$675M Cruise Boom Coming to Quintana Roo by 2027

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Following a working tour in the United States by Bernardo Cueto, head of Quintana Roo’s Secretariat of Tourism, and Vagner Elbiorn Vega, director of the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo, a $675 million investment in the state’s ports by major cruise lines has been confirmed.

The largest project, set to break ground in Mahahual in southern Quintana Roo, is tentatively scheduled to open in the summer of 2027. Simultaneously, Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Beach Club in Cozumel remains on track, further solidifying the region as a top international destination for cruise tourism—a market that attracted seven million visitors last year.

Mahahual’s $600 Million Mega-Project

The Mahahual development, a $600 million undertaking, will occupy an 81-hectare plot near the local pier. Key features include:

• Loco Water Park: Over 30 water slides, including Jaguar’s Peak, touted as the world’s longest.
• Splash Cove: A floating neighborhood with the largest lazy river globally, floating bars, and a 9,000-square-meter pool.
• Exclusive Adult Zone: A private beach club spanning 3 kilometers of white-sand coastline.

Royal Caribbean executives estimate the project will generate 3,000 jobs—1,000 during construction and 2,000 for ongoing operations. The development will also integrate with the Tren Maya (Maya Train) and include a dedicated water treatment plant and reverse osmosis system for self-sufficient potable water.

Cozumel’s $75 Million Royal Beach Club

The Royal Beach Club Cozumel, with a $75 million investment, is slated to open in 2026. However, the project faces opposition from environmental groups like Citymar, which warns of risks to the coral reef barrier. Guadalupe Álvarez Chulim, leader of Citymar, stated that the club—alongside the expansion of the SSA México pier and a proposed fourth cruise pier—threatens Cozumel’s marine ecosystem. The group plans to protest once environmental permits are filed.

Background and Challenges

The Mahahual project was initially announced in September 2024 but faced uncertainty due to controversy over a proposed $42 immigration fee for cruise passengers. After eight months, Royal Caribbean confirmed its commitment, though the required Environmental Impact Statement (MIA) has yet to be submitted to federal authorities.

The investment follows a promotional tour by Quintana Roo officials, including a presentation in New York, to bolster the state’s tourism infrastructure.