History of Cancún in Timeline

Cancún, the most populous city in Quintana Roo, Mexico, is a major tourist destination situated on the Yucatán Peninsula's northeast coast. Located on the Caribbean Sea, it's a key point along Mexico's Riviera Maya. The city is divided into several areas, most notably the Hotel Zone, which is the core tourism area.

1916: Atlante F.C. Founded

Football club Atlante F.C. was founded in 1916 in Mexico City.

1967: Government allocates funds for recreational zones

In 1967, the Mexican government allocated a 2 million dollar fund to be administered by the Bank of Mexico. The funds were intended to determine the feasibility of creating new recreational zones, preferably in areas without viable development alternatives. This task was entrusted to INFRATUR, an agency of the Bank of Mexico.

January 23, 1970: Development of Cancún as a resort

On January 23, 1970, the development of Cancún as a resort began. At that time, Isla Cancún had only three residents who were caretakers of a coconut plantation. Approximately 117 people resided in nearby Puerto Juárez, a fishing village and military base.

1970: Population growth begins

From 1970 to 1980, Cancún's population grew by an average of 62.3% annually.

1974: Start of tourism project

In 1974, Cancún began as a tourism project and Integrally Planned Center under FONATUR. It transformed from a fisherman's island to one of Mexico's most well-known resorts.

1980: Population growth continues

From 1970 to 1980, Cancún's population grew by an average of 62.3% annually.

1981: North-South Summit held

On October 22 and 23, 1981, the North-South Summit was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Cancún. The structure had abstract pillars and details representing Quetzalcoatl, resembling the pyramid of Chichen-Itza.

September 1988: Hurricane Gilbert hits Cancún

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

1988: Hurricane Gilbert hits Yucatán peninsula

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

1989: Estimated loss due to decline in tourism

In 1988, the Cancún region estimated a loss of $87 million USD in 1989 due to a decline in tourism for the months of October, November and December, due to Hurricane Gilbert.

1994: Demolition of Commemorative Structure

In 1994, the municipal authorities of Cancún decided to demolish the commemorative structure because the city had been the scene of Hurricane Gilberto, leaving only the solid concrete base and the metal skeleton.

2002: Memorial tower built

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

October 21, 2005: Hurricane Wilma makes landfall

On October 21, 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula as a Category 4 hurricane, passing over Cozumel and making landfall near Playa del Carmen. The center passed just to the west of Cancún, Quintana Roo.

2005: Hurricane Wilma impacts Cancún

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

2005: Tower damaged by Hurricane Wilma

The memorial tower was damaged after Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

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: Atlante F.C. moved to Cancún

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

2007: Hurricane Dean impacts Cancún

In 2007, Hurricane Dean also made its mark on the city of Cancún.

October 2009: New runway at Cancún International Airport

In October 2009, the Cancún International Airport commenced operation of an added main runway.

2010: Los Zetas take control of smuggling routes

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

2010: New memorial tower erected

In 2010, a new version of the memorial tower was erected after pleas by the local people. The tower was later restored to its original appearance thanks to a donation by Woox Pinturas.

2013: Murders related to drug trafficking

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

2015: Sargassum seaweed impacts tourism

Starting in 2015, Cancún's tourism industry was significantly impacted by the appearance of large amounts of Sargassum seaweed on its beaches every summer.

2016: Murders related to drug trafficking

Between 2013 and 2016, there were 76 murders in Cancún, 31 of which occurred in 2016 and were related to drug trafficking.

January 2017: Homicides in Cancún

The number of homicides in January 2018 was triple the number from January 2017.

January 2018: High wave of violence

Beginning in 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: Construction of Tren Maya begins

Construction of the Tren Maya began in June 2020, connecting Cancún to Palenque, Chiapas.

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

In June 2020, Atlante F.C. relocated back to Mexico City and Cafetaleros de Chiapas moved to Cancún, being renamed Cancún F.C.

2020: Implementation of VisiTAX

In 2020, the Quintana Roo government implemented a law that all international visitors arriving to the State of Quintana Roo are required to pay a fee called the VisiTAX. Visitors with a Mexican passport are exempted from the tax.

2021: Annual Sargassum Season

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

2022: Dissolution of Fútbol Americano de México (FAM) league

The Tiburones de Cancún (Cancún Sharks) were a professional American football team who played in the Fútbol Americano de México (FAM) league until the league's dissolution in 2022.

October 2023: WTA Finals held in Cancún

In October 2023, the WTA Finals (Women's Tennis Association) were held in Cancún, in a temporary stadium in Plaza Quintana Roo. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina criticized the facility.

December 15, 2023: Tren Maya operations started

On December 15, 2023, operations started for the Tren Maya. Passengers can take a free electric shuttle from Cancun Airport to the Tren Maya Station.

2023: Record Number of Tourists

In 2023, Cancún saw a record 21 million tourists, surpassing the original estimate of 20.5 million.

April 2024: New Air-conditioned Buses

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. It was also announced that the two routes would be phased out in favor of a new corridor that ran between the Hotel Zone and Kabah Avenue