Riviera Maya Yacht Charter Contracts — Port Fees, Marina Rules and Customs

Who actually regulates a yacht day in Quintana Roo

Three layers of authority touch every charter day on the Riviera Maya coast. Understanding them is the difference between a contract that protects you and one that doesn't.

1. Federal — SEMAR (Secretaría de Marina)

The Mexican Navy administers maritime safety and traffic through the Capitanía de Puerto at each port. Every yacht movement requires a despacho — the formal sailing clearance issued by the port captain. The system, regulations and online registry live at gob.mx/semar. If a Norte or hurricane threatens, the Capitanía closes the bar and no boat sails — your captain has zero discretion on this.

2. State — APIQROO

The Administración Portuaria Integral de Quintana Roo operates the public marina concessions (and overseen private ones) — Puerto Juárez, Puerto Aventuras commercial slips, Punta Venado, Cozumel. Their tariff schedule lists dockage rates, mooring fees, fuel slip and pump-out costs. Tariffs update periodically; the current schedule is published online.

3. Federal protected-area — CONANP

Cozumel Marine National Park, Parque Nacional Costa Occidental de Isla Mujeres, and the UNESCO Sian Ka'an reserve are all managed by CONANP. Per-visitor park fees, mooring buoy rules, and anchorage restrictions all sit here. Cozumel charges a per-visitor entry that funds the mooring infrastructure and ranger ops.

Port fees — what's charged, by whom, to whom

Reputable charters list every line item on the contract. If your quote says "all-inclusive $X" with no breakdown, ask for the itemization — that's how surprise fees happen on the dock.

Marina rules guests actually need to know

Boarding window

Most Quintana Roo marinas open the gate to guests 30–60 min before sail time. Show up earlier and you wait at the security gate. Show up late and you cost the captain his despacho window — the Capitanía gives every boat a window, miss it and you re-queue.

Single-use plastics + glass

Several Quintana Roo marinas and CONANP-protected anchor points restrict single-use plastics and glass bottles aboard. Your operator will tell you on confirmation. Plan for cans, reusable cups, or bring your own re-fillable bottle.

Overnight stays at dock

If your yacht is staying overnight (multi-day charter), the marina charges an overnight slip rate on top of standard dockage. Cozumel-overnight live-aboards typically pay $80–200 USD per night depending on length and slip type. Pump-out, water and 30A power are usually extra.

Underway speed limits

Within 200 m of the marina entrance and inside CONANP-protected zones, speed is restricted to "no wake" — typically 4–5 knots. Anchor zones have buoys; dropping anchor on coral carries fines.

Customs and the TIP — for foreign-flag yachts

If your charter is on a Mexican-flag yacht (the vast majority of inventory in Puerto Aventuras and Cancún), this section doesn't apply to you — the operator handles all clearance internally. If you are bringing your own foreign-flag vessel into Mexico, or chartering a foreign yacht that's transiting through Quintana Roo, you need a Permiso de Importación Temporal de Embarcación (TIP).

• Issued by: SAT (Mexican tax authority) via Banjercito.
• Valid for: up to 10 years for pleasure craft.
• Cost: approximately $50–60 USD (rate set in Mexican pesos, updates annually).
• Documents required: vessel registration, passport, proof of insurance, photo of HIN (hull identification number).
• Where: Banjercito booth at major marinas (Puerto Aventuras has one) or apply online before arrival.

Without a TIP, a foreign-flag yacht in Mexican waters is subject to seizure and fines. The TIP is separate from your personal Mexico tourist permit. Yacht crew may need separate Crew Maritime documentation depending on the operation type. International maritime safety regulations (IMO conventions) on which Mexico is a party require minimum safety equipment and competency standards even on private pleasure craft.

Captain licensing — who's allowed to drive your boat

For commercial charter in Mexico, the captain must hold a Mexican Maritime Officer's License or recognized equivalent, issued through SCT (Secretaría de Comunicaciones y Transportes) / SEMAR. License classes scale by vessel tonnage and range. Practical implications for you:

• Always a captain + at least one crew on any 40+ ft commercial charter. The "ride with my friend who has a license" model is not legal commercial operation.
• Bareboat (self-skippered) charter is rare on the Caribbean coast. Mexico does not have the same bareboat culture as the BVI or Croatia. Operators that offer "bareboat" usually mean licensed-captain bareboat — the captain is just less in your face.
• Ask for the captain's license number in the contract or as part of the operator's documentation. Verifiable through SCT records.

Insurance — the minimum you should see

A legitimate Quintana Roo charter operator carries:

• Hull insurance (the boat itself).
• Protection & Indemnity (P&I) — passenger liability, typically $5M–10M USD coverage.
• Crew workers' comp (IMSS or equivalent).

You don't need to read the policies, but you should see a current Certificate of Insurance (COI) from the operator on request. If they won't show one, walk away.

Guest travel insurance is your responsibility — see our season & pricing guide for how to handle hurricane-window bookings.

Contract clauses to read before you sign

1. Cancellation policy — both your side (guest cancels) and the operator's (weather, mechanical, SEMAR closure). Should be specific dollar amounts or percentages, not "case by case".
2. Fee itemization — base + marina + park + fuel + food + tip. Hidden fees are the #1 charter complaint.
3. Reschedule rights — if SEMAR closes the bar, do you reschedule, refund or partial credit?
4. Guest count and per-guest fees — confirm count locked at signing; some operators charge for empty seats too.
5. Crew tip — recommended (10–15%) or built-in. Don't pay it twice.
6. Damage deposit — refundable, when, condition for forfeiture.
7. Time start/end — does the clock start at boarding or at the dock departure? Important on 4-hour charters.
8. Liability waiver — required, but read what activities are covered (swim, snorkel, dinghy ride).