Quintana Roo in the Mexican Caribbean is simply a tourist paradise full of magic, breathtaking nature, and activities for all ages. The beautiful white sand beaches and turquoise waters, the mystic Mayan ruins, exciting water sports, and buzzing nightlife, are just a few of the reasons that tourists flock here every year. For travelers planning to travel to Quintana Roo in the near future, please be advised that there is a new Cancun tax for visitors, which this article will explain in more detail.
The privileged geographic location of Quintana Roo makes it a favorite vacation spot for millions of people all year long, and once you get there, it is not hard to see why everyone falls in love with the destination and wants to return again and again, so if you’re considering coming to this literal tropical paradise, below is some important information about the new Cancun tax for visitors.
Everything you Need to Know About the New Tax
The new tax is called “Visitax”, but there’s a chance you’ll find it under other names like: visitor tax, tourism tax, or tourist tax. Visitax came into effect on April 1, 2021, when the Secretary of Finance and Planning of the State Government approved it through the Quintana Roo Tax Administration System. The new mandatory tax applies to the whole state of Quintana Roo, including Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Bacalar, Isla Mujeres, and Riviera Maya.
Visitax is 224 Mexican pesos per person, around $10 or $11 USD depending on the daily exchange rate, and it must be paid by all foreign visitors aged 15 and up. Visitors from Belize get a reduced rate, and will pay 10 percent less than all other international travelers. The reason for that is that they are regular visitors who often make short-trips across the border.
If it’s not your first time going to Cancun, you’re probably wondering why there is a new tax. There are a few reasons for this. The Governor of Quintana Roo, Carlos Joaquín González, said in a statement that ¨We are going to work for the good of tourism in these complicated times.” The tax has been implemented to help with the recovery of travel and tourism and to help the region overcome the adverse economic impact caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitax will not only help to create more jobs, but it will also go towards funding new tourist attractions in the long run.
Quintana Roo has been greatly affected by coronavirus, in the same way that other parts of the world have been, and that has had an impact both on the citizens and the tourist industry as a whole. The effects are still expected to be felt into 2022 and beyond. This new tax will greatly help the area, its people and businesses, and will result in additional fun things for visitors to do in the destination in the future.
How to Pay Visitax
There are two ways you can pay Visitax, one is on the official website and the other is at the airport. The website offers Spanish and English language options. If you want to pay online, here is some basic information that you’ll need to provide:
- Departure date
- Number of people traveling
- Names, ages, and passport numbers of each person you are traveling with
If you’re traveling with family or friends, you can make the payment as a group and get individual vouchers for each traveler. On the website you can pay using your credit card, and don’t worry, the electronic payment method is safe and secure. Your payment will be processed thru 3D-Secure with the GeoTrust® Secured site seal.
You can make the payment online any time before you travel to Mexico or up until your day of departure. Once you make the payment, you will receive a voucher, which must be shown to security at the airport before you leave Mexico.
Or, if you prefer, you can pay it at the airport on the day of your departure. There are kiosks installed in the airport where you can pay in pesos or US dollars, please note they only accept cash and not cards. Also be aware that even though the government says the process shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes, during high season there may be more people in line and it could take longer, so if you plan to pay at the airport, make sure you arrive in plenty of time, so you’re not stressed about missing your flight home. Once you make the payment at one of the kiosks, you’ll get a QR code to scan at security.
Just one last tip, the tax is not included in any airline or travel services and the only exceptions are for national tourists and children aged 14 and younger, as they are exempt from this tax.
The general director of the tax administration, Rodrigo Díaz, said that it is not difficult to pay the Cancun tax for visitors, so don’t worry about it too much, just consider it as another thing to keep in mind when you travel, besides the tax is a small price to pay for enjoying paradise on earth.
Ready to Make Your Dreams Come True?
Now that you have this information, you’re all set for a dreamy vacation in the Mexican Caribbean. If you need advice on where to stay, Garza Blanca Resort & Spa Cancun is located in Costa Mujeres, an exclusive Cancun neighborhood in close proximity to Isla Mujeres, and it is rated #1 of 263 Hotels in Cancun on Tripadvisor, so you are sure to have a perfect tropical vacation at a brand-new luxury resort right on the edge of a stunning swimmable beach where you will enjoy sunny days, delicious meals, and all the comfort and luxury you can dream of.
In addition to the new tax, remember that as we return to a “new normal” there are some rules that still might be in effect, such as COVID testing requirements before you travel back home.
We hope that you have found this information about the new Cancun tax for visitors useful and that you’ll soon be on your way to the vacation that you have always dreamed of!
