Latest Quintana Roo travel guide: safety tips and the new Cancun tourist tax

Are you planning for your next holiday vacation in Quintana Roo? Get to know more about the latest travel guidelines, including the state’s health status and the new Cancun tourist tax here. Let’s kick off with the important requirements to accomplish before your trip.

What are the things you need to know beforehand?

While most countries require travelers to present a negative Covid-19 result before and after traveling, there is no need to take a PCR test or any other Covid-19 related test when entering Mexico. The Mexican authorities also do not require proof of vaccination.

Another good thing when visiting the country is that they have the resources to perform the relevant test for all visitors. In fact, most hotels offer Covid-19 tests at no additional expense to their guests. Additionally, many hotel chains have partnered with different hospitals, pharmacies, and laboratories for preferential tests. In case the guest’s country of origin needs a negative PCR test upon return, hotels can supply the needed documents as well.

Aside from the health-related guidelines, you should know that Quintana Roo now requires travelers to pay for the tourism tax. Also called Visitax, this amount is imposed on all foreign visitors over 4 years old who wish to visit the famed tropical state. The said tourism tax helps in boosting the tourism industry of the Mexican Caribbean, which was significantly affected by the pandemic.

Is it safe to visit Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and other cities and towns in Quintana Roo?

To give you an overview of the current Mexican health structure, check out the details below:

• The Mexican states are categorized according to the latest infection rates and hospital occupancy. There are four colors that signify the health level of the state―green, yellow, orange, and red―with green as the lowest risk and red as the highest risk.
• Currently, Quintana Roo holds the green status, which means it is a low-risk region. Based on the latest update of Statista (March 14, 2022), the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the Quintana Roo is only 91,143. This is relatively lower compared to Mexico City, which is the highest Covid-infected city in the country at 1,372,797.
• Because of the low number of Covid-related diseases, hotel occupancy in the region continues to stay low. The lower hospitalization rate primarily stems from the increase in vaccine roll-out. As of March 26, 2022, the Covid metrics of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation show that 68% of the total population in Quintana Roo has already been vaccinated.

Some key reminders before you set off on a new adventure

Traveling during the post-pandemic times is now associated with heightened health guidelines. While there is always a risk when traveling domestically or internationally, it all boils down to your willingness to adhere to the protocols. It’s very important that you comply with the preventive measures and keep an eye on your health. Travel guidelines may vary depending on the area, so take your time to do your own research in advance. In addition, it’s suggested that you get travel insurance that covers international medical and evacuation expenses. And to make everything more convenient, it’s highly recommended to contact your preferred hotel beforehand to sort out the requirements smoothly.

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