Mexico Doubles Cruise Passenger Port Fee to $10, With Further Increases Planned
The fee hike is part of a phased plan expected to raise the charge to $21 by 2028, impacting popular destinations.
Foreign cruise passengers visiting Mexico now face a doubled port fee of $10 per person, a change that took effect on August 1. This increase is part of a multi-year plan by Mexico to gradually raise the fee, with further hikes scheduled over the next few years.
The charge applies to cruise passengers arriving at popular destinations such as Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Cozumel, and Costa Maya. Cruise lines or their shipping agents are responsible for collecting the fee from passengers.
Clint Henderson, managing editor at The Points Guy, noted that while the current increase is unlikely to deter most travelers, it contributes to the rising costs associated with vacations. "Consumers keep getting hit with more and more taxes and fees for everything related to travel," Henderson told Fox News Digital.
This $10 charge represents one step in Mexico's planned tax structure. The fee is slated to increase to $15 per passenger by July 1, 2027. Subsequently, beginning August 1, 2028, the fee is set to reach $21 per passenger, a rate planned to remain in effect through September 30, 2030.
Previously, cruise passengers were exempt from the immigration fee imposed on some foreign travelers entering Mexico. However, this exemption no longer applies, directly increasing costs for tourists.
Mexico's Congress had initially approved a significantly higher immigration levy of approximately $42 in December 2024 for foreign cruise passengers. Following negotiations between the Mexican government and the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA), an agreement was reached to set the initial fee at $5 per passenger starting July 1, 2025. This fee then doubled to $10 on August 1, 2026.
Henderson pointed out that the cumulative effect of these additional taxes and fees can become more significant for families. He also acknowledged that rising operational costs for cruise lines, including staffing, entertainment, food, beverages, and fuel, are contributing to the overall increase in cruise prices. Despite these rising costs, Henderson suggested that cruising can still offer good value when considering the bundled transportation, accommodation, and entertainment.