According to a survey by CheapHotels.org, Cancun was the most expensive destination for New Year’s Eve celebrations in 2015. The study compared 30 global destinations, looking at the lowest available rates for double guestrooms from December 30 to January 2 at three-star and higher properties with desirable locations and generally positive guest reviews.
The survey found the lowest available rate in Cancun for those three nights to be about $311 — an increase of roughly 274% compared with rates at the same properties later in January. Close behind Cancun was Dubai, where the most affordable rates for the same period were about $302, a 176% jump. Miami ranked third, with rates rising to approximately $286, a 300% increase compared with post-holiday prices.
At the other end of the spectrum, some of the most affordable New Year’s Eve destinations included Buenos Aires, Shanghai and Bogota, where rooms could be found for as little as $38 during the December 30–January 2 period. Notably, Bogota’s room rates actually decreased by about 8% during those dates, bucking the overall trend of holiday price spikes.
These results highlight how New Year’s travel can drive substantial price surges in popular party destinations, while other cities remain comparatively budget-friendly. Travelers planning end-of-year trips should compare dates carefully and book early to avoid steep peak-season premiums.