New $25 Tourist Tax for Los Cabos Visitors - Here’s What You Need To Know

If you’re planning a trip to Los Cabos, there’s something new to keep on your radar - Baja California Sur now has a mandatory tourist fee for every visitor who stays overnight. Called the Embrace It Contribution, this fee is about $25 USD per person, and it’s designed to keep Cabo beautiful for years to come.

Key Takeaways

• The Embrace It Contribution is mandatory for all overnight visitors in Baja California Sur, including Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo.
• It costs about $25 USD (or 682 pesos) per person, paid once per visit, not per night.
• The money funds local infrastructure, beach cleanups, road maintenance, and environmental projects.
• You can pay online, at your hotel, or at the airport before you depart.
• The program started as voluntary but is now mandatory to help keep up with growing tourism.

Why Is There a New Tourist Tax?

Cabo is booming. More flights, more resorts, more villas, more yachts - and with all that comes more people, more cars, more trash, and more pressure on what makes Cabo special in the first place.

Locals and visitors both want clean beaches, smooth roads, safe communities, and protected marine life. But all of that costs money. This fee helps bridge the gap so Cabo can grow without losing its charm.

"This isn’t just another fee - it’s how we keep Cabo Cabo."

What Does It Cost?

The contribution is 682 pesos per person, which comes out to about $25 USD. It’s not a nightly charge - it’s once per person, per stay.

Who Has to Pay?

Every international visitor who stays overnight in Baja California Sur is required to pay. This includes anyone vacationing in:

• Cabo San Lucas
• San José del Cabo
• La Paz
• Todos Santos day trips
• Loreto

Where Does the Money Go?

Unlike some hidden resort fees that disappear into big corporate pockets, the Embrace It Contribution is meant to fund real local improvements that benefit everyone. That includes:

• Road repairs - Better roads, safer shuttles, smoother transfers.
• Beach cleanups - Keeping sand and ocean clear of trash and pollution.
• Community projects - Supporting local neighborhoods and services that keep the region running.
• Environmental conservation - Funding programs that protect whales, reefs, turtles, and the desert ecosystem.

"A small fee that helps protect the paradise you came for."

How Do You Pay?

You have a few easy options:

• Online: Pay before you arrive at embrace.bcs.gob.mx.
• At your hotel: Many resorts will collect it at check-in or check-out.
• At the airport: If you forget, you can pay at kiosks before you fly home.

Will My Hotel Add It Automatically?

Some do. Bigger resorts often add it directly to your bill for convenience. If you’re staying in a villa or Airbnb, you’ll likely handle it yourself. Always double-check - but remember, paying it is your responsibility, not the host’s.

Is It Really Mandatory?

Yes. The Embrace It Contribution was first launched in 2019 as a voluntary donation. But not everyone paid it, so Baja California Sur made it official. Now it’s legally required for overnight foreign visitors.

Hotels, airlines, and hosts may remind you to pay - and you might see signs or get email reminders before you depart.

Why Bother?

Think of it this way: that $25 helps make sure the beaches you came to relax on stay clean. It helps roads handle more shuttles and taxis. It keeps the environment healthy for whales, turtles, and marine life. And it supports the local communities that make your trip feel safe and welcoming.

"A clean, safe Cabo today means a better Cabo when you come back."

Quick Tips

• Pay online before you land - it’s the easiest option.
• Keep your receipt, digital or printed, just in case your airline or hotel asks.
• If you’re traveling with a big group, remind everyone to handle their fee.
• Ask your hotel if they’ve added it to your booking or if you need to pay separately.

The Bottom Line

No one loves new fees, but Cabo’s new tourist tax is about protecting what makes this place special. More visitors means more dollars spent - and more pressure on roads, beaches, and local services. This small contribution helps balance it out so Cabo doesn’t lose the magic that brought you here in the first place.

So when you’re out there cruising on a Papillon yacht, diving at Chileno Bay, or chilling at your favorite beach clubs, remember: that $25 goes a long way in keeping paradise… paradise.

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