Is Tulum Safe: what every traveller should know
Is Tulum safe? Anyone who reads my blogs more often knows that I am always honest. I booked two sunny weeks in Mexico and visited popular Tulum and paradise Isla Holbox. We all know the idyllic pictures of these sunny destinations and Tulum seems to be a true Instagram paradise. With the emphasis on “seems.” Because while it is true that you stumble across fashionistas everywhere, I unfortunately got to know a very different side of Tulum; that of rivaling drug cartels.
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Gitano Beach | Is Tulum safe for tourists | Tulum beaches
I’ve been fortunate enough to see a lot of the world, but never have I felt as unsafe anywhere as I did in Tulum. On my second day in Mexico I go to breakfast and hear that 5 people from my hotel witnessed a shooting the night before. An Austrian boy and girl had to run for their lives when they saw guns being drawn in the restaurant where they were eating. Three others arrived right after it happened and saw wounded and dead people lying on the ground. A drug dealer, an American travel blogger and a German girl were killed. A 21-year-old Dutch girl was seriously injured.
Is Tulum safe for tourists: the two faces of the city
Although the violence is not directed at tourists, there are a lot of bullets being fired at busy tourist spots. This shooting was at 10 pm in the heart of Tulum Pueblo, where all the nice cocktail bars and restaurants are. I was in shock. After talking to locals, I realised that this was not an incident. The week before, a police officer was shot dead on the same street. There are also shootings on the more luxurious beachfront hotel strip, such as in September at RosaNegra restaurant and bar, where 2 people were killed and at least 8 bullets were found.
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Liefs and Raw Love | Safety in Tulum Mexico | Tulum restaurants
Locals told me that a few months before my arrival, a big maffia guy was released from prison and he wants his territory back. That battle is now being fought in the streets. Two cartels are at war. At the time I was there, October 2021, there were weekly shootings. Often in the heart of the tourist center.
Best boutique hotels in Tulum (if you decide to go)
If you decide to visit Tulum, choosing the right hotel makes a real difference to your sense of safety and comfort. These are the boutique hotels in Tulum I would book: Satori Tulum is a beautiful adults-only jungle retreat with a stunning pool and a truly peaceful atmosphere. NABOA Hotel Tulum is a chic boutique hotel with great design and a central location. Casa Kobaab Tulum is a charming guesthouse with an authentic Mexican feel, perfect if you prefer something intimate. Mimosa Tulum is where I actually stayed; stylish rooms, a lovely pool and great value compared to the beach strip. And Jashita Hotel is one of the most beautiful beachfront properties on the entire hotel strip.
The Maya ruins | Is Tulum safe | Tulum archaeological site
Is Tulum dangerous: what I witnessed firsthand
Every hour of the day you see cars full of heavily armed military and police driving through the streets; a very intimidating situation. When I handed in my rental bike in broad daylight on a side street off the main road, a man was aggressively pushed into a car 2 meters away from me. He fought back. I ran back to the main road and was afraid that guns would be drawn. I probably witnessed a kidnapping.
Riding my bike on the sandy road and the beautiful Grand Cenote | Tulum things to do
Once back home in the Netherlands I heard of yet another shooting near Cancun. The beach of the luxury Hyatt Ziva hotel was stormed by gang members, shots were fired and hotel guests fled into the hotel. The police are trying their hardest to stop the violence, but the cartels are currently at war with each other. You can follow my travels on Instagram @lieke.pijnappels where I share honest stories like this one.
Best things to do in Tulum (because it is beautiful)
Despite everything I experienced, I want to be fair: Tulum is one of the most visually stunning places I have ever visited. The turquoise Caribbean water, the dramatic cliff-top Maya ruins, the underground cenotes that look like something from another world. If the situation improves, this would easily be one of my favourite destinations in Latin America.
These are the experiences I would book in a heartbeat. The Ancestral Waters cave cenotes and jungle walk is a guided walk through the jungle to hidden cenotes, ending with a traditional Mayan meal; magical and completely off the beaten track. The Mexican cooking class in a local home is one of the best ways to connect with real Tulum culture. For nature lovers, the Sian Ka’an boat trip with lunch takes you through a stunning UNESCO biosphere that most tourists never see. The Chichen Itza, cenote and Valladolid day tour is the classic Yucatan day trip, worth every minute of the drive. And the private tour of 2 cenotes and the Sac Actun, the world’s longest underground river, is simply breathtaking.
BEAUTIFUL DAY TRIP TO CHICHEN ITZA
Sfer Ik Art | Tulum things to do
I was very uncomfortable in Tulum after the shooting and my friends and I weren’t relaxed at any of the restaurants anymore. The restaurants and hotels pay the cartels for protection. At a good restaurant close to the beach, we walked into the garden in the back after dinner, where a DJ was playing. Between the restaurant and the dancing area was a drug dealer who, in front of the restaurant staff, offered us cocaine. In exchange for protection, the restaurant must allow a drug dealer inside. I was shocked that this was happening in this beautiful restaurant.
Other disappointments in Tulum
When you stay in Tulum Pueblo, where all the cheap and tasty restaurants are, it is a thirty minute bike ride to the beach. The roads are bad and full of holes. After rain, the holes are no longer visible and this creates dangerous situations. Hotels close to the beach are very pricey. The beach is absolutely stunning though, but some days there will be a lot of seaweed. Especially between May and October.
Most nice places at the beach can only be visited if you are willing to pay. For a day at a nice beach club you often pay at least $50. Beautiful Gitano Beach does not ask for a fee, as long as you have some drinks there. Tulum is very expensive and not comparable to other destinations in Yucatan. In a nice restaurant you pay the same price as in a restaurant in the Netherlands. That is exactly the reason why I wanted to stay in the town, because there you still find nice, authentic restaurants and bars which are affordable.
Looking for more inspiration nearby? Check my guide to Ambergris Caye or browse the best hotels in Belize for a beautiful alternative to the Riviera Maya.
Best restaurants in Tulum
If you travel to Tulum in better times, eat at La Coqueta, Burrito Amor, Mestixa, Liefs, Casa Jaguar and Raw Love. Try the divinely delicious iced coffee at Liefs!
Is Tulum safe: Frequently asked questions
Is Tulum safe for tourists in 2025?
Tulum has experienced recurring cartel-related violence in the tourist zone, including shootings in popular restaurants and public areas. While most visitors do not encounter direct danger, incidents have occurred. Always check your government travel advisory before booking.
Is Tulum safe for solo female travellers?
Extra caution is advised. Avoid walking alone in Tulum Pueblo after dark, travel in groups during evenings and always arrange safe transport in advance. Daytime activities including the ruins and cenotes are generally safe.
My beautiful room at Mimosa Tulum | Best boutique hotels in Tulum
Is Tulum dangerous compared to other Mexico destinations?
Yes. Tulum has a higher level of cartel activity than destinations like Merida or Oaxaca. The Riviera Maya has seen an increase in organised crime. Isla Holbox and the Yucatan interior are significantly safer alternatives.
What is the best time to visit Tulum?
November through April is the best time to visit Tulum. The weather is dry and sunny, seaweed is minimal and temperatures are pleasant. Avoid May to October if possible due to rain, humidity and sargassum on the beaches. If you are specifically wondering about the best time of year to visit Tulum for the ruins, go early morning in the dry season; the light is incredible and the crowds are manageable.
What are the best things to do in Tulum?
The Tulum ruins, cenotes, Sian Kaan biosphere reserve, cooking classes and day trips to Chichen Itza and Valladolid are all worth doing. Most daytime activities are safe and absolutely spectacular. The cenotes around Tulum are reason enough to visit. Whether you choose the accessible Grand Cenote or a more remote spot in the jungle, swimming in a Tulum cenote is unforgettable.
ALL THE BEST ACTIVITIES IN TULUM
My advice: stay away from Tulum for now. The violence is flaring up and, according to the locals, the end is nowhere in sight unfortunately. Never buy drugs. Tourists keep this war going, because a lot of money goes into this industry through their purchases.
- Find the best hotels in Tulum at Booking.com
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