This video is for informational purposes only. Our opinions are our own. We pay for all of our own trips and we are not compensated.
*Sources:*
[Visitax Official Website](visitaxgob.mx/...)
[Travelkore](www.travelkore...)
[Open Jaw](openjaw.com/wh...)
[TravelPress](www.travelpres...)
{Open Jaw}(openjaw.com/ne...
Today, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the Visitax - the tourism tax in Quintana Roo, Mexico, that’s been around for a few years now. We have kept you informed with videos about this tax since its inception but there have been some changes and updates for 2024 that you definitely need to be aware of.
When it first came into law they didn’t make it clearly understood at all. They didn’t specify someone to enforce it with any credibility. They allowed scam websites to overcharge people for it. The government website was glitchy. And everyone “passed the buck” so to speak on who was actually checking to see if visitors paid this tax.
After they realized that they have only been collecting around 10% of what's is owed they are starting to pay attention to this revenue stream.
Your travel agent can pay this tax for you on your behalf for a fee but if you want to pay this tax for yourself there are only 2 reliable ways to pay the Visitax.
The first is the official government website. It is www.visitax.gob.mx.
You input the date you are departing Quintana Roo. The number of people in your party. You can add up to 10 people. First and Last name of each person in your group. Birthday of each person. Passport number for each person and a valid email address. Once you have filled out the form you will be redirected to a secure online payment page where you can make your visitax payment using debit or credit cards. Currently they include MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express. It is pretty straightforward. Once your payment is completed you will be provided with a QR code. Make sure you save and then screenshot this code as it will serve as your proof of payment. If you lose your QR code your info will be stored on the government servers for up to one year.
Alternatively you can pay it through the Toronto based company, Travelkore. It is www.travelkore.com. This is an online company that has been contracted and authorized by the state of Quintana Roo as the ONLY third-party payment company. Don’t be fooled by other sites.
The info you input to Travelkore is pretty much the same except when you use Travelkore you have the options to pay in US dollars, Canadian Dollars, or Mexican Pesos. This may help some people avoid currency exchange fees from their credit card company. Travelkore has a great live chat feature that you can use if you have any questions or if you have any difficulty making your payment.
Travelkore also generates a government QR code for you that proves you have paid the Visitax. If you set up a CareKore account your QR code will be automatically added to your CareKore wallet so you can access it when you need it. However, I would still keep a copy of your receipt and your QR code stored in multiple places. Even print a copy just in case you need to prove that you have paid it and you don’t have access to wifi. FYI the wifi in the Cancun airport it sketchy to say the least.
The Travelkore Visitax QR looks very similar to the government QR receipt.
Immigration and security checkpoints have the right to ask you for proof of payment before you can proceed further. They don't have to though because proof of payment is linked to your passport number, name birthday etc.
www.Paxeditions.com posted an article in April of 2024 stating that “Travellers who skip Quintana Roo tourist tax will face “digital tracking,” passport observations: SATQ” (Sujeto a la Tasa Quintana Roo)
Openjaw.com quotes Tim Scurry from Travelkore saying that the State has the legal right to make sure you pay the missed taxes before you enter the State and the State has not waived its right to collect taxes due from the date the law changed in 2022.
All of this basically means that the State has the right to deny you entry until all of your back taxes are paid. They also have the right to add fines to this for non-compliance.
The Visitax isn’t part of all of the already listed extra fees from your airline and resort. It is separate. If you haven’t got a QR code receipt then you haven’t paid it. It is really that simple.
There are no longer visitax kiosks at the airport and those people collecting cash at the bottom of the escalator are also gone.
Thank you for watching. We hope this has helped you. Knowing the different travel requirements and fees as well as how to navigate the airport is important and I want your vacation to be as stress-free as possible.
4 окт 2024
