More Tourists: Cruise Ships in Yucatán Spike by 82%,

Progreso benefits from having the world's longest pier, stretching four miles into the Gulf of Mexico

Despite a sagging overall economy, one bright spot remains at Puerto Progreso. Between January and August this year, the port welcomed 102 cruise ships and more than 311,000 passengers, generating an estimated $14.9 million in economic impact for the region.

The numbers represent an 82.1% increase in vessels and 68.7% jump in visitors compared to the same period in 2024, positioning the port as one of Mexico’s fastest-growing cruise destinations.

The growth comes as cruise tourism booms across Mexico, with the country recording 5.6 million cruise passengers in the first half of 2025—an 8.4% increase nationally.

Governor Joaquín Díaz Mena traveled to Miami this week to meet with executives from major cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean, as part of efforts to strengthen strategic partnerships and expand Yucatán’s presence in Caribbean maritime tourism.

During his meeting with André Pousada, Regional Vice President of Government Relations for Latin America at Royal Caribbean, officials highlighted Mexico’s role as a cornerstone of regional tourism growth and discussed the cruise line’s commitment to sustainable development at port destinations.

The Yucatecan delegation included Tourism Secretary Dario Flota Ocampo, Strategic Projects Coordinator Dafne López Martínez, Undersecretary of Investment, Trade and Industry Roger Góngora García, and Undersecretary of Sustainable Tourism Development Raúl Paz Noriega, along with business leaders from the tourism sector.

Flota Ocampo emphasized that Yucatán has strong potential to become a competitive fixture on major cruise itineraries, citing the state’s infrastructure improvements, tourist attractions and long-term vision for growth.

The momentum builds on earlier success this year, when Puerto Progreso saw a 131% increase in cruise ship arrivals during the first four months of 2025 compared to 2024. The port welcomed 74 vessels carrying more than 200,000 passengers between January and April alone.

Puerto Progreso benefits from having the world’s longest pier, stretching four miles (6.5 kilometers) into the Gulf of Mexico. The deep-water facility has undergone significant upgrades in recent years, with the state increasing its investment in port expansion from 7.9 billion to 12.225 billion pesos ($438 million to $678 million).

Infrastructure improvements have included 60 million pesos ($3.3 million) allocated for street enhancements, underground utility lines and cultural center renovations designed to better accommodate growing passenger volumes.

The port is also developing what will become Latin America’s largest shipyard, further expanding its maritime capabilities beyond passenger tourism.

Royal Caribbean has shown particular interest in Mexican destinations recently, announcing plans for a $600 million private beach resort in Mahahual, scheduled to open in fall 2027. The development will feature seven themed neighborhoods across more than 200 acres (81 hectares) along the Caribbean coast.

Cruise industry analysts note that Caribbean destinations remain the top choice for American cruisers, with 72% of U.S. cruise passengers heading to the region in 2025. Overall, 19 million Americans are expected to take ocean cruises this year, according to AAA projections.

The growth in Progreso forms part of the state’s Mayan Renaissance initiative, which aims to advance sustainable development, global integration and economic strengthening through maritime tourism and other strategic sectors.

State officials project that Puerto Progreso will receive 158 cruise ships by the end of 2025, potentially bringing more than 400,000 international visitors to explore Mayan archaeological sites, colonial cities and coastal attractions across the region.

The meetings in Miami signal Yucatán’s continued push to compete with established Caribbean cruise ports like Cozumel, which remains the busiest cruise destination in the region. Building relationships with cruise line executives is seen as essential to securing long-term commitments and regular itinerary placements.

For Progreso, the expansion of cruise tourism has created opportunities for local restaurants, tour operators, craft vendors and transportation services that depend on visitor spending when ships dock at the port.

If You Go

• Puerto Progreso is located 22 miles (36 kilometers) north of Mérida • Popular shore excursions include visits to Chichén Itzá (2 hours away), Dzibilchaltún (20 minutes) and Uxmal • The port features a renovated boardwalk with shops, restaurants and beach access • Most cruise ships dock early morning and depart by late afternoon • Tours to archaeological sites typically require 4-6 hours round trip