If wealthy Western folks are going to set up luxury hotels in this part of the world then they should be prepared to pay the piper.
4
As many others have expressed here. Mexico is a beautiful place, mexicans are very nice hard-working people, but most of its problems are due to having corrupt governments. It doesn't matter which party governs, it is always the same strategy of keeping the country "competitive" by having lousy currency, keeping people poor with low-wages, not forcing companies to acount for environmental damage, in a nutshell differrent laws for different people. The country needs to be shaken up from its roots
4
In Puerto Escondido, beachfront (not on the beach but across ..) we had two Fideicomisos done by an international law firm in Mexico City.
Papers were good. Land had been sub-divided years before by the Federal Government and designated as a Commercial tourist zone. As soon as we put some infrastructure; septic, well, fences, trees and a little shack for the "caretake" the property was "invaded" by people w guns who beat up our engineer which cost us a lot of legal fees to free the engineer who was in jail in Pochutla. We actually stupidly went to court and spent a lot of time and money in vain.
The invaders are "politicos" from Chiapas. Important PRI people.
America Embassy in D.F. has a huge file. We were ultimately told by a State Department person that we had wasted our money, we never would win in a court in Mexico and our options were to make a deal w the invaders or walk away.
So much for Trusts! Banks were no help. Banks' lawyers in person said they were embarrassed . Property has a big for sale sign.
That is the short version.
Papers were good. Land had been sub-divided years before by the Federal Government and designated as a Commercial tourist zone. As soon as we put some infrastructure; septic, well, fences, trees and a little shack for the "caretake" the property was "invaded" by people w guns who beat up our engineer which cost us a lot of legal fees to free the engineer who was in jail in Pochutla. We actually stupidly went to court and spent a lot of time and money in vain.
The invaders are "politicos" from Chiapas. Important PRI people.
America Embassy in D.F. has a huge file. We were ultimately told by a State Department person that we had wasted our money, we never would win in a court in Mexico and our options were to make a deal w the invaders or walk away.
So much for Trusts! Banks were no help. Banks' lawyers in person said they were embarrassed . Property has a big for sale sign.
That is the short version.
6
This is a story as old as the ages. Wealthy foreigners colonize land knowing that what they're doing is illegal and counting on the fact that the locals who actually own the land don't have the resources to either develop it or fight them in court... Now justice is working for the little guy and the colonizers complain about there being no rule of law. Boo hoo! They're getting what they deserve.
6
I travelled multiple times to Puerto Escondido, just north of Hualtulco on the west coast. The first time I went was in 1987 with Mexican friends from Mexico City, who had been visiting P.E. as a family vacation spot for years. We took a 24 hour bus ride through the mountains to get there, as there were flights scheduled only once a week. But for the occasional straggling expatriate, the area was a local fishing village, virtually untouched by tourism from anyone but urban D.F. visitors on holiday. There was one public phone in town, calls from which had to be made through an on-site operator who would connect you for a small amount of pesos. Each time I returned, there were more and more foreigners visiting and an increase in development, pollution and crime as well as a menacing paramilitary presence. The last time I was there in 1992, despite the problems with title and land ownership for foreigners, there were quite a few "offerings" of condos for "sale." Not long after that, I read about the murder of a woman tourist on Zicatela Beach...a place just years before was virtually untouched, now strewn with litter. I started reading about the taxi kidnappings of tourists in Mexico City and one of my Mexican friends was kidnapped for ransom by a local gang. I miss Mexico, but I am not going back.
1
Technically, foreigners cannot own beachfront property to begin with.
10
Just another reason not to vacation in Mexico. So many other fine warm weather sites in the Caribbean why go where there's turmoil?
1
Please don't portray the foreigners as victims.
Both foreigners and the local government are playing the same dirty game. The foreigners settle in troubled areas, pretending they are doing nothing wrong. They pay whatever they need to, bribes included. After all, they are making money out of it.
Then the government lets them develop the area. Once it is expensive, the foreigners are evicted. The government makes money out of it.
Both foreigners and the local government are playing the same dirty game. The foreigners settle in troubled areas, pretending they are doing nothing wrong. They pay whatever they need to, bribes included. After all, they are making money out of it.
Then the government lets them develop the area. Once it is expensive, the foreigners are evicted. The government makes money out of it.
3
The corruption in Mexico is so bad that our government should do extreme vetting on all Mexican politicians, law enforcement and business people before allowing them into our country. The violence there in the last decade has often been nearly as bad as that by ISIS. Look at the murder and kidnapping rates if you think this is an exaggeration.
3
Ya know, even though it sounds like the natural citizens had right to take back these hotels, perhaps the means to do it didn't have to follow the same form and function of the brutal stories you hear about Mexico and the threat to tourists.
What's worse is these actions are only going to hamper the already beleaguered tourist industry. Sad because Mexico is such an amazing country to visit.
What's worse is these actions are only going to hamper the already beleaguered tourist industry. Sad because Mexico is such an amazing country to visit.
9
I arrived in Tulum exactly 1 week after this eviction. Unless you knew something had happened, you would barely have noticed. I stayed at a cabana compound 3 doors down from the southern most evicted property. The owners were obviously on guard, installed video surveilance around the property & seemed to have their own crew ready plus a uniformed guard on the beach. That being said, it was the best vacation of my entire life. I never felt unsafe. Ejido land is complex and since an entire community & all extended family members can have a stake in the land - often under the table rentals/sales/agreements take place. Tulum town is extremely poor. The beach area is very rich. They must provide more employment for local folks or else it's all gonns collapse. Mega resorts are not the answer, but the town itself needs some major help w/developing sustainable businesses & jobs.
7
the ex pat communitiesof western europeans and americans deserve this. they are taking advantage of an extremely poor society,abusing a beautiful cultural heritage for personal gain and greedy consumption. sure some locals get jobs serving and cleaning and building; but in the process their life is eaten away.
these folks knew the beach and land cannot be legally owned, but greedily thought they had power over the local laws.
go back to your own countries and try to live on your retirement income... but that won't happen.. big move now to costa rica or belize or another country to abuse that culture all to stretch the money they have.
it just makes me so sad.
these folks knew the beach and land cannot be legally owned, but greedily thought they had power over the local laws.
go back to your own countries and try to live on your retirement income... but that won't happen.. big move now to costa rica or belize or another country to abuse that culture all to stretch the money they have.
it just makes me so sad.
9
After reading the comments, I have an idea. Forbid any foreign ownership of land within 50 miles of any and all coast lines, waterways, and cities. That will help NYC lower cost of ownership as they will not compete with foreign conglomerates that belong to shell companies AND that will eliminate the lack of taxes paid by said parties. It will also get rid of the super wealthy Chinese that are a part of the elite communist party from owning the Californian coastline.
22
Why anyone would spend one dime in Mexico, whether for vacation or for settling down, is beyond me. Mexico is one of the most corrupt governments south of the border; truly a Banana Republic.
17
The coastal area stretching north from Tulum to Cancun and Isla de Mujeres is so beautiful. My partner and I and several of our friends vacationed many times at a small fishing village which I will not name, for obvious reasons. We always stayed at a guest house owned by a family from the US who lived there full-time. They also owned and ran a restaurant located right on the zocalo. I always felt safe and so relaxed in this peaceful little town. We walked everywhere (day and night) and the gorgeous beach was just across the street for swimming and snorkeling. We got to know a local taxi driver really well over the years and would call him any time we wanted to explore beyond the town. He became a trusted friend who loved showing us hidden places, known only to the locals. We even met his family! I have not been back to this town or to any place in Mexico since the drug cartels and the hideous violence became a sad reality. It is heartbreaking. I love Mexico and have traveled there all of my life. I don't feel safe traveling there now and I wonder if it will ever be safe again.
6
indeed, mexico has some BIG problems, but mexico is a beautiful country, and the people are almost universally very decent and extremely hardworking. my family and i went diving down in cozumel a couple times, and we took our rental car over to playa del carmen on the ferry, and then drove all around the yucatan exploring cenotes and ruins (including tulum). we never had any problems whatsoever. didn't get bothered, didn't get sick, didn't get robbed, and didn't see anything dangerous other than a tarantula at the top of the nohoch mul pyramid at coba. further i would say that 90% of the problems in mexico are due to our wrong-headed and immoral "war against drugs". the only thing outlawing drugs does is empower cartels and corrupt politicians/police.
7
A pretty good rule: Never buy anything that is not portable in a country that has no real rule of law. If ever there was such a country, it is Mexico. That should be intuitively obvious to the most casual observer. Mexico exists for the properly connected.
11
Caveat emptor. Makes our problems in the US seem trivial.
5
Shaky land title? So throw up a worthless shack and enjoy your beachfront time and be ready to walk away on a moments notice. That is, if a kidnapping gang, probably with the protection of of the local authorities, doesn't hold you for ransom.
6
Read Hernando de Soto, the Peruvian economist, for an understanding of the underlying problem, the absence of a system of property, for peasants and plutocrats alike, which provides owners clear title to their property and the ability to sell or rent the property and convey, without later second guessing by corrupt authorities, title to the new owners.
In this case, the "owners" were mostly foreign, which accounts for the lack of sympathy in many of the comments on this article but like them. a Mexican campesino can be just as easily dispossessed of desirable land by shyster lawyers, working for a version of El Chapo, who have he ear (and maybe the wallet) of a local judge.
The fact these disputes originated in a failed ejido (a Mexican effort at land reform) illustrates another of De Soto's findings, land reform won't work unless campesinos get clear, conveyable title to the land, the case with the land reform mandated by the U.S. Occupation in Japan and adopted, with American help, by Taiwan.
In this case, the "owners" were mostly foreign, which accounts for the lack of sympathy in many of the comments on this article but like them. a Mexican campesino can be just as easily dispossessed of desirable land by shyster lawyers, working for a version of El Chapo, who have he ear (and maybe the wallet) of a local judge.
The fact these disputes originated in a failed ejido (a Mexican effort at land reform) illustrates another of De Soto's findings, land reform won't work unless campesinos get clear, conveyable title to the land, the case with the land reform mandated by the U.S. Occupation in Japan and adopted, with American help, by Taiwan.
15
Your comments are spot on. I know at least one Mexican citizen who owns property on the beach who had it seized ten or twelve years ago, also by an armed gang on the order of a corrupt judge. She had to fight in court for three years and it cost her a lot of money but she eventually got her property back. It doesn't just happen to foreigners. The whole system is riddled with corruption.
8
I'm not surprised that they were evicted as they built on disputed land that was titled to someone else. These business owners knew that they were leasing the land that was in dispute and proceeded to build their businesses anyway. That was a risk they were willing to take so they can't claim ignorance. Evictions are common with disputed land. I still believe that investing in Mexico is smart if you stay away from land leases, disputed properties and deal with reputable realtors/banks.
8
I'm not surprised, since even a Banana Republic would be a better environment to own a business in than today's lawless Mexico. I'm trying to show some empathy, for rich white tourists and the proprietors who thought they were above the law. But I'm about to eat my lunch and I don't want to lose it.
5
There are many older Americans who have fled to Mexico for retirement because their meager Social Security and retirement savings will go much further in Mexico, which in general has a 50% or more lower standard of living. Please do not assume that Americans living there are wealthy.
12
By any measure, those Americans with the means to "develop" beachfront property ARE wealthy.
5
This goes to show that "eco-tourism" is run by organized crime. I hope Mr. Jacquet got hi bottle of wine back.
2
We explored Tulum with our young children starting in 1998, It was as many said here, unspoiled, off the grid, and empty of tourists. Most of the tourists we met were from Mexico City. We knew it could not stay that way. Our last visit was in 2006 since we were sorry to see what had transpired in less than 10 years. It suddenly had a commercial name "the Mayan Rivera" and a Walmart. So many people from outside Mexico were building on the land, making it an extension of Cancun, and ignoring the fact that they really did not own the Ejido lands. And now the corrupt government will step in, seize the business, gangster types will profit, and the local Mayan people will still gain nothing.
23
It is not LEGAL for foreigners to purchase land by the beach or in ejido zone.
Anybody who comes to live in Mexico knows that.
They were just uninformed and did not follow the laws of Mexico, did not use a Notary for their documents and did not register properly the right way, or they would have found out they are not allow to buy it.
Too bad, but they got fooled.
Anybody who comes to live in Mexico knows that.
They were just uninformed and did not follow the laws of Mexico, did not use a Notary for their documents and did not register properly the right way, or they would have found out they are not allow to buy it.
Too bad, but they got fooled.
14
I doubt if it was naïveté that foiled their plans. Remember all westerners are descendants of colonists on either side of the Atlantic. White men always take what they want when they want it.
10
Ive been going to Tulum since 2001. I have watched it grow from tents and huts on the beach very bohemian and low key, to become an international tourist HOT SPOT. My friends who currently own beachfront Cabanas told me the governor of the Yucatan is leaving office and wants some nice retirement wealth. As in things frequently reported in Mexico- laws are fuzzy at best. Its an illegal land grab by this governor. The people who own resorts have invested their whole life savings, time, energy, love into Tulum. It is criminal what happened- and the international community needs to swiftly push back. Meanwhile up the highway on the road from Cancun to Tulum are endless huge 'all inclusive' resorts in what is basically oceanfront swamp, money laundering investments made by the cartels. These properties never have a problem, only the small mom and pop resorts by good, hardworking people like those mentioned in this article.
13
Reading about Ejido land I am reminded of American Indian land held in trust by the US government, which the ejido concept is similar to: land set aside by the federal government exclusively for the use of a defined community. Imagine "squatting" on Indian trust land, building a vacation home on it, and then being perplexed by eventually being evicted?
15
The last time I was in the Yucatan was 1986, As a tourist I became friendly with the people who owned my Hotel. They were a couple from Mexico City, I speak passable Spanish. I enjoyed my 3 months that winter in Mexico however I would not go back now for free. I would tell people, "I love Mexico and Mexicans, I hate Mexico and Mexicans." It is a land of sharp contrasts, the worst corruption no escape from it in everyday life. Stay away, yes the prices are cheaper now because our dollar is strong, this is not a safe place for tourists.
9
Has anyone given any thought to the possibility that these evictions are, in fact, motivated by developers who hope to bring bigger resorts to the Tulum area? When I visited there in 2013, I thought it was the most beautiful beach I had ever seen, both in terms of water, sand, and the fact it was unblemished by large-scale developments. If it is, in fact, a locals-led revolt against foreigners making money off land they don't rightly own, I will happily go back and enjoy that beach from a local-owned establishment, as long as they keep things low key! That is the beauty of Tulum. I just worry that internal corruption is setting the stage for bigger development made possible by greased palms.
12
Like many commentators here, I've been visiting the Yucatan coast of Mexico for many years, going back to when there was only a rough 2 lane road down the coast and mostly very cheap palapa-style accommodations. I visited Xpu-Ha, one of the most beautiful spots along the whole coast as well as Tulum, Playa Del Carmen and other areas probably 50 times, staying in a beachfront palapa, eating fresh grilled seafood and local specialties with local people, scuba diving and enjoying pristine nature. absent crowds and commercialization.
Over time, mega-style resorts which were not only expensive but terrible, with unhappy employees and sub-standard food, took over and Tulum was one of the few places where you could still find some semblance of the look and feel I described. It would be better if there were still some places like Tulum and Xpu-Ha, and locally owned. But this is not the model in Mexico - the government likes the big resorts that employ 1000's of people. Perhaps the biggest mistake these folks made was to not partner with local people - the laws in Mexico have been clear about no foreign ownership of ocean front land. Unfortunately, this means the end of the carefree days of walking along the beach, stopping at a beach front bar and eating some local food.
Over time, mega-style resorts which were not only expensive but terrible, with unhappy employees and sub-standard food, took over and Tulum was one of the few places where you could still find some semblance of the look and feel I described. It would be better if there were still some places like Tulum and Xpu-Ha, and locally owned. But this is not the model in Mexico - the government likes the big resorts that employ 1000's of people. Perhaps the biggest mistake these folks made was to not partner with local people - the laws in Mexico have been clear about no foreign ownership of ocean front land. Unfortunately, this means the end of the carefree days of walking along the beach, stopping at a beach front bar and eating some local food.
7
Foreigners are constitutionally prohibited from owning any land 100 miles from the border, or 60 miles from the coast. Sorry, but there is nothing "corrupt" about enforcing the Mexican constitution in Mexico. Perhaps they should consider renting property, next time.
13
Isn't that what the tourists thought they had done? Evict the 'owners' yes. But the government only hurts themselves when they evict the tourists and let their 'representatives' steal from them. Take the 'owners' money, fine. Now look at all the people who will think worse of the Mexicans and their 'government'. Even having decent representatives to tell the tourists they must leave, all them time to pack and leave. Then destroy the place if that is how they get their jollies. Instead of a couple of policemen who probably get a cut, one of these 'hard working' judges should have to be there. I'd sue the 'owners', the company that did the evictions, the policemen, and the government. In the US, going after money Mexico banks here. Have it held for the duration of the case. Then STALL, STALL, STALL. Until they pay up to get their millions back.
2
They knew what they were getting into I have no sympathy.
15
Arranged to spend my daughters senior trip in nearby Cancun about 5 years ago, we all had an amazing time. The people and the accommodations in Cancun were excellent and reasonably priced My wife and I had though heard about the resorts in Tulum as being slightly more rustic and less hustle bustle then Cancun, and were recently thinking about booking reservations there for our pending 25 wedding anniversary. That plan has now been scotched thanks to this interesting and informative article. Sorry to hear about the low level thuggery that seems to be brewing in that lovely part of the world.
1
The old ejidal system often confounds foreigners who just have to "buy" something somewhere in MX....o well, sounds like Tulum is one of those places...
4
My fiancée and I went to Tulum last year to scope out a place to get married, but ultimately decided against doing it there. Primarily because we felt that Tulum had outgrown its environment and certainly the infrastructure, even if most of the hotels are off the grid. It was very crowded, loud generators were running at every turn, and there was traffic! We almost got hit by trucks on 2 occasions while walking on the side of the main road (no sidewalks). I think Tulum needs a wake up call in this sense as the area seems to be at a tipping point. Not that this has anything to do with what is going on, but maybe this incident will help keep some of the masses out of the area.
5
Two words: Title insurance.
If it exists in Mexico.
If it exists in Mexico.
2
A few more terms of Republican governance, and the US will be like this as well:
* Chris Christie forgiving Trump debt to New Jersey tax payers
* Chris Christie forgiving industrial polluter billion dollar payments to NJ taxpayers
* Republican vigilante Sheriff in Arizona rounding up and intimidating anyone who looks "foreign"
So lets not feel to smug about how corrupt those Mexicans are
* Chris Christie forgiving Trump debt to New Jersey tax payers
* Chris Christie forgiving industrial polluter billion dollar payments to NJ taxpayers
* Republican vigilante Sheriff in Arizona rounding up and intimidating anyone who looks "foreign"
So lets not feel to smug about how corrupt those Mexicans are
26
It is a age old story of the caribbean. Land is never truly yours and someone is always more corrupt than you. My family looked in Anguilla 20 years ago and walked away from the deal. If you are not wealthy enough to lose the money than you have no right to be buying in the caribbean.
6
My wife and I had a wonderful vacation in Puerto Aventuras 10 years, and were fortunate to visit Tulum before it became what sounds like the new Cabo and lost its charm. Going back has been on our travel list for while, but news regarding violence in Mexico has made us cautious. No matter the legalities involved in ownership, I have no interest in taking a vacation anywhere that I might be thrown out of my hotel and my belongings stolen or destroyed. I guess as long as government officials are making a killing, figuratively and literally, they don't need to care about how tourists are treated.
8
I have not been back to Tulum since about 1983 and from what I just read, I think I am glad to remember it as it was back then ... :(
3
Another reason to avoid Mexico, and to prevent its corruption from seeping north into the US.
7
We began frequenting Akumal just north of Tulum in 1984. My wife and I scuba dived. We would stay in some casitas on the little bay at Akumal next door to a cottage that was once owned by the writer John D, MacDonald of Travis McGee fame.
Tulum had no electricity in those days. It was an outpost of the Yucatan. We fell in love with the area and spent much time there into the early 1990s when what we saw caused us to stop going. We wanted to buy a place, but we found out that you really couldn't clearly "own" anything there, you'd be leasing ground, or there were no records to confirm who owned what land.
After much deliberation and legal exploration, including help from the owner of the dive operation in Akumal, we determined that it was too risky to put any money into doing this.
Now, this was all before the "Mayan Riveria" was built, the string of hotels and resorts that sprung up on all the deserted lagoons and empty beaches from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum.
The murky land issues could not have been of any surprise to any of the folks evicted here. Nor could the corruption involved in their subsequent evictions. The bottom like is that non-Mexican people who are not part of big resort companies have never been secure in land rights in that area, or in any Mexican resort zone as it relates to their "ownership" of land.
What a tough lesson to learn, but it's not like they didn't know these things.They rolled the dice and, well, welcome to reality.
Tulum had no electricity in those days. It was an outpost of the Yucatan. We fell in love with the area and spent much time there into the early 1990s when what we saw caused us to stop going. We wanted to buy a place, but we found out that you really couldn't clearly "own" anything there, you'd be leasing ground, or there were no records to confirm who owned what land.
After much deliberation and legal exploration, including help from the owner of the dive operation in Akumal, we determined that it was too risky to put any money into doing this.
Now, this was all before the "Mayan Riveria" was built, the string of hotels and resorts that sprung up on all the deserted lagoons and empty beaches from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum.
The murky land issues could not have been of any surprise to any of the folks evicted here. Nor could the corruption involved in their subsequent evictions. The bottom like is that non-Mexican people who are not part of big resort companies have never been secure in land rights in that area, or in any Mexican resort zone as it relates to their "ownership" of land.
What a tough lesson to learn, but it's not like they didn't know these things.They rolled the dice and, well, welcome to reality.
68
I am for the ejidal laws that protect the Mexican people....A friend lost a house because of this on the coast of Oaxaca....others I know build on ejidal land near Oaxaca owned by families with the knowledge and agreement that they do not own it, cannot sell it and might be thrown out if you don't get along with the family over time....
7
Stayed with my dad and two siblings at a private villa next to Akumal in 1987. It was beautiful and idyllic, with a private lagoon, lovely beaches, and excellent snorkeling. Glad I had a chance to go then.
Apparently nothing is "private" anymore. The .01ers may be in for a rude global wakening if they don't stop sucking up all the natural resources. People can just take so much of this bohemian luxury horse manure!
3
I made the fairly difficult journey to sacred and undeveloped Tulum in the 1980s, got to sleep in the open top of the lighthouse and ate what we packed in, and loved the rustic location precisely for the absence of soulless fancy hotels and restaurants found elsewhere up the coast. I am heartbroken to hear that these deadly trendy global developers got their hands on it and find this article too accepting of their having moved in there. Sounds like they thought they were getting away with something they never could have in their own countries.
7
It's not just the people mentioned in the article and their relatively small hotels that are problematic. The thugs who evicted them are part of a system that will just build more of the huge, ugly, soulless monstrosities that are everywhere along the "Mayan Riviera." That's how the Mexican government wants it to be, much like in Cancun, which was developed by the government.
3
I will never, ever return to Mexico for any good reason. Corruption runs deep in Mexican culture and the police are very dangerous to deal with. Oh and don't get into a car accident there. If you do and are still capable, get out and run!
Jails and hospitals are not fun places to end up in when on vacation south of the border. Buying land, a house or a business is extremely risky business if you are not a Mexican national. You give up all of your rights when you go there, it is NOT America. I have no idea why so many people flock to Mexico.
Extremely unsafe, not in all but in certain areas. Buy good travel insurance.
Jails and hospitals are not fun places to end up in when on vacation south of the border. Buying land, a house or a business is extremely risky business if you are not a Mexican national. You give up all of your rights when you go there, it is NOT America. I have no idea why so many people flock to Mexico.
Extremely unsafe, not in all but in certain areas. Buy good travel insurance.
18
reply to op . . . well said . . . I remember friends "discovering" san Miguel de'allende? in the eighties before it was remade by expats . . . all of this is true and americans who now go to mexico expecting to buy part of this "paradise" should understand the mexican mentality concerning their land and what they see as outsiders in it or on it . . . consider most or many of the resorts are guarded and fenced . . . a single female . . . do not even consider it . . . or a male unless you do not fear your safety . . . consider going north for the winter . . . mexico as is much of the caribbean not the areas they once were . . . been there done that
William Wilson dallas texas dallas press club 1981
William Wilson dallas texas dallas press club 1981
3
The land issues are lozalized to a part of #Tulum #Beach. These land issues, complex and decades old DO NOT EXTEND TO ALL OF TULUM. Only a fraction of Tulum beach is affected by these land issues. The remaining 99% of Tulum IS SAFE to visit, travel to,live in and invest in. If you do invest do so through a reputable realtor preferably a member of Ampi Tulum and NAR. Whatever you do, do not buy communal or ejido land or land without a title and do your due diligence with proper legal advisors.
12
I am a happy owner of a vacation rental condo in the Aldea Zama section of Tulum. I plan on living there in low season, and rent it out to vacationers during high season. While researching where and how to buy vacation property in Tulum, I learned early on to avoid ejido land at all costs. It was made very clear that foreigners cannot buy land within 50 miles of a coastline, which leaves the only other legal option, that is, to purchase a fideicomiso, or bank trust. While I'm distressed to hear about the recent troubles regarding violence and evictions from Tulum's beachfront hotels and land, for me, it does not take away from the joy and tranquility associated with a stay in lovely Tulum. It is puzzling why a foreigner would ever take a chance on purchasing ejido land.
23
I understand what commenters are saying about these invasions being legal. Whatever. I'm not taking my family to someplace where it's just accepted that guys with machetes show up as part of some sort of dispute. Mexico needs to get their act together if they want to attract tourists, especially the type who read and research (i.e., higher budget ones).
9
When paradise is controlled by a corrupt federal government, it is not paradise any longer. Every American and other non-Mexican that goes to Mexico expecting their life to by idyllic and their wealth to make them seem like the ultra-rich deserves what they get. There is no free lunch, especially in a country where the cartels are in cahoots with the government.
14
Both sides are idiots, building that close to the beach and destroying it (not buying the Eco friendly label). The one good thing is both sides will lose out when a another Hurricane blows in there, just a matter of time. I rather have mother nature take it back.
7
This was a very well-written article. Thank you. The ending paragraph was a nice touch.
2
Well the Mexican government could've just stated an eviction notice to the property owners. Who has the right to take over a property in a reprehensible manner? I honestly do not believe the Mexican court would have went on and stated that raiding others' properties is legal. It just demonstrates how corrupt the Mexican judicial system really is. These innocent landowners just got their land taken away by people in a savage manner. What would happen to these people who got their property raided? Will there ever be compensation by the Mexican government? Why is the Mexican police standing and allowing this to happen? I realized most of the land owners in the Yucatan peninsula were foreigners. Are foreigners the target of raiding in Mexico? What is the government doing to stop this from happening? I just have a lot of questions about this event and it is definitely an event that deserves much more attention in order to help these people.
4
I am sure Mr Jacquet saw some benefits in running a villa business for a (long) while in Tulum. Lax regulation must have worked for all stakeholders, I should think, also from experience as a user, alas not a villa operator. Hopefully the past will make up for the future.
3
Absolutely true. Like Mr. Jacquet himslef claims, most if not all of the "owners"/entrepernuers know, knew and have know of the land ownership issues in Punta Piedra. For many it has been part of the equation for great returns. Many also have also known that Communal and Ejido land is not subject to non-Mexcian-Nationals ownership, yet they "bought". With few exceptions, as each case is different, most if not all of the business operators took the risk. Some have lost, others have won.
34
I love Tulum, and have loved it passionately since 1987, when I first visited. I've written about it, too. Maybe, since two months have passed since the evictions, Tulum and its occupants are entitled to more analysis than this "journal" provides. If the goal was to scare tourists off, this was a success. If the idea was to understand the title and judicial issues involved, readers will have to look elsewhere.
17
When I was in Tulum in 2002 or so, I noted the following:
- Tulum's Mexican state was Quintana Roo - owned and operated by drug cartels, common street knowledge at the time ( I researched this, and found it to be true)
- Places for tourists on the beach were primitive, and there was always a strong odor of sewage, w/ the exception of 2 new, spa-like eco-places. I thought: How sad, there is clearly not environmental concern - the ocean, so beautiful - I assumed was seriously contaminated
- One day my taxi driver, a Mayan man, expl. to me that his father had been gunned down by drug cartel people. He told me this as we drove by a recently flipped and burned-out VW van on a main road ( he explained that this event was cartel-related, and had happened the previous night)
- I visited 2 cafes, and and an Internet cafe in the town. I noted several very strung out servers ( my guess was Heroin and Meth. I am a medical doctor , so perhaps I am just used to noting these things..)
I came away thinking: Here is this beautiful place, beautiful coast, rich w/ history and ecosystems ( Pyramids, farms, cenotes, etc.), rich w/ indigenous peoples - completely "owned" by the drug cartels. What will the future bring? ( I was not optimistic).
To read of these events in the NYT piece today is not a surprise. Wasn't there a big story many years ago about the American retirees buying on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and being "surprised" that Mexican law allowed their properties to be taken back?
- Tulum's Mexican state was Quintana Roo - owned and operated by drug cartels, common street knowledge at the time ( I researched this, and found it to be true)
- Places for tourists on the beach were primitive, and there was always a strong odor of sewage, w/ the exception of 2 new, spa-like eco-places. I thought: How sad, there is clearly not environmental concern - the ocean, so beautiful - I assumed was seriously contaminated
- One day my taxi driver, a Mayan man, expl. to me that his father had been gunned down by drug cartel people. He told me this as we drove by a recently flipped and burned-out VW van on a main road ( he explained that this event was cartel-related, and had happened the previous night)
- I visited 2 cafes, and and an Internet cafe in the town. I noted several very strung out servers ( my guess was Heroin and Meth. I am a medical doctor , so perhaps I am just used to noting these things..)
I came away thinking: Here is this beautiful place, beautiful coast, rich w/ history and ecosystems ( Pyramids, farms, cenotes, etc.), rich w/ indigenous peoples - completely "owned" by the drug cartels. What will the future bring? ( I was not optimistic).
To read of these events in the NYT piece today is not a surprise. Wasn't there a big story many years ago about the American retirees buying on the Pacific coast of Mexico, and being "surprised" that Mexican law allowed their properties to be taken back?
18
reply to Colorado farmer . . . your observations are informative as a doc . . . it is sad that all of this once thought of as a nice place to escape is simply not safe . . . as my post above will probably be seen as racist i will not comment on just what is the cause here but it usually money . . . I spent time in jamaica once and was horrified when I looked too closely at the life beyond the "fence" surrounding the hilton where we stayed . . . and the place was guarded and fenced and the local police were constantly watching the "natives" behavior as they . . . with drugs like soda pop everywhere . . . perhaps i am simply older now but i prefer quiet and safe environs in other places . . .
William wilson dallas texas dallas press club 1981
William wilson dallas texas dallas press club 1981
3
It appears that Mexico does have rule of law, and these foreigners "buying" prohibited land violated it. I know it must be terrible watching something you've built be taken over, but these people don't appear to have a legal leg to stand on.
74
This is the fruit of a failing government. Does not matter the reasons, the government of Mexico has major problems. It is foolhardy to visit or invest there...
4
I met a man on a plane a few weeks ago who had bought a condo in Cancun, normally thought to be one of the safer vacation spots. Since Mexican law prevented direct ownership, it was actually owned by either a bank or a law firm for him. Then, as if by magic, a different name appeared on the title, the guy lost his condo, and when his lawyer tried to sue, was warned that if he didn't drop the suit, he would be killed.
So reading that this is going on in Tulum, how ever it is engineered, was no surprise. Is it any wonder that so many people from Mexico and Guatemala want to escape the profound corruption to come to the USA? It makes perfect sense.
So reading that this is going on in Tulum, how ever it is engineered, was no surprise. Is it any wonder that so many people from Mexico and Guatemala want to escape the profound corruption to come to the USA? It makes perfect sense.
15
Why do people think they can go to a foreign country, "buy" bargain property without sufficient legal counsel/or ignore legal counsel and then expect no consequences...Mexico, like most countries has its corruption. But corruption is not the root cause here.....try hubris and poor decisions.
35
Yes, "anything is possible" in Mexico, especially if you ignore the warning signs.
It is always sad when someone invests time and money into something only to see it appropriated by others. In the case of those in Tulum however it is a self-inflicted wound. Title 'issues' in Mexico are common even without ejido complications. To invest knowing 'ownership might not be airtight' is just foolish and, perhaps, arrogant. There are many competent real estate attorneys in Mexico and title insurance is available, if the property records justify the underwriting. Mr. Wolf, Mr. Jacquet and others decided to proceed despite questions about title and ownership and, apparently, without title insurance. The 2009 eviction should have prompted some proactive effort to clear up any ownership 'issues'. If not 2009, then the ones referenced in 2011, 2013 and 2014 should have. To play victim in 2016 is to ignore one's responsibility for the situation.
It is always sad when someone invests time and money into something only to see it appropriated by others. In the case of those in Tulum however it is a self-inflicted wound. Title 'issues' in Mexico are common even without ejido complications. To invest knowing 'ownership might not be airtight' is just foolish and, perhaps, arrogant. There are many competent real estate attorneys in Mexico and title insurance is available, if the property records justify the underwriting. Mr. Wolf, Mr. Jacquet and others decided to proceed despite questions about title and ownership and, apparently, without title insurance. The 2009 eviction should have prompted some proactive effort to clear up any ownership 'issues'. If not 2009, then the ones referenced in 2011, 2013 and 2014 should have. To play victim in 2016 is to ignore one's responsibility for the situation.
24
"Evictions by Armed Men..." - a catchy title, to be sure -- but hardly fair, or accurate.
The article itself points out that the evictions were legal, and conducted under the rule of law. The deliberate casting of this action by the Mexican government as anything but legal, fair, and responsible given the facts underlying is incredibly irresponsible.
I've read similar articles about the actions of our own government conduction legal actions against its own citizens - on the web sites of right wing extremist hate groups and militia organizations that liken the actions of the FBI and the US Government to "thug-like behavior" who also encroach upon their "sovereign rights", and also complain about the "rule of law".
The double standard here is alarming.
The article itself points out that the evictions were legal, and conducted under the rule of law. The deliberate casting of this action by the Mexican government as anything but legal, fair, and responsible given the facts underlying is incredibly irresponsible.
I've read similar articles about the actions of our own government conduction legal actions against its own citizens - on the web sites of right wing extremist hate groups and militia organizations that liken the actions of the FBI and the US Government to "thug-like behavior" who also encroach upon their "sovereign rights", and also complain about the "rule of law".
The double standard here is alarming.
40
I am glad to have "discovered" Tulum in the early 1980's. It was completely pristine (as was Playa del Carmen), and even Cozumel back then. I rented a house on Cozumel and hosted my father, sister and our children for several Thanksgivings and Christmases. We would take the ferry and then taxi to Tulum, which was completely accessible and perhaps 50 visitors max at any given time. Today's mega-developments, cruise boats, and crowds have destroyed the once magical view sheds and tranquil charm of this area. I went back to Playa del Carmen for a son's wedding in 2010 and was overwhelmed by the intensity of development and crowds. I will never return, but I hold dear the experiences of unblemished beauty in my memory. They call this progress?
18
I had a very similar experience to the one you had. Was there around the same time, went back. Was shocked and dismayed by the over development. I will never ever go back. Glad I went when I did.
3
My wife and I lived in Puerto Rico for four years while I was in the Navy. Weekends we would travel on the coastal highways to go swimming on coves hidden by the plants and trees and deserted. There was a beautiful place we'd found near Cabo Rojo that great for diving.
In the year before we left the government decided to develop these coves. The crowds of people trashed them, with beer can pop tops all over the beach. The divers ripped out all the beautiful coral reefs, a shame because they didn;t realize that coral is a living thing and when it dies the colors that made them want to have it faded and they threw it away.
Soon they'll be no more of these isolated havens thanks to greed.
In the year before we left the government decided to develop these coves. The crowds of people trashed them, with beer can pop tops all over the beach. The divers ripped out all the beautiful coral reefs, a shame because they didn;t realize that coral is a living thing and when it dies the colors that made them want to have it faded and they threw it away.
Soon they'll be no more of these isolated havens thanks to greed.
7
As an American I would never buy property in a land that clearly states foreigners are not allow to own beachfront land. I mean seriously, what did they expect? It is not exactly a place where the law of the land is upheld. If you can bribe your way into building on the beachfront then expect someone else can bribe their way into taking it from you.
What a great episode of "Beachfront Bargains" this story will make.
What a great episode of "Beachfront Bargains" this story will make.
26
Oh cry me a river! Know too many wealthy individuals who think the rules of the world pertain only to those beneath their income level. Your lives must be so difficult. Mr. Jacquet mentioned the french revolution, oui it is much like that.
21
if you buy land/house in a country like mexico, youre a fool
its a lawless land
well, lets put it this way
they have plenty of laws, and they all go against th foreigner
ive known a number of expats shafted out of their property in thailand and th philippines as welll
how much sympathy do you think you get from a judge as th rich foreigner vs th poor landowner
rent, or cry elsewhere
11
Good news for Puerto Rico vacation home owners as the owner is protected by USA jurisdiction and the FBI if problems arise with your beachfront property. Beware land buyer in foreign lands.
15
I contemplated buying a vacation home in Mexico, but after doing research into ownership of land by non-Mexican nationals, I decided to buy in Fort Lauderdale. Love visiting Mexico, but I'm always happy to go home to Florida.
3
The billions (or is it trillions?) of American drug dollars that have flowed into Mexico for the last 50-60 years have played a large part in corrupting the government there. Just another reason we need to legalize marijuana immediately and take a hard look at the way we deal with all drugs. WE have helped finance this disaster.
31
This article explains why the US needs to legalize pot? That's quite a leap.
4
I always find it comical that enthusiasts for legalized drugs imagine that Mexican drug cartels will cheerfully and voluntarily go out of business once Americans can smoke pot and use other street drugs legally. No, the drug lords would use whatever means necessary (murder, bribery etc.) to muscle in on the action in the new landscape. Things wouldn't change at all on that front, and if they could do their nasty work under a cloak of legality, everybody will be worse off.
5
Don't know much about Mexico do you, property takings from foreign owners has going on for ever down there. There is no rule of law in Mexico has never been and may never be, drug money is not the cause the culture is.
5
So many comments blaming the corrupt Mexican government. Those commenters don't seem to realize that these foreigners broke the law. Taking advantage of corruption and then complaining when the law is enforced does not make one a victim of corruption. Foreigners cannot own beachfront land, but that hasn't stopped them, counting on the very corruption they now condemn to purchase beachfront land. Ejido land, mentioned in the article, cannot be sold, period. Even Mexicans buying such land can lose it at any time, since the sale was not legal. My father lost a parcel of ejido land decades ago on which he had built a vacation home. He knew it was ejido land so when it was seized he knew he didn't have a leg to stand on and he moved on.
Law and order Americans having a fit about foreigners not following American laws don't have a problem violating laws in other countries.
Law and order Americans having a fit about foreigners not following American laws don't have a problem violating laws in other countries.
193
There's no rule of law when thugs show up in the middle of the night and evict tourists and operators without any legal hearing, prior notice or appeal. Corruption with a capital "C". If the government is unwilling to clear up title issues before a property is improved, then they are complicit and corrupt.
4
blueberryintomatosoup - "Taking advantage of corruption and then complaining when the law is enforced does not make one a victim of corruption."
Yet so many illegal aliens who violate American immigration law complain loudly when Americans what those laws enforced. La Raza being a perfect example!
Yet so many illegal aliens who violate American immigration law complain loudly when Americans what those laws enforced. La Raza being a perfect example!
3
There is a law in Mexico, that simply states" Foreigners, may not legally own land within 50 miles of the border, or fifty miles from the coast. It is known by the lawyers and the local officials. I know because in 1989 i lost my home in Boca de Tomatlan. Now, when it comes to ejido land, it's another thing. That land cannot be sold ever to anyone period. It can be leased, with the approval of the Communacado, but only to another Mexican. So if one is foolish enough to just assume that you can buy land, without checking the law, or being naive enough to believe what some local tells them, the old adage "Let the Buyer Beware" comes into play.
114
Ah, if only we had laws like that in the US! It would keep out much of the dirty money outlined in the Times series on illicit money being basically laundered through expensive real estate mostly purchased thru shell corporations. Enough! I have not heard one legislator discuss this. Fingers crossed.
6
I'm glad I visited Tulum in 1971 when you had to take the 12 hour bus ride from Merida and bring your own water. We strung our hammocks in the trees among the ruins and swam alone.
30
In many places, beach-front properties are illegal, and if you add to that old land claims that normally take years, this is what you get. The media and some comments here are quick to yell "corruption" without any specific proof. Instead, what this article promotes is the fear of Mexicans armed with machetes.
41
This article both makes me sad and explains some things. Earlier this month, my husband and I went to Tulum for the first time, and it was wonderful. Going in the low season meant no crowds, no rowdiness, and a peaceful, rejuvenating laid-back week. It was easy to meet and speak with the locals, who were warm and welcoming; be directed to incredible dining at restaurants run by local chefs (not transplants) -- which is what we were after; share the beaches with local families and fishermen; and explore the lovely scenery. I know it's not the simple paradise it was in the past, but for a couple who doesn't get the chance to step off the treadmill very often, it was an amazing vacation. However, we couldn't help but notice the extreme paramilitary presence almost everywhere. We had hoped we had found a corner of Mexico we could return to. I don't know now; I suppose I will keep watching before I rebook.
11
yes . . . extreme paramilitary presence . . . it is everywhere . . . it is sad there is no longer a really "safe" place to go . . . good luck . . .
William Wilson dallas texas dallas press club 1981
William Wilson dallas texas dallas press club 1981
2
"Step Right UP!!! "
"Yer pays yer nickle and takes yer chances."
"Yer pays yer nickle and takes yer chances."
23
We allow foreigners from corrupt countries to buy property in our country with all the security and assurances of the rule of law, and yet in much of the world, no such guarantees are provided to us.
Property purchases should be reciprocal, i.e. you cannot own property in our country until you provide equal guarantees and security in yours.
Property purchases should be reciprocal, i.e. you cannot own property in our country until you provide equal guarantees and security in yours.
18
Nicholas Godley, your argument sounds good, but it does not work that way in Mexico where these restrictions are both legislative and constitutional. You might note that one foreigner was only leasing the property for 30 years, which is generally permitted as are other forms of possession. The prohibitions on ownership are readily apparent and generally well known. So, there is not too much that can be done about it.
4
Let's stop allowing it actually.
2
So first of all, this event happened months ago. Interesting that NYT is reporting it as "news".
People who have been closely following this event saw it coming long before it happened, and as documented in the local news for the Yucatan. We saw it coming because there were many reported events about the cause.
Disrespectful carpetbagging!
No one owns beach property in Mexico. All beaches are open to the public. It is illegal to restrict beach access.
However, these expensive boutique hotels have been doing exactly that. The locals got tired of getting shoo'ed away and signs telling them to keep off beaches in front of the hotels. There were plenty of warnings from the locals before they got fed up.
Was there extortion involved? Probably.
But from the sentiments published in local papers over the past couple of years, the evictions very likely would not have happened if the carpetbagging hotel owners had simply remembered they are guests in a foreign country and behaved accordingly and respectfully.
People who have been closely following this event saw it coming long before it happened, and as documented in the local news for the Yucatan. We saw it coming because there were many reported events about the cause.
Disrespectful carpetbagging!
No one owns beach property in Mexico. All beaches are open to the public. It is illegal to restrict beach access.
However, these expensive boutique hotels have been doing exactly that. The locals got tired of getting shoo'ed away and signs telling them to keep off beaches in front of the hotels. There were plenty of warnings from the locals before they got fed up.
Was there extortion involved? Probably.
But from the sentiments published in local papers over the past couple of years, the evictions very likely would not have happened if the carpetbagging hotel owners had simply remembered they are guests in a foreign country and behaved accordingly and respectfully.
223
So, who "owns" all those on the beach front in Cancun? I really don't know, so if someone
can enlighten me, please do.
can enlighten me, please do.
3
The primary impact for me in the article is the strong arm tactics used by government officials. I will never again visit Mexico. That's a pity because I visited Tulum twice in the 90's and it was a lovely place...but there are even more beautiful places still to see. Me and my US Dollars will visit beaches somewhere else.
3
Bobnoir,
All beaches and the land 20 meters from mean high tide in Mexico are federal zone, they are owned by everyone. Hotels generally apply for a "concession" to use the 20 meters of land. You can't apply for the concession if you don't have title to the land.
All beaches and the land 20 meters from mean high tide in Mexico are federal zone, they are owned by everyone. Hotels generally apply for a "concession" to use the 20 meters of land. You can't apply for the concession if you don't have title to the land.
1
If you don't have a federal title, you don't own the land. Ejido land is collectively owned, members have the right to use certain parcels, and can sell that right, but only to other Mexicans.
54
Years ago it was a great place to stop for a few days on the way to fish in Boca Pailla. The more recent visits have been eye opening: Lots of foreign ownership and little or no infrastructure. We had lunch at an Italian restaurant that was quite good. A stop in the loo on the way out was disturbing. Backed up sinks and toilets and a strong smell of human waste towards the road. The prices paid for questionable ownership is foolish in a country that has such corruption.
17
Ejidos (land grants) are collectively owned. My understanding is that one must obtain the permission of all ejido owners to buy into the collective. Land ownership for foreigners in Mexico is governed by the Mexican Constitution. If the laws are not followed, you don't own the land. Follow the laws, and one is well protected. This appears to be a case of building on land which was not owned by the builders.
42
We started going to Tulum after doing a month-long tour of the Yucatan in 2005. At that time the road to the end of the beach was rutted and full of potholes and it took 45 minutes to go 3 miles. There was no electrical grid and the power was almost exclusively wind and solar. It was like a little slice of paradise, with a ramshackle beachfront palapa to be had for $10/night and some of the best local food I have ever had. A year or two later the road had been paved and the growth began. We returned at least twice a year for 8 years, and this article breaks my heart. It's a gorgeous beach and we considered buying property in the area but we'd heard stories since we first went about the corruption and the murky issues surrounding "ejido" council land. There is no rule of law there and until there is it will be a sort of "no-man's land." Hidden in your links is the story of Joers Alvaro Lopez, a local attorney who was murdered in cold blood in his office because he was making too much trouble for the local powers that be. There is a risk of fatal damage to a thriving tourist economy that has bolstered the lives of many people. Who wants to go to paradise only to be rousted out of bed by goons armed with machetes?
75
Except is sounds like your paradise was extracted from shady dealings and was never legal in the first place. The Ejido land was built on by foreigners bribing officials. Why do they feel as if they were tricked when it sounds as if they knew the "ownership" was not a clean title?
5
Sorry, but my heart isn't exactly breaking for these foreign builder-invaders who knew (or should have known) they were most likely squatting on other people's properties. My sympathies are with the native Mexicans who have legitimate claims to the land which are being supplanted by the interests of corrupt officials.
2
I couldn't even finish this article. I was almost feeling bad for people who have had their properties stolen unfairly. Then I saw the quote of the frenchman who bought a place on the Yucutan because it was "so close to New York". This stopped me dead in my tracks. The only way the Yucutan could be considered in close proximity to NY is if this person had their own private plane, and I can't be feeling bad for someone with that level of wealth. These globe-hoppers make me sick.
26
Or perhaps he meant that it was within reasonable proximity to NYC that people would want to travel to Tulum to vacation. How earth did you conclude that he owned a private plane??
7
Did you miss the part about people landing elsewhere and traveling by car 12 hours to get there? From the content of the comments from people who have been there none sounded like they were rich "globe hoppers".
3
Just so you know, there was a time before hotels, private homes, boutiques, and beach clubs and bars took over this sacred site.
We first went to Tulum in 1985. Just getting there was a challenge even though we were staying just down the coastline in Playa del Carmen. We paid a local $40 to drive us along the coastal highway and stop at the numerous pristine beaches that dotted the Yucatan Peninsula. I'll never forget the last stop, Tulum. From the highway, we took a dusty dirt road through the jungle. When we arrived at Tulum there were only a few peddlers selling souvenirs and local refreshments out of fairly primitive wooden open air shacks along the dirt parking lot. No modern development. We paid some one a token amount to have unrestricted access to the ruins. It was a magical experience. We climbed all over the ancient site envisioning the Mayan people performing rituals there, as well as, taking in the sites from the cliff top the ruins sit. Looking out from one of the Tulum guard posts at the corner of the site we could see the beautiful white beach below and the spectacular blue waters of the Caribbean. There was no development and even no people on the beaches as far as we could see on that afternoon. We left there with the feeling we had been allowed to share a mystical experience with the spirits of an ancient society in a well preserved relic of there past way of life. Actually feeling jealous of the people lived there when Tulum flourished.
We first went to Tulum in 1985. Just getting there was a challenge even though we were staying just down the coastline in Playa del Carmen. We paid a local $40 to drive us along the coastal highway and stop at the numerous pristine beaches that dotted the Yucatan Peninsula. I'll never forget the last stop, Tulum. From the highway, we took a dusty dirt road through the jungle. When we arrived at Tulum there were only a few peddlers selling souvenirs and local refreshments out of fairly primitive wooden open air shacks along the dirt parking lot. No modern development. We paid some one a token amount to have unrestricted access to the ruins. It was a magical experience. We climbed all over the ancient site envisioning the Mayan people performing rituals there, as well as, taking in the sites from the cliff top the ruins sit. Looking out from one of the Tulum guard posts at the corner of the site we could see the beautiful white beach below and the spectacular blue waters of the Caribbean. There was no development and even no people on the beaches as far as we could see on that afternoon. We left there with the feeling we had been allowed to share a mystical experience with the spirits of an ancient society in a well preserved relic of there past way of life. Actually feeling jealous of the people lived there when Tulum flourished.
43
So much for being an ex-pat in Mexico. Many still rave about it and Central America but all I see is corruption, right wing military, a right wing state, narcotics gangs and thugs. North Americans haven't been killed yet )or have they?), but in this kind of environment it can't be far behind.
35
Larry,
Just so you know, Mexico is a part of North America!
Just so you know, Mexico is a part of North America!
26
Peter,
Just so you know - Larry is right. Mexico is a failed state.
Just so you know - Larry is right. Mexico is a failed state.
3
In Mexico, a "norteamericano" is someone from the US. The term is relative and not based on the precise continental boundary.
2
Some people will build a condo inside a volcano contrary to common sense. Mexico is a place where the rule of law does not exist. There are so many places on the world with sound legal systems to select. Mexico is what we call a "high risk" investment. In the end you get nothing as there is no compensation. Cuba is another country without an independent legal system where you are conducting business at the risk of being put in prison or kicked out of the country without compensation.
23
Mexico is NOT a place where the rule of law does not exist... but the laws are different. We have bought and sold three houses in Merida, Yucatan... all done legally and with good profit. These homes were not on eijido land, but in the city of Merida. We owned with a fideicomiso, a bank trust that is the legal way for foreigners to own land within 50 miles of the border or the coast. There are plenty of expats (North American and otherwise) doing business and living safely and legally in Yucatan. However, the amazing growth and money in Tulum has just been a little too much too fast... and it was not benefiting the Mexicans. Anyone with any experience in Mexico for any length of time could tell that there would be trouble there eventually. Personally, I think the exponential growth is not good for the environment there (e.g. the comment earlier about the toilets). Slowly down growth along the Boca Paila would be good for the local environment, but sadly I think the Mexicans who are seizing the hotels will eventually build in Tulum too... for their own profit, instead of profit for New York and other expats. Vamos a ver!
65
Maybe Trump has a point. But the issue is our NAFTA partner - the Mexican government - not Mexicans per se.
5
I'm glad I had a taste of Mexico when I was 15 on a family visit to Mexico City, because now I wouldn't touch dangerous, criminal-controlled Mexico with a 10-foot pole.
21
Sad to read articles like this because you realize that there are solid reasons for controlling development and building adequate infrastructure and having proper legal channels and documents. It sounds like a real paradise gone bad. I visited Hualtuco on the SW coast of Mexico in 1989 when Club Med had built a new complex but the majority of the bay and beach was pristine. When the chartered plane landed, all there was to greet us was a small grass hut like building. One other hotel chain had opened a property in the bay but that was it. I can't imagine what it must be like today.
3
Wow this is really ugly. Glad I went last year. Really really sad.
6
We began going to the Caribbean side of Mexico in 2000. Luckily stopped in 2004. After Rita, Wilma and Katrina we never went back. We dreamed of a getaway -- and it is a jewel.
However we were always told that land less than 50 kilometers from the sea could be owned by Mexican citizens only. A vague form of ownership could be had through trusts managed by Mexican banks. That was enough for us we stayed away.
These poor folks have learned something that apparently is easy for us as Americans to forget. The importance in any civilization of a consistent, dependable " rule of law" against the tyranny of large concentrations of power and wealth.
However we were always told that land less than 50 kilometers from the sea could be owned by Mexican citizens only. A vague form of ownership could be had through trusts managed by Mexican banks. That was enough for us we stayed away.
These poor folks have learned something that apparently is easy for us as Americans to forget. The importance in any civilization of a consistent, dependable " rule of law" against the tyranny of large concentrations of power and wealth.
105
Very true about only Mexican citizens able to own land on the beach. This is not hidden. They do have legal instruments called fidelicimos that are long term trusts. So sorry that there is violence going on.........it is a beautiful part of the world.
17
Not so. Sister in law and husband own quite a lot of farm land in Baja outright, within spitting distance of the ocean.
Before we get too smug about the superiority of our "rule of law" lets not forget that we are governed by the legislation written largely by the lobbyists for the rich and powerful.
Over the past 50 years the cost of bailouts, corporate welfare and legalized tax avoidance - written into almost 50K pages of federal tax code - cost US taxpayer over $70 trillion. No band of machete waving thugs could extract that amount from innocent citizens.
People who live in glass houses...
Over the past 50 years the cost of bailouts, corporate welfare and legalized tax avoidance - written into almost 50K pages of federal tax code - cost US taxpayer over $70 trillion. No band of machete waving thugs could extract that amount from innocent citizens.
People who live in glass houses...
4
Thanks for the heads-up, Mr. Semple.
Tulum *was* great.
But we stopped traveling to Mexico many years ago due to massive corruption and widespread violence which, while not directed against foreigners, makes anyone with their head out of the sand cringe.
It's just not worth it to go to Mexico.
Tulum *was* great.
But we stopped traveling to Mexico many years ago due to massive corruption and widespread violence which, while not directed against foreigners, makes anyone with their head out of the sand cringe.
It's just not worth it to go to Mexico.
27
Not worth it to go to Mexico? You do know that there's more to Mexico than Tulum and Cancun, don't you? Places such as Isla de Holbox, where we went last November (an as yet unspoiled paradise) and we wished we could've stayed a month or more. Or Bacalar another paradise even though it doesn't have a beach on the sea but crystalline waters where you can see the bottom all the way down to several meters? Or Calakmul? Or Palenque (which is to be our next archaeological site to visit)? Beauty beyond borders. Just because there's some corruption in a town doesn't mean you shouldn't visit it. I can think of many cities that I've visited, and lived in, that have/had widespread corruption yet I wouldn't think of not going just to spite it. Which it sounds exactly like you're doing. Your loss.
1
This article appears to lay the blame on corrupt Mexican officials. Having lived in Mexico for years, one principle you learn is buying beachfront property is extremely risky. When I read that one couple knew there might be problems with the land acquisition that for me would be code for buyer beware.
78
Maybe it's time for a lot of people to re-think their vacation plans. See "America First" was a publicity campaign developed a hundred years ago by the railroads after war broke out in Europe. Certain of our National Parks are reporting record attendance now. Perhaps everything old is new again. Myself? Not going to Mexico any time soon!
12
Tulum is a frontier town. The atmosphere of abandonment has been part of its attraction from our first stay in 1985 to our most recent in 2014. It has always felt like a lawless eden but now its an overpopulated, Americanized hip$ter lawless eden that is losing its charm.
23
I would think that if you buy property in Mexico in an undeveloped area, knowing that it has previous claims on it, and that area becomes a popular tourist magnet, one thing to expect and prepare for financially is that those claims will be acted on, or new claims will crop up and you will have that land taken from you.
149
I agree. These entrepreneurs have done the hard work to build their businesses, and are now/were beginning to see some value come from it. So as a result their properties in their now developed state are being seized....Shocker!!! Bienvenido Mexico....
No, entitlement borne of white supremacy is delusional.
1
And thus lies our immigration problem. No one in Mexico trusts their Government. Mexico is a very wealth country blessed with natural resources from fisheries to oil and from precious metals to tourism. Our immigration policies should start from the top down, holding government officials accountable.
16
When you go to visit another country or decide to invest in property there don't expect to be protected by the law. Things are far from perfect here, but far better in many other places.
13
Yes it's hard to believe we have a free trade agreement with this corrupt country. It obviously has not help them evolve.
32
Having read all the comments it seems the Times has conveniently buried the truth of the situation in a sentence or two about Mexican law regarding land ownership. To make nasty charges of corruption is not fair. The rules/laws were there to start with; if foreigners chose to ignore them, they certain don,t get my sympathy. And it has nothing to do with their "evolution" to an American sensibility - it's much more about our greed.
6
I first went to Tulum for my birthday in 09. I loved it so much I booked to stay 6 months later at Ocho Tulum. The news that the hotel had been seized came a couple of months later.
It was a short NY Times travel piece that brought me there in the first place. And it's a short NY Times news piece that will probably stop me from going again. For a while anyway.
A lot has changed in the past few years. Traffic. Congestion. Smells from the overloaded septic tanks along the beach road. And now civil strife with undertones of violence.
It was fun. I've been a total of about 6 times now. But the moment it stopped being Tulum and became Tulumsburg, it was only a matter of time before the magic went away.
It was a short NY Times travel piece that brought me there in the first place. And it's a short NY Times news piece that will probably stop me from going again. For a while anyway.
A lot has changed in the past few years. Traffic. Congestion. Smells from the overloaded septic tanks along the beach road. And now civil strife with undertones of violence.
It was fun. I've been a total of about 6 times now. But the moment it stopped being Tulum and became Tulumsburg, it was only a matter of time before the magic went away.
48
We first went to Tulum in 1995 when it was indeed a remote beautiful paradise with cabanas, eco hotels and small restaurants. After our visit last year we decided not to return as it has been transformed into a "mini-Cancun" awash with all night loud parties and young often inebriated or drug-addled tourists, both Mexican and international. It is largely the absence of the rule of law that is responsible for this. The local residents and business owners are powerless to stop corrupt government officials and police. We hope that the federal government will come to their rescue and save this unique place from further desecration.
84
This is an important reason why Mexico and other Latin American countries are underdeveloped. Without the rule of law why should anyone invest there? These governments never look to the future of their country but only to their own enrichment. Perhaps the US government could add rules to the NAFTA accord that give Americans recourse against the Mexican governments resources in this country when this type of state sponsored robbery occurs. In the long run it would be in the interests of the Mexican people since it would encourage fairness for all.
7
@Patrick Marsh
These American "investors" knew full well that the titles were disputed -- it's precisely that absence of law which made their purchases possible and at prices far lower than would prevail in a jurisdiction which enforced property rights.
NAFTA did address this question, in a predictable way: it offered, for the first time, protections for big American industrial concerns which wanted to open plants on the border (and ship their jobs there), without fear of nationalization by the Mexican government. But the big multinationals apparently didn't get around protecting American hoteliers who knowingly acquire fraudulent land leases.
Maybe next time ...
These American "investors" knew full well that the titles were disputed -- it's precisely that absence of law which made their purchases possible and at prices far lower than would prevail in a jurisdiction which enforced property rights.
NAFTA did address this question, in a predictable way: it offered, for the first time, protections for big American industrial concerns which wanted to open plants on the border (and ship their jobs there), without fear of nationalization by the Mexican government. But the big multinationals apparently didn't get around protecting American hoteliers who knowingly acquire fraudulent land leases.
Maybe next time ...
23
Could not someone from the actual Mexican govt go up the door and say we are taking over your property as of such and such date and for X reasons?
Nope. Locals with machetes is how it will be done. It is laughable that this is considered lawful.