Embrace It Tax

I read in a local Vancouver paper that the State of Baja California Sur has instituted a mandatory tax called the “Embrace It Tax” for tourists staying longer than 24 hours.

The Tax is MX470 or approximately US$23.50, CAN$34. Also tourists arriving via Cruise Ships will be required to pay approximately US$5.00 each instead of the proposed US$42.00, CAN$56.97.

This fund is to support development initiatives to improve local communities, including state projects for safety, sports and culture.

I’m of the opinion this is the proverbial “thin edge of the wedge” and if other MX states decide to follow suit with their own tax scheme, it may give tourists pause to reconsider their travel plans and destinations.

It isn’t that easy to pay the tax either, especially if one is taking side trips to nearby states that have instituted a similar tax. One has to fill out a form with passport number and the entry/exit dates of one’s visit and then after paying they will get a QR code to present at the port of entry.

It will be interesting to see how other MX states react to the Baja Embrace It Tax.

Roberto!

I read in a local Vancouver paper that the State of Baja California Sur has instituted a mandatory tax called the “Embrace It Tax” for tourists staying longer than 24 hours.

The Tax is MX470 or approximately US$23.50, CAN$34. Also tourists arriving via Cruise Ships will be required to pay approximately US$5.00 each instead of the proposed US$42.00, CAN$56.97.

This fund is to support development initiatives to improve local communities, including state projects for safety, sports and culture.

I’m of the opinion this is the proverbial “thin edge of the wedge” and if other MX states decide to follow suit with their own tax scheme, it may give tourists pause to reconsider their travel plans and destinations.

It isn’t that easy to pay the tax either, especially if one is taking side trips to nearby states that have instituted a similar tax. One has to fill out a form with passport number and the entry/exit dates of one’s visit and then after paying they will get a QR code to present at the port of entry.

It will be interesting to see how other MX states react to the Baja Embrace It Tax.

Roberto!

I've only heard of the US$5 Non-Resident Duty tax being imposed by the federal government. This must be only for Baja California del Sur. Other states may have their own cruise ship taxes.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/travel/us-5-tax-goes-into-effect/

Yucatán has a Visitax put in place for about 3 years now. It is to be paid upon exit but is not enforced. Wonder if it is more of the same?

That ship has already sailed for aviation travel into Mexico from USA. On a recent (early June 2025) trip to Puerto Vallarta, the plane ride was approximately $630.00 R/T from Chicago. When I checked the cost breakdown, this is what I found:

Plane Ticket: $430.00
Taxes and Fees: $200.00
TOTAL $630.00

Taxes and Fees

MEXICO taxes/fees
Mexico Tourism Tax: $45.15
Mexico Departure Tax:$68.30
Mexico Immigration Fee DSM:$11.47

TOTAL $124.92

USA taxes/fees:
TOTAL $75.08

I never knew that Mexico's Federal tourism bite was so hefty. I think, like the recent cruise ship US 5.00 tax, this may simply be a sign of the times.

For those that are Mexican citizens, or hold temporary or permanent residency, a simple email will get you refunded for those fees. Most/many don't bother.

For those that are Mexican citizens, or hold temporary or permanent residency, a simple email will get you refunded for those fees. Most/many don't bother.

Would you mind expanding on that a little?

Did you contact the airline or the Mexican government for the refund? If it was the Mexican government, what is the email address you used?

Gracias por su ayuda!

MEXICO taxes/fees
Mexico Tourism Tax: $45.15
Mexico Departure Tax:$68.30
Mexico Immigration Fee DSM:$11.47

TOTAL $124.92

This gives us yet another gratuitous opportunity to remind everyone that the fees for direct flights from Tijuana are far lower. You can find your way to the San Diego / Tijuana region and spend a day or two or more in our neck of the woods, maybe even check out the Mexican wine growing region, Valle de Guadalupe. You then take a direct flight from Tijuana to Zihuatanejo, paying just the airport fee and the national transit tax. If you are staying seven days or less, you can get a free tourist visa as you walk across the border in San Ysidro. (The free 7-day tourist visas are not available at the airport.) The six-month tourist visa at the border crossings and in the airport is roughly US$35. (They want you to pay with a credit/debit card now.)

Those wanting the ultimate in convenience should check out the Cross Border Express that allows you to walk across a bridge that dumps you into the airport. Returning to the U.S. using the Cross Border Express typically saves a few hours as the free border crossing in San Ysidro can have waiting times of 2 to 4 hours. However, there are buses at San Ysidro that can avoid the pedestrian lines for a fee, of course. The Cross Border Express is not inexpensive.

An added bonus is you don't have to go through customs in Zihuatanejo as it is a domestic flight. The complaints of egregious behavoir by the customs agents in Zihuatanejo have lessened considerably lately. However, one never knows about the future.

Alaska Air makes it easy and allows one to submit requests for refunds for the past 12 months.

"The six-month tourist visa at the border crossings and in the airport is roughly US$35. (They want you to pay with a credit/debit card now.)"

I just had to do this for a week trip in Cabo San Lucas.
860 pesos. I don't mind doing something that might contribute to their infrastructure or education system but it feels scammy.

For those that are Mexican citizens, or hold temporary or permanent residency, a simple email will get you refunded for those fees. Most/many don't bother.

I wish that were my experience.

Alaska Airlines had me jump through hoops for days before finally crediting my credit card.

WestJet required me to send them a copy of my PR card before flying. When I did, they said they didn’t have time to process the cancellation of the FMM with migración, so they weren’t going to refund me.

Aeromexico told me that I had to use my ticket first, then apply for the refund. Then they didn’t respond to my request for a refund.

I will be entering at MEX again in October 2025. I have again tried to get it refunded in advance and have been told I have to use the ticket first, then apply for a refund. I fully expect to be unsuccessful again.

I have FM2 and PR for at least 20 years. I have been using AS, WS, and AM over those years. I have entered Mexico one to three times a year over that period. I have always tried to obtain a refund of the FMM charge. I think I have managed to have the FMM fee refunded two or three times

All four times, we just sent an email with proof of citizenship/residency and the flight information. Promptly refunded to our card. This was Alaska.

I just had to do this for a week trip in Cabo San Lucas.
860 pesos. I don't mind doing something that might contribute to their infrastructure or education system but it feels scammy.

In comparison, the United States tourist via costs $185 as of this writing but it is good for 10 years. Both allow you to stay for up to six months. Dunno' where the money goes but if it goes to helping their respective State Departments process the immigration applications and associated paperwork, then that is money well spent, in my humble opinion.