Tulum Mayor Seeks to Raise Property Tax Amid Economic Crisis

Tulum, Quintana Roo — The municipal government of Tulum has begun the process to increase property taxes by updating cadastral values, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from residents already struggling with a tourism downturn.

Mayor Diego Castañón Trejo’s administration, through the city’s Cadastre Department led by Rubén Raziel Ek Cruz, has initiated technical work and consultations to modify the Tables of Unit Values of Land and Buildings for 2027. The changes would raise the base for calculating property tax, effectively increasing the tax burden on homeowners and businesses.

According to Ek Cruz, the goal is to “adjust charges to the current economic reality of Tulum to ensure fair collection, which will allow more resources to be allocated to better public services and infrastructure in the neighborhoods.” However, critics say the consultations have been limited, excluding most residents. The first meeting on Thursday included only a handful of business owners, hoteliers, engineers, and architects, leaving out the majority of taxpayers who will be affected.

The proposed increase follows similar moves this year by neighboring municipalities: Estefanía Mercado in Playa del Carmen and Blanca Merari Tziu in Puerto Morelos both updated their cadastral tables to raise property taxes.

Residents have expressed outrage, arguing that the mayor is prioritizing tax hikes over economic recovery. “Tourism has dropped, sargassum is affecting beaches, dozens of businesses have closed due to lack of customers, construction and real estate are slowing down, and starting a business has become a nightmare because of high permit and license costs,” one resident told Diario Cambio 22. “Yet Castañón only cares about increasing our tax burden.”

Locals are demanding that the government instead focus on reviving the economy. “Now is not the time to raise taxes on families, small businesses, or property owners. Tulum needs incentives to grow, not more burdens on those who are already struggling,” another resident said.

The city administration has not announced any measures to boost tourism or support businesses amid the crisis.