Tulum, Quintana Roo — Residents and business owners in Tulum are blaming the newly opened Jaguar National Park for a sharp drop in tourism, with official figures showing a 33% decline in visitors to the area’s archaeological site.
According to data from the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the Tulum archaeological zone received 257,978 visitors in the first quarter of 2026, down from 385,879 in the same period last year.
The park, inaugurated on September 6, 2024, has restricted access to some of Tulum’s most popular beaches and introduced new fees, sparking anger among locals who say the changes have devastated the local economy.
“The numbers don’t lie, but the government does,” said Manuel Xiu Loría, a local resident known as “El Chiverito.” “They took away our beaches, imposed three different charges, and now INAH confirms the disaster.”
Tour guides, transport workers, and small business owners say they are struggling as both domestic and international tourists stay away. Many complain that visitors now have to pay up to three separate fees to reach certain attractions, a system they describe as confusing and off-putting.
Residents have called for a protest march on May 29 to demand that authorities revise the tourism model, restore balanced beach access, and support local enterprises that depend on visitor spending.
Experts warn that the downturn could have long-term effects on employment and economic development in the region, urging officials to find ways to rebuild traveler confidence.
