Tulum Merchants Protest Jaguar Park Access Restrictions

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Merchants and service providers in Tulum are protesting access and mobility restrictions around Jaguar Park, saying daily operations do not match earlier agreements announced by authorities.

Rufino Hernández Jiménez, treasurer of the Artisanal Center condominium, said the measures currently applied at entry points do not align with what was discussed in previous meetings with state officials and tourism representatives.

According to the merchant representative, those meetings—which included Governor Mara Lezama and the head of Quintana Roo’s Tourism Department—proposed facilitating access for national visitors, merchants, and local residents. However, he claimed that in practice, limitations continue to affect the flow of people to the commercial zone.

Hernández Jiménez explained that restrictions have become more evident on Sundays, one of the busiest days for artisanal commerce, directly impacting visitor traffic to establishments within the area.

He also noted inconsistencies in how entry criteria are applied at access points. While some visitors are identified as residents or locals and allowed in without charge, others face confusion or restrictions at entry checkpoints.

The situation is compounded by the suspension of internal transport services, such as the tourist “little train,” which previously helped visitors move within the park and access areas where artisans and vendors are located.

For merchants, the issue is not limited to mobility measures or access fees, but also the perception that publicly announced agreements have not been reflected in the park’s daily operations.

Tulum is considered one of the most important tourist destinations in the Mexican Caribbean and a primary gateway to the Tulum Archaeological Zone, meaning any regulation related to access or mobility can directly impact the local economy and the experience of visitors.

In response, local merchants have called for ongoing dialogue between authorities and tourism stakeholders to find mechanisms that balance environmental conservation, tourism management, and the economic activity of those who depend on visitor flow in the area.