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Mexico is the latest destination to add a tourist tax

Dec. 24, 2020
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2 min read
Woman floating in an open cenote in Tulum, Mexico
Mexico is the latest destination to add a tourist tax
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From destinations such as Bali and New Zealand, to cities such as Amsterdam, Venice and Edinburgh, the tourist tax is becoming nearly as commonplace for travelers as those pesky resort fees.

Now, we can add yet another destination to the list: Mexico's state of Quintana Roo, home to the Riviera Maya and tourist favorites such as Tulum, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Cancun.

As of April 1, 2021, the state of Quintana Roo will be instituting a $10 tourist tax for foreigners, per The Riviera Maya Times. No details have been released about how the tax would be collected.

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State Secretary for Tourism Marisol Vanegas says the tax is "necessary due to the deficit that the state of Quintana Roo will have due to the fall in tourism as a result of the pandemic," according to the Times. Vanegas faces opposition to the tax from the travel industry over fears it will encourage tourists to choose other tax-free destinations instead.

JW Marriot Cancun
Photo by Zach Griff/The Points Guy

Mexico's tourism industry, much like the rest of the world, has taken a major hit in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Despite being one of the few countries open to American tourists at the moment, the CDC has assigned Mexico a Level 4 “very high” COVID-19 designation and said that “all travel” to the country should be avoided, reports TPG's Victoria Walker.

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Related: Have a trip to Mexico coming up? The CDC says you should cancel

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  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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