Starbucks Exits Tulum: Why the Hotel Zone Is Losing Its Buzz

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Starbucks, a coffee chain with nearly 1,000 stores in Mexico, has permanently closed one of its last remaining branches in Tulum, Quintana Roo. The closure is part of an economic crisis that has affected the tourist area.

What Happened to Starbucks in Tulum?

A Starbucks branch closed without prior notice in Tulum, Quintana Roo. The establishment, named Starbucks Ahau Tulum, was located at kilometer 7.5 on the highway between Boca Paila and Tulum. The company now has only one store in the area, located on the Cancún-Tulum highway.

Grupo Alsea, the corporation that manages the coffee brand in Mexico, has not announced the reason for the closure, but it is speculated that it may be related to the crisis that has occurred in Tulum over the past year, during which several hotels and restaurants have closed. The branch had been operating for eleven years.

A Destination Under Economic Strain

Hotel occupancy in the area has decreased from 74.67% in 2015 to 63.69% this year, and the restaurant sector has reported losses of 60%. In addition, airlines such as Volaris and Aeromexico have suspended flights to Tulum Airport.

In September 2026 alone, the Tulum Hotel Association reported that at least five hotels had temporarily closed. The National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) has also reported a decrease in visitors to archaeological sites.

Among the factors that have led to this crisis, a significant increase in prices in the area has been pointed to, making the destination too expensive even for foreigners.

A Significant Economic Blow

The closure of Starbucks is alarming for the region, as the fact that such a profitable chain with so many branches in the country decides to close the doors of a branch represents a significant economic loss in the area and possibly extortion payments.