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On Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, in the southern state of Quintana Roo, Tulum is a peaceful beach town that used to draw hippies who favored the tranquil beaches and Mayan ruins there over Cancun’s loud, chaotic nightlife.

But in the past ten years or so, influencers, boho-chic digital nomads, and would-be yogis have replaced the hippies. So much though I loved viewing the ruins there, now days I’m not a great lover of Tulum.

It’s just me, however. Each year, hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy their stay there. After all, travel is subjective.

Tulum is unquestionably a stunning part of Mexico, with some of the best-preserved Mayan ruins and charming white-sand beaches.

Tulum is safe, nevertheless.

Depending on who you ask, yes.

Although there was at least one abduction of a tourist there earlier this year and two ladies were slain by gang gunfire while eating at a restaurant in 2021, the Overseas Security Advisory Council rates Tulum as “moderately secure.”

Travelers are advised to “exercise greater care” in Quintana Roo state, which contains Tulum, according to information from the US State Department (as compared to six other states in Mexico, where the report advised “Do not go there”).

Having said that, I’ve been to Tulum a few times and have traveled throughout the area by car without ever feeling threatened. Yes, you should keep your wits about you and watch out for little thefts, but you should do that anywhere you go.

Here is all you need to know to be safe in Tulum so you can learn more about the area and choose whether you feel comfortable going.

For alone travelers, how safe is Tulum?

In general, yes. The municipal and federal governments should work to maintain the security of tourism hotspots like Tulum. Tourists will stop visiting Tulum if they begin to experience robberies (or worse), local businesses will suffer, and there will likely be an increase in crime as a consequence. It has a cycle.

You’ll probably avoid any major problems if you exercise care, as you do in any new place.

Is Tulum secure for female travelers traveling alone?

Female visitors traveling alone might feel secure in Tulum. However, female tourists should be much more cautious since they have added worries. For instance, while visiting Tulum at night, avoid walking alone. Never take someone’s drink unless you saw the preparation or pouring of it. And while you’re out at the pub, always keep an eye on your drink.

Are Tulum Taxis Safe?

No matter where you go in the globe, taxi drivers have a poor image. I’m glad to say that this beach town does not have such reputation. Just make certain you settle on a price before you go.

In most circumstances, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to get a taxi in Tulum since they are so prevalent there. However, if you’re unsure, ask your hotel or hostel to make the contact so you can be certain you’re hiring a trustworthy driver.

Is it secure to rent a car in Tulum?

Travelers should be careful of several rental vehicle scams, not only in Tulum but anywhere in Mexico. For instance, it happens often for people to reserve a vehicle online, arrive at the office, and learn that there are none available.

The problem of hidden costs is the other. When you book, be aware that you could not receive the rate you believe you’re getting since there are outrageous insurance expenses that you are only informed about at the last minute.

Aside from these problems, renting a vehicle in Tulum is secure.

Use Discover Cars to locate the greatest rental vehicle bargains.

Does Tulum have a problem with gangs and drug cartels?

Unfortunately, Tulum has seen a rise in crime, with drug-related gang activity accounting for the most of it. Gang offenses involving drugs have gone up by a staggering 783% since 2019. The good news is that most of this violence is gang-on-gang and is not directed towards visitors.

Avoid using or purchasing drugs when visiting Mexico in general, and Tulum in particular. You’re just increasing the risk.

Can You Drink Tulum’s Tap Water?

Not only in Tulum, but across all of Mexico, tap water is infamous for not being as clean as it should be. That also applies to ice cubes. Ask whether the ice cubes at restaurants are also filtered after first finding out if the water is.

Even while drinking iced beverages when it’s hot outside in Tulum might be nice, it would be terrible to have stomach problems and be stranded in your hotel room because you drank tap water or anything that included tap water.

While drinking bottled water isn’t the most environmentally friendly option, it’s best to do so in Tulum just to be safe. In order to make sure that your water is always clean and safe to drink, you may also carry a LifeStraw container.

Can I Explore Tulum at Night?

It’s not advised, particularly if you’re alone yourself. You should hire a cab since it will be easier because it is not always easy to walk between the beach hotels and the town center. The good thing is that Tulum has a lot of taxis available.

Don’t stroll around Tulum at night unless it’s a very small distance.

10 Tulum Safety Tips

One of Mexico’s most consistently secure locations is Tulum. Despite this, you should still use cautious, especially after leaving the touristy parts of the city. The following points should be remembered:

1. Be cautious of your surroundings and always be attentive while you’re out and about, particularly at night. Make an effort to blend in.
2. Keep your phone out of others’ reach – Pickpockets like preying on irresponsible travelers, so always keep your phone out of others’ reach. If you swing your smartphone around as you’re moving about, it may vanish out of thin air.
3. Leave your valuables at home – In a similar vein, leave any good jewelry or pricey watches at home or in the hotel room safe. You don’t want to draw unfavorable notice.
4. Exercise caution at night if you’re going alone. Tulum isn’t particularly hazardous at night, but there are certain areas that aren’t well illuminated. If at all possible, avoid walking alone after dark, particularly between the town’s core and the area of hotels along the beach.
5. Download a map for offline use – If your phone doesn’t support international roaming, download a map for offline usage. Just be careful not to take your phone out too much for fear of having it stolen.
6. Pick up some Spanish – It’s usually beneficial to know a few words of the language spoken where you are. It can open doors for you, make you more sociable, and make you less likely to become a target. In an emergency, it may be helpful. 911 should be called in an emergency in Mexico.
7. Mind your money – Don’t carry all of your cash in your pocket or wallet. Spread it around so that if your wallet is stolen or you are robbed, you will still have money safe somewhere else (some in your wallet, some in the hotel safe, and some in your bag).
8. Install the Prey app on your computer and phone. The Prey software lets you locate stolen property, such as a phone or laptop. If you need to trace your stolen smartphone, you may download the software for free and upgrade to the commercial version later (it only costs $5 USD). Prey may also turn on the camera on your phone and snap a picture of the thief.
9. Use ATMs with caution; never use one outside of a bank. In addition to the possibility of installing skimmers on outdoor ATMs (to steal your PIN), thefts are significantly more frequent there. Use only indoor ATMs to maintain your safety.
10. Be careful of riptides – Although Tulum’s beaches are beautiful, riptides may be quite deadly. To be safe, never go too far from the coast. Stick to the pool if you’re not a good swimmer.

Should You Travel to Tulum, then?

Yes, in terms of safety. As I said above, Tulum has had its fair share of drug- and gang-related crime over the last few years, but if you don’t use drugs — which you really shouldn’t — it’s probable that you won’t run into any problems.

My Best Piece of Advice

Get travel protection. On vacations, we never anticipate that anything would go wrong. But sometimes it does, as I’ve discovered from personal experience. I’ve broken gear in Italy, misplaced bags in South Africa, and ruptured an eardrum in Thailand. In Colombia, I also received a knife.

Even though it’s unpleasant to consider, horrible things might occur when you’re traveling.

I never leave the house without travel insurance because of this. And particularly if you’re going to Mexico, you shouldn’t. You may receive a safety net that guarantees you won’t go bankrupt should anything unpleasant and unexpected happen for only a few dollars every day.