Is Tulum Protected? (Up to date 2022)

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

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

Within the ultimate decade or so, regardless that, the hippies had been overtaken through influencers, boho-chic virtual nomads, and would-be yogis. So, whilst I loved seeing the ruins there, I’m no longer a large fan of Tulum in this day and age.

However that’s simply me. Masses of hundreds of other folks seek advice from every yr and love their time there. Shuttle is subjective, in the end.

House to probably the most best-preserved Mayan ruins and picturesque white-sand seashores, Tulum is no doubt a ravishing slice of Mexico.

However is Tulum protected?

That is dependent upon who you ask.

The In a foreign country Safety Advisory Council says that Tulum is “somewhat protected” — regardless that there was once a minimum of one kidnapping of a vacationer there previous this yr, and two ladies have been killed through gang crossfire whilst eating at a cafe in 2021.

For the state of Quintana Roo, which contains Tulum, the data from america State Division says to “workout greater warning” when touring there (versus six different states in Mexico, the place the document mentioned, “Don’t commute to”).

That mentioned, I’ve visited Tulum a couple of occasions now — and feature road-tripped across the area — and not felt unsafe. Certain, you want to stay your wits about you and stay a watch out for petty robbery, however that’s what you must do anyplace you commute.

That can assist you perceive extra concerning the town and come to a decision if you are feeling at ease visiting, here’s the whole lot you want to grasp to stick protected in Tulum.

Is Tulum Protected for Solo Vacationers?

Typically, sure. It’s within the native and nationwide governments’ hobby to make the effort to stay tourist-heavy locations like Tulum protected. If vacationers get started getting robbed (or worse) in Tulum, guests will forestall coming, native companies will undergo, and, because of this, there would then almost certainly be extra crime. It’s cyclical.

In the event you workout some warning, as you must do in any new vacation spot, you’ll most probably keep away from any critical problems.
 

Is Tulum Protected for Solo Feminine Vacationers?

Tulum is usually protected for solo feminine vacationers. That mentioned, feminine vacationers have further issues and must workout much more warning. Don’t stroll on my own at evening, as an example, whilst in Tulum. By no means settle for a drink from any individual 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 gorgeous dangerous popularity regardless of the place you’re on the planet. I’m satisfied to document that that popularity does no longer lengthen to this beach the town. Simply be sure you agree on a value prior to you go away.

Taxis are ample in Tulum so normally you must no longer have an issue discovering one. If doubtful, regardless that, have your lodge or hostel name one for you so you’ll be able to remember to get a credible motive force.
 

Is Renting a Automotive in Tulum Protected?

There are some apartment automobile scams that vacationers must pay attention to — no longer simply in Tulum however anyplace in Mexico. It’s moderately not unusual, as an example, to hire a automobile on-line after which display up on the place of job best to be informed that they don’t have any automobiles this present day.

The opposite factor is with hidden charges. There are exorbitant prices for insurance coverage that you just’re best instructed about on the ultimate minute, so remember whilst you e book that chances are you’ll get the deal that you just assume you’re getting.

Excluding those problems, it’s protected to hire a automobile in Tulum.

To seek out the most productive apartment automobile offers, use Uncover Automobiles.
 

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

Sadly, crime has greater in Tulum, and nearly all of it’s drug-related gang process. Since 2019, drug-related gang crimes have greater through a whopping 783%. The excellent news is that that is most commonly gang-on-gang violence and no longer aimed toward vacationers.

The important thing right here is that this: don’t use or purchase medication whilst in Mexico usually, and Tulum specifically. You’re simply inviting risk.
 

Can You Drink the Faucet Water in Tulum?

The faucet water far and wide Mexico — no longer simply in Tulum — is infamous for no longer being as blank because it might be. That is going for ice cubes too. To find out first if the water in eating places is filtered after which ask if the ice cubes are too.

Tulum can infrequently be sweltering, and sipping iced beverages could be refreshing, however it might be even worse to be caught on your lodge room with abdomen problems since you drank faucet water or an iced drink that was once infected with faucet water.

Bottled water isn’t essentially the most eco-friendly factor, but if in Tulum, keep on with it, simply to be protected. You’ll be able to additionally carry a LifeStraw bottle, which has a integrated clear out to make certain that your water is all the time blank and protected to drink.
 

Can I Stroll Round at Night time in Tulum?

It’s no longer really helpful — particularly when you’re on my own. Making issues extra difficult, the seaside motels and the middle of the town don’t seem to be essentially a snappy jaunt from every different on foot, so that you must take a taxi. The excellent news is that taxis are ample in Tulum.

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

10 Protection Pointers for Tulum

Tulum is likely one of the extra reliably protected spots in Mexico. That mentioned, you must nonetheless workout warning, in particular whilst you depart the closely touristed spaces of the town. Right here are a few things to bear in mind:

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

2. Stay your telephone out of the achieve of others – Pickpockets like to prey on careless vacationers, so stay your telephone out of the achieve of others always. In the event you stroll round swinging your smartphone everywhere, chances are you’ll in finding that merchandise abruptly lacking.

3. Stay your valuables at house – In a similar way, when you have numerous great jewellery and/or a pricey watch, stay it at house or within the lodge room protected. You don’t wish to draw in the unsuitable roughly consideration.

4. Be wary at evening when you’re touring on my own – Tulum isn’t essentially the most bad position at evening, however in some puts, it’s no longer as neatly lit accurately. Don’t stroll round on my own overdue at evening if you’ll be able to keep away from it — particularly between the middle of the town and the beachfront lodge zone.

5. Obtain an offline map – In the event you don’t have global roaming, obtain an offline map to make use of for navigation. Simply be certain that to not pull your smartphone out an excessive amount of, lest it get stolen.

6. Be told some Spanish – Uttering a couple of phrases of the native language is all the time a excellent factor. It will probably open doorways and permit you to are compatible 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. Have in mind of your cash – Don’t raise each and every peso you might have on your pockets or pocket. Unfold it round (some on your pockets, some within the lodge protected, some on your backpack), in order that if any individual steals your pockets or robs you, you’re going to nonetheless have cash secured in different places.

8. Obtain the Prey app for your telephone and computer – In case your telephone or your computer will get stolen, the Prey app lets you observe the place it’s. You’ll be able to set up the app without spending a dime after which improve to a paid model (it’s simply $5 USD) if you want to trace your stolen software. Prey too can turn on your telephone’s digital camera and take a photograph of the thief.

9. Watch out when the use of ATMs – Most effective use ATMs within a financial institution. Now not best can skimmers be put on outside ATMs (to thieve your PIN), however robberies are a lot more not unusual at them. To stick protected, best use indoor ATMs.

10. Be careful for riptides – Whilst the seashores in Tulum are surprising, the riptides can also be bad. By no means stray too a ways from shore, simply to be protected. In the event you’re no longer a powerful swimmer, keep on with the pool.
 

So, Must You Consult with Tulum?

In the case of protection, 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 when you’re no longer in the hunt for out medication — and also you in point of fact shouldn’t be — then most probably you’ll keep away from experiencing one of these problems.
 

My Maximum Necessary Recommendation

Purchase commute insurance coverage. We by no means assume that one thing goes to head unsuitable on journeys. Nevertheless it does infrequently — which I’ve discovered from revel in. I’ve misplaced baggage in South Africa, had my tools destroy in Italy, and popped an eardrum in Thailand. I used to be additionally knifed in Colombia.

Whilst it’s no longer a laugh to consider, dangerous issues can occur whilst you’re touring.

That’s why I by no means depart house with out commute insurance coverage. You shouldn’t both — particularly when you’re heading to Mexico. For simply a few dollars an afternoon, you’ll get a security web that guarantees that you just received’t move bankrupt must one thing dangerous and surprising occur.

Don’t affordable out in your well being and protection. It’s no longer definitely worth the chance.

Right here’s the whole lot you want to find out about selecting a complete insurance coverage plan.

Tulum has briefly turn into the epicenter of the so-called Riviera Maya, attracting every kind of people that gravitate right here for its surprising white-sand seashores hugging up alongside blue-green waters, in addition to the effectively preserved Mayan ruins.

Whilst it’s a usually protected position for vacationers, you must all the time be alert and workout warning whilst you’re in Tulum. Do this, and also you’ll be capable to have a a laugh — and protected — seek advice from.