In The Community
Tulum is known as one of the most naturally beautiful and well-known destinations for people from all over the world. The beautiful beaches, “eco-friendly” lifestyle, low cost of goods, and abundance of culture make the Mexican destination a perfect paradise destination. But there is an ugly truth that's being ignored.
With a booming influx of tourists, investors, expats, and floating residents, the once-small Mexican village is now a tourist haven that’s becoming unrecognizable by the day. Since 2010 the population in Tulum increased by 65%. There’s no doubting Tulum’s attractiveness, but there’s a price for paradise, and the environment and the local residents are paying the tab.
the tropical coastline of Tulum, Mexicovia unsplash Darren Lawrence
Fake Eco-Tourism
“Greenwashing” is a term that’s grown substantially in the past decade. The term refers to false or misleading marketing tactics that businesses use to market themselves as environmentally sustainable/friendly without actually making investments into business practices that help them deliver on those eco-friendly promises.
Many of Tulum’s newer residents have come from all over the world, opening new businesses, buying real estate, and driving tourism into the town. Though business might be booming, Tulum’s local infrastructure is struggling to catch up with the demands. The lack of infrastructure directly contributes to the environmental devastation occurring in large scale across Tulum.
The Yucatán contains the largest underground freshwater system in the world and was especially important to the Mayans as they utilized the cenotes, or sinkholes, that formed along the Yucatán as their main water source. The Mayans also believed that the cenotes acted as gateways to the underworld where their gods and spirits rested. Nowadays, tourists see those same cenotes as an attraction to experience and a perfect backdrop for social media posts, but recent findings show that as much as 80% of the cenotes are polluted due to improper disposal of garbage, pesticides, and even raw sewage.
A woman swimming in one of Tulum’s cenotes.
via unsplash Mathilde Langevin
Along with the lack of infrastructure exists the sewage issue: much of Tulum’s “eco-friendly” resorts don’t have adequate sewage, and many of the new construction projects aren’t being connected into an existing network that can sustain the current population, let alone the ever expanding foreign population.
It’s estimated that as many as 80% of Tulum’s resorts do not have adequate sewage, leading to the contamination of the aforementioned Yucatán. Many of the beloved trendy places to visit run on gas generators, leading to both noise and air pollution to power most of Tulum beach. The failure of the notoriously corrupt local and federal government to enact and enforce legislation to protect Tulum’s environment is a direct cause of this, with developers paying top dollar to local officials that are all too happy to develop the land as quickly as possible.
\u201c\ud83d\ude31 #QuintanaRoo | Mediante un video en redes sociales, usuarios denuncian tiradero clandestino en aguas residuales de #Tulum \ud83d\ude28\n\nM\u00e1s detalles: https://t.co/f6VZNTMaYY\u201d— Por Esto! Online (@Por Esto! Online) 1629841074
There are also large economic impacts with the rise of newcomers to Tulum: many of the high-priced boutique hotels, vegan restaurants, yoga studios, and more that continue to draw in the “eco chic” tourists don’t actually generate any economic development opportunities for the locals. With many of the “eco-friendly” resorts charging nightly rates comparable to that of major U.S cities like New York and Los Angeles, the employees, local to the area, aren’t seeing their wages rise to reflect that.
The average monthly wage in Tulum is reported at $7,000 pesos, which in today’s exchange rate, is $336 dollars. Worse yet, that wage rate has remained largely unchanged since 2011.
Instead we’re seeing wealthy expats lining their pockets, and those of the local politicians and cartels, with the profit of their earnings while the local economy continues to stagnate in poverty wages. Without policy protecting workers, the environment, and local infrastructure Tulum is destined to become a wasteland that won’t ever be recovered.
Challenges Amidst Tourist Boom
Tulum has a brand-new international airport, and while the airport currently handles domestic flights exclusively, the outset of international flights has been scheduled for March 2024.
Simultaneously, the Mayan Train project unfolds—a colossal 1,500-kilometer railway connecting Palenque to Chetumal. This route goes through biological reserves, indigenous communities, and archaeological sites.
The inaugural phase, which spans 892 kilometers from Palenque to Cancún, was opened in December 2023. The following sections are expected to be open by February 2024.
Concerns loom large about the impact of new access roads that greenlight excessive growth that does not take into account strategic planning to prioritize the authentic and sustainable well-being of the local community and the environment. Striking a balance is crucial to prevent the compromise of Yucatán's rich cultural, biological, and environmental heritage.
The Future
There’s light at the end of the tunnel though - reports have found cleanups are underway for some cenotes in both Tulum and nearby Cancun, where high contamination rates were cited as risks for human health and the environment. The biggest factor in changing Tulum's local economy though, lies in tourists' hands.
While some tourists are attracted to “eco-friendly” travel, many aren’t doing the work to verify if these places are truly practicing what they preach. By looking for sustainable green and red flags when traveling, consumers can hold these resorts accountable for their environmentally friendly images and decide if they actually deserve your money.
Staying at resorts that utilize renewable energy sources such as solar or wind energy, limit electricity usage (common in tropical communities), provide water purification services, and practice responsible sewage practices that doesn't damage the local ecosystem are all ways of supporting the right kinds of business.
When in doubt, opt out of that trendy vegan place and look to support something locally owned that benefits Tulum’s local community. Listening to and respecting indigenous communities advocating for their environment is one of the most vital pieces of the puzzle, as these communities are disproportionately impacted by environmental devastation.
Consumers have a lot more power than they think. The power of the wallet can send a clear message that places like Tulum should be protected, and the money will stop flowing without that. Ultimately, it's up to individuals to care more about respecting the environment and the residents than their Instagram posts.
Many Latinos have heard the phrase “de la tierra a la mesa,” which translates to "from the earth to the table." It refers to the centuries-old tradition of cultivating a home garden to feed one’s family. This is not just about food; it’s about culture, sustainability, self-sufficiency, and, importantly, wellness.
Why Garden?
Photo by Ona Creative on Unsplash
From 'la milpa' that Mayan civilizations nurtured to the vegetable patches in our abuela's backyards, gardening has been a staple in our culture. It's more than just a hobby. Gardening offers therapeutic benefits that can boost our physical, emotional, and mental health.
Physical activity, exposure to the sun, and interaction with nature are proven ways to improve wellbeing. The constant bending, squatting, and stretching involved in gardening are great forms of low-impact exercise, keeping us fit and agile. Sun exposure is a natural source of vitamin D, which supports bone health and immunity.
Emotionally, being connected with nature helps relieve stress and anxiety. The simple act of caring for a plant, watching it grow and flourish, can be therapeutic and provide a sense of accomplishment. Mentally, planning a garden, learning about plants, and troubleshooting problems can stimulate the brain.Getting Started with Your Garden
Photo by Dmitry Dreyer on Unsplash
Starting a garden may seem daunting, but it's as simple as choosing the right plants for your climate and soil, nurturing them with water and sunlight, and having a little patience. Here are some steps to help you embark on this exciting journey:
- Select Your Space: Whether it's a backyard, balcony, or windowsill, any space can be transformed into a mini oasis. Sunny spots are ideal for most plants, but some thrive in partial shade.
- Pick Your Plants: Start with easy-to-grow plants like cilantro (coriander), tomatoes, and chili peppers that are commonly used in our Latina cuisine. Native plants like epazote, nopales, or chayote are also excellent choices and can be grown easily in many parts of the U.S.
- Prepare Your Soil: A good blend of soil, compost, and peat moss usually provides the necessary nutrients for your plants. If you live in an apartment, potted plants are your best friends. Consider investing in high-quality potting soil for them.
- Water and Sunlight: Each plant has different water and sunlight requirements. While most vegetables need full sunlight (at least 6 hours a day), herbs like cilantro can grow in partially shaded areas. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid disease, and remember, overwatering is as harmful as under-watering.
Connecting with Your Roots
Photo by Mariana Vusiatytska on Unsplash
As you connect with the earth, you're not only improving your health, but you're also forging a link with your heritage. Whether it's growing bell peppers that remind you of your abuela's sofrito, or maiz that connects you to the ancient Mayans, each plant can represent a piece of your unique identity.
What’s more, sharing the produce with your loved ones, like our ancestors did, can lead to community building and the passing on of our rich cultural traditions.
In a world where we're often disconnected from the source of our food, gardening offers us a way back to our roots. It's a chance to reconnect with our history and heritage, and cultivate not just food, but also health, community, and personal satisfaction. So, roll up your sleeves, put on your gardening gloves, and let's return to la tierra together!
In the radiant heat of Latin America, under a brilliant blue sky, Dia de San Juan, or Saint John's Day, was once celebrated with an enigmatic ritual – a day of water, a celebration of life, a rite marking the start of the summer season or the onset of monsoon season.
Every year on June 24, Latin American countries and communities would revel in the festivities of Dia de San Juan, commemorating the nativity of Saint John the Baptist. It's an ancient tradition inherited from Spain but thoroughly transformed and adapted. Among these traditions, the most famous and high-spirited was the act of water-throwing.
Source: El Diario de Xalapa
Children would fill their buckets, adults their pans, and some would dive into rivers, all to fetch the most precious element - water. Cities would erupt into laughter and squeals as everyone drenched each other in celebration. This ritual, infused with symbolism, represented the purification of the soul, cleansing, and renewal.
The festival was a visual spectacle, an emotional catharsis, and a communal bonding moment that brought communities together. It was not merely a celebration; it was a form of cultural expression.
As the 21st century progressed, this tradition began to evolve. Technological advancements and increasing urbanization made the ritual less about river water and more about man-made water balloons, squirt guns, and inflatable pools. While the form changed, the festival's spirit stayed the same, as the essence of Dia de San Juan was not the water itself but the joy, the unity, and the sense of belonging it brought.
Photo by Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash
However, over time, the undercurrent of an imminent water crisis started to tinge the festivities with a shade of concern. The splashes that once symbolized abundance and life began to feel wasteful, even harmful. A paradox emerged: water, the giver of life, was becoming scarce, yet the ritualistic celebration of its abundance continued.
This incongruity couldn't last. As the water scarcity worsened, the water fights started to dwindle, replaced by an increasing sense of anxiety about the precious resource. The uncontrolled joy of the water-soaked celebrations began to dry up, even as the region's reservoirs did the same. The once-lively event was gradually toned down, then modified, and finally, ceased.
In the face of the escalating water shortage, communities started reconsidering their traditions. The celebrations evolved once again, this time with a focus on water conservation. Ritual baths were replaced by symbolic sprinkles and massive water fights with educational workshops about water conservation. Street carnivals and fiestas adapted to forgo water fights, and in certain cities, fines were even imposed on individuals caught wasting this invaluable resource.
Water, still central to the festivities, became a subject of reverence, a reminder of its fragility and the need to conserve it.
Photo by Dev Asangbam on Unsplash
The ending of the water-throwing tradition on Dia de San Juan paints a vivid picture of how environmental realities can impact cultural practices. It's a tale of adaptation, resilience, and the shifting dynamics between tradition and sustainability. While the lack of water fights is undoubtedly a loss for the cultural tapestry of Latino communities, it’s also an affirmation of the region's adaptability and commitment to environmental conservation.
Even as the water shortage continues to pose an existential threat to the region, the spirit of Dia de San Juan endures. But now, the day serves as a reminder of the vital role water plays in our lives and the urgency to protect it. It's a testament to the fluid nature of culture, constantly evolving, always flowing, much like the water that once drenched the joyful participants of Dia de San Juan.