New park fees for Socorros and Guadalupe, beginning January 1, 2021

[MXGratefulDiver]

Just received this notice ... it won't affect our upcoming trip, as we're heading out in a few days. But if you're planning a trip after January 1, prepare for a rather significant financial hit. It'll cost you an extra $75 per day per diver in park fees ...

New Marine Park Fees
Revillagigedo & Guadalupe National Parks
Effective January 1st, 2021 ​

Dear Valued Guests,

As you may have heard, on October 30, 2020, the Mexican Government amended national park user fees specifically for Guadalupe and Revillagigedo (Socorro) National Parks. The new user fee amount's specific purpose is "To reinforce the protection, management, restoration, conservation and sustainable usage of protected areas." The new fee is $1,500 pesos per day per guest, approximately $75 USD per day. The new fees are applicable only for the days that a guest is physically in the marine park area. That means on a 9-day trip the fees apply for the 6 days of diving. We understand that this increase comes as a surprise to our guests and agents. Still, as operators in Revillagigedo and Guadalupe, hope that each additional dollar paid by our guests will reinforce the protection, management, restoration, conservation and sustainable usage of these protected areas. This fee goes into effect January 1st, 2021.

We will continue to keep our guests and agents informed of any developments.

Sincerely, Revillagigedo and Guadalupe Operators

 

[davehicks]

Did you leave out the part where Nautilus says they will deduct the fee from on board expenses such as Nitrox and rental fees? That was called out explicitly in some earlier info that Nautilus shared. That takes a lot of the sting out of this new fee.

Here is the Info direct from their website:

New park fees in Mexico - Nautilus Liveaboards


Updated November 16th, 2020

As of January 1, 2021 an unexpected new law is coming into effect in Mexico on very short notice raising park fees at Socorro and Guadalupe Islands from $25 per person/year to US$ 75 per person/dive day. We feel terrible about it and will do everything we can to mitigate the effect on our guests to as close to zero as possible.

Our guests will all receive a credit equal to the amount of the park fees charged by the government which can be used for the purchase of LifeLine GPS rescue radio(s), nitrox, rentals, courses and gift shop purchases onboard. Or towards any trip, course or service on offer by Baja Expeditions or SeeCreatures ranging from nitrox courses, local boat dives, swimming with whale sharks, Sea of Cortez , Gordo Banks or Cabo Pulmo day trips, to kayaking, sailing, eco-camp or San Ignacio gray whale trips.

 

[gopbroek]

Unfortunately from what I have learned in Cozumel is that the marine park there is a federal entity and the fees collected from the operators go to Mexico city where they seem to disappear. I hope I am mistaken but I fear these parks are in a similar situation.

 

[KathyV]

This was published in Undercurrent:

Mexican Protected Area Fees Rocket. Beginning January 1, 2021, the National Park Admission Fee for some significant diving spots in Mexico will rise to $75/day. This means the cost of a 6-diving-day trip to Socorro and Revillagigedo will increase by $450.00, and a 4-diving-day trip to Guadalupe Island will increase by $300. National Park Admission Fees are not included in the liveaboard fees of most operators. Divers with a “Conservation Passport” will not be able to use them in these areas.

 

[yle]

I was under the impression that the Socorros were uninhabited rocks surrounded by deep water. Trying to imagine what "protection, management, restoration, conservation and sustainable usage " of this would entail.

 

[davehicks]

I was under the impression that the Socorros were uninhabited rocks surrounded by deep water. Trying to imagine what "protection, management, restoration, conservation and sustainable usage " of this would entail.

Patrols to keep out illegal fishing for one.

 

[yle]

Patrols to keep out illegal fishing for one.

Hmmm... true.

 

[scubadada]

Yes, see One spot available in Nautilus Belle Amie May 11-19, 2021 $400 off | ScubaBoard

I don't think Aggressor is covering this. I don't know about other operators.

 

[scubadada]

The Mexican Navy is on Socorro. They board each of the dive boats, lose one dive that day

 

[scubadada]

This is from the Aggressor website