Upvote:1
It was a scam. I've used the water taxis several times during my time in Cabo and no such "fee" was charged at the time. If it was truly a government fee, there would be official signs warning tourists about it all over the place. Since there are no such signs, it is indeed a scam.
Upvote:1
When something looks like a scam, it mostly is.
On the brighter side, you learned a lesson for only $1. This was indeed a low amount. Probable the guy realizes that he won't get away with high amounts. However, $1 for a $5 ticket is equivalent to VAT in Europe (which is normally somehow over 20% and does go to the government).