Infrastructure, tourism rising in Mexico's Tulum Blessing or Curse?

The Washington Post reveals in a recent article that the rapid transformation of Tulum, once a peaceful, bohemian retreat, into a bustling tourist destination has sparked growing concerns among locals and environmentalists. 

As you float in the warm, turquoise waters, parts of the Quintana Roo coastline still seem unchanged by time. Thick clusters of palm trees and shrubs line the smooth, sandy beach, while ancient ruins stand on their limestone cliffs, gazing down. Pelicans soar in synchronized flight above. It's no wonder that in the 1970s, this secluded area of the Yucatán Peninsula began to attract hippies, backpackers, and amateur archaeologists.

After swimming back to shore and drying off, the illusion of an untouched Tulum begins to fade. This Caribbean stretch has served as an ancient Maya trading center, a peaceful fishing village, a bohemian haven, and a celebrity hotspot with visitors like Leonardo DiCaprio and Paris Hilton. Today, it still holds traces of all these identities, along with a new one: a mainstream tourism destination.

A walk in either direction reveals a constant flow of beach clubs and hotels, from thatched-roof cabanas to large all-inclusive resorts. Tourists wearing thong bikinis and families enjoying picnics fill the area, while bits of trash peek out from seaweed piles. The sunset at dusk is as breathtaking as ever.

Once a secluded jungle, the area became more accessible last year with a new train line and international airport, which celebrated its one millionth passenger this November. According to the 2020 census, Tulum’s population stood at 46,721— a 65 per cent increase from 2010. Local authorities predict a 447 per cent rise in population by 2050.

As significant infrastructure projects near completion, Quintana Roo's governor has hailed the region's rapid growth as a major success, ushering in a “New Era of Tourism” for the Mexican Caribbean. However, for many locals, the city’s transformation is a more complex story. While tourism brings in revenue, it has also come with a toll on the environment, the local population, and their culture.

There are still enchanting spots like Habitas, a beachfront hotel, restaurant, and spa that seamlessly blends into the tropical landscape. Then there's the Bahia Principe, a global brand with over 700 rooms. Renowned restaurants like Arca and Hartwood create magic with local ingredients, while Porfirio’s, part of the same Cancún-based group behind Señor Frog’s, offers club music to mask its weak margaritas and lackluster salsa. 

Tulum’s rapid development is raising concerns that it may lose the very qualities that made it unique. “They’re killing the goose that laid the golden egg,” said Cynthia James, owner of the boutique hotel La Conchita. “They’re just going to keep building, and soon it will be just another Miami.”

By Naila Huseynova