Location is essential when investing in real estate, is it not? If you are considering owning a property in Tulum, this description of Tulum’s different areas will be very useful for you.
Having lived in this beautiful town for over five years, I can easily convey what each different area has to offer.
Let’s start with walking distance to the beach. The only way to be able to walk to the beach (unless you are open to at least a 30-minute walk) is to own a property on the beach. Why so? Because Tulum is a town near the beach, not a city on the beach like Playa del Carmen, for example. Its distance from the beach has also helped to keep the cool vibe on the beach area, where you are not going to find huge all-inclusive hotels.
Although Tulum beach is very long (about 70 kilometers – 45 miles), a large part of it has restrictions as it can be a Federal Park or Biosphere Reserve, such as Parque del Jaguar and Sian Ka’an, or a commercial area such as the hotel zone. Properties in these regions tend to be significantly expensive and predominantly serve the short-term rental (STR) market.
This narrows down the viable options to a select few: Akumal, Soliman Bay, and Tankah Bay. Land within these areas will start at prices of about $1,000 USD per square meter ($93 USD per square foot), and condos can be found from $500,000 USD to luxury homes at $6,000,000 USD.
In Tulum town, we can find different areas. I will now focus on the most popular ones, such as Aldea Zama, La Veleta, and Region 15.
Aldea Zama is the most developed area in Tulum, with underground utilities and all roads paved. Because of its location, it could be the closest to the beach, and for sure the one with the easiest access to the Tulum beaches. Located between Coba and Kukulkan avenues (the two roads that go to the beach), it offers a wide variety of condos and private villas. There are also some gated communities with 24/7 security and controlled access. Land is not available for less than $500 USD per square meter, and we can find 10-year-old 2-bedroom condos from $180,000 USD, newer ones from $300,000 USD, and single-family houses from $600,000 USD to $2.5 million USD.
La Veleta presents a highly attractive option due to its predominantly paved roads and its well-connected location near the main road, Avenida Tulum, and one of the primary beach access points, Kukulkan Avenue. On Calle 7, the main road of this area, you will find a diverse array of dining establishments, along with coffee shops, bars, retail stores, pharmacies, and more. It has a great vibe and as it is smaller than Aldea Zama, it is possible to walk to places. Next to La Veleta, you can also find the Holistika hotel, a renowned wellness center full of daily activities, and a great restaurant. Plots of land commence at $400 USD per square meter, while 2-bedroom condominiums begin at $180,000 USD, and single-family homes range from $400,000 USD to $1 million USD.
Region 15 is a huge part of Tulum that should be subdivided into smaller portions to better describe it. Of the three areas mentioned, it is the least developed, with dirt roads and no sewage system. Some parts have really difficult access and some others, especially the ones next to Kukulkan, have very easy access. Region 15 is an area under development, so there is a lot of construction going on; therefore, it could be a noisy and chaotic area. But again, as it is so big, not all this area is the same. The part next to La Veleta keeps part of its vibe. Usually, I find people confused about the limit between Region 15 and La Veleta, so it happens that properties are offered as if they were in La Veleta, when they actually are in Region 15. Even Google Maps makes this mistake, so it is understandable why many people are confused.
Other areas such as Region 8, Holistika, and Region 12 are also very interesting for investment. It all depends on your goals and expectations, the purpose of your investment, and many other factors.
If you wish to know more about these areas, or other areas in Tulum, please do not hesitate to contact me. It is my pleasure to help people buy real estate in Tulum.