One thing about travel, it’s always changing. Before you book your next trip to Mexico make sure you know which documents you must bring and what items you can’t bring. 
Where is Quintana Roo?
Mexico is a large country and some of what will be discussed in this article is only for the state of Quintana Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula. If you are traveling to Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Isla Mujeres, Cozumel, Riviera Maya, Costa Maya, Puerto Morelos, and others this will apply to you. Please be aware that things can change daily and you should always check the government websites listed in the article before traveling.
Safety in Quintana Roo
- Travel Advisory: The U.S. Department of State has issued a Level 2 travel advisory for Quintana Roo, which includes Tulum. This means exercising increased caution due to crime. Before getting too worried, read where the crime has taken place on this website so you are well informed. Often, it is not in the tourist areas of Quintana Roo.
- Always check the USA government website before traveling. While there you can enroll in the STEP program so that if a natural disaster, war, or some other calamity occurs, the USA government will know you are there and assist in getting you home quickly.
- Safety Precautions:
- Avoid walking alone at night in unfamiliar areas.
- Stay in well-reviewed accommodations.
- Inform someone of your itinerary.
- Trust your instincts and avoid situations that feel uncomfortable.
- Arrange ground transportation from trusted sources. If you booked through your travel agent, you will walk past all the people trying to get you to take a ride with them and straight to your prearranged transfer. Tip: if you want to get to your resort quicker, take a private transfer and avoid stopping at everyone else’s resort along the way to yours.
Documentation and Visitax
- Passport: Ensure your passport has at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay. It also needs to have at least one blank page. From the travel.state.gov website, “A valid passport book is required to enter Mexico by air, and those attempting to enter at an airport with a U.S. passport card only may be denied admission.”
- Tourist Visa (if applicable): Most nationalities can enter Mexico as tourists for up to 180 days without a visa. Check specific requirements based on your nationality.
- Visitax: Visitax is a mandatory tourist tax in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, It is a separate fee from other potential travel-related taxes or fees, such as those included in airline tickets or resort fees.
- Who pays?
- Anyone visiting from another country 15 years of age or older.
- Purpose:
- To fund the reactivation and development of the local tourism sector in Mexico.
- To mitigate the environmental impact on the region’s beaches and natural reserves.
- To support efforts to control sargassum.
- To improve infrastructure for better access and surveillance of Mayan archaeological sites.
- Amount:
- Currently around $11 USD per person.
- Payment:
- Can be made online through the official Visitax website (visitax.gob.mx) before travel, upon arrival, or during your stay. There are scam websites out there, so please make sure you are on the government website (above) before paying. The fee is often higher on other sites.
- Who pays?
Careful what you bring into Mexico
Last year the rule about multiple electronic devices was updated after many shocked tourists found themselves paying hefty fees to keep the laptop or iPad they brought into the country. If you are a smoker, do you know how many packs you can bring into the country? Don’t stop at duty free in the airport and purchase before you enter the country or you might have them confiscated.
As these rules can be changed without widespread knowledge, please check the website if you have concerns.
According to the Mexican Embassy Website: Passengers are allowed to bring, free of duty, merchandise in their personal luggage when entering the country. These include, among other things:
- Items for personal use, such as clothing and footwear
- 2 cameras
- 3 mobile phones
- 1 laptop computer
- Medical supplies for personal use (a medical prescription is required if these contain narcotic substances)
- Up to 10 cigarette packs, 25 cigars or 200 grams of tobacco, if the person is over 18 years of age
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. For the complete and updated list of goods, please consult the Mexican customs web site (in Spanish).
What to pack
- Light and Breathable Clothing: Pack for hot and humid weather, but also sometimes the wind at night might be a little cool for some, so a long sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt might be desired.
- Swimwear, Reef Safe Sunscreen, and a Hat: Essential for beach days. Reef safe sunscreen is important for protecting the coral and other animals in the ocean. Be sure to look for a “reef safe” or “reef friendly” logo on the label. Popular brands include Blue Lizard and Thrive Natural.
- Insect Repellent: Protect yourself from mosquitoes.
- Comfortable Walking Shoes: You’ll be exploring! If the tops of your feet burn or you don’t like walking on hot sand with your regular shoes, consider bringing some water shoes.
- Mexican Peso (MXN): Credit cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for smaller purchases and tips.
This is only a guide and resource to helpful websites. You should always check the information before you depart, as information will change.
Enjoy your Mexican vacation!