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Cancun is the most sought-after destination for Americans going abroad: with its all-inclusive resorts, buzzing shopping scene, and beautiful beaches lapped by turquoise seas, there is no doubt it is set for yet another record-breaking season.
That being said, a week in paradise does not come with its own share of good old bureaucracy.
In April 2021, the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, introduced VISITAX, a tourist fee required for all arrivals.
The tax applies to tourists landing in Cancun, though since its introduction, authorities have been very lax in enforcing the new law, which is no longer happening moving forward––and for that dodger out there, you might want to think twice:
Not paying this fee could get your passport flagged.
What Is The Cancun VISITAX?
First of all, what is exactly VISITAX?
This is a tourist tax with the aim to generate revenue for new infrastructure, with some examples being new technology to keep the coast sargassum-free, the revitalization of the Tajamar boardwalk, and even road improvements.
We know you’re already wondering why you have to pay the Quintana Roo state on top of your already-expensive all-inclusive resort, but personally, we can’t even be mad at it when we’re seeing the advancement of projects, and the fact it costs only 271 Mexican pesos.
In U.S. dollars, that’s a negligible $13.40, and all travelers aged 15 and over must pay.
Also, Cancun is not the only destination to have added a tourist fee in recent years: you can no longer even board a U.K.-bound flight without applying first for their new travel authorization, and just south of Mexico, Belize is the latest to have introduced a similar requirement.
For three years now, however, airport officials have not bothered checking whether tourists have paid the tax or not, with Americans either being completely ignored or let off altogether.
As reported by the Cancun Sun, this changes with immediate effect.
What Are The Consequences For Not Paying?
Starting this season, tourists who do not show proof of paying the tourist tax might face consequences.
For starters, agents have been stopping tourists departing from Cancun Airport to ensure they have paid the tax before flying out of the state, either to other destinations in Mexico or to their home country.
In most cases, they are simply asked to pay the fee on the spot before leaving, without serious repercussions, but according to the Cancun Sun, others who attempt to leave without paying could be in for an unpleasant surprise coming back to Cancun.
Whether it’s fines or something else, the full extent of the consequences hasn’t been formally detailed––still, one that has been mentioned explicitly is the addition of an ‘observation’ to your passport.
We don’t know what this means exactly, but we do know we don’t want to get our passports flagged by any authorities, particularly when it’s such a minor inconvenience, such as forking out as little as $13 bucks and a few cents.
Should you choose to ignore the requirement, and manage to get away with it, it is probable you will have to pay double the fee returning to Cancun, as border agents will have access to your passport observations, or even be issued a fine, which is unspecified at this point.
Trust us, you don’t want to get handed a fine in a foreign country, where laws are different than your homeland, and values can be quite hefty.
Moral of the story, just pay the fee.
How To Pay Cancun’s VISITAX Fee
How do you pay the VISITAX fee?
There are two simple ways to do it: online through the official VISITAX website or upon arrival at one of the kiosks located inside Cancun Airport, Tulum Airport, or other entry points into the state of Quintana Roo.
Needless to say, paying online in advance is the most convenient alternative as you’ll be avoiding waiting in line.
The process is very straightforward. You’ll fill out a simplified form, where you’ll be asked to enter your name, birth date, departure date, and preferred payment method (currently, you can only pay with a credit or debit card).
Once payment is confirmed, you’ll be issued a QR code to show to agents when the time comes.
Oh, and beware of scammers!
These are the only two ways you can legitimately pay your VISITAX contribution: do not trust scammers waiting at the arrivals hall or outside the airport, asking for three to four times the actual fee.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.