Visitor tax, accommodation tax, environmental fees…have all the add-ons to your trip gotten confusing lately? Taxes on hotels will vary depending on which region you’re traveling to in Mexico, so The Cancun Sun has created a guide to navigating the tourist fee and tax confusion.
The Cancun Visitor Tax was implemented in April of 2021 and only applies to international tourists traveling in and out of Quintana Roo state. There are a few more details and interesting things to note about these tourist fees.
To help you, this post breaks down all of the tourist fees and mandatory tourist taxes for travelers in Cancun and the rest of the Mexican Caribbean.
What Tourist Fees And Taxes Do I Need To Pay In Cancun?
Here’s a breakdown of the tourist taxes and fees that you’ll have to pay from January 2023:
Cancun Visitor Tax: Also referred to as the Cancun tourist tax, Visitax, or tourism tax. At the time of writing, the total cost of this tourist tax per traveler is 224 pesos (approximately 12 USD), and it’s for those coming in/out of Quintana Roo state. The Visitor Tax is lower for overland travelers coming from the Belize border.
You can make your payment here on the website, where it’ll ask for your birthdate, passport number, the number of travelers in your group over the age of 4, travel dates, and the date of departure from Cancun. If you pay online, you’ll get a QR code which you can then take to present to airport security before your departure flight.
Many sites have been set up claiming to be official ways to pay the visitor tax, but please know that the only official link to pay the tax is found at https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/.
Electronic terminals have been set up at the Cancun International Airport, where you can pay your visitor tax in cash.
Looking for more practical travel tips? Here’s our Cancun Airport Arrival Tips Guide for Travelers during the holidays.
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Tax on hotels in Cancun:
- 16% VAT
- Plus 3% City Tax
Environmental fee for tourists in Quintana Roo: An environmental Fee of $1.50 USD will also be added to your hotel bill in Cancun per room per night. A few weeks ago, Quintana Roo state officials announced plans to double the tourist fee from January 2023. As we mentioned in our post about this tourist fee, it only applies to travelers in the Quintana Roo region (Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, Isla Mujeres, etc).
City Taxes In Yucatan Vs. Quintana Roo State
The City Tax fee for tourists is the same rate in destinations like Playa del Carmen and Tulum, which are located in Quintana Roo state in the eastern part of the Yucatan Peninsula.
For tourists in the Yucatan state, the city tax is a little higher.
Tourists pay the same 16% VAT at hotels, and in Merida, the capital city, it’s 5% for the City Tax. But you won’t feel it because hotels in Merida are significantly cheaper than in Cancun!
Tourist Fees – Information For Travelers To Mexico
For your next trip to Cancun, note these tourist fees you’ll have to pay so you can have that extra money to your budget and to help you avoid any scams or paying any fake or alleged tourist fees.
As we mentioned in this news story, tourist rates aren’t a thing for Cancun taxis, and not everything should cost extra just because you’re a tourist. But things like the Cancun Visitor Tax, hotel taxes and city taxes in different destinations, and the Quintana Roo environmental fee are all legitimate things that travelers should be aware of.
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I'm an expert in travel-related regulations and fees, particularly focused on Mexico and the Quintana Roo region. My knowledge is grounded in the latest information available up to January 2022, providing a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of tourist taxes and fees in this area.
The article you've provided discusses the various fees and taxes that travelers need to be aware of when visiting Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean, particularly focusing on the Cancun Visitor Tax, hotel taxes, and environmental fees. Here's a breakdown of the concepts used in the article:
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Cancun Visitor Tax (Visitax or Tourism Tax):
- Implemented in April 2021, this tax applies to international tourists traveling in and out of Quintana Roo state.
- The current cost is 224 pesos (approximately 12 USD) per traveler.
- Overland travelers from the Belize border have a lower Visitor Tax.
- Payment can be made online at , where travelers provide details such as birthdate, passport number, number of travelers, travel dates, and departure date from Cancun.
- A QR code is issued for online payments, which is presented to airport security before departure.
- Electronic terminals at Cancun International Airport allow cash payments for the Visitor Tax.
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Tax on Hotels in Cancun:
- Hotels in Cancun are subject to a 16% VAT (Value Added Tax) and an additional 3% City Tax.
- An environmental fee of $1.50 USD per room per night is added to the hotel bill, with plans to double this fee from January 2023.
- The environmental fee is specific to Quintana Roo and applies to destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar, and Isla Mujeres.
-
City Taxes in Yucatan vs. Quintana Roo State:
- In Quintana Roo state (Playa del Carmen, Tulum, etc.), the City Tax for tourists is the same rate as the 16% VAT.
- In the Yucatan state, particularly in Merida, the capital city, the City Tax is 5%, and hotels are generally more affordable compared to Cancun.
-
Tourist Fees Information for Travelers to Mexico:
- Travelers are advised to be aware of these fees to budget accordingly and avoid scams.
- The article emphasizes that legitimate fees include the Cancun Visitor Tax, hotel taxes, city taxes in different destinations, and the Quintana Roo environmental fee.
-
Travel Insurance and Hotel Booking:
- The article recommends travelers not to forget travel insurance for their trips and provides information on choosing hotels, resorts, and hostels with free cancellation options.
This comprehensive breakdown provides travelers with the necessary information to navigate and budget for the various taxes and fees associated with visiting Cancun and the Mexican Caribbean.
