This is a guide to buying property in Tulum Mexico. This is a general guide for people who are new to the area and have an interest in investing in property here.
And if you are contemplating whether you will live part or not Tulum then this is a handy guide to read.
About Tulum
Whats the brief history of Tulum Mexico?
Tulum is a charming village set on the Rivera Maya’s south end. Tulum has a history that involves culture and secrecy. Tulum’s history is in the ancient Mayan people’s intriguing culture.
Tulum only a few years ago was a fishing village and now it has become the pearl of Latin America.
Many people from all over the world choose to stay and live the relaxed lifestyle of Tulum Mexico.
How do I get to Tulum?
Tulum is approximately 81 miles [131 km] from Cancun. Getting to Tulum from Cancun airport takes around 90 minutes if you are driving.
When you arrive at the airport you can take a taxi van direct to Tulum.
Another option is to take the ADO bus or any other bus line to Playa del Carmen, transfer to Tulum bus. This may take longer than 90 minutes.
You can hire a car at Cancun airport and drive direct to Tulum.
What is the best way to get around Tulum?
The best way to get around Tulum is by taxi. You can walk or bike to the beaches or ruins, but you may overexert yourself.
You can rent a car in Cancún or Playa del Carmen.
If you plan to stay awhile in Tulum then you may want to buy a moped or scooter. They are an easy and efficient way to get around Tulum.
Buying & Investing in Tulum Real Estate
Is it a good time to invest in Tulum?
Tulum real estate is becoming safer, more attractive, and more affordable. This is part of the international trend towards investing in Tulum real estate.
And Tulum is getting a lot of press. Some are even calling it one of the best places to buy real estate, especially for winter homes.
Click here to read about Forbes saying Tulum is the best place to live in Mexico.
There is a lot of interest from investors who want to spend their money on Tulum properties.
The price of Tulum real estate has risen steadily since 2008.
Tulum is one of the best investments at the moment, outperforming the stock market with an 8-15% return on investment.
Click here to read about how Tulum investment property makes you money.
Can foreigners buy property in Tulum?
In Tulum, as in many other parts of Mexico, foreigners can purchase and own properties. To do so, they need to go through a process that awards them the legal title of the property via a bank trust.
Click here to learn about buying property in Mexico’s restricted zone.
Click here to learn about bank trust – the fideicomiso in Mexico.
How much does a home in Tulum Mexico cost?
The price of a home, apartment, or condo in Tulum Mexico ranges from $ 1,900 USD to $ 3,100 USD per square meter. The cost for residential lots ranges from $ 150 USD to $ 560 USD per square meter.
Click here to explore properties in Tulum Mexico.
How much does it cost to build in Tulum?
$750 USD to $2,500 USD per sqm for a home designed and built with high-quality materials and with all construction fees and licenses needed to be included. The cost depends upon the types of materials used and upon exactly what you want to achieve.
Residential lots and land costs between $150 USD to $560 USD per square meter. Depending on the location.
Click here to learn more about building a home in Tulum Mexico (link currently unavailable).
Is it cheaper to build or buy a house in Tulum Mexico?
It is cheaper to build a home than buy a home almost anywhere in the world. However, if you are an investor you will want to buy a property that you can get income from as fast as possible. Buying a prebuilt condo near delivery can be the better deal.
If you are wanting a family home then designing and buying your own home can be a better choice.
Click here to read more about buying a home vs building a home in Tulum Mexico (link currently unavailable).
How much does it cost to build a pool at your home in Tulum?
It’s often best to buy a condo or home with a pool. Having a pool not only adds to the value of your property but also allows you to refresh and relax in the warm climate of Tulum.
To build an inground pool, you’ll likely need to spend an average of $2,919 USD. In contrast, it will most likely cost you an average of $6,243 USD to build an above-ground pool.
Where can I buy a property in Tulum?
There are many different regions or zones in Tulum.
Aldea Zama is a gated area with private security and access (the gates are not yet in operation). This area is the most urbanized in Tulum.
The most common types of properties that are being built in Tulum are small vacation rentals. Being an exclusive area, investment prices are higher, but this is offset by the greater return on investment.
Click here to view Aldea Zama listings.
Click here to learn more about Aldea Zama Tulum Real Estate.
The Region 15 and La Veleta area alone has many developments with paved streets, as well as some shops. You can tell that this area is still new, as some areas of the street are still surrounded by thick jungle.
Click here to view in Region 15 in Tulum.
Click here to view La Veleta in Tulum.
Click here to learn more about La Veleta area in Tulum.
In this area, we can find a lot of hotels where a lot of events happen.
Region 8 is one of the areas with developments closest to the beach. Yet, this region is one of the least developed, and there are a few pre-sale developments in progress.
There are properties for sale that allow you to generate a capital gain, and you can now buy them at lower prices thanks to the pre-sale phase.
Click here to contact our real estate agents to get more information on region 8 private listings.
How to find property in Tulum Mexico?
The best way to find your property in Tulum is with a real estate agent. And start with a budget.
It’s not advised to start looking at properties without the help and guidance of a real estate agent.
Simply applying to many listings on multiple of websites will create a bad experience for you the buyer.
Because how do you know if you are looking at a secure property or property you should be avoiding investing in at all costs?
Our real estate agents do all the homework on all the properties available on the market.
They have access to 90% of the properties on the market.
They will not only advise you on the properties to invest in and buy – they represent you throughout the purchasing process in Tulum Mexico.
There are no agent fees like in the US and other parts of the world. The service from our real estate agents is free for you the buyer.
Rest assured the real estate agents at Caribe Luxury Homes will never advise you to buy any property that is found to be untitled.
Our real estate agents help you check the property to deem if it’s legal for purchase.
Click here to contact our real estate agents today.
Another way to find your property in Tulum is to start looking for it online.
We recommend looking for listings on our website.
Click any of the links below to view and apply for listings:
Get the 10 Best Tulum Condos on Presale
Best Tulum Properties Under $150k
10 Best Tulum Luxury Property over $500k
Best Tulum Pre-Construction Property
Get the 10 Best Tulum Vacation Homes (to Rent Out) on Sale Now
How much are property taxes in Tulum?
Property taxes vary by Tulum community, but on average you can expect to pay $400 per year. The average home in Tulum being around $265,000. This equates to about $33 per month.
How much do property managers charge in Tulum?
On average, property managers charge about 20-30% of the monthly rent. It’s important to find a good property manager who you can trust.
You can buy a condo with the option of using the condo’s own property management.
However, many condos will offer free administration. This means you take care of your own properties management, instead of using the condo’s own property management.
Buying a Vacation home in Tulum Mexico to Rent out
Can you get a mortgage in Tulum Mexico?
It is possible to get a mortgage in Tulum Mexico for your home or to invest in real estate. With the current financial crisis in the United States and other countries, Mexico tends to be more stable than most other countries.
Click here to read about 5 Ways to Finance a home in Mexico.
Why are Tulum homes made of cement?
The new “Tulum style” of architecture is easy to build, modern, and affordable.
It entails polished concrete floors and little tile usage. Bathrooms have smooth cement (polished concrete) on the walls.
Since termites, fire, and rot aren’t a problem with cement-based homes, Tulum homeowners don’t have to worry about those things.
If you want to own a home that lasts, cement is the way to go.
Living in Tulum Mexico
Is Tulum good for expats?
As the number of expats living in Tulum grows, they will likely influence how businesses operate, kind of like what happens when their numbers grow in other parts of the world.
A decade ago, the population of Tulum was below 20,000. More recently, though, it’s almost 40,000.
The number of expats living in Tulum is growing fast.
Expats live throughout Tulum, particularly in the Aldea Zama Tulum area.
How do you legally move to Tulum Mexico?
If you want to live in Mexico, you’ll need to get a visa. The easiest way is to visit the country on a tourist visa and then go on another visa run.
Click here to read about the 3 ways to live in Mexico and the visa requirements.
How long can a U.S. citizen stay out of the country?
Immigration law assumes that a citizen will live in their country permanently. Remaining outside the country for more than 12 months will result in losing nationality.
Many people live between Tulum Mexico and their place of birth. Choosing to spend part of the year living in Tulum to escape colder months or spend time away.
Can a US citizen get dual citizenship in Mexico?
A US citizen does not risk losing US citizenship by naturalizing in a foreign country, and can do so at any time. The process in Mexico is managed by the Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores. Under U.S. law, it is possible to hold dual citizenship in Mexico.
How much would I need to retire in Tulum Mexico?
If you’re planning to retire in luxury, you’ll need at least $2,500 per month.
People who own a property in Tulum also know that their property will cost more and require more work. But that it’ll also generate a higher return on investment, which will help them to make more money for retirement.
What is the cost of living in Tulum?
The cost of living for an expat or family is around $1,600 USD per month. A retired couple may be more depending on their requires and needs.
What clothes to wear in Tulum?
Some bathing suits and coverups, a pair of shorts, and a t-shirt would suffice for each day. You could also bring additional outfits for night dates and strolls around Tulum. People usually dress up a bit more at night.
Tulum is very warm and you will not get cold like other places in the world. It’s best to dress lite.
How much do groceries cost in Tulum?
Groceries are much more affordable in Tulum compared to the United States.
- Bottle or carton of milk (1 liter): 18 MXN
- Popular yellow cheese (1 kg): 122 MXN
- A bottle of beer from a known brand: 25 MXN
- A sausage or cold cuts (1 kg): 218 MXN
- A mid-range wine (one bottle): 120 MXN
Is it cheaper living in Tulum Mexico than in the US?
The cost of living in Tulum compared to US places:
- 2.52 times lower than in Washington
- 1.86 times lower than in Jacksonville
- 1.86 times lower than in Houston
- 1.95 times lower than in Oklahoma City
- 3.00 times lower than in New York City
Source: here.