Tulum Tour Operators Report Rising Visitors as Sargassum Eases

Tulum, Quintana Roo — A decline in sargassum is starting to show up in dive reservations and boat tour bookings in Tulum, with service providers reporting more visitors after several months of weak activity.

Alejandro Escalante, a tour sales agent, said reservations have begun to climb, mainly for diving. He estimated a rebound of 35 to 40 percent in November and 50 to 60 percent in December, though he did not specify the comparison period.

The arrival of tourists from the Netherlands, France and Germany is feeding expectations for the winter season, he added. Among the dive requests he handles, cenotes account for about 70 percent, with the rest made up of reef tours.

Carlos Ávila, who works in the nautical sector, said traffic along the coast has reached a level he had not seen in roughly six months. He attributed the improvement in boat tours and other recreational activities to cleaner beaches and better sea conditions.

Both men said northerly winds and shifts in ocean currents have helped reduce the amount of sargassum washing ashore, though they acknowledged those conditions can change.

For those who depend on excursion sales and nautical services, the hope is that the momentum continues through November and December and allows them to recover income lost during the slower months.