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Cancun Officials Begin Crackdown To Ensure Visitors Pay Tourist Tax

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A Toronto-based company has been appointed to enforce the collection of Cancun’s mandatory tourist tax.

Quintana Roo, the Mexican state which includes popular travel destinations such as Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Playa Del Carmen, has doubled down on collecting its VISITAX after originally bringing it into law on April 1st, 2021. 

Poeple enjoying cancun beach

With the goal of the infrastructure improvement tax to “help us protect our beaches and Mayan heritage sites”, the government is now mandating all tour operators, airlines, and other travel providers to collect the tax after it was reported that many tourists were simply not paying the fee.

Cancun International Airport is one of the busiest in the world, seeing an average of 500 flights per day in its most popular seasons.

With millions of travelers passing through its gates each month, it is clear why the enforcement of the tax seemed to be poorly managed due to the lack of staff and confusion around the legislation.

cancun international airport with tourists

Once it had become clear that travelers who ignored workers in VISITAX shirts at Cancun International Airport could do so without any repercussions, there was little to be done in the way of enforcing the tax itself. 

The original statement from Quintana Roo’s General Director of the Tax Administration service, Héctor Josè Contreras Mercader, about the tax reads: 

“All providers of services related to activities provided to foreign tourists entering the State Of Quintana Roo are informed that in compliance with article  51- Octies of the Law of Rights of the State of Quintana Roo, any foreign visitor, upon entering the State of Quintana Roo, must pay a fee for the use or exploitation of real estate of the public domain of the State of Quintana Roo, with the exception of those who enter through the Southern Border of the Entity.”

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cancun famous hotel zone aerial view

Travelkore, based in Toronto, has since been appointed by Quintana Roo to automate the collection of the tourist tax via its payment platform in an attempt to deter travelers from thinking it is an optional fee. 

Tim Scurry, CEO of the Torkore group of companies that includes Travelkore, admitted that the original legislation had not been clear about the tax’s mandatory nature, which left tourists and travel providers confused.

He stated that it was “quite an honor to be chosen as a unique provider of the fulfillment platform”, with the law now “abundantly clear” that the tax is mandatory, having been changed in December 2022. 

cancun international airport sign with plane flying over

Travelkore has now built a user-friendly system that makes the tax “east to pay, easy to process, and efficiently administered,” which gives each traveler a unique QR code that can be presented to customs at Cancun International Airport.

How Do You Pay The Tax?

The VISITAX can be paid through the Travelkore official website here and is the only approved site for the payment.

The payment system is also currently being integrated into the booking systems of airlines, tour operators, and other travel providers, who can reinforce the payment with their clients and handle the process so they don’t have to. 

Through Travelkore, travel advisors will be able to earn a small fee per payment if they process the tax for their clients using a similar operating system that additionally allows for a transaction report, enabling them to invoice Travelkore each month. 

Solo female traveler in cancun

How Much Is The Tax?

The VISITAX costs US$ 18.80 per person and must be paid by all non-residential visitors prior to their arrival at Cancun International Airport. 

There is no available cash payment option upon arrival, and only those who are arriving via land through Quintana Roo’s southern border will not have to pay the fee. 

Travelers on a popular beach in Cancun

What Else Do You Need To Know?

Large groups of up to 10 persons can process the tax in one transaction adding to the easy-to-use nature of the website and making it hugely convenient for families and friends who are traveling together. 

In addition to the payment process, Travelkore also provides health and safety support tools, Quintana Roo’s Guest Assist embedded link, and Nurse Concierge. 

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LarryWA

Sunday 9th of June 2024

Scam. They will be in prison soon.

Otto

Wednesday 7th of February 2024

You can offset the taxes by reducing your tipping. Or simply book another destination.

George

Saturday 26th of August 2023

ITS A SCAM THE VISITOR TAX

Sgraham

Tuesday 1st of August 2023

Was 11.00 now it is 18.80. Why such a price increase?

Firstlast

Monday 31st of July 2023

I am the holder of a US passport. I also am a Residente Permanente

If I read the article correctly, I am exempt from paying the VISITAX because o am in possession of a Residente Permanente visa.

Since I will not have any evidence I paid the tax, what do I do?

LarryWA

Sunday 9th of June 2024

@Another Scurry, in the USA The Scurry family would be in prison.

Another Scurry

Thursday 30th of November 2023

@Firstlast, the tax is a scam and not legal.

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