Jul 22, 2026 – News
For many residents in Mexico, Mahahual K’iin is more than a community center – it's where children score their first soccer goal, where students gain skills that open new doors, and where neighbors come together to celebrate, learn, and support one another. What began as a local gathering space has become the heart of the community. Now, a new chapter is underway.
Royal Caribbean Group is moving forward with plans for an upgraded Mahahual K’iin Community Center, and a more centrally located facility designed to meet the evolving needs of the community. Located along the Carretera Cafetal-Mahahual, the new center will expand access to educational programs, recreational activities, and community events while creating more space for residents to connect.
To mark the center's next chapter, residents were invited to help shape its future through a community-wide naming process and logo design contest. The journey culminated in a celebration where families, children, and neighbors came together to vote for the name and logo that best captured their vision for the center. The winning logo, designed by a local resident, and the center’s name – Mahahual K’iin, meaning “the sun of Mahahual” – proposed and chosen by the community, embodies the pride of Mahahual and reflects the voices, ideas, and aspirations of the community itself.
Together, the name and logo serve as a lasting reminder that Mahahual K’iin is not just a place for the community, but a place created with the community and shaped by the people who will continue to gather there and connect for generations to come.
Since opening in 2014, the center has offered everything from sports programs and cultural activities, to dance, cooking, and craft classes, English lessons, and certification preparation courses. These programs have provided children and adults alike with opportunities to further their education, better their skills, and pursue their goals in a place close to home.
The expanded facility will offer flexible indoor spaces for classes, workshops, and community-led events, complemented by outdoor recreation areas designed to bring people together. Plans include a new soccer pitch for youth programs and community tournaments, as well as basketball and volleyball courts that can support a variety of activities and gatherings.
For Senaida Gómez, director of the Mahahual K’iin Community Center, the expansion represents an investment in the community's future. “The Mahahual K’iin Community Center is the result of the strength, participation and dreams of our community,” said Gómez, “This new phase will allow us to expand our impact, strengthen our programs and create safe spaces for children, young people and families. We will continue working to ensure this center is a place of gathering, growth and well-being for everyone.”
At Royal Caribbean Group, supporting communities goes beyond infrastructure projects. It means working alongside residents, listening to local needs, and investing in opportunities that help communities thrive for generations to come. Through its SEA the Future framework, the Group advances initiatives that sustain the planet, energize communities, and accelerate innovation. The Mahahual K’iin Community Center reflects that commitment, creating a place where people can learn, connect, and access opportunities that support a stronger future for Mahahual.
As plans move forward, the Group will continue collaborating with residents, local leaders, and community partners to help ensure the center reflects the aspirations of Mahahual. As the owner and operator of the Port of Costa Maya, the Group is committed to strengthening daily life.