Project Overview and Key Details
Royal Caribbean, a US-based cruise line company, has submitted the Perfect Day Mexico project for environmental review. The proposed investment totals $1,000 million and aims to construct a massive water park adjacent to the Mahahual cruise ship terminal in southern Quintana Roo.
The project spans 82.58 hectares, with 404.88 m² dedicated to a beachfront. It is planned to accommodate up to 21,000 cruise passengers daily and employ 2,500 staff members. The park is divided into six thematic areas: arrival, hideaway, family cove, loco waterpark, service areas, and natural areas.
Project Impact and Opposition
Royal Caribbean projects that the cruise terminal and water park will collectively receive five million cruise passengers annually. This ambitious plan has sparked opposition from environmental groups concerned about the transformation of Mahahual, a coastal town in southeast Mexico bordering the world’s second-largest coral reef.
A Change.org campaign, “Salvemos Mahahual” (Save Mahahual), has garnered 365,935 signatures since its launch on July 21, 2025. The campaign argues that the Perfect Day project threatens Mahahual’s existence, local identity, and unique ecosystems housing endangered species like sea turtles, manatees, mangroves, and the second-largest coral reef globally.
Royal Caribbean’s Response
In defense of the project, Royal Caribbean asserts that the mangrove area within the project’s boundaries is already impacted by poorly managed wastewater treatment plant operations by the local government.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the Perfect Day Mexico project? It’s a $1,000 million water park development planned by Royal Caribbean near Mahahual’s cruise ship terminal in Quintana Roo.
- What are the project’s key features? The park spans 82.58 hectares, with a beachfront area of 404.88 m². It aims to serve up to 21,000 cruise passengers daily and employ 2,500 staff members. The park is divided into six thematic areas.
- Why is there controversy surrounding the project? Environmental groups are concerned about the potential transformation of Mahahual and its surrounding ecosystems, including the world’s second-largest coral reef.
- What arguments do opponents present? Critics argue that the project threatens Mahahual’s local identity, unique ecosystems, and endangered species like sea turtles, manatees, mangroves, and the coral reef.
- How does Royal Caribbean respond to these concerns? The company claims that the mangrove area is already impacted by poorly managed wastewater treatment plant operations by the local government.
