Beginning in December 2002, Insider was proudly the first website to provide readers the Cozumel News in English.
Articles are slected from local newspapers which we feel will be of interest to our diverse audience. These articles are then translated into English. We cannot always investigate the veracity of a particular article but offer these translations as a reflection of the Cozumel community news just as reporters write it for Por Esto, Diario de Quintana Roo, Novedades and El Seminario and many other sources.
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05/25/2026 - Numbers remain the same again this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 21 ships registered to dock as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on this Memorial Day. This is the same amount of ships as last week and 1 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 14 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 73,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 7.8 million dollars behind in the local economy.
High season for cruise ship arrivals typically runs from November 15 - April 15 each year with the remaining 7 months of the year considered "low season." This week Puerta Maya pier will be host to 9 ships docking there, 6 ships will dock at SSA International pier while Punta Langosta pier will see 6 arrivals and the downtown San Miguel pier will have -0- arrivals with passengers tendering in.
On Monday 4 ships will dock, 4 ships will dock on Tuesday, 4 ships on Wednesday, 2 ships on Thursday, 4 ships on Friday, 3 ships on Saturday and Sunday will see 0 ships in port. To see a complete list of this week's ship arrivals, please visit Insider's Weekly Cruise Ship Schedule
Mexico Delays Ruling On Royal Caribbean Beach Club Project In Cozumel
Mexico’s environmental authority has postponed a decision on Royal Caribbean’s proposed $75 million beach club in Cozumel, a project that residents and activists say threatens one of the island’s last public beaches.The Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) announced on May 12 that it would extend the review period for the project’s environmental impact statement by up to 60 business days. The move mirrors the agency’s handling of Royal Caribbean’s rejected Perfect Day project in Mahahual, which was denied earlier this week. The proposed Royal Beach Club Cozumel would be built on a 17-hectare site near Playa Mía and Playa Sol, two of the few remaining public beach access points on the island’s western coast. The club would accommodate up to 4,000 visitors daily and 1.4 million annually, featuring 2,000 loungers and 24 palapas.
Residents have been organizing for over two years to protect Playa Mía, which is accessible via a narrow right-of-way path. They argue the project would effectively privatize the beach and could harm the nearby Cozumel Reefs National Park. “We collected 19,000 signatures against it,” said Guadalupe Martín, an environmental activist in Cozumel for more than 20 years. “That shows the will of the people of Cozumel.” Royal Caribbean’s environmental impact statement acknowledges six “severe” environmental impacts among 15 assessed components, including loss of vegetation cover, damage to mangroves, reduction of native flora, and permanent habitat alteration for wildlife. Seven components are classified as having moderate impacts, while only air quality and noise are considered compatible. The company plans to clear 1.7 hectares of vegetation but says 85% of removed flora will be preserved through a restoration program, and 90% of fauna will be relocated without harm.
“The Royal Beach Club will be developed on a site with existing infrastructure and will add new spaces within the authorized area, improving the guest experience without generating additional pressure on local resources,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement. “We remain committed to guaranteeing beach access in accordance with Mexican law.” Ari Adler Brotman, president of Royal Caribbean Mexico, said the company is open to adapting to whatever the authorities decide. “If Semarnat were to reject the request, we would study under what conditions or concepts it was rejected and study the possibility of adapting and working with them on something that could be accepted,” he said. Despite legal protections guaranteeing public access to beaches under Mexico’s General Law of National Assets, activists say such rules are rarely enforced. On Cozumel’s western side, many beaches are blocked by hotels, residential developments, and private clubs that charge entry fees ranging from $40 to over $75 per person, often with mandatory food and beverage minimums.
Semarnat has recently rejected several other projects on the island, including a fourth cruise ship pier, a pedestrian tunnel, and an expansion of the existing international pier operated by SSA Mexico. The environmental impact statement for Royal Beach Club spans 642 pages and outlines a project lifespan of 26 years and three months. The company says it will create 180 construction jobs and 2,000 operational positions. “The guarantee of beach access is not given by Royal Caribbean; it is enshrined in the Constitution,” Adler Brotman said. But islanders fear they will lose what they consider the last public beach in the area, as has happened with other developments.
The Environment Ministry Says It Will Not Authorize 'Perfect Day' Project In Mahahual
The Secretary of the Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat), Alicia Bárcena, announced last week that the Perfect Day water park , owned by Royal Caribbean, will not be approved for construction in Mahahual, in southern Quintana Roo . Bárcena responded to a question on the matter and took the microphone during the presentation of the Basic Diagnostic for Integrated Waste Management 2026, organized by her ministry. “I would like to inform you that the Perfect Day project by Royal Caribbean will not be approved. We know that the company is also seeking to withdraw from the project, but we, as Semarnat, will not approve it,” she said, amid applause from the press and staff present. The secretary's announcement came after President Claudia Sheinbaum instructed the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (Semarnat) to thoroughly review the project and its environmental impacts. The President had previously stated that construction was not permitted in an area containing a reef. "I want to make it clear that we will not do anything that puts the ecological balance of that area at risk. We will wait for Semarnat, as it is their responsibility to release the results of the study they commissioned, but I want to assure everyone who was concerned about this situation that the government will not do anything that puts the ecosystem in that area at risk," she said this Monday during her daily press conference.
In a statement released just hours after Bárcena's announcement, Royal Caribbean said: “We regret Semarnat's decision, but we respect Mexico's environmental authorities. Mahahual is a special place that deserves care and protection. We continue to believe in Mexico and are optimistic about the potential for carrying out our responsible investment. In the coming weeks, we will hold further dialogues with various stakeholders to move forward in a way that generates shared prosperity through the development of essential environmental infrastructure, the creation of thousands of local jobs, and community programs that support the people of Mexico.” The construction of the Perfect Day water park , however, was a well-known issue and authorized by Sheinbaum's own government, which in October 2024 received a group of businessmen at the National Palace who announced, at the beginning of her administration, multimillion-dollar investments in Mexico in the following years. Among them were representatives from companies such as Amazon, Mexico Pacific, Woodside Energy, and Royal Caribbean, which at that time announced a $1 billion investment in Quintana Roo. “At least four major investments of around $20 billion were announced for our country by 2025. The Royal Caribbean investment is important because southern Quintana Roo needs development; it is a tourism investment that will be linked to the Maya Train and all the tourism development taking place in the southeast,” the governor said on October 16, 2024. At that time, his then Secretary of Economy, Marcelo Ebrard, assured that the environmental impacts would be taken care of and described the future project in Mahahual as "a very interesting project, which will be the first tourist development hub, which has a high environmental and community development requirement." Part of that initial expectation of economic stability through several multi-million dollar investments faded in recent weeks as attention shifted to Mahahual, a fishing village in Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast , with just over 2,600 inhabitants. Information about the water park's construction began circulating on social media, and some organizations started warning about its potential impact on the region's ecosystem, which includes part of the Mesoamerican Reef System, the world's second-largest barrier reef.
Royal Caribbean planned to build more than 30 water slides in that area, which would become the tallest in Latin America, along with six swimming pools, three beaches, 12 restaurants, and 24 bars, on a site of just over 107 hectares, of which the company would develop 90 hectares for the resort. Since 2025, the land and the necessary permits had been in place to begin construction, for which the company also invested another $221 million in the purchase of Puerto Costa Maya, the resort over which it has had full administrative control since August of that year. With Perfect Day Mexico , Royal Caribbean hoped to replicate the success of its CocoCay theme park, a resort on a private island also purchased by the company, in the Bahamas. Perfect Day , they announced, would open in 2027 and welcome approximately 20,000 visitors daily in Mahahual . The organization Defending the Right to a Healthy Environment (DMAS) was the one that, through four amparo lawsuits, one in their name and the other three representing eight other citizens of Mahahual, mobilized against the illegal land use changes authorized to the company, that is, against the municipality of Othón P. Blanco, which in December 2025 gave the green light to the company for construction. Of those four lawsuits, three were dismissed by the First District Judge in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, leaving only the one filed by the organization. This legal recourse obtained a definitive suspension last February, preventing the company from requesting municipal, state, and federal environmental permits to begin construction. “That was a very good thing because, in the end, they argued that they had already been authorized to change the land use designation and then requested authorization from Semarnat (the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources). But then that suspension, and even DMAS's lawsuit, were challenged by all the authorities and by Royal Caribbean. The first to come to the company's defense were the authorities,” explains Irma Morales, a lawyer at DMAS.
A few weeks ago, the appeal was dismissed on the grounds that DMAS had not filed its injunction within the required timeframe. The lawsuit was rejected, and the suspension was lifted. “The judges sided with the authorities. One of the main arguments of the authorities and the company is that DMAS lacked a legitimate interest because DMAS doesn't live in Mahahual. And with the amendment to the Injunction Law, they've made everything extremely restricted and limited for us, because we have to argue that it 'actually' affects us, when it's a collective right, and this has a lot to do with the issue of the military rest home in Bacalar . The same judges who overturned our lawsuit are the same ones who decided to revoke the permanent injunction in Bacalar,” Morales explained. The lawyer, representing DMAS, described Tuesday's decision as a "decisive" step and stated that they expect the official resolution published by Semarnat, denying the construction of the complex, to be equally decisive. "We are very pleased with Secretary Bárcena's statement; it's a great victory for Mahahual. Our collective strength helped tremendously," she said. Greenpeace Mexico, a key organization in the effort to halt the project, declared: “This is a major victory for civil society. The environmental protection being prioritized in Mahahual should be the guiding principle of Semarnat's policy; that is its function,” they said in a statement. They added: “This is not about moving a devastating project from one site to another, but about comprehensively protecting the peninsula, this territory currently threatened by the real estate industry, large-scale tourism, industrial agriculture, mega-pig farms, and infrastructure projects like the Maya Train.”
Over 39,500 Tons Of Sargassum Collected From Quintana Roo Already This Season
The Navy says they are working in coordination with government authorities on the state’s Sargassum Response Strategy. To date, over 39,500 tons of seaweed has already been collected.
The Mexican Navy, responsible for both on-shore and at-sea sargassum collection, is utilizing satellite images to monitor its arrival. With the images, they are able to get an overview of the sargassum floating in the Atlantic. This early warning system, strengthened through inter-institutional coordination, allows the Navy to carry out strategic containment and cleanup actions along the coastlines. Not only does this keep beaches clean, it also protects natural resources and the marine environment. The Navy says, “the actions are maintained permanently in their different stages: preparation, deployment, collection and withdrawal of the same.” According to the Secretaría de Marina, more than 39,500 tons of sargassum has been collected between the government and public sectors as of May 17. Continued efforts are being made on beaches in Isla Mujeres, Cancun, Puerto Morelos, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Tulum and Mahahual. “To this end, 13 surface units have been deployed consisting of one ocean-going Sargassum Collection Vessel, 11 coastal Sargassum Collection Vessels, and one amphibious Sargassum Collection Vessel,” the Navy said.
Sargassum removal efforts also include “18 smaller support vessels, over 7,605 meters of installed containment barriers and monitoring by underwater operations personnel.” Simultaneously, naval personnel, state government staff, and municipal employees are using pitchforks and wheelbarrows to remove the sargasso from the coast. Authorities say the state’s Sargassum Management Strategy is a permanently ongoing effort to maintain clean beaches.
Need a LEGAL U.S. Notary Service? THIS is your solution!
It has happened to ALL of us U.S. Citizens who spend significant amounts of time living / working in Cozumel: reading the dreaded words on a document from back home: "Notarized Signature Required." It's such a simple thing and no one wants the added expense of travelling back to the U.S. just to have their signature notarized but there are many legal processes in the U.S.A. where nothing BUT a notarized signature will be accepted.
Some common documents that U.S. Citizens need notarized while living abroad are: Real Estate Deeds or Mortgages, executing Wills, Powers of Attorney, requests for Birth / Marriage / Death Certificates, Permission for a parent to get a minor’s US Passport, banking / insurance / bonding documents, permission for a minor to travel without parents or application for duplicate or replacement vehicle titles just to name a few.
In the past, the most common solution was for a U.S. Citizen to make their way to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy where notaries are always available but the fees involved can be quite expensive. In addition there is the cost of actually travelling to the Consulate and who knows if appointments will even be available especially if the notarized signature is needed urgently. Plus from Cozumel that Consulate visit includes the cost of a ferry round trip to get to Playa del Carmen. All of these complicating factors just create more of a headache for something that is supposed to be relatively easy and inexpensive.
Another option frequently used has been that of a U.S. Notary operating outside of their country and jurisdiction. While this option is usually easy and cheap (often free or for a donation), it is one of those situations where "you get what you pay for" because technically these U.S. Notaries are operating ILLEGALLY as they are outside the legal jurisdiction for which they are authorized to notarize documents. In theory an illegal notarization could be attacked and challenged in the future and nullified causing legal issues with the documents signed. A fraud challenge to a Notary operating outside of the USA, simply involves a court asking the Notary to present their passport to the judge. Immigration stamps inside the passport will prove the Notary's whereabouts when documents were signed and if this was done inside the Notary's legal jurisdiction or illegally outside their authorized jurisdiction.
So do yourself a favor and avoid any future Signature Notary problems by utilizing an ON-LINE NOTARY SERVICE. Thanks to remote online notarization (RON), you can notarize a document from anywhere in the world, using your computer or mobile device and the internet. It takes only 10 minutes and is quite an easy process right from the comfort of your own home or office any hour of the day or night.
All you need to do is click this link 24/7 Online Notary Service To use this service, the fee is $25 USD and you must have a device with audio- visual capabilities (like a smart phone, tablet or PC) and proof of identity (a valid US Government-issued photo ID such as a Driver’s License or Passport). You can then access and meet with a licensed Notary Public who will notarize your papers in a matter of minutes. The process is easy, quick, efficient and AVAILABLE 24/7 online!! So WHY take a chance doing it any other way?!
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September 6, 2024 (Most Recent) Comprehensive Mexico Travel Warning
U.S. State Department Travel Advisory for Mexico Issued SEPTEMBER 6, 2024 shows the Mexican State of Quintana Roo (includes Cozumel, Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Tulum) to be a LEVEL 2 Advisory - Exercise Increased Caution (Level 4 Advisory is Highest Risk):
There are "NO RESTRICTIONS" on U.S. government employees for travel to "ANY PARTS" of Quintana Roo state, which includes tourist areas such as: Cozumel, Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya and Tulum. However, U.S. government employees are advised to exercise increased situational awareness and caution after dark in the areas of Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen, and to remain in well-lit pedestrian streets and tourist zones.
U.S. citizens should as always exercise increased caution and be aware that according to Government of Mexico statistics, criminal activities and violence, including homicide, remain a concern throughout the State. While most of these homicides appeared to be targeted, criminal organization assassinations and turf battles between criminal groups that have resulted in violent crime in areas frequented by U.S. citizens. Bystanders injuries, while rare, have occurred. While not directed at tourists, shootings between rival gangs have killed or injured innocent bystanders. Additionally, U.S. citizens have been the victims of both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist and non-tourist areas.
The Mexico Travel Warning dated September 6, 2024 from the Department of State can also be viewed in its entirety on the Department of State website.
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05/25/2026 - Numbers remain the same again this week in Cozumel as cruise ship arrivals show 21 ships registered to dock as we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice on this Memorial Day. This is the same amount of ships as last week and 1 more than the "20 in port" which marks a "high season" number. There were 14 ships in port during the same week of 2025. An estimated 73,500 people will visit Cozumel this week via these cruise ships leaving an estimated US $ 7.8 million dollars behind in the local economy. 
