Puerto Juárez, Mexico — The sector of small boat operators in Puerto Juárez, one of the principal points of access to Isla Mujeres, continues to face a difficult stage marked by a significant decrease in demand. The community is currently operating at approximately 35% of its capacity, based on an estimated total of 130 vessels; only those operators who maintain an active presence on social media are managing to attract tourists.
The majority of arriving visitors come from Latin American countries such as Colombia, Paraguay, Costa Rica, and El Salvador, in addition to a smaller number of domestic tourists, primarily from Yucatán, Campeche, Tamaulipas, Baja California, and Mexico City.
Despite these adversities, the operators express hope that the situation will improve in the coming months and have announced promotional strategies to boost tourist arrivals. However, concern is growing over the potential entry of a ferry company from the Grupo Xcaret, which, after conducting tests at the pier of the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo, could begin operations in the area.
If confirmed, this development would increase competition in the ferry market to Isla Mujeres, further complicating the situation for local cooperatives. The resilience of the local sector will be tested in an increasingly challenging environment, where tourism recovery and adaptation to new market players will be key to its survival.
The situation in Puerto Juárez reflects the current challenges facing tourism in Cancún and underscores the importance of diversification and institutional support for recovering economic dynamism and maintaining jobs in the region.
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