Your Next Trip to Puerto Morelos Could Cost More in 2027

Every time a foreign visitor steps off a plane in Mexico, they pay a fee they probably never noticed. It's buried in the price of their airline ticket. Now, the Mexican federal government wants to raise that fee by 35 percent, and local hotel leaders are pushing back hard.

What Is the DNR Fee?

The charge is called the Derecho de No Residente, or DNR. It applies to all international tourists entering Mexico and is collected directly by airlines, so it never shows up as a separate bill at the airport.

The federal government has proposed a 35 percent increase to the Derecho de No Residente, which would raise the fee from about 988 pesos to 1,334.80 pesos per international traveler if approved. That would add roughly $17 per traveler on top of Quintana Roo's separate Visitax, which is currently around 283–285 pesos per person.

For a family of four, the combined federal and state entry fees could approach or exceed $300, depending on exchange rates and how the charges are collected.

Where Does the Money Go?

That's the question the tourism industry is asking loudly. The proposal would divide the revenue among federal agencies, including Sedena, immigration authorities, and the Treasury, according to the budget draft.

A large share of the proceeds would support infrastructure and transportation projects associated with Sedena, including the Tren Maya and other federal assets. Very little of it is directed toward promoting Mexico as a travel destination.

President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the increase, arguing that it would help fund immigration digitization and would not significantly affect tourism.

Puerto Morelos Hoteliers Are Not Convinced

Rodrigo de la Peña, president of the Cancún, Puerto Morelos and Isla Mujeres Hotel Association, argued that the higher fee would make Mexico less competitive with other destinations. He also pointed out that hotels often end up absorbing these kinds of fees to protect the guest experience.

"There are many taxes for which we are withholding agents, taxes that the tourist supposedly pays, but we hand them over to the government," he said.

The Mexican Caribbean Hotel Council has also urged Congress to reconsider the increase. Industry leaders warn the higher cost could make Mexico less attractive than some other Caribbean destinations.

Bad Timing for the Riviera Maya

The proposed hike comes at a difficult moment. Cancún International Airport has reported a decline in traffic in 2026, with international travel showing a notable year-over-year drop in August.

Puerto Morelos and the wider Riviera Maya are also facing sargassum and softer airline capacity from the United States.

Adding another layer of cost to an already expensive trip is a tough sell right now.

What This Means for You

If Congress approves the proposal, the new DNR rate would take effect on January 1, 2027. Friends and family planning to visit Puerto Morelos next year should know their airfare will likely reflect this increase, even if the fee itself stays invisible on the ticket.

The budget is expected to be debated and voted on in the usual federal budget timetable. Whether local industry pressure is enough to change the outcome remains to be seen.