During a recent trip to Cancun for TravelAge West, I had an “off-the-record” conversation with a friend who works in the travel industry about how this Mexico beach destination has evolved. We also talked about three topics that may change how vacationers view Cancun, and how they visit. Here are three potentially important trending topics to keep your eye on when you plan that next Cancun vacation:
- You Can’t Use Uber (For Now)
The most immediate change is that Uber isn’t working in Cancun anymore — at least for now. The reason why, according to my friend, is that taxi drivers have too much political clout and used that to convince politicians to make it impossible for Uber to function in the city. That’s not good for vacationers, who often prefer the safer and more price-consistent predictability that Uber offers. But fear not: My friend predicts it will be back. “The market demands it,” she says.
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2. You Might Take a High-Speed Train
There’s been talk for years about building a high-speed train that would connect Cancun with Tulum and the Riviera Maya. That could make travel within this tourist-popular part of the Yucatan peninsula easier and more efficient (although again, this could be something that taxi drivers won’t like). Supposedly talks are heating up again.
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3. You Might be Able to Light a Joint (Legally, if One Tourism Official Has His Way)
In January 2018, Mexico’s minister of tourism, Enrique de la Madrid, voiced his support for legalizing marijuana in the nation’s two biggest beach vacation destinations: the states of Quintana Roo (home to Cancun and the Riviera Maya) and Baja California Sur (home to Los Cabos). The minister feels that legalization and government regulation of the marijuana industry in those destinations could help to reduce criminal violence. It’s not a done deal, but this could not only improve safety but also make the city more attractive to some travelers.