Belizeans May Stop Paying Migration Fee to Enter Chetumal

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Mexico’s ambassador to Belize, Ana Luisa Vallejo Barba, announced that authorities are considering creating a regional visitor card to eliminate the Non-Resident Fee (DNR) for Belizean citizens, a tax that has been cited as a key factor in the decline of tourists from that country to the municipality.

During a press conference, Vallejo presented the Strategic Agenda for the Mexico-Belize Southern Border, which she described as a regional coordination and planning instrument aimed at prioritizing issues, providing institutional follow-up, and building concrete solutions for the border region. She said the Mexican embassy is working to improve various factors to encourage more Belizean businesspeople and visitors to come to Quintana Roo, including perceptions of security.

The ambassador also said both nations are in dialogue on economic issues of mutual interest, such as strengthening Belize’s free zone and the possible establishment of Mexican companies interested in expanding into the Central American market. She acknowledged the interest of Chetumal business leaders in participating in actions that strengthen bilateral relations.

Josué Osmany Palomo, president of Coparmex in Chetumal, announced the formation of the Mexico-Belize Southern Border Committee, which will seek to bring together state authorities and business leaders to promote a joint economic agenda. Among the committee’s first actions are improving border transit, reducing crossing times, and facilitating trade.

Raúl Andrade Angulo, president of the Central and South Hotels Association, said that between 350,000 and 400,000 border crossings are recorded annually. He estimated that this flow generates nearly $55 million in annual revenue, making Belize the main international market for the state capital. However, he acknowledged that hotels face low overnight stays, as the vast majority of visitors return to Belize the same day.

The cross-border economic dynamic is facing a slowdown after a decrease in visitor arrivals during the first quarter of 2026. According to data from the National Migration Institute, 124,186 Belizean citizens crossed the southern border between January and March, a 4.2% drop compared to the previous year.

Experts attribute this decline mainly to the strengthening of the Mexican peso against the Belize dollar, a phenomenon known as the “super peso,” which has reduced visitors’ purchasing power. While at the beginning of 2025 the exchange rate allowed about 10 pesos per Belize dollar, it now hovers around 8.65 pesos.