An American woman has died after plunging from the 18th floor of a hotel in Mexico, as police question her husband. 

The incident happened at the Breathless resort and spa in Cancun on Thursday night. 

The woman's husband alerted hotel staff, tearfully telling them that his wife had done something 'outrageous', according to local reports. 

Hotel security rushed to the scene, where they found that the woman had fallen from a height of nearly 150ft.

Emergency services were called to the hotel; however, the woman showed no signs of life and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

A police investigation has been opened into the woman's death, and her husband was arrested, as cops prepare to interrogate him on how the events unfolded. 

The woman and her husband are understood to have been guests at the hotel. 

The hotel has been contacted for comment. 

The tourist's death in Cancun comes a month after a British holidaymaker drowned after being swept away by strong waves while in the same Mexican resort town.

The 60-year-old, who was swimming with his children at San Miguelito beach, reportedly got into difficulty after entering the water despite a red flag warning.

His two children, whose ages have not been revealed, were rescued.

However, the father was pulled from the sea unconscious and, despite efforts to resuscitate him, was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The man's family are understood to have claimed lifeguards had been slow to respond.

Tourist police sealed off the area after it was confirmed he had lost his life.

Cancun is a major beach and resort destination located on the northeast coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Quintana Roo, Mexico. 

It is famed for its crystal-clear waters, white-sand beaches and vibrant nightlife.