Mexico : Safety by City
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- Queretaro City
- Reynosa
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- San Miguel de Allende
- Sayulita
- Tijuana
- Tulum
- Valladolid
- Veracruz
- Zacatecas
- Zamora
- Zapopan
- Zihuatanejo
Tulum, Mexico is a beautiful destination that many travelers visit every year.
The popular city has a rich history that dates to the Mayan Civilization.
The Mayans called their coastal city Zama, which means sunrise, perhaps because of its location facing the great sea.
Although the Maya are known to have settled what is now Tulum about 1,500 years ago, skeletal remains discovered in the area tell the story of people living in Tulum thousands of years ago.
The ancient skeletons found in cenotes and underwater cave systems date to at least 10,000 years ago.
Some of these same cave systems and cenotes are popular with divers and other travelers to Tulum today.
The pristine beaches, the ancient archaeological sites, the many things to see and do attract tens of thousands of visitors every year.
Some details about crime and other safety issues in Mexico may lead some people to wonder if Tulum is safe for travelers.
Learn about the attractions, why so many people visit Tulum, and if it is safe for travelers right now.
Warnings & Dangers in Tulum
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Although there have been recent warnings about high crime levels in Mexico, most serious criminal activities are away from popular tourist areas like Tulum. People who visit Tulum still need to take precautions that help keep them safe to minimize their risk of becoming a crime victim.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Take a taxi from a reputable company. Do not use an unregistered taxi company. Agree on the price before you get in the taxi. Fares are not metered in Tulum Public buses and other reputable, trustworthy public transport are generally safe for travelers. Visitors need to stay alert to petty crimes such as pickpockets when using public transport. They should also stay alert for fast-moving scooters, taxis, and other people on the road.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
Travelers who do not take precautions can become the target of pickpockets. There is usually a low risk of becoming a pickpocket victim for travelers who secure their wallets, phones, purses, and other belongings.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
Tulum is a relaxing place for residents. It is a fascinating and beautiful place for travelers to visit. One risk that visitors need to pay careful attention to is the risk of natural disasters. Hurricanes, floods, and landslides during the rainy season are some risks. A few recent hurricanes wreaked havoc on Tulum, leaving millions of dollars of damage in its aftermath. Tourists should also stay alert to any warnings of earthquakes.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
People who visit Tulum usually do so without any safety or crime issues. Travelers can become mugging victims if they do not follow safety precautions. Staying away from unsafe neighborhoods, dark streets, and avoiding getting intoxicated are some tips to avoid being a mugging victim.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Tulum does have a cartel presence. The cartels are often too busy targeting each other and engaging in their drug trafficking to target travelers. Tourists who stay in popular tourist areas and who do not engage in drug activities are likely to stay safe from these criminals.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Travelers who take a taxi in Tulum need to agree on their fare upfront. Taxi scams target tourists by drivers overcharging them for their ride. It is easy for travelers to fall for this scam if they do not agree on the price, because taxis in Tulum are not metered. Scooters are a popular means of getting around Tulum. Tourists may want to choose another mode of transportation. One scam that targets visitors is that the cost of their scooter rental significantly increases because of scratches that companies claim were caused by the renter. Taking pictures before leaving the shop can help prevent this scam. Do not fall victim to dating app scams or scams targeting tourists in nightclubs or bars.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Several thousand women visit Tulum every year and have a great time without any safety issues. Women still need to take precautions to protect themselves and to make sure that they do not become an easy target for criminals. Solo female travelers should always stay vigilant of their surroundings. Women should never tell anyone that they do not know that they are traveling alone or staying in their accommodation alone. The person they are talking to at the bar or nightclub may seem overly friendly. Women should be aware that there may be a reason that someone asks them these questions. Walking with their group, making friends with other female visitors to Tulum, and never walking alone after dark can help women stay safe.
TAP WATER RISK: HIGH
Do not drink tap water in Tulum. Several sources say that it is not safe for people to drink. Drink bottled water or filtered water. Travelers should also use bottled water for things like brushing their teeth and washing fresh produce.
So... How Safe Is Tulum Really?
Mexico is currently having a bit of an issue with various political problems and drug-trafficking gangs.
But Tulum can deservedly reckon one of the safest places in Mexico.
Besides Mexico has experienced a surge in drug-related violence, Tulum has remained a relatively safe travel destination.
Some street crime may occur.
Things like violent crime and assault, however, are much less common than in other places in Mexico.
Travelers should have common sense when traveling in the city.
Don’t show up around the streets alone at night.
If you’re staying in a beachside cabana, be sure to lock your doors.
Driving during the daytime is relatively safe, but take caution when driving at night, as some foreign travelers have experienced robbery.
Tulum is safe from crime, but from nature, you can suffer well.
Hurricanes rip through this part of the Caribbean and may cause real disaster.
This season lasts from June to November.
Also, Tulum is suffering from tropical storms that can hit any time of year.
Heavy rains, flooding, and landslides are par for the course when a big tropical storm makes landfall.
As well Zika virus is present in Tulum, so protecting against mosquitoes is important.
How Does Tulum Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Tulum |
75 |
| Isla Mujeres |
82 |
| Acapulco |
45 |
| Ixtapa |
70 |
| Playa del Carmen |
68 |
| Zamora |
30 |
| Chihuahua |
40 |
 San Antonio | 53 |
 Hobart | 90 |
| Kitty Hawk | 79 |
 Vilnius | 70 |
| Garrison | 79 |
| South Bend | 47 |
Useful Information
Visas
No visas required for tourist proposals to enter Mexico for many countries of Europe, US citizens and so on. You should have a valid passport and a tourist permit. The maximum possible of stay is 180 days. For a longer stay or other options, you should visit the Mexican embassy.
Currency
The Mexican peso - is the official currency in Mexico. There are one hundred Mexican centavos to every peso. The symbol for the Mexican Peso is $, so you can see MX$ or MN$ in banks and exchange points.
Weather
The best time to visit Tulum is from December to April. More crowd months are December, January, and February. From February to April there is almost no rain.
Airports
The best way to get to Tulum is from Cancun International Airport. It's located in 118 km from Tulum. This airport serves the entire stretch of coast of the Yucatan Peninsula that faces the Caribbean Sea.
Travel Insurance
The medical travel insurance is required for travelers in any country as well as Mexico. On the border, any traveler may be asked by a customs officer to show insurance.
Tulum Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C |
27 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 30 | 28 | 27 |
| Low °C |
21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 23 | 21 |
| High °F |
81 | 81 | 82 | 84 | 88 | 88 | 90 | 90 | 88 | 86 | 82 | 81 |
| Low °F |
70 | 70 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 70 |
A nice destination
I was a bit skeptical about going to Tulum. It’s not a very known location, at least not to me, and I don’t like seeing natural disasters risk as being high or the muggings risk as medium. I actually have heard of someone getting mugged while I was in Tulum so this does happen. But, nothing bad happened to me while I was there. I was careful as I would be almost anywhere else and didn’t flash goods or money around. Make sure to get protection for mosquitoes as they are present in decent amounts.
Good honeymoon spot.
We stayed in a wonderful boutique hotel called Love Tulum. They do a very simple breakfast and supper which is delicious, our room was right on the water and clean and bright the sound of the sea sent us to sleep in minutes very night. Staff very nice and charming. But, mosquitos in the town are a nightmare I was virtually spraying myself with OFF as I ate in the nearby restaurants. The place is obviously controlled by ‘hidden’ forces’ but their priority is to look after the tourists obviously. There seems to be a militia hidden away in the town for added security.
For younger tourists ideally but there are some five star lodging hidden away there if you fancy de luxe living.
Tulum is safe guys!
Stop worrying so much, with the pandemic, people care about themselves and don’t bother other people as much, also you have a good excuse to social distance and move away from others. stay safe!
Resident’s perspective
I think this must have been written a while ago. We live in Tulum and it has become a hugh party scene town. The beach clubs are LOUD and go on until all hours. The cabs are one of the most expensive in the world! The beach restaurant prices are equal or higher than NYC or LA. Cartel is here and here to stay. Party people keeping them all in business. With all of that said we love it here. We stay away from the party scene beaches and find other ways to spend our time. There is theft, like everywhere, just be smart. Do not wear flashy Jewlery or clothes. The pueblo is still charming and has lots of great and affordable restaurants. There are currently over 380 construction projects underway in Tulum so no more sleepy town here. Sad really but such a beautiful location it was bound to happen.
Very safe and we enjoyed it a lot
Tulum is probably one of the safest places in Mexico. Here you will really feel the Mayan energy coming from the fortified stones of the Tulum ruins. If you’re in Mexico for more than a week or two, you have to visit Tulum. It’s an experience you won’t regret.
The beach in Tulum might not be very big but it does have a certain charm to it, with the wonderful turquoise water and the white sand. Such a great way to refresh yourself on a hot day!
The Temple of the Frescoes is, believe it or not, built in 1450! And it still holds up well today and will probably still be here 1000 years from now if not more. And it’s a great place to visit and explore.
While here you should also explore the Castillo which is a big, imposing building, where human sacrifices used to occur. Then there’s the Temple of the God Descending or the Temple of the Initial Series. If you’re into old buildings you’ll love them.
Casa del Cenote which was believed to be used as a mausoleum is just one of the many cenotes found in Mexico. Cenotes were believed to be entrances to the spiritual world.
There are a few tours of Tulum and this is a great way to experience the place and learn about its history, buildings and people. A guided tour is one of the better ways to experience this hotspot and normally such a tour will last around 4 hours.
Like I said, this place is very safe and we did not encounter any thieves or pickpockets on our trip. We took a tour of it and it was a great way to learn more than we would have on our own. Nothing bad happened while we were here and it was a very special experience for us.
I never expected to feel so connected to nature while just lounging on the beach, and the sight of baby sea turtles making their way to the ocean was truly unforgettable.
Did you get to see any of the baby turtles while you were there, or was it too early in the season?
It’s incredible how the combination of ancient Maya ruins and those stunning beaches feels like stepping into another world; the laid-back vibe really lets you forget everything and just soak it all in.