Quintana Roo Anticipates Booming Tourism in 2026 with Upcoming FIFA World Cup

Web Editor

December 29, 2025

a beach with a bunch of buildings next to it and a body of water in the background with a few boats

Current Tourism Status in Quintana Roo

Cancún, QR. In the final two weeks of the year, Quintana Roo has welcomed over 500,000 tourists and achieved an average occupancy rate of 80%.

According to the State Tourism Secretariat, Riviera Maya and Costa Mujeres have recorded the highest occupancy rates in the state, at 81% and 85%, respectively. Meanwhile, Cancún and Puerto Morelos are nearing 80% occupancy each.

Governor’s Optimistic Outlook

Governor Mara Lezama highlighted that the beaches are free of sargazo, and the future looks promising for the Mexican Caribbean due to the upcoming FIFA World Cup. This event is expected to attract thousands of tourists through Cancún, further boosting the region’s tourism.

Lezama emphasized that Quintana Roo concludes the year as the leader in international tourism across Mexico, with a rising trend expected for 2026 in romance travel, meetings, conventions, and incentives. Additionally, the state boasts nearly 140,000 hotel rooms throughout.

Record-Breaking Aviation Operations

The State Tourism Secretary, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, reported that Quintana Roo recently set a new historical record for the number of arriving flights through its four international airports, with 771 operations on a single day. This achievement solidifies an extraordinary year-end for the state’s tourism industry.

Cueto Riestra stated, “Today, this momentum is reinforced with new maximums reflecting the sustained growth of the destination and the confidence of millions of travelers. These end-of-year holidays have clearly shown that Quintana Roo continues to expand, with more tourists choosing the Mexican Caribbean for December celebrations due to its air connectivity, world-class tourism infrastructure, and diverse experiences offered by the state’s 12 destinations.”

Future Growth Projections

Looking ahead, Bernardo Cueto Riestra, the State Tourism Secretary, predicts that 2026 will bring significant growth, primarily driven by the FIFA World Cup. This event could potentially increase annual tourist numbers in Quintana Roo by up to 1 million, surpassing the current 21 million visitors by the end of 2026.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is the current tourism situation in Quintana Roo? The state has welcomed over 500,000 tourists in the final two weeks of the year, with an average occupancy rate of 80%.
  • Which areas in Quintana Roo have the highest occupancy rates? Riviera Maya and Costa Mujeres are experiencing the highest occupancy rates, at 81% and 85%, respectively.
  • What is the governor’s outlook for Quintana Roo’s tourism in 2026? Governor Mara Lezama is optimistic about the future of tourism in Quintana Roo, citing the upcoming FIFA World Cup as a major draw for tourists.
  • What recent achievement has Quintana Roo’s tourism industry accomplished? The state set a new historical record for the number of arriving flights through its international airports, with 771 operations in a single day.
  • What growth projections does the State Tourism Secretary have for Quintana Roo in 2026? State Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra anticipates significant growth in 2026, primarily due to the FIFA World Cup, which could potentially increase annual tourist numbers by up to 1 million.