Quintana Roo Joins Baja California, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, and More in Explosive Move to Revolutionize Tourism with Groundbreaking Tax – Here’s What You Need to Know!

Published on December 8, 2025

Quintana Roo joins Baja California, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, and more in an explosive move to revolutionize tourism across Mexico. This groundbreaking tax initiative aims to reshape the tourism landscape, ensuring long-term sustainability and growth. By introducing this new tax, these states are taking bold steps toward improving infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and enhancing the overall tourist experience. The tax will help fund crucial projects, from better roads and cleaner beaches to eco-friendly tourism practices.

With the backing of Baja California, Campeche, Chiapas, Chihuahua, and others, this move is set to transform the way tourists interact with the country’s most visited regions. The groundbreaking nature of this reform is not only about generating revenue but also about making tourism in Mexico more responsible and sustainable. Keep reading to find out how this tax is shaping the future of Mexican tourism.

Quintana Roo: VISITAX—A Solution for Environmental Protection

The state of Quintana Roo, home to the world-renowned tourist destinations like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum, has implemented the VISITAX for foreign visitors. This tax is mandatory for all international tourists and is used to fund crucial environmental initiatives, including the maintenance of beaches, reef protection, and the management of sargassum (seaweed) on the coast.

VISITAX is a key tool in supporting Quintana Roo’s sustainable tourism practices. The funds generated are expected to improve the region’s infrastructure and protect the natural resources that make it so attractive to tourists. With over 20 million visitors annually, the state’s ecosystem can easily be impacted by overcrowding and pollution. By levying this tax, Quintana Roo aims to create a model of responsible tourism that benefits both the environment and the local community, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Baja California: A Strong Player in Tourism Taxation

Baja California, another state on Mexico’s northern edge, has joined the ranks of those imposing tourist taxes, though not under the same EMBRACE IT branding. As a neighbouring state to Baja California Sur, it shares many of the same concerns about infrastructure maintenance and environmental sustainability. By implementing tourism taxes, Baja California is ensuring it can handle the influx of visitors while also investing in projects that improve the quality of life for local residents.

The tax collected in Baja California helps fund projects aimed at improving public services, such as sanitation, water management, and transportation infrastructure. With popular tourist destinations like Tijuana and the wine country of Valle de Guadalupe, tourism plays a significant role in the state’s economy. The tax system ensures that the local community benefits from tourism without losing its cultural and environmental appeal.

Campeche: Collecting Visitor Taxes for Growth and Preservation

Campeche, a coastal state rich in colonial history and culture, has implemented its own form of lodging and tourism taxes. These taxes are used to maintain and preserve the state’s historic sites and improve infrastructure. Campeche’s tax revenue goes toward protecting its UNESCO World Heritage sites and expanding its tourism infrastructure to handle the growing number of visitors.

The state’s efforts to balance tourism growth with the protection of its heritage sites are essential for ensuring Campeche remains an attractive and sustainable destination. By investing in infrastructure, Campeche can continue to develop its tourism industry while safeguarding its cultural heritage for future generations.

Chiapas: A Gateway to Nature and Culture

Chiapas, a state known for its stunning natural beauty, including the Sumidero Canyon and the Mayan ruins of Palenque, has embraced the idea of tourism taxes to fund both environmental conservation and infrastructure improvements. The state’s tourism taxes contribute to maintaining its national parks and wildlife reserves, ensuring they remain protected from the pressures of tourism.

Chiapas also invests in improving its roads, transportation, and public facilities with the revenue generated from its tourist tax. This is crucial for a state that receives large numbers of eco-tourists and history enthusiasts every year. By using tourism tax revenue to boost infrastructure and preserve its natural wonders, Chiapas is setting itself up for sustainable growth in the long term.

Chihuahua: Taxes to Improve Infrastructure and Services

Chihuahua, a northern state known for its rugged landscapes and historical sites, has also implemented tourism taxes as a means to fund the growth of its tourism infrastructure. These taxes are used to improve public transportation, provide better services for tourists, and enhance the overall experience for visitors.

Chihuahua’s tourism tax revenue is directed towards building and upgrading infrastructure in popular tourist areas, making it easier for visitors to access key attractions such as Copper Canyon. By improving infrastructure, Chihuahua aims to create a more enjoyable and seamless travel experience for tourists, while also preserving its natural beauty and heritage.

Coahuila de Zaragoza: A Strategic Tax for Tourism Growth

Coahuila de Zaragoza, a state in northeastern Mexico, is another key player in the push for tourism taxes. As a state with a growing tourism sector, Coahuila is using taxes to fund infrastructure improvements and boost tourism in its major cities like Saltillo and Torreón. The state’s tax system is designed to improve public services, enhance the visitor experience, and promote sustainable tourism practices.

With its vast desert landscapes, historical sites, and mining heritage, Coahuila is increasingly attracting tourists seeking cultural and adventure tourism. The revenue from tourism taxes ensures that the state can handle the growing number of visitors while maintaining its unique appeal.

Colima: A Hidden Gem Supporting Sustainable Tourism

Colima, one of Mexico’s smallest states, has also introduced lodging and tourist taxes to fund infrastructure and environmental initiatives. The state’s government uses the revenue generated to protect its natural resources and improve public services. Colima’s picturesque beaches and charming towns are becoming increasingly popular with tourists, and the tax revenue helps ensure that the state can support the growing demand for services while preserving its natural beauty.

Colima is working to balance tourism growth with sustainability, using the revenue from its tourism tax to fund projects that protect its environment and improve the quality of life for local residents.

Jalisco: Investing in Sustainable Tourism

Jalisco, home to the famous city of Guadalajara and the Pacific coastal resort town of Puerto Vallarta, has implemented tourism taxes to fund infrastructure and promote sustainable tourism practices. Jalisco’s tax revenue is used to maintain its public services and enhance the visitor experience in its major tourist destinations.

With an increasing number of tourists flocking to Jalisco’s beaches and historic towns, the state has recognized the importance of investing in infrastructure to support sustainable tourism. The state’s tourism taxes help preserve its cultural heritage, improve public amenities, and maintain the natural environment that attracts visitors.

Yucatán: Protecting the Heart of Mexico’s Mayan Heritage

Yucatán, home to the ancient Mayan city of Chichen Itza, has implemented a lodging tax to help preserve its cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism. The tax revenue goes towards maintaining its archaeological sites and improving infrastructure for tourists.

With its rich history and stunning natural landscapes, Yucatán is a major draw for visitors seeking to explore Mexico’s ancient past. The state’s tourism taxes ensure that the benefits of tourism are shared with local communities while preserving the region’s cultural and environmental resources.

The Future of Mexico’s Tourism Taxes

The implementation of tourism taxes across Mexico’s states in 2025 represents a bold and forward-thinking approach to sustainable tourism. By leveraging visitor taxes to fund infrastructure projects, preserve natural resources, and improve public services, Mexico is paving the way for a tourism model that benefits both visitors and local communities.

From Baja California Sur to Yucatán, these 10 states are showing how tourism taxes can be used as a tool for growth and preservation. The funds generated through these taxes are essential for ensuring that Mexico’s tourism industry remains sustainable and that its natural and cultural resources are protected for future generations.

As tourism continues to thrive in Mexico, it is clear that these tourism taxes will play a critical role in balancing the needs of visitors with the preservation of the country’s unique heritage and natural beauty. The success of these initiatives will serve as a model for other countries looking to manage the impacts of tourism while fostering long-term economic growth.