Tulum, Q.R. — Merchants in the Tulum archaeological zone say this summer is one of the most difficult due to a lack of tourism. Pedro Canul Méndez, Administrator of the Tulum Artisanal Centre, says the 2025 summer vacation season has proven to be one of the most difficult for merchants due to a sharp drop in tourist attendance.
Canul says the 2025 summer vacation season in Tulum is even worse than during the pandemic. “This summer has been worse than during the pandemic. People aren’t coming in like they used to,” he said.
He says the parking lots appear empty and the flow of visitors has been scarce, a situation that has raised alarm among both artisans and tourist service providers. According to Canul, only 60 percent of the 71 establishments that make up the Artisanal Centre remain in operation. The rest, he says, have closed their doors due to a lack of customers.
“This decline affects not only the artisans, but also restaurants, tour agencies and other tourist services that directly depend on the flow of visitors,” he stressed.
One of the factors that has generated the greatest discontent among tourists, he explained, is the new fee imposed by the Jaguar Park which has resulted in tourists deciding not to visit the area.
Tulum City Hall Councilor Jorge Portillo Mánica has also attributed the lack of tourism in Tulum to fee-issues with the Jaguar Park. He says hotel occupancy rates in downtown are at 15 percent while hotels outside town are reporting 40 percent.
Tulum Tourism Councilor Eleazar Mas Kinil also says tourists that do visit have complained about high park fees. He says they have received a lot of complaints regarding the fees being charged to tourists for tours.
