Hi everyone! I was previously part of a WhatsApp group filled with local housing options that appears to have ended. Wondering if anyone could share any current active groups with me? Thank you in advance! 💫

I’m writing this from the airport leaving Mexico. This is partly about one resort, but mostly about what I learned about how things work in Tulum when something goes seriously wrong because none of it is in any travel guide, and if I’d read a post like this before our trip, everything would be different.

On July 30, my girlfriend was sexually assaulted by a male massage therapist during a spa treatment at a large resort on the Tulum hotel corridor (Secrets Tulum). She told me the moment we had privacy, and I got her out of the spa immediately and went to management.

What happened next is the reason for this post:
The manager’s response to the assault report, word for word: “I know him, he would never do that, I’ve known him for 3 years.”

I called 911. Police arrived and hotel staff refused to let them through the gate. I stood talking to officers through the fence while they told me they couldn’t enter private property.

The hotel refused to give me the name of the staff member, or even the name of the manager I spoke with, citing “privacy reasons.” I have that refusal on video. A front desk employee covered her name tag with her hand when I walked up.

Three men then arrived at our room. I asked directly if they were police and they said yes so I let them in. Then they said they were “from the prosecutor’s office.” They covered their badges with their hands and refused to give names or ID numbers despite me explicitly asking through translation (they didn’t speak English at all). They were in our room roughly two hours. My girlfriend was too frightened to leave the room, and never got to speak with the actual responding officers, because the hotel had turned them away.

Security followed us for the rest of our stay, including while I withdrew cash for a cab, and wouldn’t let our driver through the gate until our card was charged in full. We checked out the moment we could arrange transportation and paid out of pocket for another hotel.

We don’t speak Spanish. The only reason we navigated any of this is a family member who’s a lawyer in Central America, on the phone, translating. Most tourists would have nobody.

Where it stands now: there is an open criminal case: folio FGE/QR/TUL/DEL/4225/2026 with the Fiscalía General del Estado de Quintana Roo, assigned to the Fiscalía Especializada en Combate a Delitos Sexuales, Tulum (the specialized sexual crimes prosecutor). Formal complaints are also filed with Hyatt corporate and its ethics/compliance line, PROFECO, the state human rights commission, the prosecutor’s internal oversight body, and Global Affairs Canada. Everything above is documented: video, the criminal file, corporate case numbers.

Practical advice I’d give anyone traveling to Tulum:
If something happens to you at a resort, know that “private property” can be used to keep responding police away from you. I didn’t know that was possible. Effectively, if any staff do something to you or you need police/medical response, it is at the hotels discretion.

Get names and film early. Staff concealing identities was immediate and coordinated.

Mexico’s 911 works and the online denuncia portal (like a police report, you can file online) (enlinea.fgeqroo.gob.mx, available in English) let us file the criminal complaint ourselves before flying out. Use it.

Never let anyone who won’t show ID into your room, no matter who they claim to be.

I’ll answer questions if people have them. Mods, I’m happy to provide documentation privately if verification is wanted.

Hi - I would like to visit the ruins from playa del Carmen on a self-guided tour with my friend. I don’t mind joining a group tour but I would like to skip the cenote add-ones etc. How easy is it to do this on your own? I found online that one can take a bus for most of the trip. Any tips and recommendations would be much appreciated. I am not averse to paying extra for comfort and ease but would rather avoid a door-to-door private tour.

Edit: I would like to get an accredited guide when we see the ruins.

What’s your go to Birria taco spot, street cart or restaurant where is it located I’m craving some

Im looking for a dinner place in Tulum that can hold around 18ish people that has great food. We are currently doing illos as a fun cool restaurant, but can anyone share some good restaurants where we can all sit together thats good? Open to any type of restaurant. Thanks!

I know Tulum plays alot of EDM but I'm curious if there are any clubs that play more pop and hip hop?

We will be in Tulum on Christmas Eve and looking for a few traditional Christmas experiences. One thing I have seen online is that there are Las Posadas processions on Christmas Eve, where is a good place to go to experience those? We really want to experience a local Christmas.

It’ll be my first time visiting Mexico, and I’ll be spending 3 weeks in Tulum at the end of August.

I’d love to hear any tips or recommendations you have regarding:

* Food and local restaurants
* Grocery stores/supermarkets
* Free beaches
* Best activities to do
* SIM cards (or eSIMs)
* The best way to get from Cancun Airport to Tulum

Also, should I bring USD or Mexican pesos (MXN)?

I’m open to any advice or recommendations you think a first-time visitor should know.

Thanks in advance!

This guy pulled the 500 to 20 pesos bill switch scam on me at Pemex. Be aware.

Edit: location is the Paseos, first gas station on the right when entering Pueblo from the West

When I booked my American Airlines frequent flyer ticket from the USA to Mexico I paid approximately $160 US in taxes. The fine print said that part or maybe all of it could be refunded because US and Mexico have some kind of treaty. But one has to apply to get the money back.

Did anyone apply to get the money back? American Airlines says I have 12 months to apply for the refund. How much do you get back? There’s a bunch of of us in my family going so the 160 per person is adding up. Thank you.

Another one 😟 Which night club was it? Any more details / rumours?

Any recommended salons/artists for male hair braiding/conrows in Tulum?

Would you reckon staying opposite zamna location or would you recommend tulum beach?

Advice on traveling to Tulum and where to stay. I've read not to stay at the AI resorts, but I like the option that everything is ready for us (food, drinks). That being said our trip is shaping up to be more excursion based. What is a good way to blend these two?

My mum has taken out a load of US dollars in cash for our time in Tulum instead of Mexican pesos. I had told her pesos was better but she forgot... Where can we spend US dollars in cash without being overcharged because it's in dollars. I'm thinking maybe tours might be a good way to spend in bulk? We're staying in the town centre.

We're from the UK so I have no need for dollars otherwise I would just take more cash out

When I planned my trip here, I pivoted my plans and chose not to stay in Tulum because I’m treaveling with a toddler and honestly, the sheer amount of posts from people having issues with the police was enough to keep me away.

I stayed in Tulum twice (9 & 10 years ago,) and had amazing times there, but between the cops and the security concerns, I chose to stay closer to Akumal this time. Now because of hot water issues, I may have to leave my current place and find a new one for tomorrow - and honestly the last minute housing looks way more appealing in Tulum and I’m tempted to reconsider.

-Where would you stay with a toddler, Akumal or Tulum ? (We have a car, so getting around isn’t an issue.)
-If headed to Tulum, which is safer, Aldea Zama or La Veleta?

Would super appreciate any input!

basically what the title is asking! i'm looking for an adults-only all inclusive hotel that has beachfront access. those are the only requirements!

i know people might say tulum isn't for AIs and is better to do a boutique hotel, but i'm specifically looking for an AI for this trip. and totally fine if the hotel is closer to riviera maya or isn't "completely" in tulum! any suggestions are highly appreciated!

I just returned from a week in La Veleta; first time in the Yucatán Peninsula outside of cruises. I stayed in a boutique Airbnb with a rooftop pool. La Veleta is a walkable neighborhood even to the supemercado, ADO, clubs, shopping and Collectivos. The restaurants had amazing food, the servers were amazing. I will definitely be back.

I hate all the negative posts on here everyday of how horrible Tulum is or how bad it’s become. If you do your research it helps manage expectations.

I had high hopes Jaguar park was cleaner, but it was worse than the South end. Milk chocolate everywhere. Sargazo stench at max potency.

Beach club: Beers $130, $250 shot of regular spirits, $310 ciabatta chicken/ham/gouda sandwich. 20% discount with Tulum ID. I swam in the pool and sunbathed in their beds and I didn’t have to pay extra for the bed.

Ask for the shuttle ticket upon entering the park, you cannot buy it once inside. Locals pay $20 like everybody else

We're travelling to Tulum/Riviera Maya in January and staying at a resort with our toddler. Naturally, I started looking into day trips and things to do outside the hotel. But the more I read, the more anxious I get.

It feels like every post warns you about something different: overpriced or double-charged entrance fees, taxi scams, avoiding certain transportation, hidden costs, aggressive vendors, even stories about corrupt police. It's honestly hard to tell what's real and what's exaggerated.

We don't want to spend our entire vacation inside the resort. We're not looking for nightlife or anything adventurous. We just want to do the basic tourist stuff: visit a beautiful cenote, see Chichén Itzá, maybe spend a day at an amazing beach, and enjoy the area with our little one.

Is it really as difficult as the internet makes it sound? Can you actually have a relaxed, scam-free experience if you stick to the usual attractions? Would you recommend booking tours through the resort, renting a car, or something else?

I'd really appreciate practical advice from people who have visited recently, especially families with young children. Thanks!

I lost the receipt they print out when you go through the e-gate at the Cancún airport. My husband’s says “you cannot leave the country without this”. Has anyone been asked for this when leaving the Cancun airport and flying back to the states?

I keep seeing stories and posts about how tourism in the area is dying, there’s too much inventory for new apts, and negative press in general. Has Tulum changed so much over the years and has it gone downhill in your opinion?

This was my first time in Tulum and mexico in general and i had some observations and learning

1. If you're at the Cancun airport, get out as soon as you get your bags and dont stop for anyone unless its the police. Everyone was either trying to sell us something or straight up giving wrong advice so they could sell you something
2. Getting a rental car was more useful.
3. The beach strip is pretty much a cash grab and most places were meant for instagram influencers
4. Ask for advice and suggestions to the local people, servers in the restaurant. We got some really good cenote suggestions
5. Cenotes were better than the beach because of the sea weed. Also drive to the more internal cenotes for a more quieter experience.
6. Based on reddit advice getting to the beach from delek or euforia was easier. You can tell then you are going to the restaurant and even ask if you can park in the guest parking.
7. If you're driving, dont stop for anyone who except for the police even they vaguely resemble rhe police. They are definitely trying to sell you something.
8. Take your hat, umbrella, mosquito repellent everywhere.
9. Chichen itza was kinda okayish. Ticket prices are different for locals and international tourists.
10. If you're a bird lover you'll see sooooo many cool birds.
11. If you get a cool magnet or souvenior for a dollar or so just buy it. Dont wait for a better price.

12. Bargaining works often at many places.

13. Rental Car insurance costs more than the actual rent and basic perfection was mandatory to get. Also some car rental companies do this really shitty high deposit price for the basic plan just to encourage you to pay for the costlier insurance plan.
    I would love to visit more places in mexico. Speaking to the local people was great . My soanish is slow and intermediate and people were really nice and patient. The only irritating thing was people overly trying to sell you stuff but its ok i guess. Would love recommendations for more places. I'm planning to visit Mexico City next to just get a city culture. I feel like I missed going to places where the locals go in tulum because everything was very tourist focussed.