The American cruise company Royal Caribbean will build two large tourist complexes in Mexico with a total investment of about one billion dollars. One project will be implemented in Mahahual on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, the second — on the island of Cozumel.
Perfect Day Mexico, which Royal Caribbean will open in the fall of 2027 on the coast of Mahahual in the state of Quintana Roo on the Mexican Caribbean coast, will be the largest and most technologically ambitious resort ever created specifically for cruise tourism in Latin America. The total investment in this project is estimated at almost $1 billion. It will be a giant private resort with an emphasis on family-friendly activities, active water activities and premium amenities similar to the company's signature resort in the Bahamas — Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The central part of the complex will be the Loco Waterpark with more than 30 slides, including Jaguar Peak — a tower about 52 meters high, which became the tallest water slide on the entire American continent. It will unite 10 extreme routes, including individual and family ones, and will become the main symbol of the resort. Especially for families, there is the tallest family raft slide in the Americas.
Another unique feature of the complex — the longest “lazy river” in the world, more than a kilometer long. It will have two zones: calm — for relaxation in inflatable rings, and stormy — with artificial thresholds. There will be three floating bars along the route, and the route itself can be passed over and over again, making stops at rest platforms.
Guests can also enjoy more than six swimming pools, each with their own design, theme and swim-up bar. The three white sand beaches will be divided by holiday style: family, active and secluded. For resort guests, 12 restaurants with cuisines from different countries and 24 bars will open, including six bars right in the water, which will create a feeling of constant celebration and informality.
The infrastructure of the complex is designed as completely autonomous and premium, with a view to receiving up to 20,000 cruise passengers daily. In addition to entertainment, Royal Caribbean included social elements in the planning: a training center, infrastructure improvements for the Mahahual, new jobs, access to infrastructure for local residents and a priority local hiring policy.
A new beach complex called the Royal Beach Club will be built on the island of Cozumel. Unlike other exclusive Royal Caribbean properties, this club will be available to both cruise ship passengers and the general public. According to the company, it will be a new model by encouraging travelers to spend more time and money at local stores, restaurants and tour agencies. The Cozumel club is expected to be operational by the end of 2026.
The implementation of these projects is closely related to the cruise line's recent acquisition of the Costa Maya port (Majahual). In July 2025, Royal Caribbean completed a $221.3 million transaction that gave it full control of the Port of Mahahual and 34 surrounding properties. Mexico's Federal Commission for Economic Competition (Cofece) approved the deal on the condition that Royal Caribbean provide equal access to the infrastructure for other shipping companies. The authorities and the company agreed on changes in port management, including the redistribution of travel flows and the admission of local suppliers to serve passengers, which should weaken previous monopoly schemes.
The Costa Maya port in Mahahual is considered one of the key destinations for cruise tourism in southeastern Mexico. It welcomes more than a million passengers a year and is an important stop on Western Caribbean cruise routes. Its unique geographic location makes it attractive to cruise operators: the port is close to the Belize border and serves as a logistics hub for visiting the region's archaeological sites, natural parks and beach resorts. Once modernized, the port will be able to handle up to 20,000 passengers per day, making it one of the largest cruise hubs in Latin America.
Royal Caribbean — one of the largest cruise operators in the world, founded in Norway in 1968 and registered in the USA. It operates a fleet of more than 60 ships under several brands, including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea. The company is known for its investments in the construction of innovative ships and private island resorts. In recent years, Royal Caribbean has been actively expanding its presence in Latin America, with a particular focus on Mexico, the Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.