The Financial Impacts of Tourist Tax in Mexico’s Quintana Roo, Cancun, Playa del Carmen & Cozumel

From the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum to the pristine beaches of Cozumel, Quintana Roo in Mexico has become a popular destination for tourists around the world. Amidst the beauty and leisure that this region has to offer however, travelers must now face a new hurdle: paying mandatory tourist tax. This hidden fee is proving to be an unavoidable expense for many visitors, with the government introducing creative ways to ensure payment – from QR codes at airports to Paypal integrations on websites. Discover how these tourist taxes are impacting finances both locally and abroad as we explore their implications in-depth.

Overview of Tourist Tax in Mexico

Mexico’s Quintana Roo, a state located on the east coast of the country, is home to some of its most popular tourist destinations including Cancun, Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. As with all Mexican states, Quintana Roo has recently implemented a tourism tax that applies to all foreign visitors who stay overnight in the state.

The mandatory tax is imposed on each person visiting the region and must be paid in full prior to arrival.

What is the tourist tax in Mexico?

The new tourism tax is known as “Visitax” and applies to all legal and permanent residents of Mexico or visitors who stay longer than one day in an accommodation establishment in Quintana Roo. The tax amount is calculated based on the length of stay and type of accommodation, and must be paid by the traveler before their arrival.

Who is required to pay the tourist tax?

All foreign visitors staying for more than one day in any establishment within Quintana Roo are subject to paying the new tourist tax. This includes hotels, resorts, guesthouses, homes or vacation rentals.

What is the purpose of the tourist tax?

The purpose of this mandatory payment is twofold: firstly, it serves as a tangible way for municipalities to collect revenue from tourists staying in their area; secondly, it encourages travelers to stay longer in Quintana Roo. By providing municipal funds, taxes are used towards projects such as public transportation systems, parks, infrastructure maintenance and preservation of cultural attractions.

How is the tourist tax collected?

The visitax can be paid online via PayPal or by credit card upon check-in at your accommodation provider. For those paying online prior to arrival, you will receive a confirmation code which you must provide upon arrival at your hotel or resort.

Upon collection at either airport or seaport entry points into Quintana Roo, travelers may also be asked for proof of payment such as a printed receipt.

Tourist Tax in Popular Mexican Destinations

In addition to Quintana Roo, several other popular tourist destinations in Mexico also impose a tourism tax. Here is a look at how these taxes apply across different regions.

Tourist Tax In Cancun And Riviera Maya

Cancun and Riviera Maya are two of the most popular travel destinations in Mexico’s Quintana Roo. The tourism tax here is 8 pesos (approximately 0.

40USD) per person per night with discounts available for those aged under 14 years old and over 60 years old.

Impact Of COVID-19 On Tourist Tax In Mexico

Due to the impact of Covid-19, Mexico has implemented a three-tier system for entry that requires all travelers to provide proof of residence and negative PCR test results. Visitors will be assigned a ‘green’, ‘yellow’ or ‘red’ status upon arrival depending on their health records.

Those in the green zone may enter without restrictions while those in the red zone are subject to additional testing, travel restrictions or quarantine.

This new system has had an impact on how visitor tax is collected as airports and seaports have become the main point-of-entry into Mexico. Travelers must now present a valid passport number, copy of their PCR test results and confirmation of payment at these locations in order to gain entry into the country.