Maya Ka’an Named Among National Geographic’s 25 Best Destinations for 2027

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Maya Ka’an will step into the global spotlight in 2027 after being officially included among the 25 best places to travel in National Geographic’s Best of the World list for that year, a distinction that positions the destination as a model of more sustainable tourism that leaves benefits with local communities.

Andrés Aguilar, undersecretary of Tourism in Quintana Roo, said the recognition highlights the 76 communities that make up the destination and the richness the region offers — with the Caste War Route as a central part of the experience.

That route, he said, brings together experiences from the Maya world, many of them validated by UNESCO, and all of it stands to gain from the National Geographic mention.

Catalog of Maya experiences being updated

Aguilar said officials are currently updating the catalog of Maya-world experiences, opening the door for more cooperative businesses to join the listing and the broader effort in the destination. Those businesses, he said, are distinguished by their authenticity, sustainability, innovation and proper management of the region’s heritage.

He noted that the Mexican Caribbean is fortunate to have a wide range of destinations, each with a very different character, and that together they remain a uniquely attractive proposition on the global stage.

The recognition, along with honors received by other destinations in the region, strengthens the area as a whole — particularly during what he acknowledged have been difficult years.

“It has been a complicated year, but that is not exclusive to Quintana Roo. It is a situation that prevails globally,” Aguilar said. “There have been regions of the world where the numbers have even dropped 22% compared with others; you only have to look at the Middle East to see what is happening.”

He said the global tourism picture is complex, but Quintana Roo is doing its part: “What is up to us is not to stop promoting, not to stop showcasing our destinations. Tourism is a resilient activity, and we expect it to stay that way.”

Aguilar added that the state is working toward goals set out in its Master Plan for Sustainable Tourism, which addresses not only growth but the well-being of the communities themselves.