Beetles Threaten Collapse at Mexico’s Defense-Owned Hotel

Tulum, Mexico — The Hotel Mundo Maya Tulum, operated by Mexico’s Secretariat of National Defense (Sedena), faces an imminent structural collapse due to a severe infestation of wood-boring beetles, according to government reports. The hotel, which opened less than a year ago, requires urgent intervention to contain and eradicate the pests, which have compromised the stability of wooden structures, including roofs, beams, and furniture.

Immediate Risk to Structural Integrity

Recent technical inspections revealed an active infestation in the hotel’s wooden framework, with the beetles causing severe internal damage that progresses rapidly and is difficult to detect visually. A tender notice (IA-07-H0C-007H0C999-N-109-2025) published on the government procurement platform Compras MX states that the infestation "poses an imminent risk of structural collapse, endangering guest safety and public property."

Sedena has called for specialized personnel to address the issue, emphasizing the need for prompt action to ensure the hotel’s safe operation. The bidding process involves four companies: Grupo Argent (bidding 5.9 million pesos), KTR Inv (4.026 million pesos), Scent Jittal (4.049 million pesos), and E-Templum (3.3 million pesos). The winning bid will be announced on August 19 via Compras MX.

Qualifications and Safety Measures

The fumigation service requires a certified biologist or natural resource manager with pest control experience, along with two pest control technicians. Applicants must provide proof of certification from accredited training programs.

Pesticides used must be registered with the Federal Commission for Protection Against Health Risks (Cofepris) and the Inter-Secretarial Commission for the Control of Pesticides and Toxic Substances (Cicoplafest), ensuring they are non-toxic to humans and environmentally safe.

Confidentiality and Guest Safety

All data, including photographic evidence from the fumigation process, will remain confidential and cannot be used for purposes outside the contract. Additionally, hotel staff must be notified in advance of fumigation activities, with clear instructions on safety measures to prevent guest exposure.

The Hotel Mundo Maya Tulum, a high-profile project under Sedena’s management, now faces a critical challenge to preserve its structural integrity and maintain operations amid the escalating pest threat.