Tulum’s Hotel Closures: A Winter Worry for Expats and Digital Nomads

After a few lean months, Tulum’s hotel scene is getting a little quieter. According to the latest stats from the Asociación Mexicana de Hoteles y Moteles, around 900 rooms across various properties have been closed down. For those of us running small businesses like my dive shop, this means more than just a change in the landscape; it’s a shift in the local economy and a potential impact on our daily lives.

The closures range from 15-room properties to developments with over 200 rooms. The head of the national hotel association, Miguel Ángel Fong González, highlighted the complexity of the situation, emphasizing the need to continue efforts to bring the destination back. Coastal hotels spent September at below 20 percent occupancy, and the airport has lost Aeroméxico and is set to lose Volaris in January 2027. The fourth quarter is now being asked to carry the whole year.

On the bright side, four foreign airlines will operate seven seasonal winter services to Tulum starting October 25. This includes Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, and United Airlines, bringing in much-needed visitors. However, the question remains: can Tulum's fourth quarter save the season?