In response to substantial opposition from the cruise industry, the Mexican government has significantly reduced its proposed cruise passenger tax, initially set at $42 per person. The revised tax will commence at $5 per passenger starting July 1, 2025, and will incrementally increase over the subsequent years: $10 from August 2026 to July 2027, $15 from July 2027 to July 2028, and reaching $21 in August 2028.
This tax applies once per voyage, regardless of the number of Mexican ports visited or whether passengers disembark. The initial $42 fee, approved by Mexico's Congress, faced criticism for potentially making Mexican ports up to 213% more expensive than other Caribbean destinations, raising concerns about the country's competitiveness in the cruise market.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) and other industry stakeholders argued that such a fee could deter cruise lines from including Mexican ports in their itineraries, adversely affecting local economies dependent on cruise tourism. In response, the Mexican government postponed the tax's implementation from January to July 2025 and revised the fee structure to its current, more gradual increase.
Popular Mexican cruise destinations such as Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Costa Maya are expected to be impacted by this tax. The fee will be incorporated into the overall cruise fare, ensuring transparency for passengers.
While the revised tax is lower than initially proposed, industry representatives continue to express concerns about its potential impact on cruise tourism and local economies. Ongoing discussions between the Mexican government and cruise industry stakeholders aim to address these concerns and ensure the sustainability of cruise tourism in the region.