Is Tulum Protected? (Up to date 2022)

Posted: 12/1/2022 | December 1st, 2022

Tulum, positioned within the southern part of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, was a sleepy seaside city that attracted hippie sorts who most well-liked the placid seashores and its Mayan ruins over Cancún’s wild, cacophonous nightlife.

Within the final decade or so, although, the hippies have been overtaken by influencers, boho-chic digital nomads, and would-be yogis. So, whereas I loved seeing the ruins there, I’m not a giant fan of Tulum nowadays.

However that’s simply me. A whole lot of 1000’s of individuals go to annually and love their time there. Journey is subjective, in spite of everything.

Dwelling to among the best-preserved Mayan ruins and picturesque white-sand seashores, Tulum is unquestionably a stunning slice of Mexico.

However is Tulum secure?

That is determined by who you ask.

The Abroad Safety Advisory Council says that Tulum is “reasonably secure” — although there was at the very least one kidnapping of a vacationer there earlier this 12 months, and two ladies had been killed by gang crossfire whereas eating at a restaurant in 2021.

For the state of Quintana Roo, which incorporates Tulum, the info from the US State Division says to “train elevated warning” when touring there (versus six different states in Mexico, the place the report mentioned, “Don’t journey to”).

That mentioned, I’ve visited Tulum a number of instances now — and have road-tripped across the area — and by no means felt unsafe. Certain, it is advisable to hold your wits about you and hold a watch out for petty theft, however that’s what it is best to do wherever you journey.

That can assist you perceive extra in regards to the metropolis and resolve if you happen to really feel comfy visiting, right here is every thing it is advisable to know to remain secure in Tulum.

Is Tulum Protected for Solo Vacationers?

Typically, sure. It’s within the native and nationwide governments’ curiosity to make an effort to maintain tourist-heavy locations like Tulum secure. If vacationers begin getting robbed (or worse) in Tulum, guests will cease coming, native companies will undergo, and, in consequence, there would then in all probability be extra crime. It’s cyclical.

If you happen to train some warning, as it is best to do in any new vacation spot, you’ll possible keep away from any severe points.
 

Is Tulum Protected for Solo Feminine Vacationers?

Tulum is usually secure for solo feminine vacationers. That mentioned, feminine vacationers have extra considerations and may train much more warning. Don’t stroll alone at evening, for instance, whereas in Tulum. By no means settle for a drink from somebody except you noticed it being poured or made. And all the time keep watch over your drink when out on the bar.
 

Are Taxis in Tulum Protected?

Taxi drivers have a reasonably dangerous status regardless of the place you’re on the planet. I’m blissful to report that that status doesn’t lengthen to this seaside city. Simply you should definitely agree on a worth earlier than you depart.

Taxis are plentiful in Tulum so usually you shouldn’t have an issue discovering one. If unsure, although, have your lodge or hostel name one for you so that you might be certain you get a good driver.
 

Is Renting a Automobile in Tulum Protected?

There are some rental automotive scams that vacationers ought to pay attention to — not simply in Tulum however wherever in Mexico. It’s fairly frequent, for instance, to lease a automotive on-line after which present up on the workplace solely to be advised that they don’t have any automobiles in the mean time.

The opposite difficulty is with hidden charges. There are exorbitant prices for insurance coverage that you just’re solely advised about on the final minute, so remember if you e book that you just would possibly get the deal that you just suppose you’re getting.

Apart from these points, it’s secure to lease a automotive in Tulum.

To seek out one of the best rental automotive offers, use Uncover Vehicles.
 

Is There an Difficulty with Gangs and Drug Cartels in Tulum?

Sadly, crime has elevated in Tulum, and nearly all of it’s drug-related gang exercise. Since 2019, drug-related gang crimes have elevated by a whopping 783%. The excellent news is that that is principally gang-on-gang violence and never geared toward vacationers.

The important thing right here is that this: don’t use or purchase medicine whereas in Mexico usually, and Tulum particularly. You’re simply inviting hazard.
 

Can You Drink the Faucet Water in Tulum?

The faucet water throughout Mexico — not simply in Tulum — is infamous for not being as clear because it might be. That goes for ice cubes too. Discover out first if the water in eating places is filtered after which ask if the ice cubes are too.

Tulum can generally be sweltering, and sipping iced drinks may be refreshing, however it could be even worse to be caught in your lodge room with abdomen points since you drank faucet water or an iced drink that was contaminated with faucet water.

Bottled water isn’t probably the most eco-friendly factor, however when in Tulum, keep on with it, simply to be secure. You may as well carry a LifeStraw bottle, which has a built-in filter to make sure that your water is all the time clear and secure to drink.
 

Can I Stroll Round at Evening in Tulum?

It’s not beneficial — particularly if you happen to’re alone. Making issues extra difficult, the seaside resorts and the middle of city are usually not essentially a fast jaunt from one another on foot, so it is best to take a taxi. The excellent news is that taxis are considerable in Tulum.

So, except it’s a brilliant brief distance, don’t stroll at evening in Tulum.
 

10 Security Suggestions for Tulum

Tulum is without doubt one of the extra reliably secure spots in Mexico. That mentioned, it is best to nonetheless train warning, significantly if you depart the closely touristed areas of city. Listed here are some issues to remember:

1. Keep alert – When strolling round, particularly at evening, keep very alert and conscious of your environment. Do your finest to slot in.

2. Maintain your cellphone out of the attain of others – Pickpockets like to prey on careless vacationers, so hold your cellphone out of the attain of others always. If you happen to stroll round swinging your smartphone far and wide, you would possibly discover that merchandise abruptly lacking.

3. Maintain your valuables at dwelling – Equally, when you have a variety of good jewellery and/or an costly watch, hold it at dwelling or within the lodge room secure. You don’t need to entice the fallacious form of consideration.

4. Be cautious at evening if you happen to’re touring alone – Tulum isn’t probably the most harmful place at evening, however in some locations, it’s not as nicely lit appropriately. Don’t stroll round alone late at evening if you happen to can keep away from it — particularly between the middle of city and the beachfront lodge zone.

5. Obtain an offline map – If you happen to don’t have worldwide roaming, obtain an offline map to make use of for navigation. Simply make certain to not pull your smartphone out an excessive amount of, lest it get stolen.

6. Study some Spanish – Uttering a number of phrases of the native language is all the time an excellent factor. It may open doorways and assist you slot in (and also you’re much less more likely to be a goal). It’s additionally helpful in case of an emergency. The emergency quantity in Mexico is 911.

7. Be conscious of your cash – Don’t carry each peso you will have in your pockets or pocket. Unfold it round (some in your pockets, some within the lodge secure, some in your backpack), in order that if somebody steals your pockets or robs you, you’ll nonetheless have cash secured elsewhere.

8. Obtain the Prey app to your cellphone and laptop computer – In case your cellphone or your laptop computer will get stolen, the Prey app lets you observe the place it’s. You possibly can set up the app free of charge after which improve to a paid model (it’s simply $5 USD) if it is advisable to observe your stolen machine. Prey may also activate your cellphone’s digital camera and take a photograph of the thief.

9. Watch out when utilizing ATMs – Solely use ATMs inside a financial institution. Not solely can skimmers be positioned on outside ATMs (to steal your PIN), however robberies are rather more frequent at them. To remain secure, solely use indoor ATMs.

10. Be careful for riptides – Whereas the seashores in Tulum are beautiful, the riptides might be harmful. By no means stray too removed from shore, simply to be secure. If you happen to’re not a powerful swimmer, keep on with the pool.
 

So, Ought to You Go to Tulum?

By way of security, sure. As I mentioned above, there was a justifiable share of drug- and gang-related crime in Tulum over the previous couple of years, however if you happen to’re not searching for out medicine — and you actually shouldn’t be — then possible you’ll keep away from experiencing any such points.
 

My Most Necessary Recommendation

Purchase journey insurance coverage. We by no means suppose that one thing goes to go fallacious on journeys. However it does generally — which I’ve discovered from expertise. I’ve misplaced baggage in South Africa, had my gear break in Italy, and popped an eardrum in Thailand. I used to be additionally knifed in Colombia.

Whereas it’s not enjoyable to consider, dangerous issues can occur when you’re touring.

That’s why I by no means depart dwelling with out journey insurance coverage. You shouldn’t both — particularly if you happen to’re heading to Mexico. For simply a few bucks a day, you’ll get a security web that ensures that you just received’t go bankrupt ought to one thing dangerous and sudden occur.

Don’t low-cost out in your well being and security. It’s not definitely worth the threat.

Right here’s every thing it is advisable to learn about choosing a complete insurance coverage plan.

Tulum has rapidly grow to be the epicenter of the so-called Riviera Maya, attracting all kinds of people that gravitate right here for its beautiful white-sand seashores hugging up alongside blue-green waters, in addition to the properly preserved Mayan ruins.

Whereas it’s a typically secure place for vacationers, it is best to all the time be alert and train warning when you’re in Tulum. Try this, and also you’ll be capable of have a enjoyable — and secure — go to.