New Government Environmental Fee for all Resort Guests in the Riviera Maya

Members soon to travel to The Royal Haciendas should be aware of a new municipal tax in the Riviera Maya that comes into effect on October 1, 2017. As part of its work to preserve the extraordinary natural beauty of the area, the Solidaridad Municipal Government will begin charging an Environmental Sanitation Fee to all hotel and resort guests in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya.

This new initiative includes members and guests staying at The Royal Haciendas. In accordance with Municipal Finance Law, the Environmental Sanitation Fee that will be charged to your account is as follows:

Room/One-bedroom Suite   $10 pesos per night

Two-bedroom Villa               $20 pesos per night

As of January 1, 2018, $20 pesos per night will be charged for the Room/One-bedroom Suite and $40 pesos per night for the Two-bedroom Villa.

What will the tax be used for?

The proceeds from this new green tax charged to all hotel and resort guests in the Riviera Maya will be used to contribute to environmental protection and sanitation initiatives such as:

• Beach conservation and upkeep
• Implementation of an integral Waste Management program in urban areas
• Elimination of open-air garbage dumps
• Reduction of carbon emissions by installing LED lighting systems in public areas
• Other programs geared towards making the Riviera Maya a sustainable destination

Why is it needed?

The Riviera Maya is an area of outstanding natural beauty. Its white sand beaches are legendary and the world’s second longest coral reef is just offshore, its jungles and wetlands are home to rare species and it boasts the world’s longest underground rivers discovered to date. Yet increasing visitor numbers and population growth are outpacing public services and more action is needed to improve waste management and other services for the health of the environment and area ecosystems. The new Green Fee charged by the Solidaridad Municipal Government will be used for such programs.

Click here to read the Solidaridad Municipal Government press release on the new Environmental Sanitation Fee

This new Environmental Fee will only be charged to hotel guests in Playa del Carmen and the Riviera Maya. It does not apply to Cancun or Puerto Morelos.