Local Info
Practical local information and what to expect living in Tulum.
The Beautiful, Mildewy Madness of Living in the Tulum Jungle
There comes a point during the rainy season in the Tulum jungle when you start looking around your beautiful home and wondering if you should just give up and let the mildew take over.I believe we've reached that point.Our once-beautiful white walls are now sporting a lovely shade of mildew grey.
Mexican Independence Day in Tulum: What to expect
What to expect on September 15 and 16.
Protección Civil in Tulum: Who to Call When Something Looks Seriously Wrong
Cracked walls, locked fire exits, dangerous construction? Protección Civil Tulum handles safety risks, fire hazards, and storm warnings. Here's who to call.
Registering a Car in Tulum: The Paperwork Surprises Nobody Warns You About
Buying the car is the easy part. Registering it in Tulum means fresh documents, a state tax step, ownership history, new plates, and fees you might not expect.
Paying Predial in Tulum: What Property Owners Should Know
What Tulum property owners should know about predial, Portal Tulum, discounts, and the Constancia de No Adeudo.
RFC, CURP, and SAT in Mexico: What’s the Difference, and Why Do You Need Them?
A plain-English explainer for RFC, CURP, and SAT — what each one is, why foreigners need them, and how immigration status changes the process.
Buying a Used Car in Tulum: The Stuff Nobody Tells You
That used car might look like a bargain, but missing paperwork, old debts and Tulum's roads can turn cheap wheels into expensive headaches.
Who's Actually Running Your Condo? (And Who Gave Them Permission?)
Someone says they're the administrator of your condo. Here's the difference between doing the job and being officially appointed.
Your Phone Could Help in an Emergency in Mexico. Is It Ready?
Put your medical info on your phone's lock screen so someone helping you can see it.
CAPA Water Bills in Tulum: When Things Don't Go Quite to Plan
What to do when your CAPA water bill expires, your landlord has the account info, or CAPANet isn't cooperating.
Paying Your CFE Bill in Tulum: What Actually Works (and What Doesn't)
What actually works when paying your CFE bill in Tulum — foreign credit cards, Xoom, Mexican banking apps, OXXO and CFEmático machines, plus what to do when payment fails.
Renting in Tulum? Check the CFE History Before You Move In
That gorgeous rental might come with an electricity surprise. Here's what to check before signing a lease, so you don't discover a problem with the CFE account after moving in.
Why Is Electricity So Expensive in Tulum? (And What's DAC?)
Your electricity bill just gave you a heart attack? Find out why electricity gets more expensive in Mexico, what DAC means, and whether you're paying for someone else's AC.
How to Read Your CFE Bill (Without Losing Your Mind)
Lots of numbers. Lots of Spanish. One electricity bill. Here's what everything means and what you actually need to check.
Mexico Gave You 90 Days, Not 180. Now What?
Thought you had six months in Mexico but immigration only gave you 90 days? Here's what INM allows, whether you can get more time, and why a border run isn't a guaranteed fix.
Birdwatching in Tulum: Start With the Birds Already Around You
You don't need binoculars or experience to start identifying Tulum's birds with the free Merlin Bird ID app.
Cash is king in Tulum: why you should always carry pesos
Why carrying some pesos makes life easier.
Receiving Packages & Deliveries in Tulum: What to Expect
How to get packages and deliveries to you in Tulum.