Is Tulum Safe? That is the million-dollar question since Tulum has become the “IT” destination post-Covid-19.
If you are wondering if Mexico is safe to visit for Spring break 2022 I will help you figure out facts from fiction when it comes to the Mexico travel restrictions.
Tulum is filled with top-rated boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and crystal-clear waters – but as Spring break approaches visitors are asking is Tulum safe.
Because Tulum has grown into a coveted vacation for luxury travelers this also means more crime to the once sleepy unknown town.
While the United States has issued a Tulum travel advisory but I want you to rest easy in knowing that while there has been an uptick in crime – Tulum is still safe if you take the necessary precautions.
Black folks are booking trips to Mexico left and right and Tulum is now the number one destination for travelers in 2021.
The world has changed since the outbreak of the coronavirus, and deciding where to travel is not as easy as it was Pre-COVID.
HEALTH ALERT – U.S. EMBASSY TULUM, MEXICO (JULY 12, 2021)
Location: Mexico Effective July 12, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Mexico due to COVID-19, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country.
Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Mexico.
Please see CDC’s FAQ for answers to questions about the new requirement for proof of negative COVID-19 test or recovery from COVID-19 for all air passengers arriving in the United States.
KEY INFORMATION FOR MEXICO TRAVELERS
- Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. CDC recommends that you do not travel at this time.
- Travelers should avoid all travel to Mexico.
- If you must travel:
- Before you travel, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip.
- Do NOT travel if you were exposed to COVID-19, you are sick, or you test positive for COVID-19. Learn when it is safe for you to travel. Don’t travel with someone who is sick.
- Follow all entry requirements for your destination and provide any required or requested health information.
- If you do not follow your destination’s requirements, you may be denied entry and required to return to the United States.
- During travel, wear a mask, avoid crowds, stay at least 6 feet from people who are not traveling with you, wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer, and watch for symptoms.
- Before traveling back to the United States by air, get tested with a viral test no more than 3 days before your flight departs. The test result must be negative. Keep a copy of your test results with you during travel in case you are asked for them.
- Frequently Asked Questions for more information about this requirement. Follow all destination and airline recommendations or requirements.
- After you travel, get tested 3–5 days after travel AND stay home to self-quarantine for 7 days after travel. If you don’t get tested, it’s safest to stay home to self-quarantine for 10 days.
- Before you travel, get tested with a viral test 1–3 days before your trip.
TULUM, MEXICO UPDATE: 10/28/21
Two tourists, including a California travel blogger, were killed and three more were injured during a shooting at a restaurant in Tulum, Mexico, on Wednesday, the Associated Press reported.
Authorities in the state of Quintana Roo identified the two women killed as Anjali Ryot, a San Jose resident born in India, and German national Jennifer Henzold, AP reported.
Two German men and a Dutch woman were also injured.
Initial investigations found the shooting was “an armed clash between criminal groups dedicated to the sale of drugs,” local authorities said in a statement to the press.
The AP reported that the German foreign office issued a travel advisory warning citizens in the area not to leave their secured hotels.
The incident is the latest in a string of violent attacks in public places in Tulum, a once-sleepy beach town that has become an international party destination.
A Spanish tourist died after being shot in a taco restaurant in March, two men were shot and killed on a beach in June, a man was gunned down in the street in August.
A taxi driver and a security guard were executed at a restaurant in September and a man was murdered in the parking lot of the Tulum archaeological site earlier this month.
TULUM TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS
The State Department has issued a new, strict “do not travel” advisory for U.S. citizens regarding five Mexican states because of violent crime and gang activity.
While the State Department has long recommended travelers exercise “increased caution” in Mexico in general because of widespread homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery, the new warning elevates the five states to level 3, reconsider training.
The advisory, issued in July 2021, puts the states of Tamaulipas on the U.S. border and Sinaloa, Colima, Michoacan, and Guerrero on the Pacific coast as a level 3 travel warning.
The main of the Bureau of Consular Affairs is to advise and help U.S. citizens make informed decisions when it comes to deciding if Tulum is safe including travel advisories, warnings, and how to stay in Tulum.
So, is it safe to travel to Mexico right now? Below we will take a look at the Mexico travel advisory boards from both the United States and Canada, as well as the Quintana Roo Tourism Board.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE TRAVEL WARNINGS
The U.S. State Department frequently issues advisories for Mexico and specifically Tulum. When an alert or warning is issued for Mexico you likely have questions and concerns.
But before you go off the deep end and start imagining things that will likely not occur and cancel your trip to Tulum please find out what is real vs fake about the Mexico travel warnings. , here’s what you need to know.
Click here to read the current Mexico Travel Advisory from the U.S. Department of State website.
While Tulum isn’t located in any of these states – the State Department still wants travelers to be on high alert. While in the area the State Department says it may be best to only use toll roads and avoid driving alone or at night.
It also warns people to “exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.”
Furthermore, tourists should steer clear of displaying signs of wealth, “such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry” and exercise extreme caution at banks and ATMs.
In addition, the State Department asks tourists to enroll in its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
Tulum Travel Advisory Fact vs Fiction
If you get up and go to the grocery store every day, go running at your local park, or even go to a concert you should always take precautions no matter the destination.
Are you worried about traveling to Chattanooga, Houston, Chicago, New Orleans, or Memphis? All of these cities have a higher crime rate than Tulum.
The Mexican Tourism authority and the government want you safe because tourism is Mexico’s number 1 revenue generator and they have pointed to the low numbers of victims of crime compared to the 28 million American tourists who travel to Mexico each year.
Know that Tulum is safe and keep these numbers in mind when planning your vacation for Spring 2022.
Tulum is safer than most of America’s biggest cities and if you are not worried about traveling within the U.S. especially with the current racial tensions you should be asking if Tulum is safe.
You take road trips with the family to cities like St. Louis, New Orleans, and Kansas City without giving it a second thought so do not allow the media to make you believe Mexico is unsafe.
Is Tulum Safe?
Generally speaking, Tulum is safe but like any other destination when there is a surge of travelers there will also be a surge in criminal activity so you need to make sure you follow the safety guidelines when traveling to Tulum.
Below is the most current Tulum travel advisory and Mexico travel warning taken directly from the U.S. Government website:
Quintana Roo state – Level 3: Reconsider Travel
Exercise increased caution in Mexico due to crime and kidnapping. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Violent crime – such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery – is widespread.
The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in many areas of Mexico, as travel by U.S. government employees to certain areas is prohibited or significantly restricted.
Read the Safety and Security section on the country information page.
While there are some parts of Mexico are not safe to travel to you do not have to worry about the following areas:
- Tulum
- Cozumel
- Playa del Carmen, Tulum
- Riviera Maya
- Los Cabos
As you see Tulum is just a Level 3 Advisory – If you need more evidence that Tulum is safe take a look at this interactive map and you will see what other popular countries have the same travel advisory level as Mexico.
As I stated in my previous article Is Mexico safe the countries below have the same Tulum travel advisory and most people don’t think twice about visiting these destinations:
QUINTANA ROO TOURISM
According to PR Newswire, The State of Quintana Roo maintained its current ranking as “Level 3,” the same level that has been in place since the implementation of the new travel advisory system in July 2021.
This level 3 ranking, which comes with the message to “exercise increased caution,” is the travel advisory level given to many countries and tourism destinations in the world, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and China, among others.
Safety Tips For Traveling to Tulum
No matter the destination it is a good idea to always follow these basic travel safety tips. Follow these tips while traveling to Tulum:
- Steer clear of spots with a bad reputation, known gang activity, or places that give you bad vibes. Stick to well-traveled places.
- Check-in with friends and family back home as often as you can. Make sure someone knows where you’re at and when you expect to check in next.
- Be aware of your surroundings. This is a good rule of thumb in general, but it’s especially important when traveling alone.
- Don’t drink too much. Make sure you know your limits. Don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position.
- Only use ATM machines that are found at reputable local banks or those at your resort.
- Do not wear expensive jewelry or watches that might attract unwanted attention.
- Avoid taking excessive amounts of cash out and about with you.
- Beware of the taxi drivers. The majority of taxi drivers will scam you with t outrageous rates. So please make sure you negotiate the rate before getting in the taxi.
Stick together with your travel companions rather than splitting up, especially when out late at night. If you plan to drive, make it a point to travel during daylight hours.
Choosing to take a taxi at night is always a great idea, just to be on the safe side and know which areas to avoid in Tulum.
Getting Around Tulum
While I stated above to be aware of Taxi drivers in Tulum – it is also the best way to get around. You can walk or bike to the beaches, to the ruins, and to Tulum Pueblo, but might not have enough energy to do anything else after you have walked to your destination.
You can rent a car in Cancún or Playa del Carmen, but I don’t think it is a good idea because of the uptick in car thefts in the area.
The only buses in Tulum are the shuttle buses that take travelers to and from the airport in Cancún to their hotel or Airbnb.
There is not an airport in Tulum, so you’ll need to fly into Cancun (CUN) which is about 75 miles north of Tulum.
Safest Areas for Tourists in Tulum
If you do not go to crime-ridden areas in your own city do not go into crime-ridden areas when you travel. While the crime rate is increasing in Mexico so is the crime in the United States.
The Mexican government wants to keep tourists safe by providing extra security in touristy areas to ensure travelers are safe and you will not have to ask is if the Tulum Travel Advisory is necessary.
Below are the safe areas of Tulum:
- Playa/Tulum Beach.
- Pueblo. The Pueblo neighborhood is located at the heart of Tulum.
- Aldea Zama. Aldea Zama is a small neighborhood located to the south of Tulum city center.
Tulum Travel Restrictions
ASSISTANCE FOR U.S. CITIZENS
Please Follow the Rules Below for Traveling to Mexico:
- Use toll roads when possible and avoid driving alone or at night. In many states, police presence and emergency services are extremely limited outside the state capital or major cities.
- Exercise increased caution when visiting local bars, nightclubs, and casinos.
- Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive watches or jewelry.
- Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
- Review the Crime and Safety Reports for Mexico.
U.S. citizens who travel abroad should always have a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
Black in Tulum
If you are looking for things to do in Tulum I suggest checking out the community Black in Tulum.
Black In Tulum is the first and ONLY community for minority travelers to come together and vibe where the jungle meets the sea.
As a collective of creatives, they come together to provide resources, recommendations, exclusive events, and memorable experiences for melanated travelers in Tulum!
With a community of over 20k members, B.I.T has made a huge positive impact on the locals and local businesses by bringing in high numbers of travelers to the area amidst the pandemic, when local businesses were closed and had no patrons.
The group provides recommendations for everything from restaurants, hotels, Airbnb, excursions, etc.
All of the resources available in the group empower non-travelers to feel more comfortable and make a better-informed decision to book their flights and accommodations to explore Tulum and the Quintana Roo area.
Check them out on Instagram or join the Facebook community for upcoming brunches, yacht parties, day parties, and much more!
Best Boutique Hotels in Tulum
Tulum may get a bad rap for inflated prices and expat-heavy crowds, but I still love it. The gorgeous beaches and blue waters speak for themselves.
In the last few years, the area has seen significant turnover; newer, more luxe resorts have opened, all with an eye toward design. You’re bound to find your perfect match among these five Tulum hotels.
1. Hotel Esencia
Esencia isn’t exactly a secret. But once you tuck into your jungle-, beach-, or ocean-facing room, the place will feel like a hidden gem you want to keep all to yourself.
The property, set on secluded Xhu-Pa Beach just north of Tulum, recently expanded to 40 rooms and suites and added a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant led by international top chef Dimitris Katrivesis.
Beyond visits to the spa for hydrotherapy and the bar for fresh-pressed morning juices, you won’t be inspired to do much else—but then again, isn’t sitting and relaxing exactly what vacations are for?
Click here if Hotel Esencia is right for you.
2. Mukan Resort
You have to take a 45-minute boat ride through mangrove forests before arriving at a tiny islet in the middle of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve to reach this nine-room resort
Mukan Resort is the first luxury eco-resort within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Naturally, you’ll feel sublimely isolated when you check into your standalone beachfront bungalow or private-terrace-outfitted suite within the main villa.
Just because it’s secluded doesn’t mean you’ll be bored: snorkeling, paddle-boarding, kayaking, cenote-diving, fly-fishing, and tours of the reserve are just a taste of the activities on offer.
Click here if Mukan Resort is right for you.
3. Nomade Tulum
This 38-room retreat was designed Nomade style, with 20 exclusive suites, 5 treehouses, and 36 luxury Nomade style tents that were built beneath large canopies.
You may have to eat while sitting on a pillow I suggest embracing the holistic vibes and allowing your inner flower child to emerge.
Whether you choose a luxury tent or the super-luxe pool villa, each room is filled with crafts made by local artisans and has everything you expect and need from a luxury resort.
Click here if Nomade Tulum is right for you.
4. Sanará Tulum
You don’t have to be a yogi to stay at this minimalist, 17-room hotel, but the glass-enclosed studio is the property’s centerpiece, so you’ll likely end up taking a vinyasa class or two.
Here, it’s all about embracing Tulum’s eco-conscious way of life—and even if you do walk past a class on your way to the beach, you’ll still get your wellness fill at Real Coconut, the on-site restaurant that serves tons of tasty vegan dishes from chocolate chia pudding for breakfast to shiitake coconut cheese quesadillas for dinner.
Click here if Sanara Tulum is right for you.
5. Nest Tulum
Tucked away at the south end of Tulum Beach, Nest is one of the area’s most exclusive retreats.
The 9 minimalist rooms (and four-bedroom private villa) have whitewashed walls and an eclectic mix of furniture that will have you flipping over chairs to find out who made them.
Breakfast starts with a shot of probiotics (this is Tulum, after all), paired with whatever you fancy from the kitchen (huevos rancheros, pancakes, eggs, yogurt, or granola).
After a solid day on the beach, head back up to the bar for complimentary happy hour from 5 to 6 p.m.
Click here if Nest Tulum is right for you.
Best Time to Travel to Mexico
Best Months to Visit
The best time to visit Tulum is between November and December. You’ll get the benefit of post-hurricane-season breezes, plus the hotel prices are reasonable.
Not to say that it’s hard to find reasonable room rates at other times of the year – this small pocket of the Yucatán has one of the widest ranges of price points on Mexico’s Caribbean coast.
If you’re concerned about crowds, though, avoid the region from January to March. For the best weather, avoid June, September, and October – which experience the highest amounts of rainfall.
Mexico Travel Insurance
I can’t say this enough but please get insurance when traveling to Mexico! Even if you are only going on a short trip, you should always travel with insurance.
Have fun while visiting Mexico, but take it from someone who has racked up thousands of bucks on an insurance claim before, you need it.
Make sure to get your insurance before you head off on an adventure! I highly recommend Travelex Insurance.
What if You are Robbed or Mugged?
If you are mugged, pickpocketed, express kidnapped please do not panic. Keep calm which I know is easier said than done.
Whatever you do, do not fight back just give them your cash or phone then call the police. Once you have contacted the police then you can cancel your credit cards and call your insurance company.
If they took your passport, contact the embassy and they should be able to assist you with getting back home.
Conclusion: Is Tulum Safe and Tulum Travel Advisory 2021
Yes, Tulum is safe!
There is no doubt that there has been horrible violence in Mexico due to drug wars between warring factions but that violence has, for the most part, been in isolated areas.
Of course, there are certain areas to avoid in Tulum but it is no different than you being in your own hometown where crime is restricted to certain areas.
DO NOT allow the U.S. media to shape your thoughts and views of Tulum because they are not only misleading but wrong!
Also, Mexico began charging foreign visitors a new $10 tax this past April of 2021.
The tax is meant to help offset a decline in overall tourism spending in the state, the Riviera Maya Times reported.
Ready to plan your trip, grab my FREE Vacation Planner to help you plan your trip in the time it takes to watch your favorite TV show!
ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Is Mexico City Safe for Tourists
Are you traveling to Tulum, Mexico for spring break 2022? Are you worried about the uptick in crime Tulum is now seeing because of the influx of travelers?
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