Cruise Passenger Fee at Mexican Ports to Rise to $10 in August

Cozumel, Quintana Roo — Cruise passengers arriving at Mexican seaports will pay US$10 starting August 1, double the current $5 Non-Resident Fee (DNR), under a phased schedule agreed between the federal government and cruise lines.

Vagner Elbiorn Vega, director of the Integral Port Administration of Quintana Roo (Apiqroo), said concerns that the fee would hurt competitiveness at ports like Cozumel and Mahahual have eased. He noted that Cozumel has posted clear growth in the first half of the year compared with 2025.

“Destinations keep growing, and that shows the gradual approach has allowed the industry to adapt without affecting arrivals,” he said.

The DNR applies to foreign passengers arriving by sea. The official schedule has four stages: $5 from July 1, 2025 to July 31, 2026; $10 from August 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027; $15 from July 1, 2027 to July 31, 2028; and $21 from August 1, 2028 to September 30, 2030.

Cruise lines are responsible for collecting the fee and remitting it to the National Institute of Migration (INM). The phased structure was negotiated to avoid a sharp impact on cruise arrivals after an original rate of $42 was floated.

Quintana Roo accounts for more than 60% of Mexico’s cruise tourism, with the ports of Cozumel and Mahahual reporting strong numbers. Industry data shows Cozumel has maintained growth in passenger numbers and ship arrivals during the first six months of 2026 compared with the same period last year. Port officials and cruise lines agree the gradual increase has helped keep the destination competitive against other Caribbean ports.

The next adjustment, to $15, is scheduled for July 2027. The increase is part of a broader effort to align the tax treatment of maritime visitors with that of air passengers, who already pay the fee.