Jalisco Approves New Fee For Foreign Tourists In Puerto Vallarta

Foreign visitors traveling to the popular beach destination of Puerto Vallarta on Mexico’s Pacific Coast will soon be required to pay a tourist fee under a controversial new law recently approved by Jalisco’s Congress.

Deputy Gabriela Cárdenas from the Movimiento Ciudadano (MC) party and president of the Finance Committee said that the collected funds will be allocated to a trust fund for infrastructure projects to “dignify the port of Puerto Vallarta.” These projects will include improvements to streets, public spaces, plazas and the tourist strip.

The new tax exempts foreigners residing in Puerto Vallarta, foreign tourists under 14, people with disabilities, tourist guides, tour operators, airline and cruise ship crew, and workers in the tourism industry.

Estimates suggest that Puerto Vallarta will collect between 300 and 500 million pesos (US $14 to $24 million) of funds from the new tax.

Deputy Yussara Canales of the Green Party (PVEM), who represents Puerto Vallarta in Jalisco’s Congress, questioned the proposal. She argued that no state has the faculty to impose taxes on transit through the territory and even deemed it “unconstitutional.”

“[This is] a tax on the transit of people, disguised as a fee for the use of services, welfare and municipal public spaces,” she said.

Indeed, article 117, fraction V of the Mexican Constitution says that “under no circumstances,” can states tax the “free transit of people or things that cross its territory.”

Currently, each foreign tourist entering Mexico pays a fee of 717 pesos (US $35) to transit or remain in the country for up to 180 days, without permission to engage in paid activities. This fee, dubbed “Non-Resident Tax,” (DNR) can only be collected by the federal government.

Until 2023, the Federal Tax Law (LFD) allowed 20% of the amount collected by DNR to be allocated to the National Migration Institute to provide migration services. The remaining 80% was allocated to the country’s planning, studies, infrastructure and tourism projects.

Since 2024, the funds collected from the DNR have been allocated to infrastructure works by the army, such as the Maya Train.

The new LFD also requires every cruise ship passenger docking at Mexico’s ports to pay US $42 passenger fee starting July 1. The DNR didn’t previously apply to cruise ship passengers stopping in Mexican ports, as they would, on average, stay in the country for less than eight hours.

https://mexiconewsdaily.com/author/gsolis/

Discover The Enchanting Magical Towns Of Jalisco, Mexico

The birthplace of mariachi music and tequila and a multitude of traditional Mexican cultural treasures, the western state of Discover Jalisco's Newest Magical Towns

Coinciding with Jalisco's bicentennial celebration marking the country's first free and sovereign state, three new municipalities were welcomed to the national list in June of this year, including Cocula, Sayula, and TemacapulCn. Credited as the birthplace of mariachi, Cocula captivates with its rich culture, traditional music, and stunning natural surroundings. The lively main square is a must-visit, offering live music, folkloric dances, and an authentic local experience. Situated in Jalisco's southern region, Sayula is renowned for producing Mexico's finest Cajeta (caramel sauce) and the lustrous Ojeda knives that are skillfully crafted by a family with generations of blacksmithing heritage, a testament to their enduring artisanal workmanship. A two-hour road trip from Guadalajara, the picturesque town of TemacapulCn is famed for its hot springs and colonial-style cobblestone streets, embodying a colonial-era charm.

Experience All 12 Towns and more at the International Magical Towns Expo

International travelers are invited to immerse themselves in the charm of these storied towns and learn more about Jalisco and its three newly designated Magical Towns at the upcoming Magical Towns Expo in Los Angeles, California from September 22-24, 2023. This immersive three-day event will showcase the diverse cultures, traditions, and flavors of the country's 177 Pueblos MAgicos. Attendees can enjoy traditional cuisine, explore local artistry, witness captivating cultural performances, and delve into the unique stories of each Magical Town. Admission is free.

For more information on Jalisco's enchanting Magical Towns, visit https://visitjalisco.com.mx. is home to 12 Magical Towns, or Pueblos MAgicos, that boast a rich tapestry of history and natural beauty. Designated by the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR), these unique destinations are celebrated for their cultural significance, historical charm, and commitment to preserving Mexican traditions.

Jalisco proudly features 12 captivating towns, making it one of the Mexican states with the most Pueblos MAgicos in the country. Among these are:

Tequila, where the eponymous spirit has been produced for generations. The surrounding blue agave fields have been selected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, embodying Mexico's identity and the legacy of the Teuchitlan cultures since the 16th century.

Tlaquepaque, celebrated for its colorful, thriving artisan community, is a hub for daily mariachi performances at local restaurants and cantinas, with many offering alfresco dining and menus featuring modern takes on traditional dishes.

San SebastiAn del Oeste, a once-prominent mining town dating back to the 1600s that also holds a UNESCO nomination, is a hidden gem destination nestled in the Sierra Madre Occidental, where travelers can enjoy a plethora of ecotourism activities, visits to historic haciendas, hikes and tastings of locally-grown, high-altitude coffee as well as "raicilla" a unique agave spirit known as the cousin of tequila and mezcal.

Ajijic, located near Lake Chapala, Mexico's largest lake, is an idyllic town known for a favorable year-round climate that attracts snowbirds and international visitors alike. Travelers can explore boat rides, scenic waterfront promenades, and rejuvenating volcanic magma-heated hot springs amidst the Sierra Madre Mountains.

Discover Jalisco's Newest Magical Towns

Coinciding with Jalisco's bicentennial celebration marking the country's first free and sovereign state, three new municipalities were welcomed to the national list in June of this year, including Cocula, Sayula, and TemacapulCn. Credited as the birthplace of mariachi, Cocula captivates with its rich culture, traditional music, and stunning natural surroundings. The lively main square is a must-visit, offering live music, folkloric dances, and an authentic local experience. Situated in Jalisco's southern region, Sayula is renowned for producing Mexico's finest Cajeta (caramel sauce) and the lustrous Ojeda knives that are skillfully crafted by a family with generations of blacksmithing heritage, a testament to their enduring artisanal workmanship. A two-hour road trip from Guadalajara, the picturesque town of TemacapulCn is famed for its hot springs and colonial-style cobblestone streets, embodying a colonial-era charm.

Experience All 12 Towns and more at the International Magical Towns Expo

International travelers are invited to immerse themselves in the charm of these storied towns and learn more about Jalisco and its three newly designated Magical Towns at the upcoming Magical Towns Expo in Los Angeles, California from September 22-24, 2023. This immersive three-day event will showcase the diverse cultures, traditions, and flavors of the country's 177 Pueblos MAgicos. Attendees can enjoy traditional cuisine, explore local artistry, witness captivating cultural performances, and delve into the unique stories of each Magical Town. Admission is free.

For more information on Jalisco's enchanting Magical Towns, visit https://visitjalisco.com.mx.