Royal Caribbean International has unveiled ambitious plans for a $600 million cruise destination in Mahahual, Mexico, a development that could have significant ripple effects across the region, including neighboring Belize.
Dubbed “Perfect Day Mexico,” the project is part of the cruise line’s expansion of its private destinations and is expected to open in fall 2027. With massive infrastructure, themed attractions, and capacity to welcome 20,000 cruise passengers daily, the development is set to quadruple tourism traffic to Mahahual, from 1 million to nearly 4 million visitors annually.
While the scale of Royal Caribbean’s investment presents a major opportunity for the western Caribbean tourism market, it also intensifies competition for countries like Belize that rely heavily on tourism as a pillar of economic growth. In fact, the development comes at a time when Belize’s own tourism industry is showing signs of strain.
Tourism Minister Anthony Mahler recently confirmed that while visitor arrivals have increased by a modest one percent in the first five months of 2025, May saw a notable slowdown, and the months ahead are expected to be “difficult.”
“From the first five months we have seen we are up by one percent. May was a bit soft and I think the next couple of months will be difficult,” said Minister Mahler. “But we will do everything we can to make sure the numbers don’t go down or don’t go down much at all.”
He pointed to global financial uncertainty as a major factor dampening travel demand, particularly for luxury destinations like Belize.
“I just got back from a conference for hotels, and the talk was about the uncertainty all around us. What that creates is a drawing up of liquidity. People’s 401(k)s have been destroyed for the most part, and they don’t have that liquidity in their own lives to take luxury vacations like what Belize offers.”
To add to the headwinds, Canada had issued a travel advisory warning its citizens to exercise “extreme caution” when visiting Belize, citing security concerns. While Minister Mahler downplayed any significant rise in crime, he acknowledged that such advisories can hurt Belize’s image abroad.
“There are times when these things are done for reasons other than anything happening in the country,” Mahler stated. “I don’t see an uptick in crime. But it happens, and we have to continue navigating that. It is not an easy thing to push an industry like tourism forward, especially in these troubling times of global uncertainty.”
With Belize located just south of Mahahual, the development offers both opportunity and risk. On one hand, improved infrastructure and increased cruise traffic to the region could encourage more multi-destination itineraries, allowing visitors to extend their travel into Belize. The upcoming Maya Train, for example, could improve access between Chetumal and Belize’s northern border, enabling tourism spillover through organized tours or shuttle links.
On the other hand, the scale and exclusivity of Perfect Day Mexico could siphon cruise visits away from Belize if cruise lines opt for in-house destinations that offer greater control over passenger experience and spending.
