Cancún Then and Now: How It’s Changed From 1999 to 2025

A nostalgic trip down memory lane, 26 years ago

The beauty of Cancun is one thing that has never changed

When I first flew into Cancun back in 1999, the airport felt almost sleepy compared to what it is today. There were only two terminals, a couple of baggage belts, and not much in the way of restaurants or shops. You grabbed your bags, dodged a few timeshare reps, and you were in the Hotel Zone within minutes.

This time, I honestly didn’t recognize the place. I returned in November of 2025, to find that once small, simple airport has turned into a full-blown international hub with four terminals, millions of passengers a year, and flights coming in from all over North America and Europe. What used to feel like a busy beach destination now feels like the main gateway to the entire Riviera Maya.

Back then, everything about traveling through Cancún felt easier — less crowded, less chaotic, more relaxed. Today, it’s practically its own city, with endless dining options, lounges, shopping, and a constant buzz of people at all hours. It’s more modern, sure, but that laid-back charm from the ’90s is definitely harder to find.

The Pyramid We Could Still Climb

Here I am, before heading up the pyramid back in 1999

One of the most significant differences between 1999 and 2025 is the state of Chichén Itzá.

In 1999, you could still climb all the way to the top of El Castillo, the Pyramid of Kukulkán — something that’s completely forbidden now. I still remember that climb like it happened last week.

I didn’t look around, didn’t take in the view — I just put my head down and climbed. Somehow, I made it to the top in under a minute. But the moment I stood up and turned around, reality hit me hard. I was way higher than I expected, and, not being a lover of heights, my legs suddenly turned to jelly.

Then the real panic set in. Okay, I made it to the top. Now I have to get back down.

Going up took less than a minute. Coming down took nearly twenty. I did it by sitting down and easing myself down one steep step at a time, gripping the edges and trying desperately not to look at the ground. It wasn’t elegant, but it worked.

Today, it’s a memory nobody else will ever get to experience, because climbing the pyramid was banned years later to protect the structure and people`s safety; several accidents and deaths had resulted from climbing up there.

Climbing is not allowed no. photo taken November 2025

Now, not only can you not climb it, but you’re also kept a reasonable distance back from the base. It’s protected like the historical treasure it is, and rightfully so — but for those of us who climbed it back then, it’s something we’ll never forget.

**Cancún’s Massive Growth**

Cancún itself has changed just as dramatically.

In the late ’90s, the Hotel Zone felt big but not overwhelming. There were long stretches between resorts, and outside the tourist areas, the city still felt fairly small. Today, the skyline has filled in, the traffic is heavier, and the population on the mainland has exploded.

More mega-resorts, more shopping plazas, more all-inclusives, more everything.

At the same time, there’s better infrastructure and more options for travelers — improved highways, organized tours, and now the Maya Train, which connects Cancún to places like Tulum, Mérida, and Palenque. It’s no longer just a beach holiday spot; it’s become the launchpad for exploring a vast region.

What Hasn’t Changed

Even with all the growth, a few things have stayed exactly the same.

That first moment when you step into the turquoise Caribbean water still feels magical. The sunsets over the lagoon still look like paintings. And standing in front of the Pyramid of Kukulkán — even from a distance — still sends a little shiver down your spine.

Cancún from 1999 to 2025 tells two stories:

• My personal story — the version I saw when the airport had only two terminals, and you could still scramble up those ancient steps.
• The bigger story is a destination that grew into one of the world’s busiest and most polished tourist regions.

I feel lucky to have experienced the old version of Cancún, the one that was a little simpler and a lot more laid-back. And I feel even more fortunate that I climbed that pyramid when it was still allowed — even if the climb down took me twenty minutes and a whole lot of nerve.

It’s difficult not to compare Cancun then and now, with 26 years between both trips, but it was fantastic then and still is today. It might look a little different these days, but the weather, the food, and the people make it an unforgettable destination.

Nigel Taylor is a travel writer exploring Colombia, Costa Rica, Thailand, Mexico, the USA, and much more. Follow for more destination guides, travel tips, and expat insights.