Royal Caribbean Under Fire: Mahahual Protests Over Unmet Promises in ‘Perfect Day Mexico’ Project

Published on February 23, 2026

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Protests have started in Mahahual, Mexico Against Royal Caribbean’s ‘Perfect Day Mexico’ Project

In February 2026, Royal Caribbean was protested while visiting the coastal village of Mahahual on the Caribbean Coast of Mexico. Local residents expressed their dissatisfaction over promised related to their Perfect Day Mexico project. The protest was held at the Costa Maya cruise port, which Royal Caribbean purchased in order to develop a 200-acre luxury tourism destination.

The ‘Perfect Day Mexico’ Project

Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico project is designed to create a large-scale cruise destination featuring a waterpark, shopping, dining, and other amenities intended to enhance tourism in the region. The project, which began in 2025, was billed as an economic boon for the area, promising job creation and infrastructure development, including improvements to local roads, security, and garbage collection. However, as work on the project has progressed, tensions have arisen between the cruise line and the local community, with residents expressing dissatisfaction over unmet promises.

Protest at Costa Maya Port

On 12 February 2026, a group of local community members gathered to protest against Royal Caribbean at the Costa Maya port, where three cruise ships were docked. The demonstrators briefly blocked access to the terminal, demanding that the cruise line fulfill its commitments to improving local infrastructure. Protestors raised concerns about the lack of progress in areas like lighting, road conditions, and security—all of which had been promised as part of the agreement between the cruise line and the municipality.

Legal Challenges and Environmental Concerns

Beyond the community unrest, Royal Caribbean’s Perfect Day Mexico project has also faced legal and regulatory challenges. Earlier in the year, a federal judge temporarily halted some of the preparatory construction at the site until environmental reviews were completed. The pause in construction was part of a broader review of the potential environmental impact of the development, particularly regarding the sensitive coastal ecosystem.

Royal Caribbean, in response, has stated that it brought in independent environmental experts to support the review process and ensure that the development meets all necessary environmental standards. Despite these efforts, the environmental concerns raised by both the community and legal authorities have further fueled the ongoing dispute.

Economic and Social Impact for the Local Community

The protest in Mahahual is reflective of the growing concerns among locals regarding the social and economic impacts of large-scale tourism developments. While Royal Caribbean promises a wealth of job opportunities and infrastructure upgrades, many residents feel that the benefits have not yet materialized. Instead, they have raised concerns about the disproportionate focus on luxury cruise tourism without substantial improvements to the day-to-day living conditions for the local population.

Many in Mahahual question whether the cruise line’s development is truly benefiting the local community or primarily focused on enhancing the experience for international tourists. The protesters are demanding that Royal Caribbean deliver on its promise to improve essential community services, such as garbage collection, roads, and security, which they believe are vital for the long-term prosperity of the region.

Royal Caribbean’s Commitment to Community Development

Despite the protests, Royal Caribbean remains committed to its project and insists that the Perfect Day Mexico development will ultimately benefit the surrounding community. The cruise line has emphasized that the new destination will create jobs for local residents and promote increased tourism to the region. Moreover, the company has stated that it plans to work more closely with the local government to address the concerns raised by residents during the protests.

Royal Caribbean has also confirmed that economic opportunities tied to the project will not be limited to the construction phase. Once the development is complete, the cruise line says it will provide ongoing employment in hospitality, maintenance, and retail, along with further infrastructure investment.

Future of Costa Maya and ‘Perfect Day Mexico’ Development

As Royal Caribbean continues to face both community opposition and legal hurdles, the future of the Perfect Day Mexico project remains uncertain. While the company continues to make strides in the construction of its new tourism hub, local protests indicate a growing demand for more transparency and accountability.

For now, the development of the Costa Maya cruise port and the surrounding area remains a complex issue. The ongoing tensions between Royal Caribbean and the Mahahual residents signal the broader challenges faced by many cruise lines when their large-scale developments come into conflict with the interests of local communities. As the project continues to evolve, it will be essential for the cruise line to engage meaningfully with residents and ensure that its promises are fulfilled.

Looking Ahead: Tourism and Local Concerns

The future of Perfect Day Mexico is not just a question of whether it will attract international tourists, but also whether it will deliver the promised economic and social benefits to the people of Mahahual. As the project unfolds, both the cruise line and the local community will have to navigate the delicate balance between sustainable tourism development and the well-being of the local population.

With continued protests, legal challenges, and environmental concerns, it remains to be seen whether Royal Caribbean can overcome these obstacles and turn Perfect Day Mexico into a success for both tourists and residents alike.