BajaNomad

New BCS Travel Tax

ChuckB - 7-4-2025 at 05:03 PM

Saw an announcement of a new tax for travelers to BCS. Anybody have any experience with this tax (effective July 1)?


This link is to a pdf:

BCS Travel Tax memo

It says travelers must shows proof of payment when existing including on HIGWAYS (is there more than one? - pun intended).

wilderone - 7-5-2025 at 06:56 AM

wow. confusing. Q: And what happens if you don't pay and you are asked to show your QR code at BCS border? Seems payment is only accepted online - you purchase it on the spot with your phone? As you're leaving the country at the airport?

And not specified if good for multiple entries. Per trip (2, 3 times per year?) could get expensive.

AI inquiry: The "Embrace It Tax" in Baja California Sur is a separate fee and is not included in the FMM fee.
Here's a breakdown:
FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple): This is the Mexican tourist permit/card required for entry, particularly when crossing by land. It has an associated fee, which is often included in airfares, but needs to be paid separately if entering by land for stays longer than 7 days.
Embrace It Tax: This is a separate mandatory tourism tax implemented by the state of Baja California Sur. It is specifically for foreign visitors staying in the region for more than 24 hours.
Purpose: The Embrace It tax aims to fund sustainable tourism initiatives, environmental conservation, and community development within Baja California Sur.
Payment: The Embrace It tax must be paid online via the Travelkore platform before arriving in Baja California Sur, and proof of payment (a QR code) must be presented upon entry.

https://embrace.bcs.gob.mx/faq

Also: Starting July 1, cruise passengers visiting Mexico will face a new fee. Initially set at $5 per passenger, the fee will gradually increase over the next three years, reaching $21 August 2028. This fee will be added to the cost of the cruise and collected by the cruise lines.

AKgringo - 7-5-2025 at 09:15 AM

So many un-answered questions at their web site! Us Luddites don't like the idea of linking our identity and payment information to a QR code. I don't use my phone to pay for anything.

I suspect that this will be primarily used to draw a few more pesos out of air and cruise ship visitors, but could be used to shake down highway travelers.

There is no mention of what the consequences of not having the QR code to present might be.

mtgoat666 - 7-5-2025 at 09:20 AM

From the website it appears that the tax will only collected/checked at intl airports, cabo, la paz, loreto.
Seen similar tourist/airport taxes in other countries.
Seems like it would be more efficient for make airlines collect the tax as part of airfare…

But that guy at guerrero negro who sprays DDT on your car will start collecting the $25 tax, eh?

Maybe gonna have to start taking that dirt road bypass to avoid the DDT guy.

[Edited on 7-5-2025 by mtgoat666]

karenintx - 7-5-2025 at 09:27 AM

Cancun has been collecting this same kind of tax for awhile.

Maybe someone that has departed out of CUN has more info has to how payments are verified by officials at the airport.

Are MX Permanent/Temporary residents exempted?

karenintx - 7-5-2025 at 09:43 AM

Airlines are only required to collect "federal taxes" and since this a state tax...the airlines will not dirty their hands by charging the passengers more money. Passengers do not look at what the fees are when paying for a airline ticket, they just know their ticket charge "this much money".

In the Los Cabos area, it is my understanding the hotels already collect an environmental fee of about $1.50 USD. Do not know if this is nightly, per person, per visit or what. The Los Cabos officials tried to get the airlines to collect this money for them but the airlines told them "NO, it's not federal." So that is when the hotels were pressured to collect the money.

cupcake - 7-5-2025 at 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
From the website it appears that the tax will only collected/checked at intl airports, cabo, la paz, loreto.
Seen similar tourist/airport taxes in other countries.
Seems like it would be more efficient for make airlines collect the tax as part of airfare…

But that guy at guerrero negro who sprays DDT on your car will start collecting the $25 tax, eh?

Maybe gonna have to start taking that dirt road bypass to avoid the DDT guy.

[Edited on 7-5-2025 by mtgoat666]


The PDF that was linked in the original post of this thread states:

"All foreign visitors staying in Baja California Sur for more than 24 hours are legally required to pay a fee of $470 MXN). This payment is mandatory and must be completed online..."

"Travelers must show proof of payment at all points of entry and exit to the state, including airports and highways."

Looks like it is not just at airport for those flying, but rather for everyone.

mtgoat666 - 7-5-2025 at 05:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by cupcake  
Quote: Originally posted by mtgoat666  
From the website it appears that the tax will only collected/checked at intl airports, cabo, la paz, loreto.
Seen similar tourist/airport taxes in other countries.
Seems like it would be more efficient for make airlines collect the tax as part of airfare…

But that guy at guerrero negro who sprays DDT on your car will start collecting the $25 tax, eh?

Maybe gonna have to start taking that dirt road bypass to avoid the DDT guy.

[Edited on 7-5-2025 by mtgoat666]


The PDF that was linked in the original post of this thread states:

"All foreign visitors staying in Baja California Sur for more than 24 hours are legally required to pay a fee of $470 MXN). This payment is mandatory and must be completed online..."

"Travelers must show proof of payment at all points of entry and exit to the state, including airports and highways."

Looks like it is not just at airport for those flying, but rather for everyone.


The PR said they outsourced tax collection/enforcement to a contractor. They outsourced tax collection too in cancun.
I suspect the contractor will focus on cabo market to maximize revenue… doubtful the hwy 1 road traveler will see enforcement. Yet.
Can you imagine the DDT-spraying guy at GN asking for $1 for opportunity to be sprayed with cancer-causing chemicals, $25 for cleaning up the cancer-causing chemicals? :lol:



[Edited on 7-6-2025 by mtgoat666]

Flatfish - 7-6-2025 at 05:44 AM

Okay, how about us people who don’t scan QR codes on our cell phones (for a lot of reasons)? This is for BCS as I understand it, but I’m guessing that it is earmarked for planes and cruise ships at ports of call. If I drive multiple times a year from Ensenada, is the guy at Guerro Negro going to tack that onto the 50 peso spray job?
Oh, and yeah, where is this dirt bypass you speak of? 😎😎

Travel tax

chatolj - 7-6-2025 at 07:31 AM

Since last year when purchasing a Mexican fishing permit on the Fonmar web site, there is a a box on the application to click if you are a foreigner staying longer than 24 hours. The tax is called "Foreign Tourist Tax" for Baja Sur.

If the box is not clicked the application still goes through for all Federal waters of Mexico.

David K - 7-6-2025 at 07:45 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Flatfish  
Okay, how about us people who don’t scan QR codes on our cell phones (for a lot of reasons)? This is for BCS as I understand it, but I’m guessing that it is earmarked for planes and cruise ships at ports of call. If I drive multiple times a year from Ensenada, is the guy at Guerro Negro going to tack that onto the 50 peso spray job?
Oh, and yeah, where is this dirt bypass you speak of? 😎😎


Guerrero Negro to airport wide, graded dirt road, plus other roads that cross the state border (El Arco and Guillermo Prieto roads).

I checked out the airport road once, in June 2017. From my Nomad Trip Report:

>>> With all the chatter about the 'other way' into Guerrero Negro, I had to see it for the first time. The road just goes around the west end of the Guerrero Negro airport runway, beginning at Km. 124.5 as the paved airport road. Beyond the airport entrance (all military looking) the road becomes a wide, graded road. When my GPS indicated I was at 28° latitude (the border), I took a photo. I also took photos at the other two, dirt road border crossings, to the east.

I saw a car with the hood open out on a dirt road just east and a man was walking towards me from it... A young guy whose battery was dead. Why he was there, north of town, with a bad battery is anyone's guess. I jumped the battery and waited until he was on the wide road and heading south to town. Good karma for my taking the backroad into Guerrero Negro this day! He would be the first of three hombres I would assist on this trip.

The airport back road comes into town near the bank and almost to the old harbor road. I drove through town and topped my gas tank there. <<<


surabi - 7-6-2025 at 08:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by chatolj  
Since last year when purchasing a Mexican fishing permit on the Fonmar web site, there is a a box on the application to click if you are a foreigner staying longer than 24 hours. The tax is called "Foreign Tourist Tax" for Baja Sur.

If the box is not clicked the application still goes through for all Federal waters of Mexico.


Tourist tax is not what is being discussed here. There has always been Tourist tax- it's the fee for your tourist visa and applies to all areas of Mexico but the free zones.

Stupid Idea

desertcpl - 7-6-2025 at 11:36 AM

Quote: Originally posted by wilderone  
wow. confusing. Q: And what happens if you don't pay and you are asked to show your QR code at BCS border? Seems payment is only accepted online - you purchase it on the spot with your phone? As you're leaving the country at the airport?

And not specified if good for multiple entries. Per trip (2, 3 times per year?) could get expensive.

AI inquiry: The "Embrace It Tax" in Baja California Sur is a separate fee and is not included in the FMM fee.
Here's a breakdown:
FMM (Forma Migratoria Multiple): This is the Mexican tourist permit/card required for entry, particularly when crossing by land. It has an associated fee, which is often included in airfares, but needs to be paid separately if entering by land for stays longer than 7 days.
Embrace It Tax: This is a separate mandatory tourism tax implemented by the state of Baja California Sur. It is specifically for foreign visitors staying in the region for more than 24 hours.
Purpose: The Embrace It tax aims to fund sustainable tourism initiatives, environmental conservation, and community development within Baja California Sur.
Payment: The Embrace It tax must be paid online via the Travelkore platform before arriving in Baja California Sur, and proof of payment (a QR code) must be presented upon entry.

https://embrace.bcs.gob.mx/faq

Also: Starting July 1, cruise passengers visiting Mexico will face a new fee. Initially set at $5 per passenger, the fee will gradually increase over the next three years, reaching $21 August 2028. This fee will be added to the cost of the cruise and collected by the cruise lines.

mtgoat666 - 7-6-2025 at 11:40 AM

Quote: Originally posted by surabi  
Quote: Originally posted by chatolj  
Since last year when purchasing a Mexican fishing permit on the Fonmar web site, there is a a box on the application to click if you are a foreigner staying longer than 24 hours. The tax is called "Foreign Tourist Tax" for Baja Sur.

If the box is not clicked the application still goes through for all Federal waters of Mexico.


Tourist tax is not what is being discussed here. There has always been Tourist tax- it's the fee for your tourist visa and applies to all areas of Mexico but the free zones.


I think this tax has been around since 2022. But was voluntary tax. Looks like someone is trying to make it mandatory, or imply it is mandatory so they can collect…

If foreign visitors indivially spend thousands of $ on short vacation in BCS, would another $25 be a burden?

cupcake - 7-6-2025 at 05:00 PM

It's more the inconvenience than the amount that would deter me. Why would I want to give my email address to this collector. If they want to collect it in cash at the border when I travel through ok, otherwise I will go somewhere else. I won't use a debit or credit card to pay for an fmm either.

[Edited on 7-7-2025 by cupcake]

surabi - 7-6-2025 at 05:06 PM

You can easily create a new email address, you don't have to give out your regular email address.
But yeah, no one welcomes more red tape.

AKgringo - 7-6-2025 at 05:45 PM

It is not the price that bothers me, it is having a payment method liked to a QR code that will be scanned who knows where along the route. I have not used QRs so far, but my fear is that an inside hacker in that company might be able to access my account.

Tioloco - 7-6-2025 at 05:48 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
It is not the price that bothers me, it is having a payment method liked to a QR code that will be scanned who knows where along the route. I have not used QRs so far, but my fear is that an inside hacker in that company might be able to access my account.


Definitely a lot of negative possibilities here. Hopefully common sense will prevail here but we know how that usually works in Mexico.

surabi - 7-6-2025 at 07:24 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
It is not the price that bothers me, it is having a payment method liked to a QR code that will be scanned who knows where along the route. I have not used QRs so far, but my fear is that an inside hacker in that company might be able to access my account.


Here's a travel hack for you. Open a new bank account for travelling. Only transfer as much $ as needed at any given time into it from your "real" bank account. If anyone steals, clones, or hacks that debit card or account, there will be little in the account for them to steal.

I had an Airbnb guest who had his phone and debit card stolen at the beach his first day here. I felt so bad for him and a bit guilty, as I hadn't warned him about such things as I do with many of my new-to-Mexico guests- he was Mexican, from Ciudad Juarez, I assumed he had street smarts.

He wasn't particularly upset about the thefts, though. Said the debit card was for an account he uses when travelling- he just transfers from another account just before he hits an ATM or needs to pay for something with a debit card. So that account only had 200 pesos in it, his real bank account card wuas safe here in his room.

As for the phone, he said "I manage 12 Dominoes Pizza outlets in Juarez. My employees have been calling and messaging me since I left. Now they'll just have to figure things out for themselves and let me have a 4 day vacation." :lol:

[Edited on 7-7-2025 by surabi]

Travel Tax

geraldalexander7 - 7-13-2025 at 08:56 PM

We just flew from LAX to Loreto and back in July.
Not a word by anyone about a travel tax. Drove
from Loreto to La Paz. Never checked any docs.

mtgoat666 - 7-13-2025 at 09:39 PM

Much ado about nothing..,
https://www.travelmarketreport.com/canada/destinations/artic...

cupcake - 7-14-2025 at 09:00 AM

From the article that Goat linked, regarding a similar tourist tax in Quintana Roo:

"The clumsiness of the VISITAX implementation has led to many scammers setting up fake payment sites, and either charging unwary travellers more than the prescribed amount – in Quintana Roo that amount is 271 MXN per person (about $20 CAD or $15.00 USD) – or stealing their credit card information."

mtgoat666 - 7-14-2025 at 10:00 AM

Payment via https://www.embrace.bcs.gob.mx/ requires you to agree to contractual agreement (terms and conditions) with a business called Travelkore, Inc., as well as agreeing to their privacy policy.

The non-negotiable, required agreement is governed by laws of Ontario Canada. You agree to arbitration clause requiring arbitration in Toronto.

So, your vacation to Mexico may require you to visit Canada if something goes wrong with your tax obligation :lol:

so... why doesnt the BCS government or a Mexican business collect the taxes? why is this offshored? Seems fishy....



[Edited on 7-14-2025 by mtgoat666]

AKgringo - 7-14-2025 at 10:23 AM

And what happens if you are asked for the QR code somewhere along your route and can't produce it? I still have a few Canadian dollars left over from my last trip, so maybe I will carry those along with me to pay the tax properly.