Bacalar Not as Expensive as Tulum, Says Tourism Official, Urges More Local Promotion

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — Bacalar is nowhere near as expensive as Tulum, according to the vice president of tourism for the local chapter of the Mexican Employers’ Confederation (Coparmex), who called for stronger promotion targeting domestic visitors.

Jesús Israel Muñoz said that while some travelers perceive Bacalar as pricey, locals and business owners do not consider it remotely comparable to Tulum, especially when it comes to accommodation costs.

“We need greater synergy with local tourism and to strengthen promotion toward Campeche and Belize,” Muñoz said. He added that residents of Chetumal should also be able to enjoy the destination without relying solely on foreign tourists or visitors from Monterrey, which is currently the main source of domestic travelers.

Muñoz acknowledged that prices must cover permits and operating costs for restaurants and hotels. “Sometimes the influx of people doesn’t compensate, so one thing leads to another. Intensifying Bacalar’s promotion would help keep prices from rising further to sustain businesses,” he said.

He also highlighted informal commerce as a challenge for formal businesses. The municipal government issues temporary permits during events, which he said reduces profits for established establishments. “Formal businesses pay taxes and endure all the time, but when more vendors are brought in, there’s no compensation,” Muñoz said, noting that some formal businesses have lost up to 40% of their revenue as a result.