Tulum, Q. Roo – Aug. 31, 2025 – Federal Highway 307 between Tulum and Playa del Carmen was reopened Sunday night after being blocked in both directions for roughly 10–12 hours by residents, merchants, and tour operators demanding free public access to Jaguar Park and its beaches. The blockade began around 10:00 a.m. and was lifted close to 9:00 p.m., causing kilometer-long backups and leaving hundreds of drivers stranded.
The protest followed weeks of complaints that Grupo Mundo Maya—the state company operating the park—was not honoring a free-access commitment for locals and was imposing fees that hurt small businesses. Demonstrators carried banners calling for “free access to the beaches” and the removal of the operator. Crowd estimates ranged from hundreds to over 400 people at the roadblock near the main entrance to the archaeological zone/Jaguar Park.
Officials confirmed the highway reopened after a preliminary agreement between state authorities and protest leaders to hold a formal dialogue table on Monday at 3:00 p.m. at Tulum City Hall to seek a definitive solution. Security forces kept the peace amid tense moments between drivers and protesters.
The dispute sits within a broader access debate. Last week, Tulum’s mayor publicly accused the park operator of breaking the free-entry promise; the company responded that accredited residents do get in at no cost and—under pressure—announced free Sunday access and free pedestrian entry to Playa Mangle. Locals argue the rollout has been inconsistent and still limits access in practice.
Why it matters: Highway 307 is the Riviera Maya’s main artery. Long closures ripple through tourism, transport, and local commerce. Mexico’s law says beaches are public, but on-the-ground controls by operators can restrict entry points—tensions that are now front and center in Tulum.
What to expect: With the road open, traffic is flowing again, but access rules and fees at Jaguar Park remain on the negotiation table at Monday’s meeting.
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