Quintana Roo Leads Southeast Mexico in FDI in First Half of 2026

Beachfront hotel development in Quintana Roo, Mexico, with foreign investment

Cancún, Quintana Roo — Quintana Roo attracted $436.1 million in foreign direct investment (FDI) during the first half of 2026, making it the leading destination in southeastern Mexico, according to the Economy Ministry’s National Registry of Foreign Investment updated as of June 30.

The state received $196.5 million in the first quarter and $239.6 million in the second. The half-year total trails the pace of 2025, when Quintana Roo attracted $1.064 billion, its best annual result in the recent series.

Regional comparison

Among neighboring southeastern states, Yucatán reported $260.9 million in the period; Tabasco, $254.6 million; Chiapas, $77.7 million; and Campeche, just $34.3 million.

The United States and Spain posted the largest investment shares, with much of the capital flowing into the tourist industry.

At the national level, Mexico accumulated $34.97 billion in FDI during the first half, a 2% increase from the same period a year earlier. Quintana Roo accounted for 1.25% of that total.

Hotel-led investments

Hotel construction and renovation by international operators drove much of the first-half inflow despite the slower tourism season. In Costa Mujeres, a St. Regis property developed with Marriott and partner investors opened with $250 million invested and 213 rooms. Spain’s Excellence Group announced at the Fitur travel fair its sixth Finest hotel in Quintana Roo, a project valued at more than $250 million with opening planned for early 2027. Hyatt allocated about $300 million toward renovating and repositioning hotels formerly run by AMResorts in the Mexican Caribbean.

The federal Tourism Secretariat says Quintana Roo holds 20% of the national tourism investment portfolio, with 58 active projects. Hotel chains Riu and Iberostar continue to carry out construction and openings in Cancún, Costa Mujeres and the Riviera Maya; those projects are recorded as FDI once capital arrives or is reinvested.

Despite the slowdown compared with 2025, the state remains the clear leader of Mexico’s southeast and the biggest draw for foreign capital on the Yucatán Peninsula.

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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