Is Tulum Safe? (Updated 2022)

Posted: 12/1/2022 | December 1st, 2022

Tulum, located in the southern section of Quintana Roo on Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, used to be a sleepy beach town that attracted hippie types who preferred the placid beaches and its Mayan ruins over Cancún’s wild, cacophonous nightlife.

In the last decade or so, though, the hippies have been overtaken by influencers, boho-chic digital nomads, and would-be yogis. So, while I enjoyed seeing the ruins there, I’m not a big fan of Tulum these days.

But that’s just me. Hundreds of thousands of people visit each year and love their time there. Travel is subjective, after all.

Home to some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins and picturesque white-sand beaches, Tulum is definitely a gorgeous slice of Mexico.

But is Tulum safe?

That depends on who you ask.

The Overseas Security Advisory Council says that Tulum is “moderately safe” — though there was at least one kidnapping of a tourist there earlier this year, and two women were killed by gang crossfire while dining at a restaurant in 2021.

For the state of Quintana Roo, which includes Tulum, the information from the US State Department says to “exercise increased caution” when traveling there (as opposed to six other states in Mexico, where the report said, “Do not travel to”).

That said, I’ve visited Tulum a few times now — and have road-tripped around the region — and never felt unsafe. Sure, you need to keep your wits about you and keep an eye out for petty theft, but that’s what you should do anywhere you travel.

To help you understand more about the city and decide if you feel comfortable visiting, here is everything you need to know to stay safe in Tulum.

Is Tulum Safe for Solo Travelers?

Generally, yes. It’s in the local and national governments’ interest to make an effort to keep tourist-heavy destinations like Tulum safe. If tourists start getting robbed (or worse) in Tulum, visitors will stop coming, local businesses will suffer, and, as a result, there would then probably be more crime. It’s cyclical.

If you exercise some caution, as you should do in any new destination, you’ll likely avoid any serious issues.
 

Is Tulum Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Tulum is generally safe for solo female travelers. That said, female travelers have additional concerns and should exercise even more caution. Don’t walk alone at night, for example, while in Tulum. Never accept a drink from someone unless you saw it being…