Do I really need to pay the Visitax when I visit Cancún?

Beach Club at Hyatt Vivid Grand Island

Are you headed to Cancun? Maybe you have been told by your travel advisor or a friend that you have to pay the Visitax before flying home. Let’s talk about this Visitax. What it is, what it’s for and whether you should pay it.

VisiTAX Tourist Tax Cancún is a tax implemented by the government of Quintana Roo in Mexico. The state of Quintana Roo is home to popular destinations such as Cancun,  Isla Mujeres, Tulum and Playa del Carmen among others.

The primary purpose of VisiTAX is to maintain and improve the state’s tourism infrastructure, aid in environmental conservation and create new tourist attractions. This initiative, more than a mere regulatory measure, is meant to foster significant efforts toward sustainable tourism in the Mexican Caribbean, one of Mexico’s most frequented areas. 

This is not a new tax, it was originally implemented in 2021, however it has not been highly enforced. While it is mandatory, Mexican authorities have been less than consistent on verifying and collecting the tax. The tax is collected on an official website run by SATQ (Servicio de Administracíon Tributaria de Quintana Roo). To further complicate and cause more confusion, there have been may scam websites that will steal your money and look very similar to the official website.

Here is a screenshot of the home page from the official website.

Click image to visit the official site

I have personally visited the Cancún area twice in 2024. In May, I was never questioned on whether or not I had paid the tax. But, on my return trip in October, I was greeted by Visitax representatives as soon as I cleared the immigration area. The representatives were clearly marked with Visitax vests and presented a QR code on an ipad. They were asking visitors to scan the QR code and pay the Visitax before flying back home. None of them stopped guests and there was no force. This is clearly an improvement and seems to be enforcing the tax payment.

In my opinion, and out of respect to this beautiful destination that we visit, it is important to pay this tax. You may or may not be questioned when you visit, but it is a mandatory tax. The cost is 271 MXN or about $14 USD per person.

There are ways to pay the tax in person at the airport before your departure, but there are often long lines that can cause delays. The website is the quickest and more efficient way to pay this tax. You will enter your name and passport number and date you are leaving Mexico, then make your payment with multiple options including credit card and Paypal. Once the tax is paid, you will immediately be emailed a QR code receipt. You’ll present this QR code to the VisiTAX representative at the airport when (and if) you are asked for proof of payment.

Should you lose your QR code, don’t panic. Your travel information will be stored on the SATQ servers for up to one year.

Here is what my QR code looked like:

Present this QR code when asked for your proof of Visitax payment

Avoiding VISITAX Scams

To avoid VISTAX scams, please remember the following:

• You should never be requested to make a cash payment for VISITAX upon arrival at your destination. 

• Under no circumstances should you be required to pay VISITAX in cash by anyone, even a government official.

• You should never be charged more than 271 MXN per person, including service charges or convenience fees. The only exception is if you have specifically requested your licensed travel agent to make the payment on your behalf and they may add a fee or charge a commission for the transaction. (I don’t, but other travel agents may)

The state of Quintana Roo is a beautiful place to visit, so if I must pay $14 USD to help maintain and improve it, I’m all in.

If you are interested in a All-inclusive stay in the Mexican Caribbean, I would love to help. I visit the region multiple times per year, personally visiting many resorts in Quintana Roo. Not all resorts are the same and I would love to help you find just the right fit for you and your family.

Please reach out to me at melissa@wandersbymelissa.com or on my website.

I look forward to hearing from you!

VIVA Mexico!

-Melissa

I LOVE Mexico!