Offering spectacular cenotes and lagoons, lush jungles, fascinating Mayan ruins, and beautiful beaches, Tulum is a top tourist stop on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Once a sleepy town, it has gotten increasingly popular over the years, although it’s still less busy than Cancun.
If you’re planning a trip here, you probably want to know, is Tulum safe for tourists right now?
In this article we’ll tell you all you need to know about whether Tulum is safe for your visit.
Is Tulum safe for tourists?
Tulum is generally considered safe to visit, but it isn’t as safe as it used to be. If you’re planning a trip here, you’ll want to check the US State Department’s website to see what travel advisories are posted for the area.
The area of Quintana Roo, which is where Tulum is located, is currently one of the safer areas in Mexico with a level 2 travel advisory: exercise increased caution here due to crime. While most of Tulum’s crime is drug-related and occurs between cartels and away from tourist areas, it can sometimes affect visitors.
Be vigilant when traveling outside your hotel or resort. According to the State Department, U.S. citizens have experienced both non-violent and violent crimes in tourist areas, and shootings between rival gangs have occasionally injured innocent bystanders.
In order to stay safe, make sure to follow the usual commonsense guidelines that you would on any trip as well as the specific Tulum safety precautions outlined below.
The most common issues to affect tourists in Tulum are petty crimes like pickpocketing and mugging. The best way to avoid these is to not carry a lot of cash or wear expensive jewelry, stay in the main tourist areas and keep an eye on your surroundings, and stick to well-lit and populated areas at night.
In order to stay safe, make sure to follow the usual commonsense guidelines that you would on any trip as well as the specific Tulum safety precautions outlined below.
Is Tulum safe to walk at night?
While it is generally safe to walk around Tulum provided you stick to areas that are frequented by tourists, walking around in the daytime is safer than walking around at night, and the hotel zone by the beach is considered safer than Tulum’s downtown.
Be extra cautious at night and stay in well-lit and busy areas. Take a legitimate taxi to and from your hotel, and don’t walk alone at night.
Is Tulum safe for families?
Tulum is generally considered to be safe for families and is fairly popular with them, due to the relaxed vibe, natural attractions, and historic Mayan ruins.
Is Tulum safe to travel alone?
While Tulum is considered safe for travel alone, solo travelers will want to take extra precautions, especially at night. Follow the safety guidelines below and make sure you let your hotel and a friend or family member know your plans when you go exploring.
Is Tulum safe from cartels?
Unfortunately, drug cartels are present in Tulum. And while much of the crime and violence associated with them doesn’t affect tourists, some visitors have experienced issues. The best way to avoid this is by staying away from drugs, being very careful at night, and making sure you keep to well-populated areas.
Is it safe to stay off resort in Tulum?
Most of Tulum’s resorts are along the beach, in the “hotel zone,” but there are hotels and vacation rentals in the downtown area as well. This area is considered safe to stay in, although it is viewed as less secure at night. If you go out in downtown Tulum at night, don’t walk alone, stick to the main area, and pay attention to your surroundings.
Is Tulum safer than Cancun?
Tulum is more laidback and quiet than Cancun, which is larger and has a more active party scene. Although it may seem that Tulum would be safer than Cancun, they are statistically about the same.
Tulum and Cancun are both in Quintana Roo, which is under the same level 2 State Department advisory: exercise increased caution due to crime. They are both considered to be relatively safe to visit as long as you take precautions.
Tulum Safety Guidelines
Research Tulum a bit before you go. Just like at home, there will be areas that are safer and areas that should be avoided. In general, the more touristy areas are safest.
Before arriving in Tulum, plan and book your transportation to and from your resort or hotel. The safest option is to contact your host and ask for a shuttle. Hotels and resorts often offer free shuttle service from the airport. If yours doesn’t, ask what service they recommend.
Pay attention while in the airport, as these are a hot spot for pickpocketing and scams. Don’t accept rides or offers of help from strangers, and watch your bags at all times.
Keep your phone charged and share your location with family or friends. A benefit of traveling to Mexico is that most data plans will work. This means you can use Google Maps or Google Translate to navigate the area, stay in contact with friends and family, and contact authorities in an emergency.
When you head off the resort, try to travel in groups of at least two; stick to well-populated, touristy areas; don’t wear flashy jewelry or expensive clothing items; don’t carry a lot of cash; and pay attention to your surroundings. Be very careful when using ATMs; stick to ATMs inside banks or your resort. Trust your instincts and immediately leave an area or situation if it feels off.
Don’t try to buy drugs in Tulum. Not only could an altered state make you more likely to be taken advantage of, but most of the crime there is drug-related so you could get involved in something dangerous.
At night, don’t walk alone; stay in well-lit areas; be careful going to local bars or nightclubs and don’t overindulge in alcohol; don’t accept drinks from strangers; and keep your eyes on your drink at all times. Take legitimate taxis or Ubers to and from your hotel, and make sure someone knows where you are going.
The State Department recommends that you never hail taxis in the street, but only use ones that are dispatched via phone or a ride-sharing app like Uber. You can be sure by asking your hotel to book your taxi. Avoid accepting rides from strangers or getting in unmarked taxis. If in the taxi alone, take a picture of the taxi number and/or license plate and send it to a friend.
If you are renting a car, travel during the daytime. The State Department recommends not traveling between cities after dark. If you have to travel at night, use a tour company, private car, or shuttle service.
Keep anyone you’re traveling with and someone back home informed of all your travel plans. You can also enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive alerts from the State Department and make it easy to find you in case of emergency.
To safeguard your health, avoid drinking tap water. Be sure to drink bottled water at all times (avoid ice or make sure it’s made with filtered water!). You’ll also want to keep your mouth closed in the shower and use bottled water for brushing your teeth.
Don’t eat raw foods that would usually be washed in tap water like fruits and vegetables unless you can peel them, or they are cooked. Avoid salads.
Also, stick to reputable restaurants and avoid buffets to prevent food poisoning. It’s a good idea to ask at your hotel for recommendations of where to eat.
Check the CDC website for any vaccinations that are recommended before your trip. You may want to make sure you are updated on tetanus and Hepatitis A and B. Bring any prescription or over-the-counter medicines you need with you. Also bring bug spray to avoid mosquito-borne illnesses.
It’s smart to learn at least some Spanish so that you can find your way around without needing to ask for directions, as well as communicate with locals in case of an emergency.
Is Tulum Safe? Conclusion
Overall, Tulum is safe to visit as long as you follow safety precautions, avoid dangerous areas, and stay vigilant.
After reading this article, what do you think? Is Tulum safe to travel to? Let us know in the comments.
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