Tulum Locals Protest New Sunday Beach Fees

Tulum, Quintana Roo — Representatives from social sectors, tourism service providers, residents, and the collective Movimiento Playas Libres Tulum have expressed their rejection of the official announcement of new access points to the municipality's beaches made by the federal Secretary of Tourism, which includes Sunday charges of 60 pesos for national visitors and 220 pesos for foreigners.

In a public statement disseminated on social media, Playas Libres Tulum described these measures as "contrary to federal legislation" and a "direct blow to the local population, tourism workers, and visitors."

"We recognize the opening of the public road that connects the Plaza de los Artesanos with the archaeological zone and the Santa Fe, Pescadores, Maya, and Mangle beaches, but an access subject to fees cannot be considered a 'free beach'," they stated, referencing Article 27 of the Constitution and Articles 7 and 8 of the General Law of National Assets.

The movement denounced that the new payments result from a combination of charges from the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (Conanp) and the Tulum archaeological zone, in addition to the recent fee increase approved by Congress, which will apply starting January 1, 2026.

According to the protesters, these measures "increase the cost of the tourist experience and affect the income of thousands of Tulum families."

"Paying for basic services in a public area is an injustice. The problem is not the service providers, but the government policies that impose charges and mandatory permits," indicated spokespeople for the movement.

According to the statement, the charges violate the right of common use of national assets, which, under Article 11 of the General Law of National Assets, cannot be conditioned on payments for transit, stay, or basic services.

Movimiento Playas Libres Tulum made a direct call to President Claudia Sheinbaum to intervene and guarantee free access to the municipality's beaches. Among the petitions, they highlighted that the Conanp wristband charge should not be mandatory for transiting or staying on the beach; that the Jaguar Park should charge only those who wish to access its activities and services, on a voluntary basis; and that toilets and basic services should remain free for residents and tourists.

These proposals, they affirmed, are coherent with environmental conservation "without detriment to public access," in accordance with the General Law of Ecological Equilibrium and Environmental Protection.

The movement also demanded transparency and clear rules from the government about who should pay and under what conditions. Among the doubts they raised are whether bicycles, scooters, or ecological transportation will be able to enter free of charge, or if visitors will have to pay Conanp fees when visiting beach clubs or restaurants inside the Natural Protected Area.

Given the lack of official responses, the movement has called on citizens, workers, service providers, and visitors to participate in a peaceful demonstration on November 15 in defense of free access to the beaches.

The movement's main demands are peace and security in Tulum, truly free beaches, respect for the collective right to the sea, and the elimination of undue charges on national assets.

"The people of Tulum demand clarity, justice, and respect for the collective right to enjoy the sea without conditions," concludes the statement from Movimiento Playas Libres Tulum.