Mexico Cruise Excursions Get More Expensive With New Fees

Foreign cruise passengers disembarking at popular Mexican vacation spots now face doubled entrance fees as part of a multi-phased tax plan. Effective August 1, the fee has increased from $5 to $10 per person for visitors to destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, and Costa Maya.

These fees are just the initial phase of increases planned over the next two years. The levy is scheduled to rise to $15 per passenger on July 1, 2027, and further increase to $21 by August 1, 2028.

Clint Henderson, a managing editor at The Points Guy, noted that travelers are encountering more taxes and fees across the travel industry. He described the current hike as "frustrating" and suggested it may impact demand for Mexico-bound cruises. The increased costs come as other expenses in the cruise industry, such as fuel and onboard services, have also been rising. For example, StarDream Cruises recently added a daily fuel surcharge to its Asia voyages due to skyrocketing oil prices. Additionally, Celebrity Cruises increased its daily gratuities by $1.50 per person without prior notice.

Mexico had previously considered a higher $42 fee in December 2024, but scaled it back to the current $5 before the recent $10 implementation, following pushback from the cruise industry. Despite this adjustment, the cumulative effect of these new charges is making Mexico a more expensive destination for cruise guests.