Quintana Roo sargassum levels reach record high, impacting tourism

Quintana Roo has recorded a record 133,646 tonnes of sargassum seaweed collected in 2026, according to the state environment ministry. The massive influx of brown macroalgae is significantly impacting the Mexican Caribbean's tourism sector, particularly the wedding market. Industry estimates suggest approximately 10,000 wedding reservations have been affected.

To address the crisis, the Mexican federal government has included the ‘Sargazo Project’ in its 2027 Economic Package. The initiative allocates 1.867 billion pesos (approximately $96 million USD) to combat the seaweed. Managed by the Ministry of the Navy (SEMAR), the funding will support specialized vessels, containment equipment, and land-based processing infrastructure.

The environmental impact has coincided with a decline in tourism metrics. Data from Grupo Aeroportuario del Sureste (Asur) shows a 5.7 percent drop in passenger arrivals at Cancún International Airport between January and August, alongside a 6.1 percent decline in international travelers. Local hotel associations in areas such as Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres have reported occupancy rate decreases of up to 7.5 percentage points compared to the previous year.