Mexico is the latest destination to add a tourist tax
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.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
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.
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.
Related: Have a trip to Mexico coming up? The CDC says you should cancel
TPG featured card
at Capital One's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X miles | Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel |
| 2X miles | Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day |
Pros
- Stellar welcome offer of 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. Plus, a $250 Capital One Travel credit to use in your first cardholder year upon account opening.
- You'll earn 2 miles per dollar on every purchase, which means you won't have to worry about memorizing bonus categories
- Rewards are versatile and can be redeemed for a statement credit or transferred to Capital One’s transfer partners
Cons
- Highest bonus-earning categories only on travel booked via Capital One Travel
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app