Mexico Visitor Arrivals Up 11.9% in March Despite Security Fears

Mexico welcomed 9.3 million international visitors in March 2026 — a 11.9% jump on the same month last year — according to new data from the country’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). The figure is striking because it came just weeks after violent disruptions triggered by the killing of cartel leader “El Mencho” in Jalisco shook traveller confidence across the country.

The February 22 security operation hit Guadalajara and Puerto Vallarta hardest in the short term, with hotel occupancy falling and estimated losses running into millions of dollars for local operators. Yet the March data shows that disruption was short-lived: international visitor numbers not only recovered but accelerated, with the 11.9% rise outpacing most forecasts.

Cruise arrivals also performed strongly. Between January and March 2026, Mexico welcomed 3.6 million cruise passengers across 1,080 ship arrivals — up 9.9% and 4.8% respectively compared to the same period in 2025. Cancún, Cozumel, and Los Cabos remain the country’s leading cruise ports and continued drawing large volumes of visitors throughout the quarter.

The one cautionary note in the data concerns spending. Despite the jump in arrivals, total tourist expenditure fell 3.4% in March, and average spending per visitor dropped by 13.4%. The shift suggests a change in visitor profile, with more budget and cruise travellers making up a larger share of arrivals than higher-spending leisure or business guests.

For anyone planning a visit, the data reinforces that Mexico’s main tourist corridors are operating normally. The U.S. State Department currently holds a Level 2 “Exercise Increased Caution” advisory for most popular destinations — including Quintana Roo (home to Cancún and Tulum), Oaxaca, and Mexico City — a level equivalent to advisories in place for France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Border tourism was the fastest-growing segment in March, rising 33.9% year-on-year as cross-border day trips and short stays from the United States continued to recover.

With FIFA World Cup 2026 matches scheduled at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca from June onwards, authorities expect another strong surge in international arrivals through the summer. Travellers planning to visit during that period should book accommodation early, particularly in Mexico City, where demand is expected to peak sharply around match days.