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When planning a luxury vacation to Los Cabos, you probably account for your flights, resort fees, and plenty of spending money for tacos and tequila. However, there is one mandatory expense that frequently catches visitors off guard: the Baja California Sur tourist tax.

Officially known as the “Embrace It” initiative, this state-mandated fee is not bundled into your airline ticket or your hotel reservation. It is entirely your responsibility to secure it.

As we move deeper into 2026, the state government has confirmed the initiative is here to stay, and the cost has slightly increased. If you are heading to the Baja peninsula this year, here is everything you need to know about the Embrace It tax, how to pay it, and why you should never ignore it.

What Is The “Embrace It” Tax?

The Embrace It tax is a mandatory fee levied by the State of Baja California Sur on all international travelers staying in the region for more than 24 hours.

For 2026, the fee has been raised to 488 Mexican Pesos (approximately $28 USD), depending on the current exchange rate) per person. The tax applies to anyone over the age of 12.

The funds generated are legally earmarked for the Trust for the Administration of State Infrastructure. This means your money directly supports environmental protection, public safety, local infrastructure improvements, and community development across the state.

“For foreign travelers, clarity of requirements always makes a difference,” said Hugo Chapoy Córdova, Director of Revenue at Tourist Tax México. “Our commitment is to maintain a secure, simple, and accessible digital process for those who choose Baja California Sur.”

How Do You Pay It?

The most critical thing to understand is that third-party vendors and scam sites exist. The only official and secure channel to pay this tax is online at https://embraceit.bcs.gob.mx/.

The digital process is incredibly straightforward:

• Step 1: Visit the official website before your trip or while connected to your hotel Wi-Fi.
• Step 2: Enter your passport details, email address, and travel dates. You can register up to 10 travelers in a single transaction.
• Step 3: Pay securely via credit card
• Step 4: Immediately receive a digital QR code sent straight to your email inbox for each passenger.

Enforcement: Do Not Rely On The “Honor System”

Currently, the enforcement of the Embrace It tax relies heavily on the honor system. Because you are not always funneled through an inspections checkpoint at the Los Cabos International Airport for this tax, many travelers mistakenly assume the fee is optional or unenforced.

This is a dangerous assumption.

We have seen this exact scenario play out in the Mexican Caribbean with the state of Quintana Roo’s Visitax. For years, tourists in Cancun ignored it because checks were rare—until the government suddenly mandated more rigorous enforcement overnight, and spot checks became more common.

Baja California Sur authorities have the legal right to ask for your QR code at any time during your stay, or at your point of departure. Do not gamble with your vacation over a $28 fee. Pay the tax, keep the QR code on your phone, and enjoy your time in Cabo with total peace of mind.