Californians’ favorite Mexican getaways double down on tourism tax amid cartel carnage

Even as cartel carnage continues to cast a shadow, Californians’ favorite Mexican escape is turning up the heat on its tourism tax.

A fee that has already pushed this vacation paradise out of “bargain” territory isn’t just sticking around — it’s skyrocketing.

The government of Baja California Sur, which includes popular destinations like Los Cabos, recently announced that its mandatory “Embrace It” fee will increase for the 2026 season.

As of January, international visitors over the age of 12 who stay longer than 24 hours will pay 488 Mexican pesos (about $28 USD), up from 470 pesos, according to SFGATE.

The state government maintains that the levy is a necessary investment to fund environmental conservation, community development, and local tourism infrastructure.

Despite the added cost to travelers, officials confirmed in December that the fee would remain in effect through the end of the year.

“For foreign travelers, clarity of requirements always makes a difference,” Hugo Chapoy Córdova, director of revenue at Tourist Tax México, said in a news release.

“Our commitment is to maintain a secure, simple, and accessible digital process for those who choose Baja California Sur.”

But this fee stands alone: it’s not bundled into your flight, hotel, or cruise fare. Instead, travelers must pay for it online and secure a QR code, ready to flash upon arrival.

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The timing of the tax hike coincides with a period of intense national instability. On Feb. 22, Mexican security forces killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the notorious leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) known as “El Mencho,” during a high-stakes military operation in Jalisco.

The ensuing chaos saw cartel members erect burning roadblocks and launch retaliatory strikes across multiple states, triggering “shelter-in-place” orders for U.S. government personnel and leading to dozens of flight cancellations.

The tourism tax comes at a difficult time. Many travelers are now stranded in the area due to the increase in violence, while others are too afraid to visit.