Baja California Sur maintained high activity in the cruise tourism sector as 2025 drew to a close, with arrivals scheduled in the final days of the year and an annual total exceeding pre-pandemic figures. State and port authorities reported that the state ended the year with more than 1.2 million cruise passengers.
The head of the Ministry of Tourism and Economy, Maribel Collins Sánchez, reported that nearly one million cruise passengers arrived in Baja California Sur through December 2025, representing a 52.6% increase compared to the previous year.
“Nearly 1 million cruise passengers have arrived this year, 2025, which is 52.6% more than last year. I know that the figure has been greatly exceeded, and during December, 57 cruise ship arrivals are scheduled in Los Cabos, 7 in Cabo San Lucas, 7 in La Paz, and 6 in Loreto. We estimate that this year will close with 1.2 million cruise passengers,” he stated.
He explained that these arrivals not only impact the occupancy of tourist services, but also local commerce, transportation, and the sale of regional products, particularly in the areas near the docks and boardwalks.
For his part, the general director of the Integral Port Administration (API), Narciso Agúndez Gómez, reported that in the specific case of La Paz, through the port of Pichilingue, 40 cruise ship arrivals were recorded during 2025, with an estimated 120,000 cruise passengers disembarking in the state capital.
“Each cruise ship arrival generates approximately 3 to 4 million pesos in economic activity. This is based on information we have gathered directly from cruise passengers. Obviously, some cruise passengers don’t spend much, while others spend more, but the average is tentatively $55 per person,” he stated.
He explained that this economic impact is primarily distributed among tourist services, restaurant consumption, local transportation, and the purchase of handicrafts. Agúndez Gómez added that the growth trend will continue in the short term, as 51 cruise ship arrivals are scheduled for 2026 in La Paz alone, representing a 27% increase compared to 2025.
He emphasized that this increase is a result of the modernization of port infrastructure and coordination with shipping lines to receive larger vessels, thus expanding the port’s economic potential.
Regarding Loreto, the head of the Port Authority (API) highlighted that, even without a direct docking pier, the port has one of the highest rates of cruise passenger disembarkation in the state.
“More cruise passengers disembark in Loreto, where there is no pier, than here in La Paz. We have measured this ourselves: 70% disembark here in La Paz. In Loreto, 86% disembark. This is despite the fact that there is no pier there, and passengers have to transfer from the cruise ship by tender, a smaller vessel,” he explained.
He noted that this trend reinforces the need to continue investing in port infrastructure and tourism services in the area. For his part, Governor Víctor Manuel Castro Cosío stated that the growth of cruise tourism is directly linked to the financial and operational management of the Port Authority (API), as well as to the coordination among state agencies.
“How could we not be committed to transparency, proper use of funds, and ensuring that the people see the benefits reflected in their communities? […] It’s not just about the resources, but also about API’s vision for reorganizing the tourism system in Baja California Sur. It’s not only about using money correctly, but also about having an impact on social benefit, on shared well-being,” he expressed.
Source: oem
