Is Tulum Safe To Visit In 2023? Things We Wish We Knew
Planning to visit Tulum but can’t help wondering, is it safe?… Well, safety should be your first priority when it comes to traveling to a new area. So, thank you for taking the time to learn before you travel!
For newcomers, Tulum is a hidden tropical getaway in Yucatan, Mexico. It is an enchanting town nestled on the beach of Riviera Maya that looks toward the great-blue Caribbean ocean. This is where thousands of tourists will travel to the beach to unplug and socialize. Tulum is also home to fresh-water cenotes and ancient Mayan Ruins that are the main tourist attraction around! There are so many days and night activities you can do in such a small town, making Tulum one of a kind!
Although Tulum is the best getaway stop, there are several issues that travelers should know. Having the help of Virginia and Kelly was essential – they made our nights out safe, and gave us many advices. Learn more about them here.
Discover all you need to know about safety in Tulum. All the tips to answer your question… is Tulum safe?
OUR COVID EXPERIENCE DURING OUR TIME IN TULUM: SAFETY TRAVEL GUIDE
Travelers and tourists fly to Tulum, Mexico, for a few things: to escape the ruthless restrictions, enjoy the beach and party! Sure, many visitors traveling to Tulum sound risky, but it’s not what you think. Let us explain.
During the pandemic, Mexico opened its borders. Then, Tulum became a top tourist destination! (besides Cancun and Playa del Carmen). However, as time passed, COVID-19 became history in Tulum at this point. Many local people and tourists spend their day without worrying at all.
As of lately, the current state of Tulum is free of the mask since June 2022! However:
When you are on a Colectivo or ADO bus (September 2022). They are a great choice of public transportation used by locals and visitors to travel to Playa del Carmen, Cancun or any city in Quintana Roo state. It is safe, clean and affordable.
When you are out to drink with friends. You will never know if they are sick or not, and you will find out sooner or later. Don’t risk it!
All major hotels have Covid protocols that are not strict. So, you are free to decide if this is good for you to follow or not.
“Events In Tulum After The Pandemic”
Take Advantage Of Free Concierge Service
As excellent to explore Tulum and its surroundings alone, you may need help figuring out where to start. To make the most of your money and time, contact Virginia and Kelly - two incredible Mexican girls living in Tulum for more than 15 years. They're familiar with the ins & outs of the Tulum town and hotel zone like the back of their hand!
Since we arrived in Tulum 2 years ago, many adventures wouldn’t have been possible without their help - they know literally everybody in Tulum and can perfectly organize every moment of your stay. Get the best tables, skip queues and get on the guest list of the coolest places in Tulum - this’s only the beginning!
They are ready to offer you guys FREE concierge service in Tulum for the time of your stay: take advantage of it, contact them on Whatsapp and live the best experience!
“Virginia Will Transform You In A Tulum Insider”
IMPORTANT INFO – If you want to feel safer during your trip to Tulum, you should really consider contacting Virginia and Kelly. Nightlife is crazy in Tulum, and some places can get dangerous. Taking advantage of their free service can really make your night safer and make you not worry about a thing.
CRIME IN TULUM: OUR WORST FEARS
What comes to your mind about Pablo Escobar? Crime, violence and drugs in Mexico? Keep your answers to yourselves, but Tulum is a good and safe place to visit! Don’t let it stop you!
Below we share our personal experience with crimes in Tulum. You can check Riviera Maya News and The Yucatan Times to stay updated.
As long as you stay in a gated residence and walk on main roads any time of the day, you are safe from any crime. The only thing you should watch out for is being alone at night. Some areas can get dark, and it’s best to avoid it. Follow your guts!
A most common occurrence here, and we are not blaming the locals. You can find many friendly people in Tulum, both local and tourists. But regardless, finders keepers. So, if you lose any important documents, you can start contacting your embassy in Mexico.
Unfortunately, something happened in late 2021. Two Californian bystanders were shot dead due to a cartel shooting.
“Nightlife In Tulum Is Very Lively”
POLICE IN TULUM: DO THEY KEEP US SAFE?
Since the incident, more police and army have come to protect the people of Tulum. You can see them roaming the streets with their trucks equipped with guns. It’s scary, but we feel safe too.
On the other hand, we are most annoyed that some police officers (not all) charge you a hefty fee if you disobey traffic rules. It’s like “ you screw up so pay us and we let you off the hook”.
Book A Car At The Best Car Rental In Tulum
We were planning some trips in Yucatan to explore cenotes and we desperately needed a car! It's not always easy to find the best deal and moreover - not to get scammed. We ran into Virginia, a really kind girl, during a yoga session in La Veleta. That's how we found out Virginia is renting cars and her business is really cool.
After seeing her bran new cars, we saw the super convenient prices she was applying and we decided to try her service out. We had an incredible experience - transparency, no need for deposit on our credit card, a lot of flexibility and kindness - in a nutshell: we loved our experience at BGH Car Rental and we can't recommend you any better company in Tulum especially during high season when the car rental market goes wild.
Rent a car at 40 usd per day with full coverage insurance and unlimited kilometrage today!
“Nissan Versa Was Perfect For Us”
“Xpander Is The Best Car For Day Trips”
TULUM SAFETY GUIDE 101: BEST TIPS FOR NEW VISITORS
Welcome to Tulum safety guide 101. Here we list our guide and tips that will keep you away from trouble, and enjoy a pleasant time in Tulum! Please pay attention to the details of the tips and let’s get to it!
- Health Insurance
If you have an international health insurance, make sure it can be used here in Tulum, Mexico. But if you don’t have any health insurance, we suggest being super careful when you are driving and stay out of trouble.
- Learn basic Spanish
Actually, you can enjoy Tulum without knowing any Spanish. But, if you plan to travel to cenotes, ruins or local stores, know that most of the local people speak little to no English. So improve your Duolingo courses!
- Don’t drink the tap water
The tap water is far from safe. Instead, you can refill a gallon of water for 40 pesos in local stores.
- Don’t walk alone at night
At night, Tulum town and the Hotel zone still gets busy. But, things start to calm down and quieter after 10pm. We don’t recommend walking alone after that time.
- Don’t leave your belongings: Listen up digital nomads!
Every time you are working in public, please keep all belongings close, even when you are going to the toilet! One of our friends got robbed for leaving his laptop and wallet because he went to the bathroom. Don’t let it happen to you!
- Don’t bring too much cash
Bring only 5,000 pesos max when you go out. More than that would be unnecessary.
- Bring a photocopy of your documents: Passport and Visa
This very rarely happens, but officers may stop and ask to check for your documents. We never had this issue, but if things go wrong, just comply with them.
- Follow traffic rules: For car and scooter drivers!
If you rent a car or scooter, watch for the stop signs and turning signs on every turn. It’s easy to miss!
- Avoid swimming alone on the beach: No lifeguard and security
Especially at playa Paraiso (a public beach). There is a high risk of theft if you leave your belongings unattended. Avoid swimming far to the ocean because there are no lifeguards around!
- Bring flashlights: Please don’t use your phone!
This is super handy at night. Especially when leaving the playa Paraiso beach.
“Tulum Residencial Neighborhoods”
“Tulum Shopping Area At The Beach”
FAQS: THINGS WE WISH TO KNEW BEFORE TRAVELING
Lastly, these are the things people always ask us about Tulum. Here are some of your answered questions.
- What state is Tulum in?
Nestled in eastern Yucatan, Quintana Roo state, Mexico. Many tourists come here mostly to unwind and experience nature-related adventures. Find out why you should travel to Quintana Roo state, and see the best places to travel!
- Is it safe to go to the beach during the day and leave at night?
Overall, yes! During the day is the best time to go to the beach. Just be careful not to leave your belongings unattended. Also it’s still safe to be at the beach at night, but don’t leave very late.
- What’s the safest area to stay?
Tulum town is divided into 4 main areas: Tulum Town, Beach area, La Veleta and Aldea Zama. All of these places are safe to stay in because these accommodations are gated.
- How safe is it to rent vehicles?
Your best bet to find a trusted vehicle rental is to check for good customer reviews of the said store. If you don’t know where to start, check out our car rental guide or ATV, and avoid scams!
- Should solo travelers travel to Tulum? Especially a female
Definitely! Also, cat-calling rarely happens in Tulum and it’s usually harmless. They most likely say “Hola hermosa”, Hello beautiful, and that’s about it.
We hope you find our tips and guides helpful. Please share our article if it may benefit someone else, and leave us a comment of your own experience in Tulum to help readers too. Thank you!
FAQ about Tulum Safety
Yes, it is generally safe to carry cash in Tulum. However, it’s a good idea to not carry too much cash around and to keep an eye on your belongings at all times!
No, it is not safe to drink Tulum’s tap water. It’s always a good idea to carry your own water bottle with filter water!
Yes, it is generally safe to rent an apartment in Tulum. However, try to look for recommendations and ask ex -tenants about the area before you make a decision, or read some reviews of the place!
Partying in Tulum is generally safe! However, try to be mindful of your surroundings, drink responsibly, and avoid walking alone, particularly late at night!
Yes! It is safe to grab a taxi in Tulum. However, we recommend you to negotiate the price before you hop in to avoid overcharging.
Yes! Beaches are safe in Tulum. However, try not to leave your belongings unattended when you go for a swim!
Yes! Cenotes in Tulum are safe places to visit. However, keep in mind that some cenotes are really deep, so just keep the security measures, especially if you don’t swim!
While there are cartels in Tulum, tourists are generally safe from them, as long as you don’t interact with them buying drugs or other illegal activities.
In Tulum, it is better not to stay in areas that aren’t well lit, or isolated places. We recommend you to choose accommodations with good reviews and security measures, we try to always select a place with 24/7 security!
Yes, generally, it’s safe to walk around Tulum at night, but stick to well-lit areas and avoid walking alone in unfamiliar places.
Yes, tourists are typically safe in Tulum. However, you should take care of your personal belongings at every moment, for example, if you want to go to the toilet when you are working in a cafe, don’t leave your laptop alone without asking someone to keep an eye on it!
Both Tulum and Cancun are generally safe places. However, Tulum is smaller than Cancun, so it may feel safer due to the fewer people around.
Yes, the Riviera Maya, including Tulum, is generally safe for tourists. However, it’s important to consider typical travel precautions, such as avoiding lonely unlit areas.
Tulum’s crime rate was relatively low, especially compared to larger cities. Mexico’s government tries to ensure tourists’ safety, so many people feel safe when visiting Tulum. However, there have been some reported crimes against tourists in Tulum, especially during the night, so it’s always better to be careful and keep your eyes peeled!
Yes, it’s usually safe to travel alone in Tulum. However, you can let someone know your plans if you’re heading to more remote areas or partaking in adventure activities.
Yes, Tulum is safe for female travelers. However, travelers should take standard precautions, such as avoiding isolated areas at night.
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Updated on: June 19, 2023
Nick
Tulum is in the state of Quintana Roo, not Yucatan. 🙄
Constance Kaplan
Very helpful site. Need to know if children are safe in Tulum b/c kidnappings for black market organs prevalent in other parts of Mexico. And is Air B&B Colony Tumbenkaah a safe area? Im so concerned b/c my daughter is going there next week w/my grandchild & another person/their child. Thanks in advance for your response.
Eddy & Alessia
Hola Constance,
Thank you for reaching out with your concerns. It’s always good to be cautious, especially when it comes to family travel.
About the AirBnB in Tumbenkaah, while many people have had pleasant stays there, I would personally recommend considering Aldea Zama or areas close to the main street of La Veleta for an added sense of safety and a more family-friendly environment.
I’d also like to offer the contact of a local acquaintance, Virginia. She’s been a great help to many visitors in Tulum and can be a valuable resource for your daughter during her stay. Virginia is available on WhatsApp at +52 1 984 255 8049. She’s very familiar with Tulum and can provide insights on the best places to visit, dine, and how to stay safe while exploring.
A few additional tips:
1. It’s always a good idea to stay in well-lit, populated areas, especially at night.
2. Keeping an eye on personal belongings and using reputable transportation services is advisable.
3. Encourage your daughter to have local emergency numbers handy, just in case.
Tulum is generally a safe and welcoming destination, and with a little bit of planning and local knowledge, I’m confident your daughter and her family will have a wonderful and secure trip.
Feel free to reach out if you need more information or have other questions. Happy to help!