Cancun’s Tech Tax 180

Back in September, I was preparing to spend 10 long, glorious days in Cancún Mexico and – as is custom in my life – packing at the last minute. I hadn’t been away from home for that long in some time, and since a portion of this trip was a work trip, I knew I’d need my laptop with me.

This was causing me some anxiety, because I’d been seeing all kinds of chatter from fellow agents and travelers about the “Tech Tax” in Quintana Roo. International travelers were being charged almost $100 per device if they entered the country with more than two devices on their person or in their luggage. Almost everyone on the planet travels with a phone (some have two or more), and I was planning to bring my laptop. Based on this tax, if I also brought my iPad, I’d be at risk of having to pay cash money to keep it with me in Mexico. It was stressing me because I NEEDED it.

Fortunately, I skedaddled my way through customs without having to answer to anyone. I made sure I came back and warned everyone getting ready to fly into Cancún about the two device rule.

This tax law was seen as egregious by many travelers. With Cancún being such a popular, accessible vacation destination and many people working remotely, you’d think the local government would make it easier for tourists to take their work on vacation – not harder!

Fortunately, the government saw the error in its ways and in October 2024, eliminated the Tech Tax for foreign travelers. Now it’s safe to take your devices into Mexico without fear of being a few hundred dollars poorer at the start of your vacay.

Sometimes the government gets it right.