Foreign visitors traveling to the popular beach destination of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast will soon be required to pay a tourist fee under a controversial new law recently approved by Jalisco’s Congress.
Deputy Gabriela Cárdenas from the Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) party and president of the Finance Committee said that the collected funds will be allocated to a trust fund for infrastructure projects to “dignify the port of Puerto Vallarta.” These projects will include improvements to streets, public spaces, plazas and the tourist strip.
The new tax exempts foreigners residing in Puerto Vallarta, foreign tourists under 14, people with disabilities, tourist guides, tour operators, airline and cruise ship crew, and workers in the tourism industry.
Estimates suggest that Puerto Vallarta will collect between 300 and 500 million pesos (US $14 to $24 million) of funds from the new tax.
Deputy Yussara Canales of the Green Party (PVEM), who represents Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco’s Congress, questioned the proposal. She argued that no state has the faculty to impose taxes on transit through the territory and even deemed it “unconstitutional.”
“[This is] a tax on the transit of people, disguised as a fee for the use of services, welfare and municipal public spaces,” she said.
Indeed, article 117, fraction V of the Mexican Constitution says that “under no circumstances,” can states tax the “free transit of people or things that cross its territory.”
Currently, each foreign tourist entering Mexico pays a fee of 717 pesos (US $35) to transit or remain in the country for up to 180 days, without permission to engage in paid activities. This fee, dubbed “Non-Resident Tax,” (DNR) can only be collected by the federal government.
Until 2023, the Federal Tax Law (LFD) allowed 20% of the amount collected by DNR to be allocated to the National Migration Institute to provide migration services. The remaining 80% was allocated to the country’s planning, studies, infrastructure and tourism projects.
Since 2024, the funds collected from the DNR have been allocated to infrastructure works by the army, such as the Maya Train.
The new LFD also requires every cruise ship passenger docking at Mexico’s ports to pay US $42 passenger fee starting July 1. The DNR didn’t previously apply to cruise ship passengers stopping in Mexican ports, as they would, on average, stay in the country for less than eight hours.
With reports from El Informador and Crónicas Jalisco
Editor’s note: After publication, the mayor of Puerto Vallarta said this new state fee will be voluntary. The state of Jalisco’s announcement, however made no mention of the payment being voluntary. Instead, it said: “With the goal of improving infrastructure and maintaining the quality of public services, the creation of a new tax on lodging for foreigners has been approved for the municipality of Puerto Vallarta.”
It’s 141 pesos, roughly $7.00 USD per person. If you can’t afford that small amount, probably don’t take a vacation trip to PV.
The amount of the fee isn’t the point, whether its $7 or $70. Americans and Canadians spend a lot of money in Mexico as it is, often including cruise ship passengers. It’s BS that a largely corrupt government at the state and federal level thinks that it’s okay to charge tourists for the “right” to spend money in Mexico. The cruise ship fees is totally ridiculous given that cruise ship passengers already pay port fees.
Americans should hold their own corrupt government accountable prior to complaining about any other country. The US literally just elected a felon. Trump is a fraud, a grifter, adulterer, and absolute racist. He’s a traitor. You want to visit Mexico? Then be a good guest and pay the $7. If you want to debate the fee, then do so on actual merit. To do so on the grounds that Mexico is corrupt when you elected Trump is the most egotistical, hypocritical pile of garbage since the USA stole half of Mexico. Stfu. -US Citizen, frequent Mexico tourist
I was working for an airline with $79 fares from USA to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Manzanillo, Acapulco, and Cancun. We sold many 3 & 4 night vacation packages.
When 9/11 hit, the US threw a $150 departure tax for air travel to Mexico. Suddenly 3&4 night packages disappeared. Americans traveled less often and stayed longer. Cancun exploded with tourists while the west coast dried up. Puerto Vallarta came back as they marketed themselves as a 7 day destination like Cancun. But the rest dried up and the cartels moved in. Cabo is a different story I don’t comment on here.
“Cabofornia” is doing just fine. Twenty percent of the residents there are American and Canadian expats.
Once the door is opened, it will only widen over time.
P.Vallarta is a ready collect money from tourists is over priced and the costumers service is so bad
Vallarta needs more decent people. And things will be better for everyone…
I won’t pay the tax!!! Plenty of places to vacation and not worry about getting kidnapped, drugged or shoot up. We should put a migrant tax on them in return.
Awesome, one less loud mouthed Yank in rown.
I hope you don’t mean plenty of places to go here in the USA . Where one can get shoot up in a mall , movie theater , Schools , grocery store ect. If your lucky you’ll only get robbed or if a female , sexually assaulted. Ahhh I think I’ll take my chances in Puerto Vallarta and pay that fee.
Then don’t go. Americans are not the only people whom vacation in Mexico.
You’re talking about getting shot in U.S. schools right? MX doesn’t want your hillbilly A* Stay in your basement. Go vaca in FL with all the trash bags LOL
Makes up more lies maga trash
I try hard to not make simplistic and childish personal attacks on this site like so many others. However, that is one of the more ignorant posts in this chat. For the last several years, I have spent the better part of the year in Mexico, yet I have never been shoot up (your spelling), drugged, or kidnapped. In most of Mexico I feel as safe or safer than when in the US. My children, and subsequently grandchildren, have had to deal with school shooter drills and have been taught to look for possible escape routes when at large gatherings, concerts and in public places. When I host them in Mexico, we have never had to do such things. As a conservative, I implore you to dig deeper than the propaganda and catchy headlines that you are constantly being fed in the US media. We can and should make our own opinions based off of our life experiences rather than what any one group wants to convince us to believe. I respect your right to have your own opinions, just make sure they are YOUR opinions. 🤙✌️&❤️
AGREE
I wonder if Manuel is aware of the fact that Mexico’s economy would collapse “without the gringos”? Americans and Canadians spend BILLIONS in Mexico annually between tourism, real estate, and investment. A good example would be Acapulco with “gringos” back in the day and Acapulco without Anglos now. The same fate would await Cancan, Cozumel, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, and Los Cabos without fair skinned tourists from North America and Europe. Mexican nationals don’t spend anywhere near as much in tourist towns compared to other North Americans.
I’m glad !
Too many gringos.
If they don’t like it stay where you belong.
WE DON’T NEED TO GO TO MEXICO ANY MORE THERE IS TO MUCH GREED I WENT ON THE LAST CRUISE LAST WEEK NOTHING BUT GREED I’LL STAY IN THE U S A AND SPEND MY MONEY HERE.
Maybe spend it on a new keyboard without a stuck shift key.
And your reply to Mike’s point? It’s a legit complaint that “Mexico” or “Mexicans” are often greedy in that they take advantage of non Mexican national tourists. The police are greedier than hell given that they love to pull over Anglos and drivers in rental cars over for to extort them or “take them to jail”. Most Mexican residents have no problem charging Americans and Mexicans more for the same services offered to nationals.
Well the PGA tour has their tournament there and it seems to have been working out for them……
What demographic do PGA tours attract? Middle class or working class tourists from North America? Do you think golfers would care about extra tourism fees on top of pricey resort and green fees?
Oh my god $7 so they can build a new international airport. It would be $70 in the US
Airport fees are separate like port fees for cruise ships.
Make no mistake, PV is spendy. The cost of goods is out of control. Food prices are out of control just like the US. Don’t give me that crap about deporting illegals will drive up food costs in the US. This is just another way they are trying to screw the very thing they depend on to survive. Without tourism they would have nothing.
If they are going to charge American tourist a tax to go down to Puerto Vallarta. I think Donald Trump should impose an oil for illegals tariff at the cost of one barrell of oil for every illegal in the country from Mexico. Mexico has the 5th largest oil reserve in the world. America should benefit someway for all the illegals that are sneaking in illegally. A nation is defined by its borders, language, and culture, plain and simple.
I can’t believe the comments that I have read here. What is wrong with you people, my fellow North Americans? How is there so much hate in you?
We love our brothers and sisters to the south, Mexico is lovely and a few dollars to help improve conditions is just fine with us, if you are an American and don’t like to pay your way then just don’t go, stay home in Mississippi or Alabama!
To be fair, all tourist destinations worldwide “fleece the golden geese” with high hotel taxes, port fees, and sales or VAT taxes. BUT Mexico already had high taxes before PV decided on a new “tourist” tax on top of existing taxes. Given that cruises are no longer cheap or more affordable like they were before COVID, taxing each passenger an additional $42 will not be well received by budget minded cruise ship passengers, especially senior citizens on a fixed income. You may not think it’s a big deal, but it will be an additional $84 per cabin for a couple or $168 per cabin for a family adds up. If Trump abolished the Jones Act, cruise ships would not be required to visit foreign ports without an American registry and could sail up and down the coastal US without visiting a Mexican or Canadian port. Mexico used to be cheap up to the 21st century like Vegas, but neither is a bargain anymore. Yet unlike Mexico, the US doesn’t tax foreign tourists more than Americans. It’s bad business to tax foreigners more.
Here are some contradictions and inconsistencies in the argument:
1. Contradiction on Fairness of Tourist Taxes
• The argument starts by stating that “all tourist destinations worldwide” impose high taxes on visitors, implying that such taxation is a standard practice. However, it then criticizes Mexico for adding another tax on top of existing ones. If taxing tourists is universally accepted, why single out Mexico?
2. Cruise Affordability vs. Impact of Tax
• The argument claims that cruises are no longer as cheap or affordable as before COVID, implying that people are already paying high prices. However, it also argues that an additional $42 per passenger ($84 per cabin for a couple) is a significant burden. If cruises are already expensive, would an extra fee significantly alter demand?
3. The Jones Act and Cruise Routes
• The argument states that if Trump had abolished the Jones Act, cruise ships wouldn’t need to visit foreign ports (like in Mexico or Canada). However, the Jones Act (which regulates domestic shipping) does not directly govern foreign-flagged cruise ships. The Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) is the actual law that requires foreign-flagged cruise ships to stop at a foreign port before returning to the U.S. The two laws are often conflated, but they are separate.
4. Mexico vs. U.S. on Taxing Tourists
• The argument claims, “Unlike Mexico, the U.S. doesn’t tax foreign tourists more than Americans.” However, this is misleading. Many U.S. cities and states impose higher taxes on hotel stays, car rentals, and other tourism-related services, which disproportionately impact tourists rather than residents. While the tax structure may differ, the claim that the U.S. does not tax tourists more is not entirely accurate.
5. Mexico Used to Be Cheap but Isn’t Anymore
• The statement that “Mexico used to be cheap up to the 21st century like Vegas, but neither is a bargain anymore” contradicts the earlier implication that Mexico should remain cheap. If Mexico, like Vegas, has naturally evolved into a more expensive destination, then expecting it to maintain bargain prices while other places increase costs seems inconsistent.
6. Argument Against Taxing Foreigners While Accepting Other Taxes
• The argument suggests that taxing foreigners more is “bad business,” but it acknowledges that all tourist destinations impose high taxes. If it’s standard practice, why is it uniquely problematic in Mexico’s case?
Summary
The argument is inconsistent in its stance on the fairness of tourist taxation, overstates the impact of the Jones Act on cruise ship routes, misrepresents U.S. taxation policies, and contradicts itself on Mexico’s affordability. It ultimately presents a selective critique rather than a fully coherent argument.
I went fir a walk outside tge Vidanta to the church behind the newly built kingdom of the dun and vidanta world. There was sewage in the streets.
Vudanta diesnt have an exit on that side and there are no windows looking into that community. Dann straight the tourist enjoying these luxurious pools, hi
Hot tubs and amenities should be helping to clean up a community less than 50 feet from the hotel. I go every year and I will happily give them $7 more dollars.
And Mexican timeshares spoil you. Tgey have house keeping twice a day. They bring you chocolates. They far out weigh any experience in any other country I have visited eith tgeur customers service. Puerto vallarta is all about caring properly for tourist. And so what if the Cartel owns it. Theu obviously are doing far better things fir their guest than anyone else. I would rather they be in thus business than the drug business. Tgey are very very good at it.
The only thing missing from my incredible toom was a wall fountain near the jacuzzi.
And there us no way all that water the resorts use diesnt effect the local sewage amounts. So suck it ip buttercups and care about some of the negative consequences of being spoiled.
You bite the hand of the people that feed you they’re going to stop feeding you!
Most of these comments hurt my SOUL. I’m an African American living in Mexico. I feel more accepted here than America because of being talk about by Caucasians that has affected our people for over 400 Years and counting. Yes being in Mexico I have been upcharged a few times and extorted by cops a few times. But it’s doesn’t compare to the Racist experience in America. The people in Mexico are mostly hard working caring and family oriented. I wouldn’t care about the extra taxes I will pay for the peace of mind and overall acceptance in Mexico. All this hate is getting out of control you have to look in the mirror and evaluate yourself. Get the hate out of your Heart ❤️
Mexico has a history of slavery too. Lighter skin is very much pushed in social media. Try watching local novelas and you’ll see very few darker skinned actors in lead roles. Mexico seems perfect to an elite American who has financial stability and knows very little about the poverty and the oppression of Mexico.
Americans. Stay on your trashy turf. Puerto Vallarta is too beautiful to have you here. Go spend thousands at Disney LOL
Wow, a lot of entitled “Ugly American” posts here. I can almost guarantee most of them are from MAGA supporters.
Let all be honest and real. 7 usd is a very small fee. Just about every popular tourist spot will have a tourist fee or tax.
Here are a few examples:
A tourist visa for the USA will cost about 185 usd. Good for 10 years, typically.
For landing in Europe, ETIAS will cost 7 euros (about $8) for a three-year permit that allows “third-country nationals” to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Only visitors between 18 and 70 years old will need to pay the application fee, but travelers of all ages will need ETIAS
The Venice Access Fee is a €5 daily fee for day visitors to Venice, Italy if purchased 4 days before entry and 10 euros the day of. The fee applies on peak days from April 25 to July 14, 2024. The fee is in effect from 8:30 AM to 4 PM.
Hawaii if you ever been is out of control. Visitors to Hawaii pay a 10.25% state Transient Accommodations Tax (TAT), a 4.712% General Excise Tax (GET), and additional county surcharges—that adds another 3%. This is as of Dec 10, 2024 and that is applied to the cost of your hotel or lodging, about 20%. Ouch! This is top of the 8.5% sales tax applied to dollar spent there. That 8.5% also get applied to your lodging but before the extra 20% visitors taxes (think 28.5% tax on lodging alone). Crazy!
So lets be honest, is 7 usd really that bad?
As someone who lives in the US, in a highly congested area, with heavy automobile traffic. I back any tax that improves roads and infrastructure. Going on a vacation and sitting in traffic, is not my thoughts of an enjoyable vacation.
Puerto Vallarta is beautiful. The people are nice. And fixing the roads will benefit everyone. Just please leave room for the wildlife! Going solar and electric will help keep the air clear and healthy!