History of Cancún in Timeline

Cancún is the most populous city in Quintana Roo, Mexico, situated on the Yucatán Peninsula's northeast coast. A major tourist destination, it also serves as the seat of the Benito Juárez municipality. Located on the Caribbean Sea, Cancún is positioned just north of the Riviera Maya, a popular resort area along Mexico's Caribbean coast.

1916: Atlante F.C. founded

In 1916, the football club Atlante F.C. was founded in Mexico City.

1967: Government allocated fund for recreational zones

In 1967, the government allocated a $2 million fund, managed by the Bank of Mexico through INFRATUR, to assess the feasibility of creating new recreational zones, focusing on areas lacking viable development alternatives.

January 23, 1970: Development of Cancún as a resort started

On January 23, 1970, the development of Cancún as a resort was initiated. At that time, Isla Cancún was inhabited by only three caretakers of a coconut plantation, while approximately 117 people resided in nearby Puerto Juárez.

1970: Population Growth Started

In 1970, the population growth annually on average by 62.3%.

1974: Cancún began as a tourism project

In 1974, Cancún initiated its journey as a tourism project under FONATUR, transitioning from a fisherman's island into one of Mexico's premier resorts.

1980: Population Growth Outpaced Quintana Roo

In 1980, the population growth annually on average by 62.3%.

1981: North-South Summit

On October 22 and 23, 1981, the North-South Summit was held at the now defunct Sheraton Hotel.

September 1988: Hurricane Gilbert hit Cancún

In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert made a devastating direct hit on Cancún, requiring tourist hotels to be rebuilt.

1988: Hurricane Gilbert landed on the Yucatán peninsula

In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert made landfall on the Yucatán peninsula after crossing over the island of Cozumel.

1989: Loss in tourism due to Hurricane Gilbert

In 1989, an estimated $87 million (USD) loss due to a decline in tourism was calculated for the months of October, November and December in 1988 as a result of Hurricane Gilbert.

1994: Demolish the commemorative structure

In 1994, the municipal authorities of Cancún decided to demolish the commemorative structure because of the climatic-environmental phenomena in the history of the Yucatan Peninsula, Hurricane Gilberto. The sculpture was irreversibly affected, leaving only the solid concrete base and the metal skeleton.

2002: Tower memorial was first built

In 2002, a tower memorial was first built with a donation by Aerocaribe, a local airline.

October 21, 2005: Hurricane Wilma made landfall

On October 21, 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, passing over Cozumel and near Cancún.

2005: Hurricane Wilma hit near Cancún

In 2005, Hurricane Wilma, the largest hurricane in recent years, struck near Cancún.

2005: Structure was damaged after Hurricane Wilma

In 2005, the structure of the tower memorial was damaged after Hurricane Wilma.

2006: Squatters and Irregular Developments

In 2006, squatters and irregular developments occupied an estimated ten to fifteen percent of the mainland area on the fringes of the city.

2007: Hurricane Dean made its mark on Cancún

In 2007, Hurricane Dean also impacted the city of Cancún.

2007: Atlante F.C. moved to Cancún

In 2007, the football club Atlante F.C. moved to Cancún due to poor attendance in Mexico City.

2007: Hurricane Dean Made Landfall

In 2007, two years after Hurricane Wilma, Hurricane Dean made landfall as a Category 5 storm, impacting Cancún and causing beach erosion. Authorities suspended tourist arrivals and evacuated existing tourists.

October 2009: New Runway Operational at Cancún International Airport

In October 2009, the Cancún International Airport commenced operation of an added main runway, facilitating flights to various destinations.

2010: Los Zetas took control of smuggling routes

By 2010, Los Zetas, a group that broke away from the Gulf Cartel, had taken control of many smuggling routes through the Yucatán, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

2010: New version was erected

In 2010, a new version of the tower memorial was erected, which was later abandoned without proper maintenance.

2013: Murders related to drug trafficking

Between 2013 and 2016, there were 76 murders related to drug trafficking.

2015: Sargassum Seaweed Impacted Tourism

Starting in 2015, Cancun tourism was significantly impacted by the appearance of large amounts of smelly Sargassum seaweed on its beaches every summer.

2016: Murders related to drug trafficking

In 2016, there were 31 murders related to drug trafficking in Cancún.

January 2017: Homicides

In January 2017, the number of homicides increased in Cancún.

January 2018: High wave of violence

Beginning in January 2018 with a high wave of violence, Cancún is above the national average in homicides. In January 2018 alone, there were 33 homicides, triple the number from January 2017.

June 2020: Relocation of Atlante F.C. and Cafetaleros de Chiapas to Cancún

In June 2020, Atlante F.C. relocated back to Mexico City, and Cafetaleros de Chiapas relocated to Cancún, renaming themselves Cancún F.C.

June 2020: Tren Maya Construction Started

In June 2020, construction began on the Tren Maya, connecting Cancún to Palenque, Chiapas.

2020: VisiTAX Implemented

In 2020, the Quintana Roo government implemented the VisiTAX, requiring international visitors to pay a fee upon arrival.

2021: Sargassum season became an annual occurrence

By 2021, Sargassum season had become an annual occurrence at many Caribbean beach destinations, including Cancun.

2022: Dissolution of the FAM League

In 2022, the Fútbol Americano de México (FAM) league dissolved, ceasing the operations of the Tiburones de Cancún (Cancún Sharks).

October 2023: WTA Finals held in Cancún

In October 2023, the WTA Finals were held in Cancún, at Plaza Quintana Roo with a capacity of 4,300. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina criticized the facility, saying that it was unacceptable for high level tennis, not ready in time for practice, and there was no time to fix it.

December 15, 2023: Tren Maya operations started

On December 15, 2023, the Tren Maya operations started, connecting Cancún to Palenque, Chiapas.

2023: Record Number of Tourists Visited Cancún

In 2023, Cancún welcomed a record 21 million tourists, surpassing the initial estimate of 20.5 million visitors.

April 2024: New air-conditioned buses were running

In April 2024, SEA announced it had received 100 new air-conditioned buses, and were running them along the R-1 and R-2 routes.

August 2024: ADO interested in operating buses

In August 2024, it was reported that a subsidiary of ADO, which already operates buses in Merida, was interested in operating 184 units in Cancun.

February 2025: Cancún Tennis Open

Since February 2025, the Cancún Country Club Residencial & Golf in Cancún hosts the WTA 125 tennis tournament "Cancún Tennis Open", that takes place on outdoor hardcourts.