Mexico's International Tourism Grows 5.3% in May, Driven by Border Arrivals

Mexico's tourism sector experienced a notable increase in international arrivals in May, with a 5.3% year-on-year rise to 8.35 million foreign visitors, according to the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (Inegi).

This growth was primarily driven by a significant surge in border tourists, who increased by 17.8% to over 1.71 million people in May 2026. However, this positive trend was partially offset by a decrease in arrivals by air, which fell by 7.5% to 1.55 million.

Despite the rise in visitor numbers, the total spending by international tourists saw a slight decrease of 0.3% compared to the previous year, amounting to $2.61 billion. The average spending per tourist also declined by 5.3%, down to $312.3 from $329.9 in April 2025.

These figures reflect a continued upward trend in Mexican tourism since the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2025, Mexico hosted 47.78 million international tourists, a 6.1% increase from 2024, and generated $34.99 billion in foreign exchange revenue. Mexico is currently the sixth most visited country globally, with President Claudia Sheinbaum aiming to elevate it to the top five.