The state of Veracruz will soon welcome its first dedicated cruise‐ship pier, officials announced, as part of a broader push to revive and expand maritime tourism. The Veracruz National Port System Administration (Asipona Veracruz) has named six municipalities to anchor a new coastal tourist route: Alvarado, Córdoba, Veracruz, Tlacotalpan, Boca del Río, and La Antigua.
President Claudia Sheinbaum’s administration confirmed in February that cruise liners would return to the Port of Veracruz. On Monday, August 4, Asipona Veracruz highlighted Alvarado’s role among the six coastal stops that visitors arriving by sea will explore.
At a July 23 morning briefing, Navy Rear Admiral Raymundo Pedro Morales Ángeles detailed the Navy’s coordination of seaport upgrades nationwide. He said work continues in the port’s northern bay, where planners have already extended berthing areas.
“We have many unused areas, such as the southern part,” Morales Ángeles said. “The lower port is not protected from north winds, so we’re going to build a breakwater.”
The expansion will reclaim underused land south of the main quay and shield incoming vessels from seasonal gales. With these improvements in place, private firms have committed new investments to boost customs processing capacity.
Among those investments is a dedicated tourist‐ship dock along the Veracruz seawall. The Navy director confirmed the facility will cost 348 million pesos. In parallel, companies are funding a 48 million‐peso upgrade to expand customs operations.
By linking Veracruz City with the historic river port of Tlacotalpan, the beachside town of Boca del Río, and the colonial sites of Córdoba, Alvarado, and La Antigua, the new route aims to distribute visitor spending across the state. Port authorities expect the pier to accommodate the largest modern cruise vessels and to generate jobs in hospitality, transport, and local crafts.
Construction timelines and completion targets have not been announced. As work moves forward, Asipona Veracruz and SEMAR will release regular updates on schedules, safety measures, and tourism packages.
