Mahahual Residents Block Cruise Port, Demand Basic Services

Mahahual, Quintana Roo — Residents of the Paseo del Puerto neighborhood blocked access to the Costa Maya cruise port on Thursday morning, demanding basic services and urban improvements, which disrupted tourism during the arrival of three cruise ships carrying over 12,300 visitors.

Around 25 residents gathered at the port’s main entrance with signs and slogans directed at the Othón P. Blanco municipal government and Royal Caribbean, preventing tourists and service providers from entering or leaving for several hours. The protest led to the cancellation of tours for passengers from the Celebrity Constellation, which carried 2,500 cruise passengers, and affected arrivals of the Norwegian Viva with 3,200 passengers and the Harmony of the Seas with 6,600. Service providers estimated losses exceeding two million pesos from the first ship alone.

Protesters said the Paseo del Puerto neighborhood houses about 90 families and faces issues including deteriorated streets, lack of public lighting, poor garbage collection, absence of security, and problems with drinking water and drainage. They noted they held a similar protest in August last year without definitive results and have since awaited fulfillment of commitments related to basic infrastructure.

The settlement is considered private, belonging to the Mahahual Tourism Promoter, which limits the municipality’s ability to provide formal public services. Residents requested the municipal government regularize the neighborhood to access works and services, and asked Royal Caribbean, as the future owner of the subdivision, to formalize in writing commitments to repair streets, lighting, and drainage.

Nabil Eljure, the subsecretary of government, confirmed that the cruise company is already working on a repair project. “Royal Caribbean is already on the project to repair the streets, lighting, and damaged drainage,” he said. He acknowledged that the dissatisfaction centers on the lack of a formal written commitment, adding, “They need a more formal commitment that they haven’t received in the terms they want.”

Eljure stated that work could begin this month and that the state government will mediate a meeting between the company and residents around February 19 or 20. He also noted the problem has persisted for two decades, saying, “It’s a problem that has been dragging on for 20 years. A corporation the size of Royal Caribbean doesn’t pick things up and start working the next day; they have internal processes.” He emphasized the conflict is between private parties, though the state government participates as a mediator.

The protest proceeded peacefully. State Preventive Police officers arrived to maintain a presence without intervening, as no acts disturbing public order were reported.

Business representatives and community voices said the blockade does not represent the majority of Mahahual, describing it as a small group, and noted open working tables with authorities to address backlogs. They warned such actions directly impact the local economy and create a perception of instability that could discourage investment. “Mahahual needs unity, dialogue, and solutions built jointly,” they said in a statement to the business sector and community, calling for strengthened coordination with all levels of government and avoidance of measures affecting the rest of the population.

The incident highlights the challenge of balancing tourism growth with the quality of life in host communities. Costa Maya is the country’s second most important cruise port and a key income source for hundreds of families. Authorities and business leaders agree that a lasting solution requires formal agreements, planning, and follow-up to prevent social discontent from again paralyzing Mahahual’s main tourist gateway.