Tulum and Isla Mujeres Restaurants Face Abuse Complaints

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The restaurant sector in Tulum has raised alarms again due to new complaints about inflated prices and demands for tips of up to 20%.

These actions, besides being illegal, damage the destination’s image, warned Marcy Bezaleel Pacheco, president of Cocineros de Quintana Roo.

Complaints have also been replicated in Isla Mujeres, after at least 40 Argentine tourists reported being attempted to be charged a mandatory 15% tip.

That, in addition to consumptions and even the use of umbrellas to enjoy the beaches.

“Altering Prices and Demanding Tips Is Illegal”: Gastronomic Sector

Pacheco lamented that some businesses “alter prices and demand tips,” despite the Federal Consumer Protection Law prohibiting including or conditioning them.

He recalled that Canirac has repeatedly urged establishments to avoid these practices, but most of those sanctioned by Profeco are businesses not affiliated with the guild.

The chef acknowledged that the sector is going through a bad streak due to the drop in tourism and increased operational costs; however, he maintained that these challenges “do not justify abuses or distortions in prices.”

He insisted that it is necessary to maintain a balance that does not harm the diner and preserves consumer trust.

Exaggerations and Negative Campaigns on Social Media: Almaguer

Amid the criticism, the former president of the Hotel Association of Cancún, Puerto Morelos, and Isla Mujeres, Jesús Almaguer Salazar, questioned the “denigrating and repetitive campaigns” circulating on social media and that, he assured, are driven by local groups that exaggerate isolated problems.

“Tulum lives off tourist activity; there are things to improve, but reality is being distorted,” he stated.

He added that the state and federal strategy has allowed clear signs of tourist recovery to be observed, both in Tulum and Isla Mujeres.

Hoteliers Report Occupancies Above 75% in Tulum

As proof of the rebound, he cited figures from the Tulum Hotel Association, which report an average occupancy of 75.21% so far this month. Some destinations even recorded higher levels: Akumal with 85.2%, Tulum National Park with 77.1%, and the hotel zone with 63.5%.