Tulum’s Dark Side: Crime and Fraud Epidemic in Quintana Roo

Mexico is currently grappling with significant security issues. Criminal groups have displaced the government in certain regions, creating areas where law enforcement cannot effectively operate. Despite efforts to curb high-impact crimes, some municipalities in Quintana Roo remain problematic.

Tulum, in particular, has emerged as the most violent municipality in the state, according to data from the National Citizen Observatory and the Executive Secretariat of the National Public Security System.

In 2023, Tulum reported over 5,800 crimes. The trend has continued into the current year, with 3,650 crimes recorded from January to August. This is a significant figure, especially considering Tulum’s small population of just over 46,000 residents.

The severity of the situation is reflected in the “ejecutómetro”, a record of executions in the municipality. Since its establishment in 2008, Tulum has seen its worst numbers under the current mayor, Diego Castañón.

Seventy-one people have been executed this year alone, and the total number of executions under Castañón’s nearly 20-month tenure is 170.

In 2016, the most insecure municipality was Chetumal, the capital of Othón P. Blanco, with 1,841 crimes. However, the epicenter of violence has now shifted to the state’s heart, where remote jungle parties have created lawless zones. Despite this, Morena, in alliance with the Green Party, managed to secure re-election in the municipal election.

In addition to violence, Tulum is also plagued by irregularities in the construction sector. The Mexican Association of Real Estate Professionals (AMPI) reports that Tulum has over 300 developments, most of which lack proper permits or oversight. This is significantly higher than Cancun, the leading city in Latin America, which has only 60 planned developments.

Real estate fraud is a significant issue in Tulum. The National Association of Lawyers and Real Estate Companies (ANADE) estimates that seven out of every ten developers in the municipality are involved in legal disputes due to building without permits or on land without deeds. This ultimately harms buyers and investors.

One notable case involves the Adamar apartments in Soliman Bay. This development began without any permits, according to complaints from the group Defending What is Ours.