Cancún Named World’s Most Disappointing Tourist Spot

Cancún, Mexico — A recent study by the company Radical Storage has identified Cancún as the most disappointing tourist destination in the world, based on an analysis of nearly 100,000 reviews left by visitors to the 100 most visited cities globally. The Mexican beach resort, renowned for its idyllic shores, received negative feedback from 14.2% of surveyed travelers.

Key Complaints from Visitors

Tourists cited excessive prices, scams, aggressive vendors, and a lack of authenticity as primary grievances. Safety concerns in the Latin American city were also raised. Despite its attractions—including Delfines and Tortugas beaches, Mayan ruins like El Rey, the Underwater Museum of Art (MUSA), and popular but costly theme parks such as Xcaret—Cancún topped the list of underperforming destinations.

Another Mexican location, Playa del Carmen, ranked eighth, with visitors criticizing overpricing and crime. Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic also made the list, securing third place due to complaints about aggressive vendors and inadequate infrastructure.

The Top 10 Most Disappointing Tourist Destinations

1. Cancún, Mexico: 14.2% negative reviews.
2. Antalya, Turkey: 12.2% negative reviews, citing poor customer service, overcrowded beaches, and "trap pricing."
3. Punta Cana, Dominican Republic: 11.9% negative reviews, with complaints about aggressive vendors and infrastructure issues.
4. Beijing, China: Nearly 12% negative reviews, attributed to pollution and bureaucratic hurdles for visiting certain sites.
5. Orlando, USA: 11.6% negative reviews, with visitors frustrated by long lines at attractions and high costs.
6. Mumbai, India: 10% negative reviews, citing traffic congestion and street-level insecurity.
7. Honolulu, Hawaii: 9.9% negative reviews, with tourists lamenting overcrowded beaches and steep prices.
8. Johor Bahru, Malaysia: 9.4% negative reviews, criticized for lack of cleanliness, noise, and "limited attractions."
9. Kyoto, Japan: 9.1% negative reviews, with visitors disappointed by overcrowded tourist spots and insufficient exploration time.
10. Playa del Carmen, Mexico: 9% negative reviews, primarily due to overcharging and crime.

The findings, originally reported by Clarín, highlight growing dissatisfaction among travelers in some of the world’s most frequented destinations.