Tulum’s Secret Paradise: Photo Book Launch

Akumal, Mexico — The photographic book "Akumal, Paraíso Secreto de Tulum" (Akumal, Tulum's Secret Paradise) will be presented on September 4 in Akumal. The work is by underwater photographers Cecilia Gutiérrez and Mizael Palomeque, who are nominated for the 2026 World Cup of Photography in Iceland.

The event is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. at the Sales Gallery of the Plaza, within the Tulum Country Club. It will include a panel of sustainability experts, the exhibition of a photographic gallery, and a cocktail reception for attendees.

The book is the result of an eight-month project in which Gutiérrez and Palomeque documented the region's biodiversity, traversing the jungles, cenotes, wetlands, and beaches of Akumal, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen. The project was developed in collaboration with the Tulum Country Club and the Eco-Bahía Foundation, with the objective of disseminating the area's natural wealth and generating awareness about the need to strengthen environmental protection efforts.

Cecilia Gutiérrez explained that the initiative emerged from the work of Balché Fotografía, a collective she founded with Mizael Palomeque. She noted that while scientific data is indispensable for the study of ecosystems, it is not always sufficient to provoke significant social change. Therefore, they turned to photography as a tool to transmit emotions, raise sensitivity, and motivate more people to join conservation efforts.

"We know that data is very important, but it is not enough to generate real change. We believe that through photography we can transmit emotions and awareness to change the narrative, sensitize and inspire people to join the protection efforts," she expressed.

The book, titled "Akumal, Paraíso Secreto de Tulum," is defined by its authors as a visual homage to the unique beauty of the Mexican Caribbean and its biodiversity, which they consider a natural heritage of international relevance. All images included in the publication were taken in the municipality of Tulum and the coastal zone of Playa del Carmen.

During the documentation process, the photographers traveled through diverse ecosystems to show the interconnection between them.

"We traveled through the jungle, cenotes, wetlands, and beaches to demonstrate through photography how everything is connected. At the end of the day, it is about love, and the more people know about everything we have in the area, the more we will be able to get them to join the protection efforts," Gutiérrez recounted.

The work is complemented by the collaboration of environmental specialists who participated in the project's conceptualization. At the presentation on September 4, in addition to the authors, invited experts will intervene to analyze the challenges of sustainability in the region and the role played by communities and the private sector in the preservation of ecosystems.

The Eco-Bahía Foundation, based in Akumal, will also participate in the event to share its conservation and environmental education projects. These include fauna monitoring programs and awareness activities for visitors and inhabitants of the Riviera Maya.

The book presentation will be open to the public. The organizers have enabled prior registration through the Eventbrite platform. Capacity will be limited due to the venue's space, so interested parties are recommended to confirm their attendance in advance.