Tulum’s Hoteliers See Artists, Want Events Off the Coastal Strip

As a yoga teacher and digital nomad living in Tulum since 2023, I've seen firsthand the challenges the town faces. Now, the hotel occupancy forecast has shifted from October to November, with fewer airline seats and higher costs driving the change. Here’s what this means for expats and digital nomads like me:

Artists Welcome, Events Not So Much

David Ortiz Mena, the president of the hotel association, is optimistic about the recovery. He expects a November turnaround, citing a typical low season due to reduced air travel. However, the coastal strip is seeing a 34% drop in international passenger traffic, which is concerning.

Ortiz Mena is vocal about his stance against mass events on the coastal strip, advocating for a more sustainable use of the area. He believes such events contribute to traffic and environmental issues, which are already prevalent in the town.

For expats and digital nomads, this means navigating a quieter, perhaps more affordable, Tulum until November. The town is embracing artists and creatives but wants to keep the larger, potentially disruptive events away from the coastal areas.