Tulum’s ‘Free Beaches’ Come With Unpopular New Restrictions

The beaches of Tulum are again under scrutiny after Mayor Diego Castañón announced new rules that limit what visitors can bring, reigniting the debate over public access to Mexico’s coastline.

The Morena-party mayor said the measure is meant to support local businesses while maintaining “free access” to Tulum’s shores. But the rules—banning outside food, drinks, coolers, and umbrellas—have drawn sharp criticism from residents, tourists, and business owners who see the move as a contradiction of the very idea of open beaches.

“Obviously, all national and international tourists can come visit us free of charge, but they can’t bring food. If they want to eat, they have to eat here,” Castañón said in remarks reported by El Financiero. The new conditions require visitors to enter through affiliated beachfront establishments, effectively linking access to local consumption.

Tourism on the decline

Once the symbol of bohemian luxury on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Tulum has seen its tourism numbers slip. According to Quintana Roo’s Tourism Secretariat, hotel occupancy dropped from 66.7 percent in September 2024 to 49.2 percent a year later—a steep decline of 17.5 percentage points.

Experts cite high costs for lodging, dining, and recreation as leading factors, along with reports of mistreatment toward domestic tourists. Social media users also point to growing frustrations with over-regulation and what they call the “disguised privatization” of beaches that were once open to all.

Public backlash online

Castañón, who recently posted photos from Playa La Eufemia declaring that “the sea and the sand aren’t privileges, but shared treasures,” has faced backlash from Mexicans who say the rhetoric doesn’t match reality. Many argue that while access might technically remain free, the new rules make it impractical for those who can’t afford restaurant prices or rented loungers.

The debate comes amid national efforts to enforce Article 8 of Mexico’s General Law on National Assets, which guarantees public access to beaches. However, local enforcement often varies, with hotels and private clubs in destinations like Cancún, Playa del Carmen, and now Tulum accused of restricting entry through indirect means.

Wider problems in paradise

The restrictions are only the latest challenge for Tulum. The beach town has wrestled with rising insecurity, recurring sargassum seaweed, and disputes between local taxi unions and app-based drivers such as Uber.

Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa recently announced plans to present a comprehensive tourism proposal to federal tourism secretary Josefina Rodríguez Zamora. The initiative will reportedly include new beach management policies aimed at balancing environmental protection, access, and local business interests.

Local businesses divided

While some restaurant owners support the policy, saying it channels income into the community, others worry that excluding budget-conscious travelers could harm the region’s image as a welcoming destination.

“It’s a fine line,” said one Tulum hotelier in a local interview. “We all want to protect the beach and promote responsible tourism. But if access depends on consumption, it stops being truly public.”

As Tulum continues its transformation from a laid-back hideaway to a global tourism brand, the question of who the beaches belong to—and who gets to enjoy them—remains unsettled.

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If you go

• Where: Beaches along the Tulum Hotel Zone, Quintana Roo
• Access: Free through designated entry points; personal food, drinks, and umbrellas prohibited
• What to expect: Restaurant and beach club options offering dining and lounge services
• Tips: Bring cash (many venues don’t accept cards) and check for updated local regulations before visiting

For more on the changing face of tourism in the region, see Yucatán’s evolving coastal access.
External source: El Financiero