As winter approaches, American travelers are increasingly eyeing Caribbean destinations for their getaways, with Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the Mexican Caribbean leading the pack, according to data from Mabrian, a global travel intelligence platform.
Mabrian analysis, based on the Share of Searches Index which tracks flight searches from the top 20 U.S. airports indicates a growing interest in various Caribbean locales. This index reflects market interest independent of confirmed bookings, highlighting trends in flight search behavior for trips scheduled between November 2024 and February 2025.
The United States remains a crucial source market for the Caribbean, with the Caribbean Tourism Association (CTO) reporting approximately 16.3 million stay-over arrivals from the U.S. in 2023, marking a 12.7% increase year over year.
Notably, Costa Rica has seen the most significant rise in demand, with inspirational interest increasing by 33% compared to the previous year.
The Daniel Oduber Quirós Internationa
l Airport, serving the northwestern region, is experiencing a staggering 54% surge in demand, driven by access to popular coastal areas such as Tambor and Tamarindo.
Puerto Rico follows with a 9% increase in inspirational travel demand, while the Mexican Caribbean, including Cancun, Cozumel, and Tulum, has experienced an average growth of 6%.
The recent opening of the Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport in Tulum has further bolstered interest, contributing to a consistent demand trend for the region.
Despite the overall positive outlook, some Caribbean destinations are witnessing a decline in interest. Jamaica has reported a 17% drop in searches, with Montego Bay seeing a notable 23% decrease.
The Bahamas has experienced a similar fate, with searches down 20%, particularly for Nassau, though interest in the more laid-back Grand Bahama has increased by 6%.
As winter travel plans take shape, the Caribbean is poised to remain a favored destination for American travelers, with Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, and the Mex
ican Caribbean at the forefront of this demand.
For further updates and insights into travel trends, stay tuned to Mabrian ongoing analyses.
Source: Tourism Africa