Despite recent headlines, Mexico still tops the list for a warm-weather escape. Whether for spring break or a summer getaway, travelers continue to flock everywhere—from the ultra-buzzy streets of Mexico City to the laid-back, lazy-river lounging of Los Cabos. With new nonstop routes across a range of budgets, fresh hotel openings, and thoughtful renovations of beloved resorts, Mexico remains a clear “yes” as a go-to spring and summer destination.
Is It Safe To Go?: Violence in Jalisco Sparks Travel Concerns
On Sunday, Feb. 22, violence erupted in Mexico’s popular tourist destinations of Puerto Vallarta and Guadalajara, both located in the Jalisco region, following the reported death of Nemesio “El Mencho” Oseguera Cervantes, leader of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación.
In response, the U.S. Department of State issued a “shelter in place” order for U.S. citizens in the area as major disruptions and panic spread throughout the region.
Following the reported killing, cartel members set fire to vehicles and blocked roads surrounding the airport, leading to flight cancellations and widespread concern about traveling in and out of the country.
What U.S. Travel Advisories Actually Say
The latest U.S. State Department advisories distinguish between higher-risk states and established tourism corridors. Yucatán and Campeche currently hold the lowest Level 1 rating (“exercise normal precautions”), while popular vacation destinations such as Quintana Roo (including Cancún and the Riviera Maya), Baja California Sur (Los Cabos), Mexico City, Nayarit, and Oaxaca are categorized as Level 2 (“exercise increased caution”).
Notably, this Level 2 designation is the same advisory level assigned to countries like France and the United Kingdom. Los Cabos, in particular, operates as a relatively contained tourism “bubble,” with authorities maintaining visible security in hotel zones, along major highways, and in high-traffic visitor areas.
Experts advise travelers to remain in well-traveled areas, book reputable accommodations, arrange airport transfers in advance, and practice common-sense safety measures—especially when engaging in nightlife activities.
Tourism Remains Strong
Despite recent incidents, tourism in Mexico continues to thrive. In 2025, the country welcomed more than 88 million visitors, breaking previous records. Momentum has carried into 2026, with over 1.1 million U.S. travelers visiting in January alone—positioning Mexico for another potentially record-breaking year.
How To Get There: Airlines Expand Access And Offer Competitive Fares
Major carriers are leaning into demand with aggressive pricing. American Airlines, for example, regularly promotes economy round-trip deals from Dallas, Miami, Philadelphia, and Charlotte to destinations like Cancún and Los Cabos, with sample fares starting in the low-to-mid $300s for select spring and summer travel dates.
United Airlines is offering similarly competitive pricing, including featured fares from Houston and Newark to Cancún and Los Cabos starting in the low-$300 range for economy seats on select itineraries.
Low-cost carriers are also making Mexico more accessible. Frontier Airlines is expanding its footprint with a new weekly nonstop route from Raleigh-Durham (RDU) to Cancún (CUN), launching March 7, 2026. Introductory one-way fares are as low as $99.
The route is part of a broader 23-route U.S.–Mexico expansion aimed at making warm-weather travel more attainable—particularly for budget-conscious travelers looking to stretch their vacation dollars without sacrificing destination appeal.
Where To Stay: From The Family-Resorts To The Culture Seeker’s Hideaway
UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya
About an hour south of Cancún International Airport, UNICO 20°87° Riviera Maya is an adults?only, all?inclusive retreat on a pristine Caribbean stretch, with 448 design?driven rooms and suites—many with ocean views and private plunge pools—plus a handful of modern Mexican and global restaurants, buzzy bars and lounges, a full?service holistic spa with hydrotherapy, and daily programming like mezcal tastings, traditional dance classes, and art workshops, all complemented by curated off?property excursions to Chichén Itzá and ATV adventures through the jungle, making it an easy, intentionally adult playground.
La Casa de la Playa — Riviera Maya
For travelers who think the Riviera Maya is made up of nothing but water slides and bland buffets, La Casa de la Playa is the exception. This ultra?intimate property features just a few dozen oceanfront suites, each one outfitted in contemporary Mexican design with a touch of Caribbean flair. The onsite Muluk Spa leans into ancient healing rituals with hydrotherapy circuits, salt and mud spaces, and treatments rooted in Mayan tradition, creating a wellness experience that feels distinctly of place.? After dark, the resort doubles down on romance and exclusivity. Private cenote dinners turn natural caves into candlelit dining rooms, while sunset yacht cruises reframe the coastline as a moving postcard. For design?savvy travelers, it’s the Riviera Maya distilled: intentional, sensual, and built for people who care as much about atmosphere as they do about sunshine.
Mondrian Mexico City Condesa — Mexico City
The Mondrian Mexico City Condesa puts guests in the center of Mexico City’s metropolitan heartbeat. Set within the historic Aristos Building, the hotel’s interiors by AIME Studios and AoMa Estudio emphasize the capital city’s creative rhythm with bold artwork, lush plantings, and sleek lines that nod to mid?century modernism. Located in the busy Roma?Condesa, the hotel’s public spaces, including rooftop bars, courtyards, and dining rooms, double as social stages, attracting a mix of hotel guests and city insiders. The hotel is surrounded by some of the best food of the Latin Americas, with the best of Mexico’s world?class restaurants, cutting?edge cocktail bars, independent galleries, and boutiques all within walking distance. On?site, venues like Cleo Condesa and the rooftop Skybar offer Mediterranean?leaning menus to enjoy while taking in the skyline views.
Casa Kimberly — Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta’s Casa Kimberly channels Old Hollywood romance from its overlook in the hilltop Gringo Gulch neighborhood. Once the intertwined mansions of Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton, the property is now a nine?suite boutique hotel that preserves the drama of old luxury with its arched stone corridors, tiled staircases, white domes, and balconies that look straight out over the Bay of Banderas. Suites layer antique?inspired furnishings with present?day comforts, many featuring private terraces and plunge pools.? The Iguana Restaurant and Tequila Bar has become a destination in its own right, drawing guests and locals alike for candlelit dinners, classic Mexican dishes, and cocktails sipped to the soundtrack of live music. It’s an escape for travelers who want their Mexico to come with a backstory, a little glamour, and plenty of photo?ready corners.
Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa – Los Cabos
On the Los Cabos Tourist Corridor, Villa La Valencia Beach Resort & Spa is the perfect balance of family fun and adult-centered luxury. Kids can enjoy the 1,148?foot lazy river that loops around the property, making it one of the longest in Mexico, while mom enjoys the Azul Wellness Spa Center and its full-service massages, hydrotherapy circuits and renowned hydrafacials. Lined with palms and desert landscaping, the location invites guests to float past sun decks, swim?up bars, and glimpses of the Sea of Cortez, turning a simple pool day into a slow?motion sightseeing route.? The resort backs that signature feature with modern beachfront suites, multiple pools, on?site dining, and a spa tailored to post?sun decompression. As part of The Villa Group portfolio, it’s an easy fit for families, couples, and groups who want the convenience of an all?in?one resort but with a marquee amenity that keeps everyone happily occupied.