VISITAX – the new, mandatory, Quintana Roo tourist tax, came into effect April 2021. Since then it has been very highly debated, with plenty of wrong information being spread online. We hope this article clears up any confusion you may have regarding the new VISITAX.
What Is VISITAX?
VISITAX is a new tax which is intended to be collected by the State of Quintana Roo’s Tax Administration to fund the reactivation of the tourist sector in Mexico. Please note that this is not the Mexico Tourism tax that is attached to airline tickets, nor is it the Environmental tax that is collected at most all-inclusive resorts. This is an entirely separate new program, in addition to the other two.
Who Needs To Pay VISITAX When Vacationing In Mexico?
Since launch this has been a very highly debated tax, probably because the implementation of it has been rather confusing. However the simple fact is that all tourists over the age of 4 are required to pay the VISITAX.
That said, there have not been any reports of tourists being punished for avoiding the tax, and many tourists claim they have never been questioned on whether they have or have not paid it. Yet. With the introduction of new payment terminals inside the airport, and additional new methods expected to be implemented in the coming months, it is possible (and likely) that airport officials may become stricter in their enforcement. That said – you are better off simply paying the tax.
How Much Is VISITAX Currently & How Do I Pay It?
The tax is currently 241mxn (around $12) per person. This can be paid before your trip, or during your trip.
The ONLY official link to pay prior to the trip is: https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/
Any other websites are scam sites. While they may provide a valid QR code at the end, you will be charged much more for the VISITAX than you should be. Note the example below trying to charge $39 per person!
Often times the official VISITAX website may not work smoothly or your payment may not go through. If that is the case, I recommend trying a different browser, or a different credit card. If that does not work, you can contact them directly: by Phone: (998) 223-6842, (998) 329-5745, (998) 483-7659 from 6am-10pm or by Email: [email protected]
Payment can also be made directly at Cancun International Airport. There are payment booths and kiosks setup in Terminals 2 and 4, at arrivals. They are open from Monday to Sunday, 8:00 a.m. to to 6:00 p.m.
What Information Do I Need When Paying VISITAX?
The information collected when submitting your payment is extremely simple and should only take a few minutes to fill out. Groups, with families in particular, can include everyone in one payment process to make it even smoother.
The responsible party will require the following information:
- The full names of every person in the group
- The number of people in the group
- The birthdate of everyone in the group
- The passport number of everyone in the group
- The group’s date of entry and departure
The process and information required should be the same regardless of whether it is done online or on arrival.
