Mexico Sees Huge Influx of Cruise Ship Passengers in 2022

Mexico saw a surge in cruise ship arrivals and passenger numbers in the first ten months of 2022, according to the Secretary of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués. 

A total of 2041 cruise ships arrived in Mexican ports during this period, carrying a staggering 5.1 million passengers. This influx of tourists significantly boosted the local economy, with 390.1 million dollars being brought into the country.

Mexico Remains One of the Most Popular Cruise Destinations

Since cruising resumed earlier last year, Mexico has firmly re-established itself as one of the most popular cruise destinations worldwide. With Cozumel, the country has the busiest port of call in the world, and destinations on both sides of the country continue to draw cruise ships and their passengers in large numbers. 

The majority of the 2041 cruise ships and 5.1 million passengers arrived at six key ports: Cozumel, Costa Maya (also known as Mahahual), Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, and Mazatlan. These six ports welcomed a combined total of 94.6% of all cruise passengers arriving in Mexico from January to October.

On the Caribbean side of the country, traditionally one of the most popular cruise destinations, Cozumel, located in the state of Quintana Roo, saw the arrival of 864 cruise ships and a staggering 2,175,532 passengers during the ten-month period. Costa Maya, also located in Quintana Roo, received 363 cruise ships and 893,055 passengers. 

The Pacific coast and the Mexican Riviera performed equally well, with Ensenada in Baja, California, receiving 250 cruise ships and 539,456 passengers. 

Cabo San Lucas in Baja, California saw 164 cruise ships and 356,641 passengers arriving on its shores. Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco received 130 cruise ships and 305,106 passengers, and Mazatlan in Sinaloa saw 103 arrivals and 272,021 passengers.

Cruise Lines Provide a Significant Boost to the Local Economy

The head of the Ministry of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués, praised the success of these ports in attracting such a large number of cruise ship visitors. Torruco Marqués stated that the arrival of these cruise passengers during the first ten months of the year represented a significant boost to the country’s economy and tourism industry.

The arrival of cruise ship passengers to Mexico in the first ten months of 2022 represented an income of 390.1 million dollars. On average, guests who visited one of the ports in Mexico spent, on average, 75.8 dollars, surpassing by 11.1% of what was registered in the same period of 2021 of 68.2 dollars.

Mexico has long been a popular destination for cruise ship holidays, and these latest figures demonstrate the country’s continued appeal to travelers. With stunning beaches, rich cultural heritage, and a range of exciting activities and attractions, it is easy to see why so many people choose to spend their holidays in Mexico. 

As the country continues to welcome an increasing number of cruise ship visitors, this trend will likely continue in the future. In fact, Cozumel has predicted that it will surpass the 3 million passenger mark this year. 

While this is still some distance from the historical records that the popular cruise port recorded in 2019 (3.8 million), Mexico has proven to be a must-visit destination. With more cruise ships homeporting in ports nearer to Cozumel and Costa Maya, particularly in Galveston, there is no reason to assume that Cozumel will not be able to break its record next year.