Find what is the reef tax in Cancun and Isla Mujeres.
It is known as the reef tax, but its real name is dock and sanitation surcharge, and it is used to finance projects to conserve reefs and beaches.
Its current price is $20 USD
Some of the tasks that are covered by the surcharge are:
- Reef farm maintenance
- Building of artificial islands for the mooring of speed boats over the coral reef. There are only a few mooring spots, hence that limits the number of people over it at any one time. It also stops boats colliding with the reef or damaging it with their anchors.
- Staff to monitor the water levels, the condition of the coral reef and inspect all tour operators to ensure that they are complying with the new rules and recommendations.
- The construction of bigger sewage processing plants, better able to cope with the sheer number of tourists.
Paying your dock and sanitation surcharge ensures the beauty and safety of the nautical facilities and the cleanliness of the beaches for many generations to come.