Royal Caribbean Shares Cozumel Beach Access Update

Royal Beach Club Cozumel, which is a private resort for Royal Caribbean guests, is expected to open later in 2026 – but not everyone has been excited about it.

The resort, which will be located around 6.5 miles from the cruise terminal, will span 42 acres and will feature roughly a third of a mile of coveted white-sand beach. 

Some locals and cruise guests who prioritize other brands have expressed concerns that the paid resort will take over the beach, but Cruise Hive has confirmed that this won’t be the case.

In a March 12 press release, the cruise line confirmed that a new public beach will be created in the Zona Hotelera Sur area as part of Royal Caribbean’s development. The new location of the public beach should also provide greater accessibility, improved safety, and enhanced facilities.

Read Also: Cozumel Cruise Port – Terminals, Piers and Getting Around

“We are excited to bring the Royal Beach Club experience to Cozumel while ensuring that beach access, a right guaranteed under Mexican law, is available to all,” said Ari Adler Brotman, president, Royal Caribbean Mexico.

This area will be enjoyed, free of charge, and is available to all cruise passengers and locals – not just Royal Caribbean guests. 

Construction will begin shortly and is just pending the completion of all necessary regulatory and environmental permits. But while the new beach is completed, the current public beach will remain open so that access is never interrupted.

Even though beach access is required by law, Royal Caribbean’s willingness to create a new and better public beach access speaks to the company’s commitment to the community’s well-being within Cozumel and cultivating sustainable tourism.

“This initiative reflects our dedication to creating shared value by improving safety, accessibility and infrastructure for the community,” Adler Brotman continued.

This is in line with other community-forward steps that Royal Caribbean has taken with the development of its third beach club, and aligns with Royal Caribbean’s SEA the Future Initiative, which is all about bettering the brand’s portfolio while reducing environmental harm.

For example, Royal Caribbean has set four economic pillars to guide its new resort, which include creating more than 180 jobs and $30 million in salaries for locals during the construction of the beach club, and adding 700 jobs for locals to work in the finished beach club.

There is also a goal to bring an additional 1 million guests to Cozumel by 2031, which would be a major boost to the important tourism sector on the island, and for the resort to contribute over $350 million to the MX GDP over the next five years.

Meanwhile, six environmental pillars were put in place to confirm the new resort is as environmentally friendly as possible. These include a wastewater treatment plan, habitat protection and restoration, and working to only use products that will not end up in a landfill.

Royal Caribbean will also partner with local organizations for regular beach cleanups, and for accountability, the environmental progress will be publicly monitored by an independent Mexican firm.

What Can Guests Expect at Royal Beach Club Cozumel?

Royal Beach Club Cozumel will be a premium experience that is expected to cost around $150-$200+ per person, including drinks, food, and amenities.

It will feature luxury experiences and relaxation opportunities, including two main pools, private beach access, unlimited food and drinks, and six bars (including two swim-up bars). There will also be water activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, paddleboarding, and a splash pad for kids.

For those looking for more of an authentic Mexican experience, cooking classes, tequila tastings, and even a Cacao Museum dedicated to the history of chocolate in Mexico will be available.

Guests who would like to visit the new resort when it opens later this year will be able to secure their spot by booking access in Royal Caribbean’s shore excursions.