Puerto Vallarta's New 160-Peso Visitor Fee: What Residents and Their Guests Should Know

As of January 1, 2026, foreign visitors to Puerto Vallarta pay a new tourist fee of 160 pesos — about nine US dollars. It is a one-time annual charge that covers stays of up to 180 days. The fee has a slightly bumpy backstory. An earlier version, approved in 2024, was struck down by Mexico's Supreme Court on December 1, 2025, for wording that was too vague. The city reworded the ordinance, the state Congress re-approved it, and the charge took effect at the start of 2026. The money — an estimated 200 million pesos a year — is earmarked for public works and tourism infrastructure. The fee was proposed by Mayor Luis Ernesto Munguia and is being implemented through the municipal treasury under Treasurer Raul Rodrigo Perez. Visitors can pay at cruise terminals, the airport, hotel lobbies, dedicated payment modules, and municipal treasury offices. The key point for our community: temporary and permanent residents are exempt. If you hold residency, keep your documentation handy — and know that friends and family visiting you will be expected to pay. This is a Navigating Vallarta retelling of reporting first published by Mexico News Daily. Read the original article here: https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/puerto-vallarta-foreign-tourist-tax/