Quintana Roo Tightens Rules for Scuba Divers Arriving With Specialized Gear

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Tourism officials in Quintana Roo met with Cancún customs authorities and nautical industry representatives to smooth the way for divers who arrive in the Mexican Caribbean carrying specialized equipment.

The State Tourism Department, known as Sedetur, said the meeting focused on improving entry procedures for visitors traveling with gear that is not standard tourist luggage. The activity draws more than 500,000 tourists to the state each year.

Participants reviewed the types of equipment used to explore caves and caverns, as well as cameras, housings and other devices used for underwater photography and video.

Among the agreements reached, the group proposed:

• Strengthening training for customs personnel.
• Establishing direct communication channels with dive service providers.
• Offering clearer information to travelers about what they can bring into the country.

Bernardo Cueto Riestra, who heads Sedetur, said institutional coordination is essential to address the specific needs of the diving segment and to improve the experience of visitors to the state.

Quintana Roo offers a wide range of settings for the activity, from marine ecosystems to cave and cavern systems. State officials have described diving as part of the Mexican Caribbean’s broader strategy to diversify its tourism offerings.

The meeting also sought to address concerns raised by industry members about customs procedures for temporarily importing specialized equipment.