Tulum, Quintana Roo — A group of tourism workers, tour vendors, and local business owners staged a protest Friday at the entrance to the Tulum Archaeological Zone, objecting to fees charged by Grupo Mundo Maya for access to Parque del Jaguar. They argue the tariffs hurt the local economy and discourage visitors.
Protesters gathered at the main entrance to inform tourists about the costs, which they say apply only to the archaeological site and the federal maritime-terrestrial zone. They also demanded the presence of federal officials to address the tourism sector’s concerns. During the demonstration, fee collection offices reportedly suspended operations.
Germán Herrera, a tour vendor in Tulum, said Parque del Jaguar has become a source of worry for small business owners and workers who depend on tourism tied to the archaeological zone. He said the increased access fees have affected visitor numbers and the income of many service providers.
Herrera noted that the local economy relies heavily on activity generated by the archaeological site, one of the region’s main attractions. He acknowledged that previous agreements with municipal authorities led to the opening of public beach access with basic infrastructure and services, but said federal agencies still have pending issues regarding access and operation of Parque del Jaguar.
The protesters warned they will continue to demand a review of the fee structure and access conditions, and called on federal authorities to establish dialogue tables to address the concerns of the sector and residents dependent on tourism in Tulum.
