The winter travel season is in full swing, and American travelers are eager to head south, seeking the Caribbean’s warm climate. The high demand for travel during this period leads to increased ticket prices, rendering some destinations less accessible due to affordability concerns.
Cancun is the most affordable beach destination to fly in for your February vacation, according to a recent Priceline survey.
At the time of the survey, the average cost of a round-trip ticket to Cancun was approximately $430.
The Mexican Caribbean has seen a sharp increase in passenger competition recently, which has put pressure on airfares for visitors to the area.
Travelers visiting the region are becoming increasingly interested in Merida. The new Tulum International Airport, which is scheduled to open in March, will also provide low-cost travel options.
The number of airlines that confirmed more flights to Cancun at the end of 2023 is not even taken into account.
For instance, during the winter, United Airlines greatly expanded the number of flights from Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
Additionally, it flies passengers to Cancun from its hubs in Denver, Houston, and Chicago on a larger Boeing 777 aircraft.
United reduced the average fare for travelers and increased the total number of seats available for visitors to Cancun.
Cancun has an average high temperature of 80 degrees in February and an average low temperature of 73 degrees, according to Weather Trends.
For those who are afraid of extremes, the record high and low temperatures for February in Cancun are 55 degrees and 87 degrees, respectively.
This is far better than the vast majority of the winter weather that most forecasters in the US are calling for next month.
Travelers may want to think about looking at resorts and hotels first before booking a flight, which is usually difficult to cancel outside of the 24-hour window refund period mandated by the US Department of Transportation.
Hotels and resorts can usually be canceled with prior notification. Before making a flight reservation, tourists should make sure that there are lodging options that fit their budget.
Concerns about sargassum seaweed in Cancun
Tourist concerns about seaweed in Cancun have been notable, especially with the early onset of the sargassum season affecting various parts of the Mexican Caribbean.
Traditionally beginning in the spring, the sargassum season has started earlier in recent years, impacting beach conditions and the overall tourist experience.
However, Cancun has implemented effective management and cleanup measures to maintain its beaches’ pristine condition. As a result, visitors to Cancun during February can expect clean and welcoming beaches, despite the earlier start of the sargassum season in other regions of the Mexican Caribbean.
Other affordable destinations in the Caribbean
These are other affordable international destinations in the Caribbean, Central America, or South America from the Priceline list based on the average cost of a roundtrip flight:
1. San Salvador, El Salvador $356
2. Medellin, Colombia $369
3. Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic $412
4. Cancun, Mexico $430
5. Montego Bay, Jamaica $437
6. Mexico City $443
7. Aruba, Aruba $467
8. Cartagena, Colombia $469
9. Nassau, Bahamas $475
10. Santiago, Dominican Republic $488