Some Canadians could face double Mexico fee when travelling by cruise ship

Some Canadians travelling to Mexico by cruise ship could face a higher entry charge after Mexico doubled its non-resident fee for cruise passengers to US$10, or about C$13.81, per person on Aug. 1.

The charge, collected automatically by cruise operators, began on July 1, 2025, at US$5, or about C$6.90, per passenger. Cruise passengers had previously been exempt, while Canadian visitors arriving by air already paid a fee of about C$80 as of January.

Under a government decree, the US$10 rate will remain in place until June 30, 2027. Mexico’s federal government then plans to raise it to US$15, or about C$20.71, from July 1, 2027, to July 31, 2028, and to US$21, or about C$29, from Aug. 1, 2028, to Sept. 30, 2030.

Passengers who enter Mexico again on the same cruise ship during an itinerary will pay the fee only on their first entry.

Mexico’s Congress had voted to charge each cruise guest US$42, or C$57.98, beginning Jan. 1, 2025, USA Today reported. The proposal drew opposition from the cruise industry. In December 2024, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association said the charge could disrupt the travel plans of millions of passengers and threaten economic contributions supporting local businesses, jobs and community livelihoods.

Mexico’s Ministry of Tourism says the country welcomed 11.2 million cruise passengers on more than 3,000 ships in 2025, up 12 per cent from the previous year. Canadian travellers can consult Canada’s travel advisory for Mexico, as entry and exit requirements differ for land, air and sea travel.