Cancún Underwater Art Museum Reports 20% Drop in Summer Bookings

Tourists snorkeling above the underwater sculptures at MUSA Cancun

Cancún, Quintana Roo — The Museum of Underwater Art (MUSA) in Cancún has reported a 20% drop in reservations this summer, a decline that has raised concerns at the venue as the low season approaches.

Roberto Díaz Abraham, founder and president of the museum, confirmed the drop and attributed it to heightened attention to sargassum by competing destinations, negative perceptions among international tourists, and a lack of more aggressive tourism promotion campaigns.

Despite the financial hit, Díaz Abraham said the lower visitor numbers provide a welcome reprieve for the area’s natural reefs. Still, he acknowledged that expectations for the coming months remain cautious.

The museum generates most of its revenue through direct sales of snorkeling, diving and glass-bottom boat tours booked through its digital platform, which records about 13,000 monthly visits and roughly 4,000 unique users.

The summer slowdown breaks a period of growth for MUSA. In 2025, it welcomed approximately 115,000 visitors, up 15% from the 100,000 recorded the previous year.

Looking ahead, the museum plans to boost its online marketing and strengthen partnerships with travel agencies and hotels to sustain demand during the slower months in the Mexican Caribbean.

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By Laura Castillo

Laura Castillo covers tourism, business, and economic development across Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, and the wider Riviera Maya for Riviera Maya News & Events. She tracks the region's most important business stories — from hotel investments and airline route expansions to real estate market trends and local economic policy — helping English-speaking readers stay informed about the economic pulse of Mexico's Caribbean coast.Laura has been reporting on Quintana Roo's tourism sector since 2020, closely monitoring developments in Cancun's hotel zone, Tulum's rapidly growing commercial corridor, and the evolving business landscape in Playa del Carmen. Her coverage includes corporate investments, employment trends, infrastructure projects, and the economic impact of events like sargassum seasons and hurricane preparation.Before joining Riviera Maya News & Events, Laura worked in business development and market analysis in the Riviera Maya region, giving her first-hand insight into how tourism, real estate, and local commerce intersect. She is fluent in English and Spanish.For story tips: laura@rivieramayanews.mx