It was a tiny beach town, tucked amid mangroves and Mayan ruins, the stomping ground of yogis and artists and creative types. 

In the last decade, though, the Mexican Caribbean town of Tulum has exploded, surging into one of the hippest, most in-demand places to visit in the Caribbean Basin. 

What was once the home of boutique hotels and wellness retreats is now a development hotspot, with major brands like Hilton, Kimpton and Marriott all entering the market and real estate projects popping up all over the town, from the jungle to the sand.

But the biggest change is happening later this month, when Tulum’s brand new international airport begins welcoming flights from the United States. 

The new Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport was officially inaugurated in December, and is already handling domestic traffic on carriers like Viva and Aeromexico. 

In the next few weeks, the major American air carriers will begin connecting the US and Tulum — a significant boon for the destination and for travelers, who will be able to shave off what is a nearly two-hour driving trip between Cancun and Tulum. 

It’s a who’s who of American carriers: Delta, Spirit, United, American and JetBlue, all of which will be flying between the US and Tulum beginning March 28. 

Delta will kick things off, with service between Atlanta and Tulum; on March 28, American will launch with service from Charlotte, Miami and Dallas-Fort Worth. 

Spirit will be operating routes to Tulum from Orlando and Fort Lauderdale on the 28th.

On March 31, United will begin nonstop flights from four source cities: Newark, Los Angeles, Houston and Chicago (part of a bigger Mexico expansion that includes more flights to Cancun, Puerto Vallarta and San Jose del Cabo). 

Then, in June, JetBlue begins service out of New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. 

For more, visit The Tulum Airport.