The Dark Side of Tulum (Documentary)

An independent documentary exploring both the beauty and betrayal of Tulum, Mexico - and what can be done to change it.

FOLLOW OUR DIRECTOR'S WORK
IG: @naomirey_

If you enjoyed this film, please donate here to support the art!

*Subtítulos en Español disponibles - Simplemente haga clic en el botón CC.

Businesses, organizations, and people seen or mentioned in the film:

Red Tulum Sostenible

Woolis Green Industries

Farm to Table Tulum

No Mas Plastik

Tulum Recycles

Holistika

Radio Tulum

Oceanic Global

Habitas Tulum

Alejandro Duran

[salvadorianmami]

I went to Tulum in June. I did a snorkeling & cenotes tour. On the cenotes tour, our guides were native Mayans and their main concerns were always protecting and conserving the land. They would give us specific instructions so we had zero waste. If they would be in charge, things would be completely different.

[acidpanda]

I lived in Cancun in 1985-1986 - before hurricane Gilbert. Believe it or not, Cancun was actually a nice town back then. We would go camping in the Sian Ka'an on weekends sometimes, by the Boca Paila bridge (it used to be a little wooden bridge). In Tulum, the town was very small and nothing more than the fisherman's coop and the last gas station on the 307, before heading to the Sian Ka'an or to Bacalar. I went back to the Tulum area many times over the years, and each time it broke my heart to see the changes. The locals being pushed out, the coast becoming so very crowded, and relentless price hikes on everything. Mind you...I do understand why people are drawn to Tulum - it is absolutely blissful. The Sian Ka'an used to be my favorite place on earth. But I decided to not go again because to get there, I have to drive through the madness of Tulum in all its ugly glory. I do hope that those who fight for Tulum will grow in number - and that tourists and visitors join the fight by demanding adequate waste management. In a world ruled by money - demand is king. So... demand!!! Demand brought organic and gluten free foods to our grocery stores - and demand could be key to saving Tulum.

[patborecky]

Love this post & what you are doing. I visited Tulum 4 yrs ago & fell in love with the place. Hired a local man to take my family & I to the bioreserve. He told us 100 local families have gotten together & bought a large parcel of land so they can build their own houses before developers take it all. Good for them. I too am sad about how developers come in & take over everything & ruin the place. I had hoped return but am not sure I will.

[Ukrainianification]

I think what most people don’t realize that after we are gone nature will go on without us

[jumboshrimp]

People love moving to great places and ruining everything that made it great to begin with.

[EvnStevn]

This was a powerful message thank you for this video. I just came back from Tulum for my birthday and I loved it so much that I wanted to invest in a condo out there. The people were so nice the food was incredible everything about Tulum was amazing. Now after watching this I feel like it would be wrong of me to even think about doing any investment. I would rather help go to Tulum to help than to invest.

[kegsofvomitspit]

“How can this happen in a place where Leonardo DiCaprio vacations and yogis from around the world hang out?”

Lady, you just answered your own question.

[lizmu]

For knowledge: The barrier rief extends from the northern tip of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula toward Bay Islands in northern Honduras, the Mesoamerican Reef is second in size only to Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

[valediaz]

Well, I'm from México, México city, and I don't go anymore, for the same problem, I love my country, I love the people that live here, but for me is a heartbreaken seeing this beautiful beach, becoming that horrible and nasty beach.
Five years ago, I get in sock for the beauty of the sea, it was like love at first seen, but I went two years ago, and I cried, because large resorts hotels, killed the magic and beauty of it.
I don´t blame only the hotels and tourists, I blame us, the Mexicans that allow this mess.
Of course the government and the corruption are the most guilty, but we have to put our granite for the solution that we have to implement now. RIGHT NOW ¡¡¡

[ricardoromero]

Great documentary. So sad to see how humanity keep doing things wrong in terms of the ecosystem but it is great at the same time to see a few people getting the courage to raise awareness. I can’t just but to feel pain for what is happening in Tulum and the earth in general. Rachel, its an unvaluable work what you are doing there with your team. Hope you never give up!

[caseymccartin]

I feel like this is a whole world problem, not just Tulum.

[medusaschild]

Thank you so much for caring for a land where no one is caring enough. Sending love to you and to that beautiful place.

[ikael]

En Mexico es muy complicado cambiar la consciencia de la gente; empezando por la ignorancia de la gente, la ambición de inversionistas, el crimen organizado con el gobierno, mucha gente de aqui, no entiende de estos temas, desearia que tu deseo fuera no solo el deseo de cambiar a Tulum, todos los ecosistemas en este pais estan en peligro.

[khd]

Tulum actually have gotten worse with the pandemic American IG influencers are flocking there.

[abdulwahidburhani]

Salaam to all
I lived in Tulum in the mid80s, there was only 10 cabana huts and a small restaurant on the beach, that's all Tulum was then. Incredibly wonderful.
I passed through Cancun when there was nothing but a beach, from there you could go Isla Mujeres, a small beautiful island.
Peace out

[missrayelyn]

The first time I went to Tulum was in the late 90's. There were a few stalls, and the ruins and that was it. I'm sad to see all this.

[cesariasousa]

yes, I as well was sent here by two wonderful Mexican brothers whom saw my spirit and recommended me to go to Tulum when I was first discovering the Caribbean coast and in cancun. in 1994 was when I was captivated by the magic of Tulum and had to return in 1996 to make it my home for 5 years. there I fell in love and in love with a Mexican man and had a beautiful child.I cry when I go every so often to visit with my friends and son's father. my last visit I heard gun shots a couple streets over from where I was staying with my son thinking people celebrating cinco de mayo when found out that it was the cartel from the pacific to seek territory in the Caribbean. saw pictures the next day in local newspaper.the garbage, poor infrastructure, less mayans and more out of towners living there. no more cabanas being made to live in. concrete barred homes instead. people not as friendly. I knew this was coming and would be something we would talk about back in 1996. I cherished every moment that I spent there. now I let go and am discovering places in mexico that in 30 years will become like Tulum. I love mexico's magic and mysticism and don't quite experience this in other parts of the world. I thank Tulum so much for my spiritual growth and for the most incredible experiences of my life.

[meganr]

I’m currently in Tulum. This is my third time here. I was here 3 and 5 years ago and I barely recognize this place! How could this happen in just a couple years?! It’s not even fun to ride a bike through town, because you are constantly inhaling fumes or trying not to get run over. Walking gets you to your destination quicker than a cab... the real Tulum that people were drawn to is gone. I’m glad I got to enjoy it when I did.

[lionnelmonaco]

I spent time in Tulum in 1998. It was a quiet, hidden gem. Akumal was the big town. Unsustainable growth and greed has destroyed many amazing spots. Another heartbreak! Commercialism destroyed the Mayan Coast! Darte Cuenta :(

[maryaromero]

Please indicate witch hotels or homes that are following the right guidelines required to keep tolum safe and beautiful, and you will see how businesses will change and corporate,
Thank you for helping in keeping our planet clean and safe.