Is Tulum Safe? Here’s What You Need to Know [in 2024]

👉 Jump to sections:Is Tulum Safe? | Advisories | Scams | Crime | Safety Tips | Water | FAQ

If planning a trip to Mexico’s Riviera Maya, a valid question may be…is the city of Tulum a safe destination?

If you`ve been following news about Tulum, you may understandably have some concerns about safety for tourists. Here is a brief update as of 2024:

While generally safe for travel, Tulum has lately seen a rising incidence of high-profile safety events and unrest largely pertaining to cartels, corruption, and clashes between swift progress and local inhabitants. The situation has altered remarkably from only a few years ago, so it is prudent to educate yourself to self-assess your own risk tolerance relative to visiting Tulum.

I’ve visited Tulum a couple times now, and both experiences were without any problems.

I discovered that location to be among one of the most scenic places to explore in Mexico and had a very relaxing, adventurous trip. However, my experience is obviously anecdotal and I utilized a suitable level of caution in certain areas.

To equip you with the most comprehensive knowledge, this article is filled with the latest research findings, statistics, my own experiences and recommendations, and accounts from other trusted travelers. So, exactly how safe is Tulum currently? Let`s examine this in more detail:

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Is Tulum Safe in 2024?

Visits to Tulum have significantly expanded lately because of the extremely high quality beaches, landmarks from ancient Mayan civilization, enjoyable parties, lavish stylish hotels, and laid-back hippie vibe. Tourism plays a huge role in the economy of the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. While this has great benefits for the many inhabitants who rely on visitors for income, the growth has also brought increased corruption and cartel activity.

Generally, cartels do not target tourists and the authorities have a huge motivation to keep visitors as safe as possible so that they keep returning to the area. However, when it comes to steering clear of crime, your safety in Tulum will largely rely on what you do and where you go. Tourism-related petty crime and robberies are likely your biggest threat in Tulum.

Of course, bad things can happen regardless of one`s own behavior, but following a few key safety recommendations goes a long way towards having a great experience.

Another factor worth considering is whether insurance coverage for Mexico travel suits your needs. You can conveniently compare quotes from many providers in minutes using a site like VisitorsCoverage.

👉 Considering the town of Playa del Carmen rather than Tulum? Check out our comparison of Tulum versus Playa del Carmen to decide which area of Riviera Maya is best suited to you. Playa del Carmen is also generally secure, though faces many of the identical issues as Tulum.

Things to Know About Safety in Tulum

Tulum Travel Advisories

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While the U.S. State Department does not have a Tulum-specific advisory, the advisory for Quintana Roo does encourage travelers to “exercise increased caution due to crime.”

You should also audit the agency’s general Mexico-wide advisory for the latest recommendations before scheduling your trip to Mexico.

Let’s delve deeper into some key Tulum safety aspects to consider:

Common Scams in Tulum

Though scams and crime exist all over the globe, the number of incidents has been increasing in Tulum as of late. In particular, you must be aware of the following prevalent scams in Tulum:

• 💰 Cash machines – Generally in Quintana Roo, avoid unsupervised ATMs on the street. Preferably locate a legitimate bank where there should be an entrance for withdrawing funds. This not only protects your credit card but could safeguard against any opportunistic cash seizures as well. Side note: constantly reject the conversion to USD, as you will almost certainly get a more favorable conversion from your bank.
• ⚠️ Corruption – If examining Facebook groups for expats and digital nomads, it’s interesting to note a noticeable increase in complaints about corruption recently. Though difficult to foresee when and where this may occur, corrupt authorities usually seek bribery opportunities where visitors aren’t strictly adhering to regulations — when under the influence, possessing drugs, speeding, etc. Never be influenced in public, especially alone, and consistently follow all laws.
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• 💳 Petty Theft & Robbery – As in many places, minor theft and robbery have been known to occur in Tulum. To keep yourself safe, only carry a small amount of cash, don’t flaunt valuable items, and always be aware of your belongings.
• 🍷 Alcohol – Known to potentially impact tourists regardless of sex, be cautious in protecting yourself from drink tampering. Always obtain alcohol solely from a reputable vendor (directly from the bartender or liquor establishment), and maintain observance of your beverage at all times.

👉 Need Assistance Getting to Tulum? Check out our guide on the best approaches to go to Tulum from Cancun’s airport.

Tulum Crime, Drugs, & Cartels

While Tulum is known for hosting festivals and events with certain indulgences, those pleasures have contributed to growing criminal activity, violence, and disputes between gangs over territory.

Be conscious that consuming illegal drugs can leave you vulnerable to corruption and robberies and it also supports the system that has been adding to Tulum’s crime rate.

In fact, data from a study shows that crime related to drugs in Tulum increased by 783% just between the years of 2019 and 2021, with that same research reporting the `party drugs` provided to guests are the direct cause of this rise

In other words, tourism in Tulum directly impacts reported crime rates, as incidents are often linked to visitors coming to party. While I cannot dictate how one lives, it is worth noting when purchasing drugs on vacation that doing so leads to real consequences for both locals and other travellers alike.

📚 Connected reading: My article on the best 12 day outings from Tulum includes ancient Mayan ruins, sinkhole lakes, beautiful towns, and island escapes. Check it out!

11 Tulum Safety Tips

Generally, journeying to Tulum is deemed safe. However, the response to the inquiry “is Tulum safe?”, does to some extent rely upon what activities you have planned in Tulum. Most visitors enjoy an entirely safe experience appreciating Tulum shoreline with no issues on their trip, but here are some recommendations that may help maximize possibilities for a safe and enjoyable beach vacation:

#1 – Don’t Walk Around Tulum at Night (Especially Alone)

According to what is stated currently, walking around Tulum at night – especially alone – is not recommended.

Endeavor to explore sights during daylight hours, and pre-arrange trusted transportation if venturing out at night. While ride-sharing like Uber is unavailable in Tulum, taxis are plentiful and relatively easy to locate. As such, I recommend finding a dependable taxi driver and utilizing them frequently. You can check with your lodging to see if they have referrals for reputable drivers.

In the alternative, consider exploring the possibility of utilizing rented automobile transportation within the city of Tulum. A user-friendly online search tool is available to locate the most affordable rates. Usually it will be more cost effective to rent a vehicle in Cancun and bring it along during travels to Tulum.

#2 – Watch Your Alcohol Consumption

As mentioned previously, drink spiking has occurred in Tulum — particularly at clubs and other social places. Always be aware of your beverage and obtain alcohol from a trusted source.

#3 – Don’t Flash Valuable Items

In Tulum, keep your valuables discreet, and don’t be too showy in public. A few specific Tulum safety tips on this point are:

• Only use ATMs in banks or your hotel where you won’t be observed
• Carry no more than a days worth of cash on you at any moment
• Secure your valuables (electronics, jewelry, passport, etc) in a portable safe in your hotel room

👉 Need Assistance Packing? For more notions on what protection gear to carry with you, check out our guide on what to pack for a beach journey to Mexico.

#4 – Stay Away From Prohibited Substances

I mentioned it in detail above, but it’s worth noting again — doing illegal drugs in Tulum will put you in direct contact with both the cartels and police. If you read the Tulum news, many of the tragic stories that get media attention involve drugs in some way.

Never bring prohibited substances with you or be noticeably intoxicated in public view. Though the situation may differ for you at home, drugs in Mexico are extremely dangerous and could end in very risky circumstances.

#5 – Keep an Eye on the Weather

Let`s realistically acknowledge that a major motivation for visiting the Mayan Riviera is to have a relaxing beach getaway in Tulum. However, between May and October the climate can become unbearably hot, as I discovered during my August trip when I was drenched in sweat almost daily due to the oppressive heat.

Not to mention, Tulum experiences rainy seasons during the summer and fall — where daily showers are average and hurricanes are possible.

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Gaining some familiarity with the local language is a great tip no matter where you travel. In Quintana Roo, I suggest learning enough Spanish to order food, take taxis, and bargain with shop owners.

Not only is learning the local language a sign of respect, but it will also go a long way in showing others that you’re a confident traveler and not easily taken advantage of.

👉 Read Next: Is Mexico City Safe Right Now?

#10 – Book Secure Accommodation

When possible, book hotels that have security staff on duty and great safety reviews online. Treat other travelers’ reviews like gold, and note if there are any recurring themes regarding the establishment.

Check out our list of the best hotels in Tulum for some proposed accommodation choices. There are some pretty extraordinary hotels on that list!

Traveling with family also emphasizes ensuring safe transportation between the hotel and airport, particularly if a family trip to Cancun. Airport Transportation in Cancun is an excellent locally-owned service furnishing private vans that can transport travelers to and from Cancun Airport.

#11 – Check the Latest Tulum News

With the situations relating to Covid-19 and drug cartel violence continually developing in Tulum, the safety and crime circumstances are consistently changing. It is best to examine the most up-to-date data and anecdotes to truly have a understanding of how protected Tulum is at this moment.

You can locate English language reporting on Tulum news at Riviera Maya News and The Yucatan Times.

Is the Water in Tulum Safe to Drink?

As a general principle of thumb, you should not drink Tulum’s tap water. Even though Tulum’s water supply goes through a filtration process at the plant, the pipes used to carry the water to homes and establishments have been known to pollute the water with harmful bacteria.

To safely drink the water, I recommend using a Water Sanitation Tool — I recently reviewed the Water Sanitation Tool and think it’s excellent and worth the somewhat hefty price.”

However, if staying at a prominent hotel, chances are the water will be safe to consume, and the same applies to eateries. Some resorts in the Yucatan have independent filtration systems (all upscale properties undoubtedly will), but definitely inquire at the front desk regarding this before drinking tap water freely. As a last option, large water bottle jugs are available for purchase at OXXO convenience stores found throughout Tulum.

FAQs About Safety in Tulum, Mexico

Is Tulum Safe Right Now?

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Is Tulum Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Tulum is generally safe for solo female travelers, though I advise not wandering around alone at nightfall. It is always prudent to keep watch over your drinks and to book lodging that has been trusted and reviewed. See our guide to traveling solo for women for more.

What is the crime rate in Tulum Mexico?

The criminal activity in Tulum is ranked as moderate. According to Numbeo.com, crime rates have increased over the past 3 years, but most visitors can still expect a safe and enjoyable trip.

What state is Tulum in?

Tulum is situated in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Quintana Roo is a state along the Caribbean coast. Quintana Roo is famous for the Riviera Maya, a stretch of well-known beach vacation destinations like Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum.

Is the Riviera Maya safe?

The Riviera Maya is generally considered a safe travel spot, though the safety situation varies by specific destination. Crime rates tend to be higher in the bigger cities like Tulum, Playa del Carmen, and Cancun than in smaller, quieter Mayan Riviera beach towns such as Puerto Aventuras, Puerto Morelos, or Akumal, as referenced by the statistics.

***

Visiting Rio Secreto is a great family-friendly activity for those traveling with children seeking a day trip from Playa del Carmen, Tulum, or Cancun. But even without kids along, exploration of this underground waterway could conjure a sense of childlike wonder.

Tulum remains one of the most stunning regions in Mexico. Following the suggested tips and applying common sense, generally Tulum is safe and you can expect an excellent trip there in 2023.

For more Mexico tips, visit:

• 33 Activities to Partake in Mexico (+What Not to Do)
• A Guiding Overview of Rio Secreto: Playa del Carmen’s Magical Underground River

Have fun in Tulum!