Around 70 Businesses Close in Tulum Amid Economic Challenges and Extortion Reports

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Nearly 70 commercial establishments have temporarily or permanently shut down in recent months, including long-standing venues such as Road Tulum, Eufemia, and Bonita, according to the municipal Directorate of Fiscalization.

While local authorities attribute some of the closures to the low tourism season, business owners cite a combination of economic pressures, including high rents, rising operational costs, declining tourist numbers, and alleged extortion by police and inspection personnel.

Sergio Canto Contreras, director of fiscalization, said that of the roughly 2,850 registered businesses in the municipality, the majority remain operational. However, he acknowledged that high rental costs are a major obstacle and urged property owners to show greater flexibility to help tenants stay afloat.

David Paredes, manager of the restaurant El Árbol, pointed to a lack of liquidity, fewer visitors, and unsustainable operational expenses. He also cited the presence of sargassum seaweed, service fees, transportation costs, and reports of extortion by police and fiscalization staff as factors hurting competitiveness.

María Hernández, former owner of a regional food restaurant in downtown Tulum, said she decided to close after more than a decade because she could no longer cover rent, electricity, taxes, and payroll.

Jorge Ramírez, who ran a food business in the tourist zone, said declining profits made it impossible to remain open.

Municipal officials maintain that many closures are temporary and that some businesses plan to resume operations during the upcoming high season, when domestic and international visitor numbers are expected to increase.