departure tax/ "tourist tax" ??

Hello all. when previously travelling to SXM we always had to pay a departure tax (30 u.s.),nothing new. Now I see that there is a 50 u.s. "tourist" tax...??? does anyone know anything about that? We certainly never paid it last time we visited the island.

Departure tax is included in your airfare. Who was trying to charge you a $50 tourist tax? The only $50 tax I am aware of is the $50/week timeshare tax.

As wilsonck stated, there is only the timeshare tax of $50/week and the departure fee/tax is included in almost all tickets. Where exactly are you seeing this "tourist tax". Please provide a link.

When I tried to confirm my stay at Royal Palm,,a screen came up that mentioned the tax,,,so I sent email to front desk to see if that is what it is. I really am not a timeshare owner, but a vacation membership owner, but being as I am going through RCI exchange program to secure unit,,it is probably similar to a time share tax....I just don't remember paying it at say La vista beach club,,or way back when I stayed at Saphire? But then again,,I may have forgotten. That is probably what it is. I am sure the resort will get back to me and explain. I also read on their website that there is a 10 dollar per day charge? so I asked for clarification on that as well. will let you know if I find out otherwise

If you rent a timeshare, whether from an owner or not, there is a timeshare tax of $50/week. You would pay this at La Vista, Sapphire, Royal Palm or any other timeshare IF rented as a timeshare. If you rent direct from a whole owner OR as a hotel room there is no timeshare tax but you would likely encounter service charges or other taxes when renting as a hotel room.

No idea on the $10/day thing you mention and there was nothing like that in March.

As others have said, there is no 'tourist tax'. Timeshare tax, yes, if you are renting a t/s. It's $50 per week. Not sure about the $10 a day, never heard of that one..

Agree with all of the above. The $50 TS fee/tax has been around for quite a while and applies to all TS properties but it's better than the multi-hundreds of dollars in taxes and fees if you rent directly from the resort (but you might get free breakfast)

Regarding the $10/day...is it possible that could be the $1/day optional "donation"?

...except $10/day is not $1/day. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Wink.gif" alt="" />

Recall the government taking aggressive action a couple years ago to collect taxes owed from property owners who rent out their units. Owners were supposed to be paying something like $50 per week if unit was occupied. Government used airport records indicating a tourist's address while visiting to find non-payees. Friends had their rental fees increased after the clampdown.

Sapphire used to charge a $10 "energy fee" a few years back, probably just used to line Verdier's pocket.

Original poster was talking about Royal Palm, which, as far as I know, doesn't have an energy surcharge.

Just off phone with RCI,,,as they are the exchange company that offered up this 3 bedroom. They specifically told me that I will have a 30.00 departure tax,,which is no big deal,,always paid it. I asked if there is a 50.00 charge,,i.e. tourist or timeshare,,,he said NO....but he did tell me that the resort itself has said there is a 10.00/day charge for resort amenities....that is a first,,,but who really cares. (BUt,,I have a hunch,,,that this 50 tax didn't just get dreamed up) no matter what RCI says,,,,I am pretty sure it will be called a timeshare tax and I will have to pay it. lol

Ok. I might have gotten a little clarification on this. I called Royal Palm, and while I was given some conflicting information, I was told they are now charging a $10 daily "resort fee". When I asked what it included and when it was implemented is when the conflicting information came into play. It supposedly covers wi-fi, "the lobby" (whatever that means) and use of the pool and other amenities.

The $100 deposit you mentioned I did see listed on a "groupon" offering but it also mentioned a 20% tax, which would imply the rental is being done as a hotel room and not as a timeshare rental or exchange.

Below is from the groupon listing.

Taxes: 20% tax not included.

Cancellation policy & fees: 48-hour cancellation notice required or fee of applicable 1-night stay up to the Groupon price applies.

Additional fees: $100 refundable incidental deposit required on major credit or debit card at check-in.

$10 daily resort fee plus tax not included.



Perhaps someone who recently stayed there can add to this but as of March 2016 there was NOT any $10 daily resort fee. The person I spoke with was unsure when the daily fee was implemented and implied it was "earlier this year" but she could not give me a specific date.

The $50 timeshare tax would still apply if rented as a timeshare.

got thru to resort,,,via email...and yes, there is a 10 dollar per day charge for amenities....and also a time share tax....so you are right,,,rci person was partially right...i never 100 percent trust them,,,as if you get a different person, you get a diff answer. Oh well, I am not surprised about the timeshare tax or whatever you call it, but I am at the daily charge for amenities!!

rural carrier, thanks for your input...man,,,everyone gets different answers. What's with the 20 per cent tax! I appreciate your clarification of what you were told. Did you mean by your comments that it would be Royal Palm Resort that offered this unit into the RCI company,,,not a private owner. That part of it all still confuses me,,and is not really that important, but i would love to understand fully how this all works. If , in fact, it is Royal Palm,,then why the timeshare tax of 50 bucks. Would that not mean that they are offering it as a hotel rental, thus charging the 10 bucks a day, etc. etc. Also, I had read somewhere in reviews, that wifi was free in all "rooms" now, not just in lobby? lol....quite hard to get someone at resort to give the same answer....oh well,,I am happy we are going to be staying there,,,great locate....and I missed going to SXM last year. I ask all these questions so I can be upfront with our fellow newbie travellers so they know what to expect. I would appreciate the same from them.

It will be interesting to see if the resort fee applies both to TS exchanges AND rentals. Most resorts apply that fee only for direct rentals.

The Marriott we stay at in Las Vegas (II exchange) has a $25/day resort fee but, as an II exchange, we paid zip on checking out two weeks ago.

That should ONLY apply when rented as a hotel room.

I don't own a timeshare but have followed a lot of the saga and have rented from and known many who do own so I like to stay informed.

Wi-fi is available IN the rooms and was free in March.