Puerto Vallarta Expected to Implement Fee for Foreign Tourists Visiting the City Starting 2025

The Puerto Vallarta City Council, led by Green Party Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía, has proposed a new fee targeting foreign tourists. The measure aims to generate revenue for the maintenance and improvement of public spaces and municipal services, particularly those catering to tourism. If approved, the initiative will become part of the municipality’s Income Law for 2025.

Details of the Proposal

Under the proposal, foreign tourists visiting Puerto Vallarta will be charged a fee of 135.71 pesos per year for accessing public spaces. Initially, the Mayor suggested a higher charge equivalent to 2.5 Measurement and Update Units (UMA), amounting to 271.42 pesos. However, after review by the City Council Commissions, the fee was reduced to 1.25 UMA, or 135.71 pesos.

According to the City Council, the collected funds will be earmarked for the enhancement and maintenance of public spaces used primarily by tourists, such as beaches, parks, and promenades. Additionally, the revenue will contribute to improving municipal services that support the tourism industry.

Exemptions to the Fee

Certain groups will be exempt from the new fee, including:

  • Minors under the age of 14.
  • People with disabilities.
  • Tourist guides and tour operators.
  • Airline and cruise ship personnel.
  • Foreign workers employed in the tourism sector.

The City Council is expected to vote on the proposal this Friday. If approved, it will be sent to the Jalisco state Congress for final authorization.

Proposed Lodging Tax on Hold

In addition to the public space fee, Mayor Munguía also proposed a lodging tax for all tourists, both domestic and international. The tax would apply to accommodations such as hotels, motels, timeshares, hostels, and vacation rentals, including those booked through digital platforms. The proposed amount was 75.99 pesos per night, equivalent to 70 percent of one UMA.

However, this lodging tax has faced resistance within the City Council and has not progressed through committee discussions. As a result, it is likely to be discarded.

Rationale and Implications

Mayor Munguía defended the proposed fees as necessary for sustaining Puerto Vallarta’s tourism infrastructure. “The purpose of this right will be for the maintenance and improvement of municipal public spaces mainly intended for tourism activities, as well as for the improvement of municipal public services provided by the Municipality, mainly in the tourism sector,” the proposal states.

The initiatives reflect broader trends in tourist destinations worldwide, where governments are seeking additional funding to mitigate the environmental and infrastructural impacts of tourism. However, critics argue that such measures could deter visitors, particularly those traveling on a budget.

Next Steps

Should the City Council approve the public space fee, it will move to the state Congress for authorization before being implemented in 2025. Meanwhile, discussions around the lodging tax may resurface if adjustments or compromises are made.

As Puerto Vallarta continues to grow as a global tourism hub, the introduction of fees like these underscores the city’s effort to balance economic benefits with sustainable development. However, how tourists and the local community respond to these measures remains to be seen.

The Puerto Vallarta City Council, led by Green Party Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguía, has proposed a new fee targeting foreign tourists. The measure aims to generate revenue for the maintenance and improvement of public spaces and municipal services, particularly those catering to tourism. If approved, the initiative will become part of the municipality's Income Law for 2025.

Follow Us On Google News | Get Our Newsletter



Trending News on PVDN

  • Where do foreigners come from and where do they live in MexicoMexico City Protest on July 5 Challenges Gentrification and Airbnb’s Impact on Housing Residents of Roma and Condesa will gather at Parque México on July 5 to protest gentrification, rising rents, and Airbnb’s effect on local housing. This Saturday, July 5, Mexico City will witness its first organized citizen protest against gentrification—a peaceful but urgent gathering taking place at 3:30 p.m. at the Lindbergh Forum in Parque México,…
  • protests3Mexico City Protests: There is a fine line between anti-gentrification and xenophobia The line between anti-gentrification and racism is clear if you choose to see it: genuine activism targets policy and practice, not nationality or ethnicity. I have lived in Mexico for two decades, and I have never witnessed the level of anti-American sentiment that exists today. All of it is tied to the buzzword "gentrification," a…
  • puerto vallarta lettersPuerto Vallarta needs a new image to create meaningful reasons for travelers to visit Business leaders at Jalisco Tourism Secretariat forums stressed the need for renewing Puerto Vallarta image and diversifying attractions to appeal to national and international markets. Local business leaders and tourism specialists agreed this week that Puerto Vallarta needs a fresh look and a broader range of attractions to compete at home and abroad. In a…
  • puerto-vallarta-police-chase-bahia-de-banderasPuerto Vallarta police chase ends in deadly collision in Bahía de Banderas A Puerto Vallarta police chase along Highway 200 ended in a deadly collision in Bahía de Banderas, leaving two people dead. A high-speed chase that began in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, and ended in Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit, left at least two people dead and raised new questions about police engagement and road safety in the…
  • puerto-vallarta-rainfall-hurricane-flossie-july-2025Puerto Vallarta braces for torrential rains as Hurricane Flossie gains strength Puerto Vallarta faces a high risk of flooding as Hurricane Flossie intensifies in the Pacific. Torrential rains and overwhelmed drainage systems pose major challenges for the city. Puerto Vallarta, a city wedged between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean, is no stranger to dramatic weather shifts—but this summer, the skies are testing the…
  • protestProtest graffiti and smashed windows mars anti-gentrification rally in Mexico City Residents and activists joined an anti-gentrification rally in Mexico Park, but the anti-gentrification rally Mexico Park turned destructive as masked youths defaced local shops and broke windows. A rally against gentrification held yesterday in Mexico City’s Parque México drew residents from Juárez, Roma, Condesa and Hipódromo alongside local activists. Organizers billed it as the city’s…
  • mexico city real estateGentrification in Mexico City is not the reason for the high cost of housing City housing shortage, not gentrification, drives prices skyward as planning lags behind demand and foreigner influence remains minimal. High real estate costs in Mexico City stem from a deep and persistent housing shortage—exacerbated by land constraints, tangled regulations and speculative investment—rather than by the presence of foreign residents. Despite headlines blaming “gentrification,” foreign-born residents make…
  • Body with signs of crocodile attack found in Ameca River, a leg was found last monthPurple Flag Warns Beachgoers after Crocodile at Los Muertos Beach Authorities raised a purple flag after a crocodile at Los Muertos Beach was spotted swimming near shore, advising visitors to avoid entering the water until safety checks ended. Local authorities recorded a crocodile swimming in the vicinity of Los Muertos Beach, one of Puerto Vallarta’s busiest tourist spots. Lifeguards spotted the reptile in shallow water…
  • José Luis Velázquez RodríguezSEAPAL Official Reported Missing in Puerto Vallarta Authorities in Puerto Vallarta have launched a search for José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, SEAPAL's head of transparency, who has been missing since June 30. Family and officials are urging the public to report any information. Local authorities and civil protection units have launched a search operation for José Luis Velázquez Rodríguez, head of the Transparency…
  • puerto vallarta loses three blue flag beachesPuerto Vallarta retains four Blue Flag Beaches, down from eight Puerto Vallarta will enter the 2025–2026 season with four international Blue Flag distinctions in Puerto Vallarta, even after tourism-driven environmental damage cost it half of its previous honors. The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in Mexico confirmed that three resort flags will be revalidated at Marriott Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa, The Westin Resort &…
Scroll to Top