History of Cancún in Timeline

Cancún is the most populous city in Quintana Roo, Mexico, situated on the northeast coast of the Yucatán Peninsula. A major tourist destination located on the Caribbean Sea, it serves as the seat of the Benito Juárez municipality and lies just north of the Riviera Maya resort area. It holds significance as one of Mexico's easternmost points.

1916: Atlante F.C. was founded

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

1967: Government allocated funds for recreational zones

In 1967, the government allocated 2 million dollars to be administered by the Bank of Mexico to determine the feasibility of creating new recreational zones, entrusting this task to INFRATUR, a Bank of Mexico agency.

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

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

1970: Population growth in Cancún

From 1970 to 1980, the population of Cancún experienced rapid growth, averaging an annual increase of 62.3%.

1974: Cancún began as a tourism project

In 1974, Cancún began as a tourism project as an Integrally Planned Center, pioneered by FONATUR. This marked a transformation from a fisherman's island to a renowned Mexican resort.

1980: Population growth in Cancún

From 1970 to 1980, the population of Cancún experienced rapid growth, averaging an annual increase of 62.3%.

1981: North-South Summit held in Cancún

On October 22 and 23, 1981, the North-South Summit was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Cancún. Two abstract pillars made of metal crossbeams gave the structure a stepped pyramidal appearance.

September 1988: Hurricane Gilbert made a direct hit on Cancún

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

1988: Hurricane Gilbert made landfall

In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert made landfall on the Yucatán peninsula after crossing over the island of Cozumel. A loss of $87 million (1989 USD) due to a decline in tourism was estimated for the months of October, November and December in 1988.

1989: Economic impact of Hurricane Gilbert

In 1988, Hurricane Gilbert made landfall on the Yucatán peninsula after crossing over the island of Cozumel. In 1989, a loss of $87 million (1989 USD) due to a decline in tourism was estimated for the months of October, November and December in 1988.

1994: Commemorative structure was demolished

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

2002: Memorial tower was first built

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

October 21, 2005: Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula

On October 21, 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula as a powerful Category 4 hurricane. The hurricane's eye passed over the island of Cozumel and then made an official landfall near Playa del Carmen.

2005: Hurricane Wilma struck near Cancún

In 2005, Hurricane Wilma struck near Cancún. Federal, state, and municipal authorities were well prepared to deal with most of the effects on tourists and local residents.

2005: Memorial tower was damaged after Hurricane Wilma

The memorial tower was damaged after Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

2006: Squatters and irregular developments occupied mainland area

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

Football club Atlante F.C. moved to Cancún in 2007 due to poor attendance in Mexico City.

2007: Hurricane Dean made its mark on Cancún

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

2007: Hurricane Dean made landfall south of Cancún

In 2007, two years after Hurricane Wilma, Hurricane Dean made landfall as a Category 5 storm in Majahual, south of Cancún. Fierce winds stripped sand off beaches, and authorities suspended sending tourists to Cancún while evacuating those already there.

October 2009: Cancún International Airport added a main runway

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

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: Memorial tower was rebuilt

In 2010, a new version of the memorial tower was erected, and was later restored to its original appearance by Woox Pinturas.

2013: Murders related to drug trafficking in Cancún

Between 2013 and 2016, there were 76 murders in Cancún with the vast majority related to drug trafficking.

2015: Sargassum seaweed impacted Cancún tourism

Starting in 2015, Cancún 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 Cancún

Between 2013 and 2016, there were 76 murders in Cancún: 31 in 2016, with the vast majority related to drug trafficking.

January 2017: Homicides in Cancún

In January 2017, Cancún experienced a number of homicides. The number of homicides in January 2018 tripled the number from January 2017.

January 2018: High wave of violence in Cancún

Beginning in January 2018 with a high wave of violence, Cancún experienced 33 homicides in January alone, triple the number from January 2017, putting the city above the national average in homicides.

June 2020: Atlante F.C. relocated back to Mexico City; Cafetaleros de Chiapas relocated to Cancún

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

June 2020: Construction of Tren Maya started

The Tren Maya construction started in June 2020, will connect Cancún to Palenque, Chiapas with intermediate stops on the Yucatán peninsula, and operations started on December 15, 2023.

2020: Quintana Roo implemented VisiTAX for international visitors

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: Sargassum season became an annual occurrence

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

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

In 2022, the Fútbol Americano de México (FAM) league, in which the Tiburones de Cancún (Cancún Sharks) played, was dissolved.

October 2023: WTA Finals held in Cancún

In October 2023, the WTA Finals were held in Cancún. Players like Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina criticized the facility.

December 15, 2023: Tren Maya operations started

The Tren Maya's operations started on December 15, 2023 connecting Cancún to Palenque, Chiapas with intermediate stops on the Yucatán peninsula.

2023: Record number of tourists visited Cancún

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

April 2024: New air-conditioned buses running along routes R-1 and R-2

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 subsidiary interested in operating buses in Cancún

In August 2024, it was reported that a subsidiary of ADO was interested in operating 184 units in Cancun.

February 2025: Cancún to host WTA 125 tennis tournament

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.