by Lacey Pfalz
Last updated: 8:45 AM ET, Wed January 14, 2026
Travelers heading to Baja California Sur, the Mexican state which includes destinations like Los Cabos, La Paz and Todos Santos, will have to pay an increased Embrace It tourist tax this year.
The Embrace It tourist tax allocates tourism dollars to environmental protection, tourism infrastructure and social and cultural projects in the state. It’s been increased from 470 to 488 Mexico pesos per person, or about $27 and some change in U.S. currency. The increase began January 1, 2026.
The tourist tax launched on July 1, 2025 and is required for travelers over 12. Since implementation, 77 percent of overnight visitors came from the United States and paid the tax, while 17.5 percent of those who paid the tax came from Canada. Most travelers spent seven days in the state. The majority of those who paid the tax were aged 45 and above.
Payment is required prior to arrival or upon arrival to the destination at the Mexican government’s Embrace It website. Once completed, travelers receive a QR code that can be used at points of entry or at any time during their stay.
“We are proud of the acceptance Embrace it has received among international visitors. Aggregated data confirm orderly behavior: payments made in advance, higher activity on weekdays, and stays with clearly defined patterns,” said said Hugo Chapoy Córdova, Director of Revenue at Tourist Tax México, the company responsible for operating the platform and the visitor’s digital experience. “This reinforces the responsible tourism approach promoted by Baja California Sur.”
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