TIMELESS TULUM
Mexico’s hidden gem, a short hop from Southwest Florida
Mexico’s hidden gem, a short hop from Southwest Florida
Occasionally there are world locations that are on the brink of explosion in real estate and discovery from the outside, and at the moment many eyes are on Tulum, Mexico. A small Mayan fishing village, Tulum, which is directly north of Belize and near Cancun on the Gulf of Mexico, has been known for years for its sugary, picture-perfect beaches, turquoise warm waters of the Caribbean, yoga, ancient Mayan ruins perched high atop a cliff and its ecological vibe. Its small beach bungalow-type hotels use solar energy, and often opt for candlelight. Regulars included hippies and backpackers.
But things started shifting in the 1990s, and the change has been most obvious in the past few years. Following the trend in the Riviera Maya region, where Cancun and Playa del Carmen flourish, Tulum has been growing at a rapid pace. Tulum’s employment levels since 2008 more than doubled, and its population tripled since 2000. The state is building a rail network, and development is visible in each sector: hotels, restaurants, tourism and luxury developments. The good news is that Tulum is a short hop by air from Southwest Florida;
jet Blue, for example, offers affordable and fun travel packages.
For the lovers of Tulum’s tranquil, mesmerizing atmosphere, its eco-vibe remains undestroyed. Only its visitor list has been changing and now includes such Hollywood stars and celebrities as Demi Moore, Heidi Klum and Jude Law. Little beachfront hotels started remodeling, and their prices have been rising every season. Luxury boutique hotels, such as Be Tulum, elevated the level of accommodations available. Gourmet restaurants, such as Hartwood, Simple or Casa Banana, started popping up and drawing lines of eco-chic tourists, mostly New Yorkers, every evening. “Despite the change, the biggest part of land around Tulum remains underdeveloped, though for-sale signs are visible left and right,”
For the lovers of Tulum’s tranquil, mesmerizing atmosphere, its eco-vibe remains undestroyed.
says Raminta Lilaite, a partner and director of communications for Riviera Maya Property Consultants in Tulum.
There are companies, often run by foreigners who live in Tulum, that offer complete services for land buyers: secure land purchase for the best market value, architectural design, construction and property management, which is quite important if the property is meant as an investment that would bring profits every year. On average, the value of real estate has an increase of about 7-8 percent per year, and these figures may more than double for investments right on the coast, Lilaite says.
So when considering new choices in living, investigate timeless Tulum.
Following the trend in the Riviera Maya region, where Cancun and Playa del Carmen flourish, Tulum has been growing at a rapid pace.