Mexico Tourism Taxes Made Easy: What UK Visitors Need to Know
Disclosure: Some of the links on our website are affiliate links, meaning at no extra cost to you, we will earn a commission if you’re awesome enough to click through and make a purchase
Taxes, taxes, taxes. Even on holiday, there’s no escaping them.
Not for us normal folk, anyway.
If you’re planning a trip to Mexico’s Quintana Roo, you’ve probably stumbled across terms like “tourist tax,” “departure tax,” or “Visitax.”
I can already hear you screaming,
“What, more bloody admin?!” And trust me, I feel your pain.
But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered!
In this simple guide, we’ll break down everything UK travellers need to know about Mexico’s tourism taxes: what they are, how much they cost, and when and where you need to pay them.
Quick Facts: Mexico Tourist Taxes (Quintana Roo)
Region: Quintana Roo (Cancún, Playa del Carmen, Tulum)
Main Tourist Tax: Visitax
Visitax Cost: Around £10–£11 per person
Who Pays: All international tourists (including children)
When to Pay: Before leaving Quintana Roo
Where to Pay: Online at visitax.gob.mx
Environmental Tax
• Around £1–£2 per night
• Charged per room by your hotel
Departure Tax
• Usually £40–£50
• Normally included in UK flights or package holidays – Included with all TUI Package Holidays
Typical Total for a 2-week holiday:
• Solo traveller: ~£40
• Couple sharing: ~£50
Top Tip
Pay Visitax online the day before you fly home to avoid airport queues and random “fees” from unofficial sites.
Pay only at https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/
The website should also be on your tour operator’s website.
Visitax: Quintana Roo Region Only
If you’re heading to hot holiday spots like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, or Tulum, you’ll encounter Visitax—a regional tax specific to this area. This is often not included in your package holiday so you’ll need to pay for it yourself. You can pay this before your trip to save the faff and stress.
We generally pay it the day before we leave, whilst wiping away the tears and packing our snacks.
- Who pays it? All international tourists regardless of age.
- How much is it? Around £10.50 per person.
- How and when to pay it? Before leaving Quintana Roo, payment is made online at the Visitax website. You can pay at the airport but expect to wait. That’s a lot of faff and stress you don’t want.
Important: The website to pay visitax is https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/. Do not use any other website, or you will be extorted with fees. The website will probably be on your tour operator’s website. It’s on TUI’s if you want to be uber sure.
Pay by Mastercard for the best exchange rate without hefty conversion fees. Usually around 1%. Stuck in a currency battle from Social Media groups? Check out this post if you’re unsure if it’s best to bring Pesos or USD to Mexico.
Environmental Tax
Along with your Visitax, there’s also a tourist tax or environmental tax.
The good news? It’s not a bank-busting fee and is unlikely to impact your holiday budget. Just make sure to account for it when booking your accommodation to avoid any surprises.
- When is it charged? You’ll typically pay this fee when checking in or out of your hotel, usually on arrival.
- How much is it? The fee is usually around £1 or £2 per night, depending on your accommodation. It’s charged per room or accommodation, not per person.
- Why is it charged? This tax helps fund local environmental projects, sanitation and tourism infrastructure in Mexico. Who are they fooling here?
Departure Tax
If you’re flying to Mexico from the UK, here’s some good news: the Departure Tax is almost always included in your flight or package holiday.
This is one of the most expensive taxes, so knowing it’s handled for you is a win—and one less thing to stress over while you’re enjoying your holiday.
- Who includes it? Airlines and travel providers like TUI and Virgin bundle this fee into the cost of your ticket or package holiday. Add BA to the list too.
- How much is it? It’s one of the pricier taxes, often around £40–£50, so it’s a relief not to worry about paying this separately.
- Do you need to confirm? While most UK travellers won’t have to deal with this tax directly, it’s always worth checking your booking confirmation or contacting your provider to be sure.
FAQs
What if I forget to pay Visitax?
Honestly? You’ll probably get a raised eyebrow and a polite but firm request to pay on the spot. It’s unlikely the authorities will likely ask to see your QR code as proof, but that’s a risk probably not worth taking.
Saying that, we did see a few in uniforms at the airport with Visitax or something on their backs.
Probably not worth the risk of a last-minute scramble at the airport, dealing with foreign officials and their (often creative) interpretations of the rules.
For the sake of a few quid, it’s much easier to pay online just before your holiday. That’s the admin done, no hassle, and you can go back to dreaming about cocktails by the pool.
No stress—just how we like it.
Can I pay Visitax in cash?
No, Visitax must be paid online or through the official payment kiosks at the airport. It’s recommended to pay online in advance to save time and avoid potential hassles at the airport.
Do children need to pay Visitax?
This is where things get a little murky. Some sources suggest that children under 4 are exempt from Visitax. However, according to the official Visitax website FAQs, there’s no age barrier, and all tourists—regardless of age—are required to pay.
To avoid confusion or potential issues at the airport, it’s best to assume everyone in your group needs to pay. When in doubt, follow the official guidance to keep your trip stress-free.
Source: https://www.visitax.gob.mx/sitio/
Quick Checklist for UK Visitors
- ✅ Check if tourist and departure taxes are included in your package.
- ✅ Pay Visitax online before or during your trip.
- ✅ Budget for the environmental tax at your hotel.
Approximate Total Costs:
For a 14-night holiday in Mexico, here’s what you can expect to pay in tourism-related taxes (excluding the Departure Tax, which is usually included):
- Visitax: Approximately £10.61 per person.
- Environmental Tax: Around £1 to £2 per night, per room.
So, for a solo traveller staying 14 nights, the total comes to approx £40 For a couple sharing a room, the total is around £50. This is rumoured to be going up in early 2025, but it’ll be only a small increase.
It’s not a huge amount in the grand scheme of your holiday budget, but sorting it out in advance means one less thing to worry about. Pay it, forget it, and get back to dreaming about tacos and cocktails!
Prices as of December 2024 & May 2025.
Final Thoughts
Taxes might not be the most exciting part of planning your trip to Mexico, but a little preparation goes a long way in keeping things stress-free. By sorting out Visitax, checking your flight for included fees, and budgeting for the small environmental tax, you’ll save yourself from any last-minute surprises.
At the end of the day, these are minor hurdles compared to the unforgettable experiences waiting for you and all those cocktails with your name on.
So, tick the admin off your list, pack your bags, and get ready for an amazing Mexican adventure!
More Mexico Tips & Advice
- Travel Currency: Pesos or USD?
- Tipping at All-Inclusive Resorts in Mexico
- Tui Flex: Is It Worth It?
- Free Data, Calls & Texts in Mexico
If this post helped you, or saved you a few quid that’s a win for us. Go enjoy your holibobs.
If you fancy supporting what we do, you can grab us a beer below… Don’t worry, they’re Spanish prices. It genuinely keeps the site running (and funds the holiday hunting).
No pressure. Just good vibes.
¡Adiós amigos!
Send this to a mate going to Mexico
