La Veleta’s Taxpayer Streets Left in Ruins

TULUM, Mexico — In the La Veleta neighborhood, one of the areas with the highest real estate growth in Tulum, development advances at the pace of private investment, while public services sink into the mud. The streets, many still unpaved, have become a labyrinth of potholes, puddles, and mounds of earth that test both residents and tourists who come to the area.

Despite its proximity to the city center and being considered a key hub for the urban and touristic expansion of the municipality, La Veleta reflects the most evident face of institutional abandonment. Rain is enough to make its streets impassable and generate puddles that last for days, with no drainage system or regular maintenance in place.

"We pay our taxes like everyone else, but here no one takes us into account. There are days when not even taxis want to come in. It is sad that in such a famous destination we have to use all-terrain vehicles to get home," said Javier Manzano, a resident of 10th Street South, who states that the City Council has not carried out rehabilitation work in more than two years.

The deterioration also affects the transportation sector. A driver from the Tiburones del Caribe union stated that the condition of the streets increases repair costs. "Every week something has to be fixed: shock absorbers, tires, rims. It is a constant expense and no one is held responsible. When it rains, you don't even know which way to go," the driver noted.

Over the last five years, La Veleta has been the epicenter of Tulum's real estate boom: condominiums, boutique hotels, and vacation rentals are rising on every corner. However, public infrastructure has lagged behind. There are no continuous sidewalks, lighting is deficient, and pavement is conspicuously absent.

Residents state they have delivered official letters and requests to the Directorate of Public Works, but none have received a response. Meanwhile, visitors must navigate puddles and stones to reach their accommodations, a scene that completely contradicts the image of luxury and modernity that the municipal government promotes for the destination.

What was once projected as a model zone for sustainable urbanization has become a symbol of administrative neglect. The lack of planning and the disinterest of the City Council have eroded the confidence of residents, who are now demanding concrete actions.