If you’re planning a family trip to Mexico, the fees you hear about — tourist cards, state taxes, and airline charges — can sound more complicated than they actually are. The short answer is that most families flying in will not need to pay anything extra for the tourist card itself, but you may owe a separate state tourism tax depending on where you’re going. Here’s exactly how it works for a family, with the numbers you need.
The FMM: What Families Need to Know
Mexico’s entry document for tourists is the Forma Migratoria Multiple (FMM). For air travelers, the process is simpler than you might remember. Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) now generates a digital FMM (called an FMMD) automatically after you clear immigration at any international airport. You do not apply beforehand. Just travel with a valid U.S. passport book — passport cards are not accepted for air travel — and the record is created on arrival. If you need a copy later, you can download it from the INM services portal.
For families entering by land (driving or walking across the U.S. border), the rules differ. Most land travelers do need a paper FMM. The exception, per the U.S. Department of State, is if you stay within 12 miles (20 km) of the U.S. border for six days or less — then no FMM is required. Otherwise, you can apply directly through the INM land FMM application or use a service like iVisa for guided assistance. The government fee for 2026 is MXN 983 per person, which covers visitor status without permission to work. That fee is set by INM and can change, so confirm the amount before you pay.
One important thing for families: the FMM can authorize up to 180 days, but the immigration officer decides the actual length at entry. Don’t assume you’ll get the full six months — check the stamp when you’re admitted.
State Tourist Taxes: Embrace It and Visitax
Two Mexican states levy their own tourism taxes on foreign visitors, and these are the ones that catch many families off guard. They are not included in airfare or hotel rates.
Embrace It Tax (Baja California Sur)
Effective from 2025, the Embrace It Tax applies to all international visitors aged 12 and older who stay longer than 24 hours in Baja California Sur. That covers Cabo San Lucas, San José del Cabo, La Paz, Loreto, Todos Santos, and the East Cape area. The fee is MXN 488 per eligible traveler (roughly $25 USD at current exchange rates). Children under 12 are exempt.
You pay online before your trip through the official Embrace It portal or via the Travelkore payment platform. The process takes about two to three minutes: enter passport details and travel dates for each traveler over 12 (up to nine at once), pay by credit or debit card, and receive a QR code by email. That QR code is your proof of compliance — save a screenshot and a backup copy.
Enforcement varies, but the tax is increasingly checked at airport check-in and roadside checkpoints within the state. If you don’t pay in advance, you risk being asked to pay on the spot, possibly with an additional fee, or even being denied boarding. The official site charges in Mexican pesos, so your bank’s exchange rate and any foreign transaction fee will apply.
Visitax (Quintana Roo)
If your family is heading to Cancún, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, or anywhere else in Quintana Roo state, a different tourist tax applies: Visitax. It applies to foreign tourists over age 4 — so children aged 5 and up must pay. The fee amount is not specified in official sources I’ve seen, but you pay it through the Visitax website before or upon arrival. Like the Embrace It tax, it is separate from your airline ticket and hotel bill.
| Tax | State | Who pays | Amount (2026) | How to pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Embrace It | Baja California Sur | International visitors 12+ staying >24 hours | MXN 488 (~$25 USD) | embrace.bcs.gob.mx or Travelkore |
| Visitax | Quintana Roo | Foreign tourists 5+ (over age 4) | Check official site | visitax.gob.mx |
Affiliate disclosure: Links to Viator are affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
These amounts are as listed on the official sites; government fees can change, so check current rates before booking.
Airline Charges and What’s Included
Airline tickets to Mexico do not include the state tourist taxes or the FMM fee (for land entries). What you pay for your flight covers transportation only. Some airlines, like Southwest Airlines, have issued travel waivers during periods of civil unrest, but that’s unrelated to the taxes themselves. For families flying into Los Cabos (SJD), Cancún (CUN), or Puerto Vallarta (PVR), the process is straightforward: no FMM application needed before the flight, but you must have your Embrace It or Visitax payment ready if traveling to those states.
One practical tip: if you’re flying Southwest or another carrier that allows free checked bags, that can save a family with young children a fair amount. The research doesn’t provide specific baggage fee schedules for other airlines, so I’ll leave that to your own research.
Payment Methods and Tips for Families
Both the FMM fee (if entering by land) and the state tourist taxes are best paid online before your trip. For the Embrace It tax, the official site accepts credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. For Visitax, similar online payment is expected. If you’re paying the land FMM fee at the border, you can use a credit card through the INM portal or pay cash at the border office — but carrying Mexican pesos is safer for any unexpected cash needs.
When using a credit card in Mexico, always choose to pay in Mexican pesos rather than your home currency, because dynamic currency conversion usually gives a worse exchange rate. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; American Express less so. For ATM withdrawals, stick to bank-owned machines from Citibanamex, Santander, Banorte, or HSBC to avoid high fees. Most ATMs accept only 4-digit PINs.
For families, carrying a mix of cash and a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card is the easiest approach. You’ll need pesos for small purchases, tips, and market stalls, while cards work at most restaurants and hotels in tourist areas.
Reader Questions
Do children need to pay the Embrace It tax?
No — children under 12 are exempt. Anyone aged 12 and older staying longer than 24 hours in Baja California Sur must pay.
Is the Visitax tax per person or per room?
Per person. Each foreign tourist over age 4 in your family must pay the Visitax fee when visiting Quintana Roo.
Can I pay the Embrace It tax after I arrive?
Yes, you can pay upon arrival, but it’s better to pay before your trip to avoid delays at check-in or checkpoints. If you pay after arriving, you’ll need cell service to access the website.
What happens if I don’t pay the state tourist tax?
Enforcement is inconsistent, but some travelers have been denied boarding or fined at the airport. The safest approach is to pay ahead and keep your QR code handy.
Do I need to apply for an FMM if I’m flying to Cancún?
No. INM creates the digital FMMD automatically after you clear immigration at Cancún International Airport. Just travel with a valid passport.
References
Mexico FMM and FMMD Entry Rules for U.S. Citizens. US Passport Service Guide, 2026.
Embrace It Mexico Tourist Tax (Cabo Tourist Tax). Travel Mexico Solo, 2026.
Cabo San Lucas Tourist Tax Overview. Mirage Dawn, 2026.
Baja Tourist Tax (Embrace It) Overview. Mexico Travel Plan, 2026.
A Guide to Using a Credit Card in Mexico. Faurit, 2026.
Flying Internationally on Southwest Airlines. Upgraded Points, 2026.
