Tulum Park Deception: Free Access Turns Costly

TULUM — What was announced as a historic agreement to guarantee dignified and free access to the Tulum National Park has resulted, according to local service providers, in a setup that solely favors the concession company Gafsacom.

According to testimonies, the company that controls the operation of the Jaguar National Park did not participate in the dialogue tables with protesters and authorities and currently is unaware of the commitments made in those meetings.

In practice, visitors can enter the area, but under conditions that have generated dissatisfaction: they must walk long stretches under the sun and pay for every additional service, from sitting in a shaded area to the use of restrooms, soft drinks, tourist tours, or beach clubs. Furthermore, to use any of these options, it is mandatory to purchase a wristband issued by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) and Gafsacom.

Boat operators and service providers indicated that this dynamic directly affects the local economy, as it discourages the arrival of tourists seeking a more hospitable experience.

"Visitors do not just come to swim; they also seek lodging, food, boat tours, bicycle rentals, or access to the archaeological zone. Each of these services implies the payment of wristbands, which contradicts the idea of a public park," expressed one of those affected.

The complaints point to what happened as a scheme that turns a federal space into a private business, with negative impacts on hotel occupancy and the tourist economy in general. Providers emphasize that the beaches remain free for bathers who do not use services within the park, but they question why the promises of the authorities have not materialized into concrete actions.

What has happened has generated distrust among the citizenry, which accuses a pattern of simulation in the negotiations. For the inhabitants and business owners of Tulum, this conflict reflects a lack of institutional seriousness and aggravates the uncertainty about the future of the destination.