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Baja California Sur introduced the EMBRACE IT tourist contribution in early 2025 as a mandatory payment for foreign visitors staying more than 24 hours. The state linked the fee to long-term investment in environmental programs, tourism infrastructure, and cultural initiatives. After the initial announcement, public updates were limited, which contributed to ongoing uncertainty about how the contribution would function in practice.
A coordinated announcement on December 1, 2025, confirmed that the contribution “will remain in effect throughout 2026.” State officials explained that the goal is to “provide clarity to people who are planning their trip,” and they delivered the message through a joint effort involving government agencies and private-sector partners. According to the current guidance, visitors aged 12 and over must pay MX$470 (approximately US$25) via the official website before arrival or upon arrival in the state. The system issues a certificate with a QR code that authorities “can request randomly at airports or ports of entry to confirm compliance.”
Tourist Tax Mexico oversees the digital payment process, supported by Travelkore. Hugo Chapoy Cordova, the agency’s Director of Revenue, noted that “clarity of requirements always makes a difference,” adding that the state aims to keep the system “secure, simple and accessible” for international travellers.
These efforts address a gap that became clear during the first months of the program. Some global travel information systems adopted the tax immediately and listed it as obligatory, while in-destination conversations painted a more complicated picture. During the Los Cabos VIP Summit, several organisers said the tax “has not yet been formalised,” and earlier checks with major hotels indicated that awareness of the contribution remained limited. Signage at Los Cabos International Airport has started to appear, but it has not fully resolved the broader uncertainty.
Further explanation came from Travelkore’s leadership. In a statement to PAX, Founder and Executive Chairman Tim Scurry emphasised that the “mandatory tax can only be paid online and is not collected at airports.” He also pointed out that travel advisors have disclosure obligations under existing regulations, remarking that “it only takes one complaint to set precedents.”
The situation resembles the early years of Quintana Roo’s VISITAX, where inconsistent communication and unofficial websites created confusion about how and where visitors should pay. Baja California Sur is attempting to avoid similar problems by relying on a single platform and a clearer message from official channels.
For now, the state’s position is consistent: the EMBRACE IT contribution remains active, required, and payable only through the official website. How well the program functions in 2026 will depend on local tourism operators, hotels, and travel advisors’ ability to align their messaging with the state’s guidance.