New Law Impacts Family Travel to Puerto Morelos

A recently approved reform would require tourism-service providers to verify an accompanying minor’s family or legal relationship with the adult. The measure is not enforceable yet: it must first be promulgated and published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación. This new rule is part of a nationwide effort to protect children.

The Senate unanimously approved amendments to Mexico’s General Tourism Law on October 7, 2026. The measure was then sent to the executive branch for the next steps in the publication process. It is designed to prevent and report the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents.

What The New Law Requires

This legal update adds strict, mandatory rules for all tourism service providers, including hotels, tour operators, and transportation companies. Reports indicate that the measure is intended to apply to tourism services contracted either in person or electronically, subject to the final published text.

Once effective, the reform would require tourism providers to request official documentation from adults accompanied by minors to establish kinship, parental authority, guardianship, or custody.

If an adult accompanied by a minor cannot provide the required documentation, the relevant tourism provider would have to deny the service and notify investigative authorities about the possible commission of a crime, as specified by the reform.

A Nationwide Effort for Child Safety

While this adds an extra step for travelers, the reason for the reform is to fight child exploitation. The Senate cited World Vision Mexico in describing Mexico as the world’s second-largest destination for the sexual exploitation of children and adolescents. The law aims to make tourist destinations like Puerto Morelos safer.

The reform has passed both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. It has been sent to the executive branch to be officially published and put into effect. The exact date when hotels will begin enforcement is not yet known, but it will be the day after it is published in the Official Gazette of the Federation.

How to Prepare for Your Vacation

To ensure a smooth and stress-free vacation in Puerto Morelos, families should start preparing now. It is best to have your documents ready before you travel.

Pack Official Documents: Travelers should carry official documents that can establish the relationship or legal authority involved, such as identification and, when appropriate, birth, custody, or guardianship records. The exact documents accepted should be confirmed after the final rule is published.

Carry Custody Papers: Single parents or legal guardians should have certified copies of custody or guardianship agreements.

Traveling with a Minor Who Is Not Your Child: Adults traveling with a minor who is not their child should carry official documentation showing guardianship, custody, or authorization from the child’s legal representatives. Whether a notarized consent letter will be required depends on the final published rules.