Cozumel, an island in Mexico, has emerged as a top destination for cruise ships. The first four months of the year saw over 500 cruise ships docking at the island, reinforcing Cozumel's position as a leader in the cruise industry.

The number of cruise ships, often referred to as floating hotels, arriving in Cozumel has increased by 6 percent. Additionally, there has been a 14 percent increase in passenger arrivals. Between January 1st and April 28th, 2024, the island welcomed a total of 513 ships and over 1.794 million passengers.

The state governor emphasized that this influx of tourists marks a new era for tourism in the Mexican Caribbean. Quintana Roo, the state where Cozumel is located, is home to the two most popular cruise destinations in Mexico – Cozumel and Mahahual, with the latter coming in second for the arrival of large ships.

Solidaridad county, also in Quintana Roo, maintains its position as the national leader in tourism. It leads not only in cruise ship arrivals but also in the number of national and international tourists arriving by air and sea.

The Mexican Association for Cruise Tourism Services (Amepact) has projected that cruise arrivals in Mexico will grow between 15% and 18% during 2024. The primary ports contributing to this growth are expected to be Cozumel and Mahahual.