History of Cancún in Timeline
Cancún, located in the southeast of Mexico on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, is the most populous city in the state of Quintana Roo. It is a prominent tourist destination, attracting visitors with its beautiful beaches and vibrant nightlife along the Caribbean Sea. As the seat of the municipality of Benito Juárez, Cancún plays a central role in the region's tourism industry. Positioned just north of the Riviera Maya, it serves as a gateway to Mexico's Caribbean coast resort area. Known for its strategic location and appealing attractions, Cancún is a key city in Mexico's tourism sector.
1916: Founding of Atlante F.C.
Atlante F.C. was founded in 1916 in Mexico City, before its eventual relocation to Cancún in 2007 due to low attendance in its original location.
1967: Feasibility study for new recreational zones
In 1967, the Mexican government allocated $2 million, managed by the Bank of Mexico, to assess the feasibility of new recreational zones to promote tourism, particularly in areas lacking viable development alternatives. This task was given to INFRATUR, a Bank of Mexico agency.
January 23, 1970: Development of Cancún as a resort begins
On January 23, 1970, the development of Cancún as a resort commenced. At this time, Isla Cancún was home to only three residents, who were caretakers of a coconut plantation, while nearby Puerto Juárez had a population of 117. The creation of Cancún was initiated as a government project to enhance tourism.
1974: Cancún begins as a tourism project
In 1974, Cancún was established as an Integrally Planned Center, marking the beginning of its transformation into a major tourist destination. This project was a pioneer for FONATUR, formerly known as INFRATUR, and marked Cancún's development into one of Mexico's most renowned resorts.
1981: North-South Summit in Cancún
On October 22 and 23, 1981, Cancún hosted the North-South Summit at the Sheraton Hotel. The event featured a distinctive structure with metal crossbeams and flags representing participating countries, reflecting the city's growing role on the international stage.
September 1988: Hurricane Gilbert impacts Cancún
In September 1988, Hurricane Gilbert made a devastating direct hit on Cancún, resulting in significant damage to tourist hotels, which required rebuilding efforts. This hurricane was one of the largest to strike the region in recent years.
1988: Economic impact of Hurricane Gilbert
In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert caused an estimated loss of $87 million (1989 USD) in tourism revenue for Cancún during the months following the hurricane's landfall.
1989: Economic impact of Hurricane Gilbert
In 1989, Cancún continued to feel the economic repercussions of Hurricane Gilbert, with an estimated $87 million loss in tourism revenue from the previous year's hurricane-related decline.
1994: Demolition of commemorative structure
In 1994, Cancún's municipal authorities decided to demolish a commemorative structure damaged by Hurricane Gilberto, retaining only its concrete base and metal skeleton, marking the city's experience with severe climatic events.
2002: Construction of airport memorial
In 2002, a memorial tower commemorating the location of the old airport in Cancún was built with a donation from Aerocaribe. The tower stood 15 meters tall with a unique staircase design.
October 21, 2005: Hurricane Wilma makes landfall
On October 21, 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula as a powerful Category 4 storm. The hurricane's eye passed over Cozumel before making landfall near Playa del Carmen and impacting Cancún with strong winds.
2005: Damage to airport memorial by Hurricane Wilma
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma damaged the memorial tower built in 2002 to commemorate Cancún's old airport, leading to local efforts to rebuild it.
2005: Hurricane Wilma strikes Cancún
In 2005, Hurricane Wilma, one of the largest hurricanes to hit the area, affected Cancún, leading to significant preparation efforts by federal, state, and municipal authorities to mitigate its impact.
2007: Hurricane Dean's impact on Cancún
In 2007, Hurricane Dean made landfall as a Category 5 storm near Majahual, south of Cancún. It stripped sand from the beaches, prompting authorities to suspend new tourist arrivals and evacuate those already in Cancún.
2007: Hurricane Dean affects Cancún
In 2007, Hurricane Dean impacted Cancún, stripping sand off miles of beaches and causing authorities to halt new tourist arrivals while evacuating existing visitors.
2007: Atlante F.C. moves to Cancún
In 2007, Atlante F.C. moved from Mexico City to Cancún, seeking better attendance and a new beginning in the popular tourist destination.
October 2009: Cancún International Airport new runway operation
In October 2009, Cancún International Airport began the operation of a new main runway. This development allowed the airport to accommodate more flights to various destinations across North America, Central America, South America, and Europe.
2010: Control of smuggling routes by Los Zetas
By 2010, Los Zetas, a group that split from the Gulf Cartel, had taken control of many smuggling routes through the Yucatán Peninsula, impacting Cancún. This marked an increase in the influence of drug cartels in the region, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
2010: Restoration of airport memorial
In 2010, the memorial tower for Cancún's old airport, initially damaged by Hurricane Wilma, was rebuilt. However, it was later abandoned until a local company restored it to its original appearance.
2013: Murders related to drug trafficking
Between 2013 and 2016, Cancún saw a total of 76 murders, primarily linked to drug trafficking, with most incidents occurring in the urban center and some in the "Zona Hotelera."
2016: Murders related to drug trafficking
In 2016, Cancún recorded 31 murders, most of which were connected to drug trafficking, continuing a trend observed since 2013.
January 2017: Homicide rate in Cancún
In January 2017, Cancún reported a lower number of homicides compared to January 2018, indicating a subsequent increase in violence during the following year.
January 2018: Increase in homicides in Cancún
In January 2018, Cancún experienced a significant increase in homicides, with 33 reported cases, which was triple the number from January 2017. This surge in violence was part of an overall trend that placed Cancún above the national average in homicides.
June 2020: Tren Maya construction begins
Construction for the Tren Maya began in June 2020, aiming to link Cancún with Palenque, Chiapas, and include various stops throughout the Yucatán Peninsula.
June 2020: Relocation of Atlante F.C. and arrival of Cancún F.C.
On June 26, 2020, Atlante F.C. officially relocated back to Mexico City, while the relocation of Cafetaleros de Chiapas to Cancún was announced, with the team being renamed Cancún F.C., marking a significant change in the city's football landscape.
2020: VisiTAX implementation in Quintana Roo
In 2020, the government of Quintana Roo introduced the VisiTAX, a fee required from all international visitors arriving in the state. This tax does not apply to those holding a Mexican passport.
2022: Dissolution of FAM league
In 2022, the Fútbol Americano de México (FAM) league, which included the Tiburones de Cancún, was dissolved, marking an end to the league's activities and impacting the sports community in Cancún.
October 2023: WTA Finals held in Cancún
In October 2023, the WTA Finals took place in Cancún at a temporary outdoor stadium in Plaza Quintana Roo. The event drew criticism from players Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina over the readiness of the facilities for high-level tennis.
December 15, 2023: Tren Maya operations start
On December 15, 2023, the Tren Maya commenced operations, connecting Cancún to Palenque in Chiapas with stops along the Yucatán Peninsula.
2023: Cancún receives record tourists
In 2023, Cancún set a new record with 21 million tourists visiting the city, exceeding the original estimate of 20.5 million, highlighting its continued appeal as a major tourist destination.