The reputation of one of Mexico’s most popular tourist destinations has taken a severe hit. Cancún tops the 2025 ranking of the world’s most disappointing tourist destinations, compiled by the international platform Radical Storage, a luggage storage specialist with a presence in more than 500 cities.
The study is based on an analysis of 97,409 reviews from travelers who visited 100 popular cities.
According to the data collected, Cancún ranks first among the destinations that disappoint tourists the most.
The main causes of dissatisfaction include excessive prices, insecurity, overcrowding, tourists, overcrowded beaches, poor customer service, loss of authenticity, and excessive commercialization.
The report also highlights that unmet expectations increase travelers’ frustration, especially in a hyperconnected environment where social media amplifies negative experiences. In extreme cases, he mentions the appearance of psychological conditions such as the so-called “Paris Syndrome”, a transient psychological disorder found in some individuals as a result of the extreme shock derived from their discovery that Paris (or some other tourist destination) is not what they expected.
Tourists who visited Cancún reported negative experiences such as inflated prices, scams, aggressive salespeople, and a sense of artificiality. Many visitors feel that what is advertised doesn’t correspond to reality.
Playa del Carmen, meanwhile, ranks tenth. The most frequent complaints are related to excessive noise, lack of safety, unpleasant odors on beaches and in accommodations, and an obvious commercial overexploitation of the destination, which generates discomfort and disappointment among travelers.
Offner Arjona, president of the Playa del Carmen Small Hotels Association, expressed his concern about the current situation. “We are digging our own grave. We must emphasize treating tourists well, having organized, safe, and clean destinations,” he stated.
Arjona also criticized the all-inclusive hotel model, which often sells an illusion far removed from reality: “What is being sold to tourists is a ‘Disneyland,’ something that is already set up, but that doesn’t reflect the real city.”
He also highlighted the lack of protection for small tourism businesses, which comply with tax payments and legal obligations, but are left behind in the face of large tourism developments.
In addition to Cancún and Playa del Carmen, the top 10 most disappointing destinations include:
Antalya (Turkey)
Punta Cana (Dominican Republic)
Beijing (China)
Orlando (USA)
Mumbai (India)
Honolulu (Hawaii)
Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
Kyoto (Japan)
TYT Newsroom
The post Cancún, One of the World’s Most Disappointing Tourist Destinations in 2025 first appeared on The Yucatan Times.