Mexico raised its cruise passenger tax from $5 to $10 per person on August 1, 2026, marking the second increase in just over a year. The fee, collected at all Mexican cruise ports including Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Puerto Vallarta, and Costa Maya, will climb further: to $15 on July 1, 2027, and finally to $21 by August 1, 2028. Passengers traveling to multiple Mexican ports pay the tax only once per itinerary, not per port.
The tax was initially introduced at $5 on July 1, 2025, after cruise ships were exempted from Mexico's "non-resident fee" for decades. The government had originally proposed a $42-per-person charge but reduced it after industry pushback. The increases follow a strict schedule already set by Mexican authorities, so cruise lines and passengers can plan accordingly. With nearly 5 million cruise passengers visiting Mexico in the first four months of 2026 alone, the tax generates substantial revenue for tourism infrastructure and public services.
Cruise lines are absorbing the fee into ticket prices rather than passing surprise charges to passengers at embarkation. So far, no major cruise operator has pulled Mexico from its itineraries. The additional cost does add up for families taking multi-day cruises, though it remains modest compared to other international cruise destinations that have implemented similar taxes.
Mexico is far from alone in taxing cruise passengers. Greece charges €20 (roughly $23) per person to visit Santorini and Mykonos during peak season, with lower fees for other ports. Amsterdam has levied €15 ($17) per passenger per day since 2019. Hawaii passed a cruise-ship tax in 2025, though the law is currently blocked in federal court. As ports worldwide invest in infrastructure and manage growing passenger volumes, cruise taxes are becoming standard practice in popular destinations.
Originally reported by Cruise Hive, Catie Kovelman (August 12, 2026).
Are you the publisher and want this article removed? Email hello@cruiseshiptracking.com and we will remove it within 24 hours.