Visitax fee controversy at Cancun International Airport, Digi Mart USA News (Cancun, Quintana Roo): Collection of the Visitax at Cancun International Airport has again drawn complaints from foreign tourists, after some travelers reported that staff from the Quintana Roo State Tax Administration Service (SATQ) asked them for payments of up to 550 pesos per person, nearly double the rate announced for 2026.
The controversy intensified after videos and images circulated showing staff approaching passengers at the airport terminals to request payment through bank card terminals. Critics say some visitors feel intimidated by the approach used in the departure lines.
The Visitax is a state contribution applied since 2021 to foreign tourists over 15 years of age visiting Quintana Roo. The state government justifies the charge as payment for use of the state’s infrastructure.
In December 2025, authorities reported that the 2026 rate would be 285 pesos per visitor, equivalent to about 15 US dollars, according to the data provided.
Some tourists reported being asked for up to 550 pesos at Cancun International Airport, which is 265 pesos more than the announced amount. Complaints also concern how staff approach visitors in the departure lines, and some travelers said they were warned of possible difficulties returning to Quintana Roo if they leave the state without paying the tax.
Questions have also been raised about the lack of a legal mechanism requiring visitors to pay, which has created doubts among tourists and business representatives about how the levy is being applied.
Governor Mara Lezama said she will soon hold a press conference to explain the future of the Visitax. However, she did not specify whether her administration will change the rate, the conditions of collection or the collection procedures.
She has not confirmed the elimination of the tax or announced a new rate.
Bernardo Cueto, Quintana Roo’s secretary of tourism, acknowledged inappropriate behavior by some collection staff and said the Secretariat of Finance and Planning (Sefiplan) will review the matter. Alternatives under consideration include reorganizing the collection and moving toward a digital system that would reduce in-person contact with passengers.
