Cozumel, Q.R. — Royal Caribbean has submitted its environmental impact study for approval to begin construction of its beach club. The $75 million USD Royal Beach Club Cozumel project will be an overhaul of an already existing similar service.
According to the INEGI Classification of Economic Activities, the Royal Beach Club Cozumel project falls within the tertiary sector, specifically under the classification of “Cultural and sports entertainment services, and other recreational services,” sector.
The beach club will not include hotels, but rather pools, eating and shopping areas that will make up its recreational area to accommodate an anticipated 4,000 visitors per day. Royal Beach Club Cozumel will be open to both its cruise ship passengers as well as to the general public and be built over an area of approximately 17 hectares.
According to the company’s statement, its categorization of economic activities “is appropriate because the project: does not include hotel accommodations, but rather focuses on daily recreational activities and includes infrastructure such as swimming pools, restaurants, and beach access, all designed for the provision of recreational services.”
The study points out that the beach club “will generate a daily flow of visitors without overnight stays, coinciding with the definition of economic units in sub-sector 713: “entertainment services in recreational facilities and other recreational services”.
According to the government document, “the Promoter proposes to develop the “Royal Beach Club Cozumel” project in the municipality of Cozumel, Quintana Roo. The selected site is located in a previously impacted area where recreational activities similar to those planned, such as those at Playa Mia Beach Club, are currently carried out.
“Cozumel is among the busiest cruise port destinations in the world, receiving more than 4.6 million cruise passengers in 2024, from more than 1,281 port calls that year. During the first four months of 2025, approximately 1.8 million cruise ship tourists arrived, representing a 3.5% increase compared to 2024. Furthermore, projections indicate an annual flow that could exceed 5 million visitors.”
The project’s goals are as follows:
Target audience: primarily cruise ship passengers, but also the general public.
Capacity: to serve up to 4,000 visitors per day.
Services offered: daytime recreational infrastructure (beach club with pools, restaurants, beach access, restrooms), without offering overnight accommodations.
The project is based on three fundamental pillars:
Operational and recreational excellence: guaranteeing efficient services, comfort, and high-value-added experiences for tourists.
Environmental Commitment: minimizing impact, respecting the natural environment, responsible use of resources, and harmonious integration with the ecosystem.
Use of Previously Affected Areas: land will be used where previously authorized facilities already exist (such as Playa Mia).
According to the alternatives study, connections other than the current area were ruled out, as this area has existing infrastructure and prior authorizations, representing the least invasive option.
The current proposal is considered to have the least environmental impact, as it conserves ecologically relevant areas and complies with current environmental and urban planning regulations.
Overall, the Project seeks a balance between quality tourism, excellent service, environmental protection, and social benefit for Cozumel.
The project will be located in the municipality of Cozumel, at km 15+000 of the Southern Coastal Highway, in the state of Quintana Roo. The project is estimated to have a useful life of 26 years and 3 months, of which 1 year and 3 months will be for the preparation and construction phases, and the remaining 25 years will be for the operation and maintenance phase.
The project occupies a total area of 17.42 ha. The breakdown of land use includes 1.1 hectares located in the Federal Maritime-Terrestrial Zone (ZOFEMAT), designated for semi-permanent facilities (beach lounge chairs and palapas) and 4.29 hectares in a private land area to be used for the main infrastructure of the Beach Club (restaurants, swimming pools, operations buildings, restrooms, access points, among others).
In total, 5.39 hectares are designated for the development of the project. The remaining 12.03 hectres of the project area will be designated as open areas.
Royal Beach Club Cozumel will offer restaurants with views, market-style food court offering Mexican and classic fast food options, as well as bars distributed throughout various areas.
On site, it will also have poolside bars offering themed drinks throughout the day, private beach palapas (stilt houses) and outdoor lounge areas with sun loungers, hammocks, and lounge chairs, sports courts and beach activities.
The grounds will include areas with strategically located restrooms and showers, pedestrian walkways linking all areas of the club to facilitate circulation and exclusive vehicle drop-off area for visitors, separate from pedestrian traffic.
Their environmental study says landscaped green areas and surrounding natural areas will be preserved, restored and left undisturbed, promoting ecological conservation.
The project will be harmoniously integrated into the environment through a Mexican theme, combined with the use of local natural materials such as quarry stone, native woods, and finishes with regional colors, creating an atmosphere that complements the coastal landscape.
In March of 2024, Royal Caribbean announced their intention to create Royal Beach Club Cozumel for $75 million USD. The completed project will have a capacity to serve 4,000 guests per day and will be open to both cruise ship passengers and the general public.
