When you choose your next beach escape, odds are you’ll be looking where to spend blissful beach days in Mexico or the Caribbean.
One Caribbean nation that has soared to new heights in terms of tourism is the Dominican Republic.
Even the country’s cultural cities have become more popular, like Santiago de los Caballeros and the sprawling capital, Santo Domingo.
Near both cultural hubs are some of the most pristine beach resort towns you’ll find along Caribbean shores.
One that is super easy to reach and continues to thrive is La Romana, home to lavish resorts and stunning beaches.
Move Aside Punta Cana! La Romana Is The Place To Be
As someone who just spent 5 days at a luxe resort in Punta Cana, I can easily compare apples to apples since I also spent some time in La Romana.
If you’ve done any vacation planning along the East Coast or Caribbean, surely you know it’s sargassum season.
Sargassum is an unsightly brown algae that invades coastlines for miles and miles ruining your postcard-worthy photo-ops.
Punta Cana, including world-renowned Bavaro Beach, was teeming with icky piles of sargassum baking in the sun, creating not only an eyesore, but an unpleasant odor and constant annoyances trying to swim in the crystal clear waters.
Taking a day trip to La Romana was like flipping a switch from an okay beach vacation to the dreamy paradise you envision when splurging on a Caribbean getaway.
Perfect Conditions For The Ultimate Beach Escape
Not a flake of sargassum was spotted when I swam in various spots throughout the La Romana region.
Setting sail on a Catamaran from Bayahibe, there were stops away from shore to swim and snorkel.
Water conditions were absolutely perfect with warm temperatures and limpid visibility – no seaweed or trash in sight.
Like Zac Brown said, the ‘Only worry in the world is the tide gonna reach my chair’, the only worry here is stepping on Starfish as they’re a very protected and encouraged by tour guides not to touch.
The only portion not suitable for water activity are the ports of Bayahibe and Isla Saona, where the water is still very clear, but you will need flip-flops to avoid cutting your feet on jagged rocks.
Stunning Tropical Islands
Within close distance from the small resort town of La Romana lies a pair of stunning islands – Isla Saona, and Isla Catalina.
While I can’t speak to personal experience with the latter, tourists have left rave reviews with comments like, ‘Saona Island gets all the cred but this was an awesome excursion’.
Home to gorgeous beaches clear waters for snorkeling and diving, this short journey to the island is definitely worth checking out.
I went to Isla Saona. Beyond simply relaxing with endless poolside pinã coladas, this jaw-dropping island was the highlight of my Dominican vacation.
You are instantly welcomed by towering palm trees and sandy pathways giving access to what feels like secret beaches, and it was some of the clearest water I’ve ever swam in.
No sargassum, jellyfish, garbage, stingrays – nope, just picture-perfect blue waters and white sand.
La Romana’s Lavish Resorts
Punta Cana is great, but everyone wants to be here.
The same way Cancun is an awesome vacation spot since everyone knows about, that’s not to say you won’t have an awesome time in Puerto Escondido.
The same goes for Punta Cana and La Romana. The latter is a very popular resort town but doesn’t hold the same recognition.
Vacationers can come here expecting to have the time of their lives the same as you would in Punta Cana, but the experience may be even better.
With high-end all-inclusive resorts such as Hilton, Dreams, and Iberostar, you can’t go wrong, especially since the beaches don’t find themselves in the path of massive seaweed invasions.
Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 30 countries and written over 400 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Travel can be as addictive as it is expensive. And I have the bank balance to prove it!
But if you want to travel more without spending a fortune, then one of the biggest ways to save cash is by choosing the right destination.
Picking a travel destination that offers budget hotel rooms, affordable costs on the ground, and perhaps most importantly, cheap flights are all great ways to save money.
Dollar Flight Club has revealed a list of the cheapest U.S. destinations to fly to in 2025. Meaning 2025 can be a big year in travel without breaking the bank.
Note: I’m often a little dubious about lists like this. However, Dollar Flight Club analyzed a full year of airfare data, took into account destinations with multiple departure points, and used seasonal travel data to look at airfare peaks, too.
Destinations were ranked based on the affordability of their airfare as well as the frequency of their flights and connections from major US hubs.
5. Nashville, Tennessee (BNA)
Nashville is the heart of the country and a paradise for music lovers. If you’re looking for old-school Southern hospitality and a huge dose of charm, then this is the place to be.
As well as epic live music venues, you’ll also find incredible heritage architecture. The growing art scene in the city means there is an abundance of galleries and art shows to enjoy, too.
The Dollar Flight Club report puts Nashville as the 5th most affordable destination in the U.S., with average flight prices of $190.
The best time to visit Nashville is in the spring, especially if you’re a music fan as this is when the most renowned music festivals take place in the city.
With this advice in mind, I looked for some sample prices for flights in April.
The cheapest flights available right now are from Chicago. Departing on April 1 and returning on April 8 will cost $178. This is based on economy-class flights with American Airlines.
4. Austin, Texas (AUS)
Austin is a modern city with an old-fashioned attitude.
You’ll be sure of a warm welcome here, and there is a thriving cultural and arts scene to immerse yourself in in the city, too.
Austin is known as the live music capital of the world, so if you’re looking for some of the best live music venues and festivals in the U.S., then that’s another great reason to put Austin on your bucket list.
The best time to visit the city is in March when the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival is taking place.
The cheapest destination to fly from Austin is Denver, Colorado. Return flights from March 12 to March 19 will cost $98. This is based on economy-class flights with Frontier Airlines.
3. Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)
As an adult playground, Las Vegas is one of the most popular vacation destinations in the U.S. and one of the most domestically well-connected.
Which explains why it took 3rd place on this list.
Las Vegas is known for its casinos, mega resorts, and hotels. But it has so much more to offer. Think of a huge array of fine dining options as well as epic outdoor pursuits.
To take advantage of the cheapest flight and hotel prices, Dollar Flight Club suggests traveling in December and January.
Using this info, I looked at flights for January and found San Francisco is the cheapest departure airport. Flying out on January 8 and returning on January 15 will cost just $36 return.
This is based on an economy-class ticket with Frontier Airlines.
This is a city best known for its high-quality winter skiing nearby, but there are also amazing hiking trails to enjoy here in the summer months.
Looking for something a little more relaxing and, dare I say it, sedentary? The craft beer scene in Denver is highly regarded, so why not book a brewery tour or two?
The best time to visit depends on what you’re looking for. Try March for the tail end of the ski season or late summer for hiking.
Return flights from Salt Lake City are available in March for as little as $39. This is based on flights from March 1 – March 8 with Frontier Airlines, flying economy class.
1. Orlando, Florida (MCO)
Perhaps one of the most well-known and iconic vacation destinations in the U.S., every kid in the world dreams of visiting Orlando.
(And many adults want to go to heal their inner child too!)
The big attractions, of course, are Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. But Orlando also offers world-class shopping, restaurants, and outdoor activities too.
According to Dollar Flight Club, average flight prices are $150, and the best time to visit is in early January or early September to beat crowds and demand.
Based on this, I looked for January flight prices and found nonstop return flights from Atlanta with Spirit Airlines for $48. This was based on an economy class flight departing on January 8 and returning on January 15.
The very cheapest flights were from Durham, North Carolina. Departing on January 7 and returning on January 11 would cost $39. This is based on an economy-class flight with Frontier Airlines.
Tor has been writing for more than 20 years and has visited 25 countries (and counting!) She specializes in European and family travel and never says no to new adventures.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Buying gold in Turkey, especially gold jewelry, is gaining massive popularity right now with the amazing conversion rate against the declining Turkish Lira and the ability for consumers to purchase directly from sellers without a middleman.
Personally, I’m getting tired of wasting my money on cheap costume jewelry that will start to tarnish and break just after 1 or 2 wears. This fast fashion craze has people consuming accessories at an alarming rate. What at first seems like a good deal, only $89 for a pair of gold-plated earrings, becomes such a liability with how fast they go out of style and start to discolor.
After years of frustration with wasting my money on cheap jewelry, I decided to go on a mission to find great deals on gold in one of the most famous markets in the world, the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. My aim was to find good quality pieces for fair prices that would last for decades instead of a few seasons.
Below you’ll find tips on how to find amazing deals on gold, tricks to test the purity and authenticity of gold jewelry, and everything else I learned during my pursuit of quality gold at the Grand Bazaar in Turkey.
My Hunt For Quality Gold Inside The Grand Bazaar
For this mission, I needed an insider and gold expert to help me. My friend Alyne and I met up with the fourth-generation master jeweler, Nurhan Gümüş. This guy knows his gold, it’s in his blood. His great-grandfather was a gold jeweler in the Grand Bazaar in the 1800s, a profession his entire family has upheld ever since.
We met Nurhan at the southern Carsikapi Gate that leads into Kalpakcilar Caddesi, the gold jeweler’s road of the Grand Bazaar. Before we got into the nitty gritty of gold shopping, he simply took me for a walk up and down the covered streets so I could get a good idea of the immense variety available inside the market. Basically, any kind of silver or gold jewelry you’re looking for, you’ll find it here. If you can’t find it on display, you’ll meet vendors who will custom-make it for you or find you something similar within a few hours.
We spent the entire day inside the market browsing, testing, trying on, and eventually buying many gold pieces, including a vintage Rolex, gold earrings, and a gold necklace. I’m going to share every insider secret and tip I learned during our time with Nurhan, so you can follow in my footsteps with your own Turkish gold shopping spree.
Top 6 Tips For Buying Gold Jewelry in the Grand Bazaar
Ok gold lovers – Here’s what you need to know to be an informed gold buyer to best apply all the tips we have for you throughout this guide.
1. Is it Hallmarked? (stamped)
Make sure the item has the appropriate karat marking stamp, also known as a hallmark.
Examples are:
22k, or 916 18k, or 750 14k, or 585 10k, or 416
This indicates purity and is also a way of confirming the jewelers’ said details.
Best practice: Ask the seller to show you the hallmarks on the piece directly.
example of hallmark stamping with 18k gold (750 stamp)
2️. Know The Purity (what those hallmarks actually mean)
The purity of gold is determined by karat.
24 Karat gold is 99.9% pure and it descends as you go.
Percent of gold in:
24k = (99.9% gold content) 22k = (91.6% gold content) 18k = (75% gold content) 14k = (58.3% gold content) 10k = (41.6% gold content, which means less than half is gold)
Investing in gold jewelry without checking purity is a BIG NO. The price between something that is 22 karats and 10 karats will vary immensely.
3️. Figure out the Best Price (the tricky part)
The price of the gold jewelry is indicated by its purity as well as how much labor work has been spent while making the piece.
When buying a solid gold item, the best way to compare is apples to apples! Well in this case: karats to karats!
Similar-looking gold items with similar weights might be 1000s of dollars less or more.. HOW?? 🤔
Think of a 100-gram gold chain in 10 karats.. this contains 41.6 grams of gold. But on the other hand, a 100-gram chain of 18-karat gold contains 75 grams of gold!
This alone is a HUGE 34 grams of gold difference!
Best practice: Only compare the same karat items! If you are looking at a 14k chain, compare it to other 14k chains of the same weight.
4️. Determining Weight (How heavy is it?)
It is essential to check the weight of the actual gold item that you are buying. Since other gemstones, materials, or enamel colors can make the weight heavier, you might end up paying a higher price for less gold!
Best practice: Ask the jeweler to weigh it on a scale & take a note of that gram weight
5️. Color Shouldn’t Matter (Yellow, Rose, or White)
Gold can have color variations. Combining pure gold with specific alloy metals will create another color or tone.
Yellow gold has been the most popular tone throughout history. Rose gold & white gold are less popular depending on current trends & international locations.
Best Practice: The color of gold should not make the price cheaper or more expensive.
6. Do the math to get your per-gram cost
How to get your gram cost:
Take the total price of the item & divide it by the weight = YOUR PER GRAM COST
Use that to compare prices of items with different weights & same karat purity.
While the per gram cost does not take other things into consideration, like gems or other details the jewelry might have, or the shop owner’s cost of his storefront, it will give you a good baseline when shopping around.
BOTTOM LINE:
A lot is to be taken into consideration when making a jewelry purchase, but if you have the exact karats and weight, you can make a great base for comparison.
Nurhan Gümüs helping us find great deals on gold in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Türkiye
How to get an actual estimate of how much you should pay for gold jewelry
Below is an equation to use as a rough estimate, using the current rate of gold, to determine if the price they are asking at the Grand Bazaar is fair.
Step 1: Google today’s market rate for gold.
Step 2: Let’s say the market rate for the day is $50 per gram (pure gold). We will take that $50 and multiply it by the purity of the item we are looking at. For this example, we’ll use a piece of jewelry that is 18k gold. 18k has 75% pure gold content.
$50 X 0.75 (purity percent of 18k) = $37.50
$37.50 is the cost per gram of the gold material itself in an 18k piece with today’s rate of $50 per gram.
Step 3: Now, pretend the seller has shown you an 18k bracelet and you’ve put it on the scale to weigh it, and based on the weight and price, you can see he is charging $40 per gram. We can minus the raw cost of the gold from the above equation ($37.50), which means he is charging $2.5 per gram for labor and business costs.
Now, there is no ‘standard’ for how much profit a seller should be making, or how much dollars per gram he is charging for labor and business costs. This varies greatly depending on the actual jewelry itself, how much detail and design it may have, and other factors like his rent and other business costs. What the above equation allows you to do is be better informed about raw costs, compare apples to apples when shopping around, and to feel more comfortable about investing in gold.
Q&A – Buying Gold in Türkiye
Why should people consider buying gold in Turkey? Why not travel to Dubai to buy gold?
Dubai (UAE) and Turkey both have very vibrant gold jewelry industries and both countries export and import billions of dollars a year.
Dubai does have some slight cost advantages compared to Turkey when it comes to machine-made/engineered goods like chains. That’s due to the fact their small and medium-sized businesses have larger budgets available to them for machines to produce highly efficient, machine-made gold items.
Turkey, on the other hand, has two great advantages. One is in the handmade / artisan jewelry department due to the over 5000 year history of jewelry making in Anatolia (current day Turkey). Turkey has an unrivaled history of handmade jewelry that other countries cannot compete with.
The other advantage Turkey has over the UAE is a lower cost of the overall trip. You can stay in Istanbul for a month or longer for what your budget would be for just a few days in Dubai. We have curated a 3-day Istanbul itinerary for a perfect visit to the city, with a gold shopping experience in the Grand Bazaar included!
Sometimes, it’s not always about the lowest cost, but instead the overall experience.
How can we tell if the gold is real?
One of the easiest and quickest ways to tell if a piece of jewelry, let’s say a necklace in this case, is real solid gold or something else like brass with a cheap gold plating, is to rub a magnet on it.
Keep a small magnet in your pocket at the Grand Bazaar and use it yourself to test any pieces you are looking at. Real gold is not magnetic and it will not stick. Many other cheaper metals are magnetic and will stick immediately.
If the gold is real, how do we know what the karat value is? (Example: 10k, 14k, 18k, etc?)
Sellers at the Grand Bazaar can do an acid test right there in the shop. This involves the piece of jewelry being rubbed on a touchstone usually made of slate, then a specific karat formula of acid is used. So, a 14k gold bracelet will have its own 14-karat acid gold test. Once the acid is dropped on the stone, if the acid eats away at the markings on the stone, it means it is not the karat it states. If the markings do stay with the 14-karat acid, or whichever karat-specific acid test was used, then it’s legit.
There are a lot of gold shops in the Grand Bazaar. How do we find a good one? Anything specific to look for or to avoid?
The best way is to be an informed buyer and know about the basics of gold, i.e. the gram weight, the karat purity, and then checking that the said karat is hallmarked on the piece itself.
Knowing the basic pillars of information allows you to more properly compare when you go in and ask some questions. If you see the salesman can’t point out the markings, doesn’t know about an acid test, or can’t provide the basic information you’re looking for – you can safely assume they are not able to provide professional help. You should be wary of places like that. Most shops are professional and helpful, but of course, it’s a bazaar and an everchanging marketplace so the prices will vary.
X Avoid places that can’t pay much attention to you or can’t provide details quickly.
✓ Do business with stores that can quickly provide information about the pieces, can offer the acid test, and are willing to be patient.
Can I negotiate on price at stores inside the bazaar?
Yes. Always negotiate with sellers. That’s what has been done throughout history at the Grand Bazaar and it will never change.
However, it should be noted that sellers will have different costs of doing business and it may affect how much they can negotiate with you. A shop that has the most prime location and the highest rent in all of the bazaar may not have as much room as a second-level shop. There is no formula for how much to negotiate, but again knowing the basic market value of gold will help immensely in this situation.
Do jewelers in the Grand Bazaar take credit cards or only cash?
Both cash and credit cards are accepted by almost all of the shops inside the Grand Bazaar. There are a few smaller stores that may not take credit cards, but they will usually have a sign-up to inform you. Safe and secure ATMs are available both inside and outside the bazaar.
If you are using a credit card, many vendors will want to charge a processing fee. The fee is usually 2.5% to 3%, but should never be more than 5%.
Can I SELL my personal gold inside the Grand Bazaar?
Yes, there are places called “sarrafiye” in Turkish (gold buyers) located directly inside the bazaar.
Due to the Anatolian / Turkish culture of giving, gifting, & saving gold it’s very common for people to trade their coins, bracelets, & jewelry at these places. You can venture inside the Grand Bazaar and ‘shop’ your gold around to see who’s paying the best prices of the day.
What we bought
Istanbul really is the new cool, and we have the gold to prove it. Here’s what we got during our first mission at the Grand Bazaar (and we’ve got another trip planned this spring for a few more pieces)
Now, some people reading this might think I got ripped off with the Rolex because it ‘wasn’t purchased at an authorized Rolex dealer” but I need to remind you this is Turkey. Since then, I’ve had it verified and I am over the moon with the purchase, since it would have been considerably more if I had purchased it in the Western market.
One of the coolest experiences was getting to follow the seller through some tight alleyways, behind the scenes from the main bazaar, and got to watch how they cleaned our gold before giving it to us.
They showed us how each new piece of gold is cleaned and polished before being delivered to customers.
I could not have made this article without the countless hours and guidance from Nurhan, so I’d like to make a special thank you to him.
Nurhan Gümüş is an Armenian fourth-generation master jeweler in the Grand Bazaar. He’s the founder of GrandBazaarJewelers.com which focuses on wholesale B2B jewelry and TurkishJewelry.com which is the premier jewelry news & trends blog for Turkey. He was born in Istanbul and his family immigrated to the United States in 1980. In the U.S. he started apprenticing at the age of 12 in his family’s jewelry manufacturing business. He relocated back to Istanbul 13 years ago due to its international competitive advantage (and his advantage of being a native English speaker Master Armenian jeweler).
He currently helps entrepreneurs create their own jewelry line and offers one-on-one professional jewelry assistance. You can find him on IG @grandbazaarjewelers
We did the research for this article while being guests in Istanbul with Go Türkiye. While the tourism board graciously hosted our stay, our itinerary and elective activities, such as gold shopping, were on our own budget. Our ideas, opinions, and recommendations remain our own.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
With temperatures plunging across the Northern Hemisphere and parts of the United States and Europe bracing for freezing weather, it’s no wonder people are eager to escape to a land of forever summer, especially if they’re digital nomads:
Lounging on a sandy beach under an umbrella as they sip a tropical drink, partly relaxing, partly catching up with work, to the gentle sound of crashing waves in the distance, seems to be the end goal of every remote worker…
Not being locked up at home in their suburban home or big city apartment as rain pours outside.
Romantic for some, a literal prison for others: well, thanks to new research published by Printful, featured on Startups UK, you needn’t look further if it’s an escape from the winter blues you’re desperately craving.
Here are 5 of the (literal) hottest digital nomad destinations right now:
Jakarta, Indonesia
Indonesia may be most sought-after for its paradisiacal Bali, but its capital Jakarta should not be so quickly dismissed: the complete opposite, it is a sprawling metropolis best known for its diverse architecture and fast-paced city life.
On a cultural level, it’s a mix of native Asian, Arab and European influences, with a Dutch-build Old Town, a vibrant Chinatown (Glodok), and ornate mosques composing the cityscape, and as it pertains to nomads, the affordability and balmy temps are the main attraction.
As the study indicates, the average temperatures from November to March are 79°F, and the cost of living is $608 a month: you can eat for as cheap as $3, get a monthly gym pass for $29, and rent a 1-bedroom apartment in a residential area for roughly $265 (Numbeo).
Manila, Philippines
Over in the Philippines, Manila ranks as the fourth hottest destination this winter, distinguished by its skyscraper-dotted business districts and a Spanish-colonial Old Manila, a walled historic center filled with Baroque churches and European-style forts.
Other than the uniqueness of character, with an architectural style that is far more common in Latin America, Manila is on track to become a ‘workcation’ hub due to offering a comfortable lifestyle to dollar-earning nomads:
According to the research, you’ll get set back by $615 per month living in Manila, owing it to the cheap food prices ($5 for a meal in a local restaurant) and inexpensive rent (from $235)––oh, and if you’re wondering what to pack, it’s 80°F out.
Hanoi, Vietnam
The cultural and administrative capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, is an unlikely combination of French buildings dating back to the colonial period, Buddhist pagodas and Chinese temples, and communist-style Brutalist monuments.
With buzzing streets lined with food stalls, merchant shops, and charming cafes serving world-famous Vietnamese coffee and catering to an international clientele, it’s no surprise Hanoi ranks as one of the top 3 cities for nomads in 2025.
Finally, as Startups UK remarks, Hanoi is also not as unpleasantly hot and humid as its Southeast Asian counterparts, with an average temperature of 66°F, not to mention its inexpensiveness, with the cost of living per month being roughly $624.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Yet another Southeast Asian capital, Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s heart and soul, sitting at the junction of two historic rivers, the Mekong and Tonlé Sap, with a walkable riverfront interspersed with lush parks, traditional eateries, and stately monuments.
Two of Cambodia’s most-visited tourist attractions are located on Phnom Penh’s river promenade, namely the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda, and not far from the fast-flowing watercourse, the colonial art deco Central Market is great for street food.
With 81 degrees in winter and living costs under $770 a month, it is one of the world’s new trendiest nomad hotspots, and it probably helps that getting a visa to stay in Cambodia for 30 days is easy if you’re an American: it’s fully online, and it costs $30.
Bangkok, Thailand
It’s a recurring theme at this point that Bangkok, Thailand ranks at the top of every digital nomad list we published: regarding both affordability and pleasant temperatures between November and March, this would be no exception.
The most popular destination for remote work globally, as seen on Nomads, Bangkok ticks all the boxes, from the vibrant nightlife to the multicultural scene and then the culture, with magnificent stupas and royal palaces and overall budget-friendliness.
Printful notes that the average high temperature is 87.8, with minimal rainfall as this is not monsoon season, and if you’re on a strict budget, you can easily call Bangkok home while leading a comfortable life on earnings of $876 a month.
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Cancun is the most sought-after destination for Americans going abroad: with its all-inclusive resorts, buzzing shopping scene, and beautiful beaches lapped by turquoise seas, there is no doubt it is set for yet another record-breaking season.
That being said, a week in paradise does not come with its own share of good old bureaucracy.
In April 2021, the state of Quintana Roo, where Cancun is located, introduced VISITAX, a tourist fee required for all arrivals.
The tax applies to tourists landing in Cancun, though since its introduction, authorities have been very lax in enforcing the new law, which is no longer happening moving forward––and for that dodger out there, you might want to think twice:
Not paying this fee could get your passport flagged.
What Is The Cancun VISITAX?
First of all, what is exactly VISITAX?
This is a tourist tax with the aim to generate revenue for new infrastructure, with some examples being new technology to keep the coast sargassum-free, the revitalization of the Tajamar boardwalk, and even road improvements.
We know you’re already wondering why you have to pay the Quintana Roo state on top of your already-expensive all-inclusive resort, but personally, we can’t even be mad at it when we’re seeing the advancement of projects, and the fact it costs only 271 Mexican pesos.
In U.S. dollars, that’s a negligible $13.40, and all travelers aged 15 and over must pay.
Also, Cancun is not the only destination to have added a tourist fee in recent years: you can no longer even board a U.K.-bound flight without applying first for their new travel authorization, and just south of Mexico, Belize is the latest to have introduced a similar requirement.
For three years now, however, airport officials have not bothered checking whether tourists have paid the tax or not, with Americans either being completely ignored or let off altogether.
As reported by the Cancun Sun, this changes with immediate effect.
What Are The Consequences For Not Paying?
Starting this season, tourists who do not show proof of paying the tourist tax might face consequences.
For starters, agents have been stopping tourists departing from Cancun Airport to ensure they have paid the tax before flying out of the state, either to other destinations in Mexico or to their home country.
In most cases, they are simply asked to pay the fee on the spot before leaving, without serious repercussions, but according to the Cancun Sun, others who attempt to leave without paying could be in for an unpleasant surprise coming back to Cancun.
Whether it’s fines or something else, the full extent of the consequences hasn’t been formally detailed––still, one that has been mentioned explicitly is the addition of an ‘observation’ to your passport.
We don’t know what this means exactly, but we do know we don’t want to get our passports flagged by any authorities, particularly when it’s such a minor inconvenience, such as forking out as little as $13 bucks and a few cents.
Should you choose to ignore the requirement, and manage to get away with it, it is probable you will have to pay double the fee returning to Cancun, as border agents will have access to your passport observations, or even be issued a fine, which is unspecified at this point.
Trust us, you don’t want to get handed a fine in a foreign country, where laws are different than your homeland, and values can be quite hefty.
Moral of the story, just pay the fee.
How To Pay Cancun’s VISITAX Fee
How do you pay the VISITAX fee?
There are two simple ways to do it: online through the official VISITAX website or upon arrival at one of the kiosks located inside Cancun Airport, Tulum Airport, or other entry points into the state of Quintana Roo.
Needless to say, paying online in advance is the most convenient alternative as you’ll be avoiding waiting in line.
The process is very straightforward. You’ll fill out a simplified form, where you’ll be asked to enter your name, birth date, departure date, and preferred payment method (currently, you can only pay with a credit or debit card).
Once payment is confirmed, you’ll be issued a QR code to show to agents when the time comes.
Oh, and beware of scammers!
These are the only two ways you can legitimately pay your VISITAX contribution: do not trust scammers waiting at the arrivals hall or outside the airport, asking for three to four times the actual fee.
Vini, our senior lead writer at Travel Off Path, has over 60+ countries under his belt (and currently weaving tales from Paris!), and a knack for turning off-the-beaten-path experiences into informative stories that will have you packing your bags.
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
