Museums in Quintana Roo Lose 23% of Visitors in Q2 2026

Exterior of the Museo Maya de Cancun archaeological site in Quintana Roo, Mexico

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Attendance at museums in Quintana Roo fell 22.85% in the second quarter of 2026, from 42,065 visitors between January and March to 32,452 between April and June, according to data from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) released by DataTur.

The decline represents 9,613 fewer visitors over the quarter. In total, the state’s museums received 74,517 visitors in the first half of 2026.

The year began with 16,048 visitors in January, followed by 13,808 in February and 12,209 in March. April posted a modest rebound to 13,765 visitors, but attendance then fell to 9,868 in May and 8,819 in June — the lowest monthly figure of the semester. June was down 10.63% from May and 35.94% from April.

Compared with the same period in 2025, the drop is also substantial: museums across the state recorded 92,049 visitors from January to June last year, versus 74,517 this year, a decrease of 19.05%. June 2026 saw 25.05% fewer visitors than June 2025.

The Museo de la Costa Oriental accounted for 47,598 visitors (63.88%) during the first half of 2026, while the Museo Maya de Cancún and its archaeological zone drew 26,919 (36.12%). The Museo de la Costa Oriental opened in January 2025, making 2026 its second year of operation.

DataTur noted that the figures are preliminary and may be updated by INAH.

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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