The decline in American tourism hits Mexico and the Caribbean: Everything you need to know

The decline in American tourism hits Mexico and the Caribbean: Everything you need to know

Mexico joins Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Virgin Islands, Cuba, and others in the Caribbean facing a sudden decline in U.S. tourist arrivals in the last month of this year due to shifting travel trends. Despite the region’s usual appeal, with its beautiful beaches, rich culture, and vibrant tourism scenes, December saw a notable dip in visitors from the U.S. This decline can be attributed to a variety of factors, including changing travel preferences, economic challenges, and increased competition from other destinations. While these Caribbean spots continue to offer unique experiences, the decrease in U.S. arrivals signals the need for the region to adapt and reassess its appeal to maintain its position as a top tourist destination. Understanding these shifts is key for both travelers and the tourism industry in the Caribbean.

Mexico: A Slight Decline Doesn’t Diminish Its Appeal

Mexico remains the most popular destination for U.S. travelers, even though it experienced a minor decline of 5.92% in 2025 compared to 2024. With over 12 million U.S. visitors, the country still dominates the international tourism market. While the year saw some ups and downs, including a slight 1.11% drop in November, Mexico’s proximity, vibrant culture, and varied offerings keep it at the forefront of U.S. travel. Despite some challenges in 2025, Mexico continues to be a go-to destination for U.S. tourists year after year.

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	1,185,480	1,166,899	18,581	1.59%
February	1,182,457	1,266,229	-83,772	-6.62%
March	1,482,010	1,496,712	-14,702	-0.98%
April	1,134,629	1,103,019	31,610	2.87%
May	1,115,027	1,159,467	-44,440	-3.83%
June	1,321,655	1,356,123	-34,468	-2.54%
July	1,342,122	1,302,838	39,284	3.01%
August	912,305	927,271	-14,966	-1.61%
September	688,362	707,125	-18,763	-2.65%
October	1,000,224	977,138	23,086	2.36%
November	1,096,737	1,109,063	-12,326	-1.11%
December	N/A	1,486,804	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	12,465,008	13,248,688	-783,680	-5.92%

Jamaica: A Rollercoaster Year for U.S. Arrivals

Jamaica continues to be a favorite of U.S. tourists, though its 2025 performance was marked by significant fluctuations. The year started strong with remarkable growth, particularly in the summer months, but November brought a staggering 67.96% decrease in arrivals, dragging the total for the year down by 8.57%. Despite this, Jamaica’s unique charm and appeal as a tropical getaway ensure it remains a top destination for U.S. travelers, with surges in interest during peak periods.

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	147,174	147,416	-242	-0.16%
February	145,496	151,158	-5,662	-3.75%
March	179,942	189,852	-9,910	-5.22%
April	162,114	149,402	12,712	8.51%
May	158,945	156,074	2,871	1.84%
June	196,881	194,802	2,079	1.07%
July	214,373	182,001	32,372	17.79%
August	160,421	151,268	9,153	6.05%
September	103,818	99,897	3,921	3.93%
October	103,992	122,885	-18,893	-15.37%
November	43,702	136,419	-92,717	-67.96%
December	N/A	187,968	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	1,616,858	1,768,409	-151,551	-8.57%

The Bahamas: A Challenging Year for U.S. Travel

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	99,524	104,301	-4,777	-4.58%
February	116,113	118,816	-2,703	-2.27%
March	159,592	162,464	-2,872	-1.77%
April	134,051	123,141	10,910	8.86%
May	123,367	125,987	-2,620	-2.08%
June	141,115	145,297	-4,182	-2.88%
July	139,910	142,023	-2,113	-1.49%
August	90,060	97,695	-7,635	-7.81%
September	38,275	41,230	-2,955	-7.17%
October	60,912	60,591	321	0.53%
November	90,077	93,727	-3,650	-3.89%
December	N/A	122,317	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	1,192,996	1,339,609	-146,376	-10.93%

Barbados: Resilient Tourism Holds Its Ground Despite November Dip

Barbados has maintained a steady level of U.S. tourist arrivals, with a modest 1.03% increase in 2025. The country faced a small dip of 0.44% in November but had a standout performance in July, with a 37.44% surge in visitors. Barbados’ charm and appeal remain strong, as evidenced by its growth during key months. While it didn’t experience explosive growth, its consistency and appeal to U.S. travelers position it as a solid choice for tourists looking for a mix of relaxation and adventure.

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	20,187	15,976	4,211	26.36%
February	19,317	18,316	1,001	5.47%
March	23,212	23,797	-585	-2.46%
April	23,120	20,468	2,652	12.96%
May	20,363	20,265	98	0.48%
June	23,163	19,842	3,321	16.74%
July	27,847	20,261	7,586	37.44%
August	19,910	18,952	958	5.05%
September	11,235	11,606	-371	-3.20%
October	13,808	14,187	-379	-2.67%
November	17,051	17,127	-76	-0.44%
December	N/A	26,167	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	229,293	226,964	2,329	1.03%

British Virgin Islands: Early Success Amid End-of-Year Slump

The British Virgin Islands saw notable growth in U.S. tourism, with a 5.49% increase in 2025. Early in the year, the island experienced substantial growth, such as the 47.19% surge in May. However, the latter part of the year saw a slight slowdown, with November showing a 6.06% decline. Despite the slower months, the British Virgin Islands remains an attractive destination, benefiting from its early-year successes. The destination’s mix of luxurious offerings and natural beauty continues to resonate with American travelers.

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	9,749	6,821	2,928	42.93%
February	10,022	6,977	3,045	43.64%
March	11,852	9,127	2,725	29.86%
April	9,294	6,462	2,832	43.83%
May	9,018	6,127	2,891	47.19%
June	8,527	7,709	818	10.61%
July	8,066	8,123	-57	-0.70%
August	2,908	3,107	-199	-6.40%
September	1,303	1,460	-157	-10.75%
October	3,862	4,271	-409	-9.58%
November	6,792	7,230	-438	-6.06%
December	N/A	9,733	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	81,393	77,147	4,236	5.49%

Haiti: U.S. Travel Plunges to Historic Lows

Haiti is grappling with a severe decline in U.S. tourist arrivals, with a staggering 98.42% drop in 2025 compared to 2024. November saw a shocking 96.56% drop, underscoring a year of severe disruption. This sharp fall suggests that Haiti is facing not just a decline in interest, but also significant barriers to travel, including safety concerns, political instability, and economic hardships. U.S. travelers seem to have largely turned away from Haiti, signaling a need for immediate and focused recovery efforts to revive the country’s tourism sector.

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	91	5,388	-5,297	-98.31%
February	57	3,853	-3,796	-98.52%
March	90	416	-326	-78.37%
April	105	126	-21	-16.67%
May	93	1,275	-1,182	-92.71%
June	87	6,071	-5,984	-98.57%
July	70	8,002	-7,932	-99.13%
August	78	8,409	-8,331	-99.07%
September	82	6,934	-6,852	-98.82%
October	97	6,331	-6,234	-98.47%
November	79	2,297	-2,218	-96.56%
December	N/A	94	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	779	49,146	-48,367	-98.42%

Cuba: A Rocky Road for U.S. Tourism

Cuba’s tourism numbers have faced a severe downturn in 2025, with U.S. visits dropping by 35.59% overall. November was particularly harsh, showing a 47.47% decline compared to the same month in 2024. The country’s allure as a destination for American travelers seems to have diminished, with declines spanning multiple months. Political and economic challenges, along with changing travel policies, may have contributed to this significant drop, leaving Cuba struggling to maintain its once-popular standing as a go-to spot for U.S. tourists.

Month	2025 Originating	2024 Originating	YOY Change (Absolute)	YOY Change (%)
January	20,032	21,654	-1,622	-7.49%
February	16,328	22,302	-5,974	-26.79%
March	19,705	27,303	-7,598	-27.83%
April	13,639	20,152	-6,513	-32.32%
May	13,355	22,044	-8,689	-39.42%
June	14,461	20,470	-6,009	-29.36%
July	13,658	20,186	-6,528	-32.34%
August	9,958	16,151	-6,193	-38.34%
September	6,977	12,591	-5,614	-44.59%
October	8,469	13,547	-5,078	-37.49%
November	9,235	17,579	-8,344	-47.47%
December	N/A	21,906	N/A	N/A
TOTAL	145,817	226,385	-80,568	-35.59%

Mexico joins Jamaica, Bahamas, Barbados, Virgin Islands, Cuba, and others in the Caribbean facing a sudden decline in US tourist arrivals in the last month of this year due to shifting travel trends.

Conclusion

Mexico joins Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, the Virgin Islands, Cuba, and other Caribbean destinations in experiencing a sudden decline in U.S. tourist arrivals in the last month of this year. This decline can be attributed to shifting travel trends, economic factors, and changing preferences among U.S. travelers. While these destinations continue to offer unique experiences and attractions, the drop in arrivals signals the need for the tourism industry in these regions to adapt and innovate in order to maintain their appeal. Understanding these shifts is essential for both travelers and the tourism industry to navigate the changing landscape of Caribbean tourism. Source: Travel and Tour