This Hidden Gem in Mexico Was Just Named an Alternative for Tulum and Cancun—and It’s Got Turquoise Waters

As the home to popular cities like Cancún and Tulum, Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has long been a traveler favorite. However, the popularity of these cities (and the overcrowding that comes with it) can make it difficult to fully enjoy a vacation.

Fortunately, there are “detour destinations” to explore, which act as hidden gems, taking travelers away from the more-visited locales. In Mexico, the city of Cozumel is one of those destinations, according to a new report from Expedia that was shared with Travel + Leisure.

The island is known as a paradise for scuba diving, according to the travel booking site, and renowned for its national and adventure parks. Best of all, it’s accessible with a short ferry ride from nearby Playa del Carmen.

“Some of my most unforgettable travel moments come from immersing myself in local cultures, supporting local economies, and exploring less-traveled destinations,” Ariane Gorin, the CEO of the Expedia Group, said in a statement shared with T+L. “With 1 billion average monthly travel searches, Expedia Group isn’t just a travel marketplace—we’re a catalyst for positive change. We have a responsibility to shape the future of travel: one that’s smarter, more sustainable, and deeply respectful of the places we go.”

Beyond the detour to Cozumel, Expedia recommended travelers consider a trip to Abu Dhabi when they’re in Dubai; head to Palm Springs when they’re exploring Los Angeles; and visit the city of Reims, France, to toast their trip with some Champagne, which is only about 45 minutes by train from Paris.

Visiting detour cities doesn’t only help travelers escape crowds, it can also save money, similar to discounts travelers can score by booking during shoulder season.

In addition to visiting lesser-explored destinations, Expedia’s 2025 trend report showed a continued surge in the popularity of all-inclusive resorts (with the perception of all-inclusives changing for younger travelers) and set-jetting, or travel inspired by a favorite show or movie. Expedia predicted some of the most popular set-jetting trips for 2026 will be Samoa for the live-action “Moana” movie, Los Angeles for the Netflix hit “Nobody Wants This,” Wellington, New Zealand, for “Avatar: Fire & Ash,” and Yorkshire, England, for “Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.”

The company also found travelers are increasingly booking reservations at hotel restaurants due to an improvement in quality and traveling in an effort to collect local goods (think: coffee in Costa Rica, matcha in Japan, and skincare products from Korea).