Mexico tourism hits record cruise arrivals, Canadian visitor growth in 2026

Quintana Roo recorded a historic influx of cruise passengers in the first half of 2026, with 4.2 million visitors arriving on 795 cruise ships – an 8 % increase over the same period in 2025. The state handled 75 % of Mexico’s cruise traffic, with Cozumel receiving 2.9 million passengers (up 9.1 %) and Mahahual 1.3 million. Officials highlighted steady weather and near‑full ship capacity as key factors, and forecast a total of 1.377 million cruise arrivals in Cozumel for the full year.

In Los Cabos, the tourism office expects double‑digit growth in Canadian visitors for 2026. The region welcomed about 220 000 Canadian tourists in 2025, a 20 % rise from 2024, representing 13 % of all international arrivals. Projections aim for Canadians to make up 15 % of the market in 2026, driven by better air links and targeted promotion.

Both regions illustrate a broader upswing in Mexico’s tourism sector, with cruise travel and North‑American leisure travel both contributing to stronger economic performance for 2026.