1,500 Cancún Businesses Face Closure Over Unrenewed Licenses

Cancún, Mexico — The deadline for renewing business operating licenses in Benito Juárez Municipality has been extended to May 2, 2025, after which authorities will begin enforcement operations targeting non-compliant establishments. According to Alberto Covarrubias Cortés, Director of Fiscalization, approximately 20,000 licenses have been renewed so far, leaving an estimated 1,500 businesses at risk of temporary closure.

Verification Operations to Begin May 3

The municipal government will launch inspection and notification efforts starting May 3, focusing on businesses that have failed to update their documentation since 2023. Covarrubias stated that inspectors will issue formal notices to non-compliant establishments, giving them 10 days to rectify the situation.

“If the issue is not resolved within that period, the business will face temporary closure and a fine,” Covarrubias explained. After closure, owners will have an additional 30 days to submit proof of license renewal or evidence that the process has been initiated.

Continued Oversight of Bars and Nightclubs

The municipality will also maintain weekend inspections of bars and nightclubs, particularly 23 establishments in downtown Cancún and the Hotel Zone. These operations, which began during Easter break, aim to enforce permitted operating hours—2:00 a.m. for downtown venues and 4:00 a.m. for those in the Hotel Zone—and prevent underage entry.

While no penalties were issued during the initial phase, authorities confirmed that the checks will continue as a preventive measure.

Last year, 19,000 licenses were renewed, indicating that at least 1,500 businesses remain out of compliance. The current estimated total of active businesses in the municipality ranges between 21,000 and 22,000.