President Claudia Sheinbaum’s announcement allowing Mexicans free access to Jaguar Park and the beaches of Tulum puts an end to one of the biggest complaints that had existed since the creation of this natural area.
However, for those who live and work in this tourist destination, regaining access to the beaches is only the first step in a long list of problems that continue driving visitors away and affecting the local economy.
Free Beaches Do Not Solve All of Tulum’s Problems
Complaints about alleged police extortion of visitors, combined with constant criticism over high taxi service prices, have placed Tulum at the center of national attention in recent years.
“It is a good action for now, but it will really take some time for us to recover. The bad image that influencers have given Tulum, especially; taxi drivers, who do not help at all with their prices; and police officers who extort tourists, especially because they are the ones who bring money into the area, and if you extort them, they will not come back. That is the bad experience many tourists have had,” said Alberto Pool Cocom, a businessman from downtown Tulum.
While other destinations compete to attract more visitors, Tulum continues facing problems that directly affect the tourist experience and damage the municipality’s reputation.
“At least here in Tulum, we have not heard as much about extortion anymore; although there are not many tourists left to extort. Public transportation is an issue that needs to be solved, and I think the federal government needs to get involved because at the municipal level they have constantly promised that there would be visible price lists for the public. We have been waiting for a year and a half and there is still no price chart. I do not see any intention of making it public. It happened to me yesterday: they tried to charge me 350 pesos from Jaguar Park to here,” said Mauricio Morales, a Tulum merchant.
Lack of Employment and Low Wages Affect Tulum Residents
The problems go beyond tourism. Lack of employment and high housing costs are also affecting the people who keep this destination running every day.
While official statements highlight economic recovery, many workers say finding a job is becoming increasingly difficult and that wages are no longer enough to cover the cost of living in Tulum.
“Everything has gone up, and right now there is barely any work available. It took me about a week and a half just to find this job. Rents are expensive; a small wooden hut costs 3,000 or 3,500 pesos, and you still have to pay another 1,000 pesos as a deposit. Concrete houses are even more expensive,” said Otilio Ramírez, a construction worker in Tulum.
Free beach access was a legitimate demand, and today that issue is beginning to be addressed. However, if abuses are not eliminated, if corruption complaints continue, if taxis keep charging excessive fares, and if the cost of living continues increasing while jobs remain scarce, Tulum will continue facing the same crisis.
Because reopening the beaches means little if what remains closed is the trust of those who decide to visit — or live — in this destination.
Source: unotv
