″N 86°44′46″W / 21.13444°N 86.74611°W / 21.13444; -86.74611
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Hotel Zone
Zona Hotelera
City district
Hotel Zone skyline
Hotel Zone skyline
Hotel Zone is located in Quintana Roo
Hotel Zone
Hotel Zone
Location in Mexico
Hotel Zone is located in Mexico
Hotel Zone
Hotel Zone
Hotel Zone (Mexico)
Coordinates: 21°08′04″N 86°44′46″W / 21.13444°N 86.74611°W / 21.13444; -86.74611
Country Mexico
State Quintana Roo
Municipality Benito Juárez
CityCancún
Broke groundJanuary 23, 1970
District createdSeptember 1974
Dimensions
 • Length22.5 km (14.0 mi)

The Hotel Zone (Spanish: Zona Hotelera) is a designated tourist district and strip of land on the coast of Cancún, Mexico consisting of resorts, beaches, shops, nightclubs, and restaurants aimed specifically toward tourists.[1][2] The strip itself is an island shaped like the number "7" which runs parallel to the mainland.[3]

This stretch of land is the predominant reason for Cancún's popularity as a resort hub and tourist destination. The majority of Cancún's economic income is from tourism to this area.[4][5] It has gained notoriety for being a favored place among college students for spring break partying.[6]

History

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Creation

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Original 1970 master plan of Cancún by Agustín Landa Verdugo

In 1967, the federal government allocated US$2 million to the Bank of Mexico for the construction of a recreation zone on land that had not been developed yet.[7] The land that would eventually be chosen for the Hotel Zone to be built on was picked using computer modeling.[8][9] Beginning in 1970, the zone was planned to be built from scratch on an uninhabited barrier island off the coast of Cancún and Puerto Juárez, initially to be called La Zona Turística Cancún (the Cancún Tourist Zone).[10] The project was masterplanned and overseen by Mexican architect Agustín Landa Verdugo. The first hotel designed particularly for tourists opened in Cancún in September 1974.[11][12] The federal government financed the first nine hotels due to private investors not being convinced it would be profitable.[13][14] From its inception to 2024, the National Fund for Tourism Development (Fonatur) controlled, maintained, and regulated the zone's infrastructure and tourism before handing the power over to the Quintana Roo state government.[15][16]

Popularity growth

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It has since grown to be the most popular vacation and tourist district in Mexico and one of the most traveled to areas in the world, so much so that the Hotel Zone district is often confused with the city of Cancún as a whole and it has become common to use the two interchangeably.[17][18][19] The project was originally conceived to only be one resort-centered area but evolved into many sectors that vary in cost and exclusivity.[20] In 2025, 300 million pesos (US$16 million) were set aside to focus on maintenance in the area in order to "enhance the experience for tourists".[21][22] The main focus is to renovate the preexisting infrastructure in an effort to modernize the district.[23][24] In 2024, there were over 24 million tourists that year.[25]

Disasters

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Severe thunderstorm coming to shoreline

As a result of the Hotel Zone being located on a thin strip of land that protrudes into the Caribbean Sea, it has been prone to hurricanes, most notably Gilbert (1988) and Wilma (2005). These kinds of natural disasters are uncommon but when they do occur, it can devastate the economy, which forces investors to quickly rebuild.[26]

International affairs

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It has been the setting of many major international diplomatic conferences including the North–South Summit (1981) and the World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference of 2003.[27][28][29]

Economic impact

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Map
Interactive map of the Hotel Zone, showing its location in relation to the rest of Cancún

The Hotel Zone has become synonymous with the "tourist part" of Cancún, and contains many well known beaches such as Playa Tortugas and Playa Delfines.[30] It is essentially a "tourist bubble", isolated from the rest of the city and made to predominantly appeal to international visitors. This area has boosted the economy of Cancún and created many job opportunities for natives of the city.[31] It is estimated that 90% of Quintana Roo's state GDP comes from tourism.[32] In 1974, there were 2,000 hotel rooms, compared to 2005 with 27,000.[13] During the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism drastically decreased and greatly hurt the local economy.[33] There has also been a sharp decline in international tourists since 2024, with a 14% drop between July and August compared to the previous year.[34] In 2025, spring break hit a record high, reversing the effects of the previous years.[35]

Layout

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View of Cancún from the International Space Station at night, with the Hotel Zone (the strip of land on the center right) clearly visible

There are over 190 hotels in the Hotel Zone and over 35,000 hotel rooms in total.[36] The entire area is connected by Kukulcan Boulevard (Spanish: Boulevard Kukulcán) and is the primary road in Cancún, running from downtown (El Centro) to the airport.[37] There are public buses that specifically serve the Hotel Zone and drop tourists off at stops along the boulevard. The private taxi services have been under scrutiny for reports of abduction, assault, and robbing customers of valuables, with hotels warning its guests to avoid using them.[38][39] The entire district is built on a natural barrier island formed by the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System that connects to the mainland Yucatán Peninsula and is just over 22 kilometers (14 miles) long, and is bounded by Nichupté Lagoon in the west as well as the Caribbean Sea in the east.[40][41] It is one of two major zones of Cancún, the other being the El Centro (the downtown) area on the mainland which is not tourist-centered, is more traditional, has a higher crime and poverty rate, and is less economically prosperous compared to the more wealthy resort areas in the Hotel Zone.[42][43]

Tourist attractions

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Some notable tourist attractions and resorts include the Punta Cancun Lighthouse, the El Rey archaeological site, the Melody Maker hotel, the Golden Parnassus Resort, and the Mayan Museum of Cancún. The Hotel Zone has similarities to the nearby Riviera Maya, which is also a resort district to the south and includes Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, whereas the Hotel Zone only includes Cancún.

[edit]
  • Hotel Zone in 1985
    Hotel Zone in 1985
  • Hotel Zone grouping of resorts
    Hotel Zone grouping of resorts
  • Aerial view of resorts
    Aerial view of resorts
  • Wider aerial view in 2024
    Wider aerial view in 2024
  • Skyline during storm
    Skyline during storm
  • Balcony view
    Balcony view
  • Playa Delfines
    Playa Delfines
  • Beach with resort in the background
    Beach with resort in the background
  • Kukulcan Boulevard
    Kukulcan Boulevard
  • Caribbean Sea (top) and Nichupté Lagoon, bisected by the Hotel Zone
    Caribbean Sea (top) and Nichupté Lagoon, bisected by the Hotel Zone
  • Hotel Zone's nightlife scene
    Hotel Zone's nightlife scene
  • Restaurant area
    Restaurant area
  • Hotel Zone at night
    Hotel Zone at night
  • Beach in 2016
    Beach in 2016
  • Tourists on vacation
    Tourists on vacation
  • Resort on the waterfront
    Resort on the waterfront

See also

[edit]
  • Riviera Maya, similar tourist district to the south
  • Isla Mujeres, island across from Cancún that was also developed for tourism
  • Puerto Juárez, district of Cancún and original city settlement before Cancún was founded
  • Puerto Cancún, planned community and district of Cancún at the north end of the Hotel Zone
  • Seaside resort, a town on the coast where tourism runs its economy
  • Balneario, a resort town with Spanish influence and is most popular during the summer

References

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  1. ^ Siegel, Jules (December 29, 2004). Cancun User's Guide. Lulu.com. ISBN 1411639448.
  2. ^ Cantillon, Zelmarie (October 16, 2018). Resort Spatiality: Reimagining Sites of Mass Tourism. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781351010313.
  3. ^ Murray, Grant (April 1, 2007). "Constructing Paradise: The Impacts of Big Tourism in the Mexican Coastal Zone" (PDF). Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  4. ^ Lagunas Puls, Sergio (February 1, 2013). "Analysis of the Room Supply in the Hotel Zone of Cancun, Mexico: EMU 9" (PDF). Journal of Tourism Research & Hospitality. 2 (2). Universidad del Caribe (Mexico). Retrieved September 7, 2025 – via ResearchGate.
  5. ^ Garcia-Flores, Fernando (April 21, 2008). "Tourism, Trade and the Environment: Tourism and Coastal Development in the Mexican Portion of the Mesoamerican Reef" (PDF). Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  6. ^ "American Students are Flooding Cancun for Spring Break – Mind, Body and Soul". December 5, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  7. ^ "How Mexico built Cancun from scratch - Yucatán Magazine". January 3, 2019. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  8. ^ Ganninger, Daniel (June 20, 2022). "How Mexico Built Cancun Using Computer Models". Knowledge Stew. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  9. ^ "Why the Computer Chose Cancun (Published 1972)". March 5, 1972. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  10. ^ Quest, Richard; Minihane, Joe (May 15, 2024). "Cancun: The Mexican fishing village that became one of the world's hottest party destinations". CNN. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  11. ^ "How Cancún Grew into a Major Resort". earthobservatory.nasa.gov. January 24, 2020. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  12. ^ "The Ultimate Guide To Hotels In Cancun And Riviera Maya". www.odigootravel.com. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  13. ^ a b Renee Pelas, Holly (April 15, 2011). "Tourism development in Cancun, Mexico: an analysis of state-directed tourism initiatives in a developing nation". Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  14. ^ Crossan, Rob (September 20, 2024). "Cancún and the Making of Modern "Gringolandia"". JSTOR Daily. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  15. ^ Puelma, Carlos (January 19, 2025). "Cancun Secures Funds for Hotel Zone with Strategic Investment". Soy Nómada. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  16. ^ Vargas Martínez, Elva Esther; Castillo Nechar, Marcelino; Viesca González, Felipe Carlos (April 2013). "Ending a Touristic Destination in Four Decades: Cancun's Creation, Peak and Agony" (PDF). International Journal of Humanities and Social Science. 3 (8).
  17. ^ Vassallo-Oby, Christine (2010). "Circulation and Consumption: Transnational Mass Tourism in Cancun, Mexico". University at Albany, SUNY. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  18. ^ Vogelsang, Beke (September 7, 2021). "Cooperation Between Learning Venues and its Limits: The Hotel Industry in Cancún (Mexico)". University of Cologne. Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  19. ^ Rodríguez Beltrán, Jesús Gerardo (December 10, 2021). "Cancun Tourism Cluster, Q. Roo, México Country Competitiveness Project" (PDF). Retrieved June 22, 2025.
  20. ^ Kachroo-Levine, Maya. "50 Years of Cancún: How the Beachfront Haven Became a Favorite Tropical Retreat". Travel + Leisure. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  21. ^ "Millions earmarked for 2025 Cancun Hotel Zone maintenance". Riviera Maya News. December 9, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  22. ^ "Cancun's Hotel Zone to Receive Major Funding for Upgrades in 2025". December 10, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  23. ^ Magazine, Yucatán (August 5, 2025). "Famous Boulevard in Cancún Hotel Zone Gets Modern Makeover". Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  24. ^ Parker, Ian Hayden (August 18, 2025). "Cancun hotel zone modernization prioritizes safe walkways". Puerto Vallarta News. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
  25. ^ "Cancun Tourism Statistics - How Many Tourists Visit?". Road Genius. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  26. ^ Cordoba Azcarate, Matilde (2014). "Enclosures within Enclosures and Hurricane Reconstruction in Cancún, Mexico" (PDF). Archived from the original on January 1, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  27. ^ Bailey, Norman (July 15, 1996). "Cancun Summit (October 1981)" (PDF). Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  28. ^ "Chronology of Events in the Cancun WTO Ministerial Conference" (PDF). The South Centre. September 2003. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  29. ^ Berryman, Phillip (February 1, 2004). "The WTO Meeting in Cancun: Failure or Success?". Friends Journal. Retrieved September 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "Cancun, Mexico - Beyond The Hotel Zone". Marginal Boundaries. June 27, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  31. ^ Hampel, Clare (January 24, 2024). "The Business of Fun: How Spring Break Fuels Global Economic Growth". globaledge.msu.edu. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  32. ^ France-Presse, Agence (June 11, 2020). "Tourism returns timidly and cautiously to Mexico's Cancun". RAPPLER. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  33. ^ Jun, Hanah. "Effects of COVID-19 in the Yucatán Peninsula". Milken Scholars. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  34. ^ "Cancun's Troubles Go Beyond Mexico's Super Peso". Bloomberg.com. Archived from the original on January 9, 2025. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  35. ^ Sun, The Cancun (March 20, 2025). "Cancun Anticipates Record-Breaking Easter Break Tourism: Full Hotels & Packed Beaches". Cancun Sun. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  36. ^ "Cancun Hotels Information". www.govisitcancun.com. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  37. ^ "Boulevard Kukulcan | Casago Cancun". Casago. Retrieved June 23, 2025.
  38. ^ "Tourist hospitalized after being abducted from taxi outside Cancun Hotel Zone nightclub". Riviera Maya News. September 29, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  39. ^ "To tame its 'taxi mafia,' Quintana Roo approves stricter penalties on transportation-related assault". Mexico News Daily. January 31, 2025. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
  40. ^ Joaquin (April 24, 2021). "Cancun Hotel Zone - Get to know Cancun's Hotel Zone". Traveling By. Retrieved June 26, 2025.
  41. ^ Vassallo-Oby, Christine (2010). "Circulation and Consumption: Transnational Mass Tourism in Cancun, Mexico" (PDF). Retrieved September 5, 2025.
  42. ^ Hernández, Ricardo. "What Cancún's Tourists Don't See Is a Sprawling Concrete Jungle". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved September 7, 2025.
  43. ^ Marie Clark, Sherrerlyn (April 4, 2025). "Travel Advisory Update: Cancun Safety in 2025 and Tips for a Secure Visit". KTXL. Retrieved September 13, 2025.
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