The Mexican City I Couldn’t Wait to Leave

[@memphiskong8868]

Right after the conference I was going to go to Tulum and was warned away by the concierge at the Hyatt. I went instead to Merida and loved it.

[@acajudi100]

Merida toooooo hotttttt and humid.

[@ketchyshubby]

@@acajudi100 Honest question, what did you do in Merida? I was there for a wedding and we had fun, but I can't imagine going there by myself as a tourist.

[@billmuller1469]

I'm in Merida right now. Love it but yes very hot.

[@DestinationRetirement]

I have a house in Mérida and I love it. It's an air bnb now but I'll be moving there in the near future. And yes, I have been there in the summer. :)

[@lelandsmith2320]

I visited tulum in 1972. I slept next my car next to the pyramid. There was nobody there except us and the ruin guard. No town, no nothing, just ruins. I ate a lot of bananas and canned corn beef and bread when I could get it. The ruins were pretty at sunrise.

[@ottmarmontes]

Sounds like a cool story. Crazy how much the place has changed since then based on stories from even the early 2000's.

[@RicardoMartinez-wd7tj]

I worked at one of the first hotels in Cancun, Sheraton. In 1979-82, Tulum was just the ruins and a row of huts with vendors, no houses nearby.

[@jeanpequignot80]

Nice. I would advice you to never go back cause you'll be very disappointed...

[@arteson6093]

Those were the days ….It stayed like that until 80s when I went and swam next to the ruins with no one else in sight , except for the guards.

[@pllk9316]

Pp

[@bluebadgersec]

I love how he's genuinely re-living the stories as he tells them 😂

[@mc3880]

lol 😂😂

[@raireva4689]

No you are not wrong. City developed for north American gringos cater to their expectations....BTW I love Mexico and I am spending at least 6 months a year there....at undisclosed location😊🇲🇽

[@TedKidd]

Oaxaca

[@jameslosangeles9067]

Mexico is only "nice" to strangers when they have 💰 to spend ... 😄🎊

[@astro.2029]

@@jameslosangeles9067 No, it's not.

[@mariamar2114]

@@jameslosangeles9067 entonces si no tienes 💰 no vengas....para que no te traten mal

[@sweetchavacano2]

@@mariamar2114 señora callese y sea un poco autocritica

[@xaviercopeland2789]

You should visit Oaxaca City and Guanajuato. Very old, but safe, not as touristy, still can get around while learning Spanish, and amazing food and architecture.

[@SarahPerine]

I LOVE Guanajuato 💚💚💚

[@jimmcdougal1793]

Tulum was my 'go to' for years, I've probably been there a dozen times since 2003. I live on the east coast of the US, so it's an easy destination for a quick vacation . I saw Tulum evolve from a sleepy little backpacker town to one of the most chill coolest vacation towns ever; and then to now, it's definitely hit some growing pains. It's become a destination for the party-hard crowd with lot's of speculative sloppy development, superfluous businesses and of course drugs & crime. It makes me sad, but I kinda knew that it would eventually happen. It's been 3 years since my last visit, not sure when or if I'll go back. I knew a few great restaurants and bars when I was going there regularly, hopefully they're still there if I go back...

[@jamescalifornia2964]

Sounds like Miami Florida ... 😞

[@susanmartin4092]

Yes Tulum has been destroyed very sad it was once a very nice place to go…..no more sad

[@jeanpequignot80]

Sounds like you're part of the problem, hehe.

[@thebomontellano4996]

Sounds like Venice Beach

[@jeanpequignot80]

@@thebomontellano4996 😂

[@TheBTG88]

I visited Tulum in 1987. All that was there at the time was the ruins. It was wonderful. Sounds like has ‘developed’ into a dump. What a shame.

[@darrylknight2675]

I have found the same with a lot of places I loved in the 70s and 80s, they change. A good friend of mine once said to me, "If you have lived in a place you really really loved, don't go back you will be disappointed". Most times he has proved to be correct.

[@deborahhardy4445]

I visited Tulum in early 90's and it still just the ruins- no fences, no gates, no vendors no hotels to speak of.Just simple and beautiful.A few locals on the beach and some European tourists likely staying in Playa del Carmen.5th st was only developed area and Europeans came 1st.American divers like me were in Cozumel, and Americans also at big resorts in Cancun.Merida was not visited much by Americans.Also visited Cabo and Puerto Vallarta a lot in the 80's and both pretty undeveloped.Mexican govt places no restrictions on tourism devpt and these and other areas have been ruined as a result.Its sad and also worrisome as infrastructure cannot handle it.For example, all the untreated sewage in the Yucutan goes through some of the cenotes and straight out to sea.

[@paul2d]

That was my experience in the late 80's. Was staying at a small hotel further up the coast at Akumal and enjoyed the diving. I shudder to think of what it has turned into today.

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

@@darrylknight2675 Sounds about how I feel about Williamsburg, VA. I went to university there and had fond memories of the place, so I decided to move back there and teach at the university about 11 years after graduation. The place was totally different...and, now, my good old memories of the place have been replaced by new bad ones.

[@stephanieburns4560]

I was there around then, too. We stayed at a hotel way down the one dirt road along the beach. It was so remote. it was such a sweet place; mostly nature. i went back a few years ago and i was in shock! A whole city developed in that time.

[@IsraelsNighttimeVoiceAUDIOS]

WOW! Im glad I chose GUADALAJARA then! Arrived here on the Sept 11 after 4 straight years in the Philippines (couldn't wait) and I AM LOVING THIS CITY! Talum, Playa, Cancun, all in the running but I chose here and am looking forward to the next 5 and half months! Thanks. Andrew, love your storytelling. :D

[@lorenaledger6547]

Guadalajara is a narcogobierno

[@theworldandbeyond5516]

This is the first time I've heard someone tell the truth about Tulum! Everyone hypes up this place so much otherwise. We also saw the soild guy haha

[@towaritch]

I spent about a month in Tulum in 2013 and found it highly enjoyable.

[@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717]

@@towaritch Did you ever soil yourself while there? Inquiring minds want to know.

[@towaritch]

@@the_gilded_age_phoenix8717 No but my Canadian neighbors were robbed.

[@octavioandradejr.3386]

Ok don't come back here, there are many tourists with good vibe so we don't need you snobs

[@theworldandbeyond5516]

@@octavioandradejr.3386 This type of "we are the real tourists" and "we are the ones with a good vibe" kind of people is exactly was Tulum is filled with. So thanks for proving the point 🤣

[@eduardof7322]

It´s really a shame whats happening to the Mexican Caribbean. It used to be this pristine and beautiful place of virgin beaches, incredible Mayan ruins, deep jungles and just a couple of cute little hotels aside the sea. But now it has really been devoured by mass tourism, and from Cancun to Tulum, you cannot find a single beach that is not occupied by massive and invasive resorts and residencial complexes, and that´s an area of 80 miles long. The worst part of this has been faced by the towns and cities who have evolved into a chaotic mess, where touristy parts have become full of scams, tourists traps, agressive publicity and incredibly overpriced stuff. And the less touristy areas where most people actually live, are just improvised houses surrounded by empty land and dusty streets, with nothing really interesting to see or do. Fortunately, North of Cancun and South of Tulum, this situation has not reached this point... yet. In places like Mahahual, Xcalak, and Holbox, you can still feel the vibe of how places like Cozumel, Playa del Carmen and Tulum used to be 30 years ago before mass tourism destroyed them. For someone wanting to visit Tulum, I would really recommend to just visit the ruins and if its a good day the beaches. Saddly, there´s nothing more that is worth it.

[@dennishassler605]

Anywhere along the Yucatan coast you'll get harassed by vendors. Moreover, in Mexico, they always WAY OVER DEVELOPED over time the houses get over crowded. In PV buyers had a front line view of the marina BUT the added another row of houses in front of them so they lost their view - it's like that in Mexico where there's no building codes and they allow this "overdevelopment". The best example is Acapulco - used to be an amazing resort, but today it's overdeveloped and the old (worker) town merged with the resort area and NOW gangs are extorting businesses everywhere. Huatulco is still very nice given they control the development there and it's spread out, but beware of "overdevelopment".

[@danielj3010]

1000% agree where I went to Tulum for the day in 2015, stayed in Cancun/Isla Mujeres.. talk about a tourist trap down there.

[@TimKyoutube]

A video like this is why A.H. is the man, LOL. How many overhyped Tulum vids did we have to suffer through in our YT playlists last year? I want to see a cinematic recreation of this story complete with drones, etc.

[@miker7808]

there and the Philippines. lol sorry, couldnt resist bro. 😊

[@radicalpinkys]

I’ve been to Tulum a couple of times and what I did is talk to the locals. I befriended a nice guy that introduced me to the food locals eat, told me what places and things to see and had an amazing time. When I ate at a place that he didn’t recommend to me was when I had a bad experience. Never fall for the tourist trap, go to where the locals go. He also told me one of the reasons you’re seeing the ugly side of Tulum lately is because of all the foreign interests that have their spoon in the bowl, Building on land that has been declared protected with illegal hotels. Many of those hotels were located way past the point in the jungle along the coast where it was supposed to be protected land, we had to drive more than 30 minutes into the jungle dirt road to go past the hotels. And those “sketchy” businesses and things exist only because there is a market for it, people do what needs to be done to survive, and if that’s what tourists are seeking, that’s what they will offer since the money spent in Tulum most of the time go to the corporations that set up the hotels through corruption, not to the locals who previously depended on those lands for their commerce.

[@albertinsinger7443]

Just flew 1 st class from Athens to Paris with Air France . One guy smelled of toilet. He bent over and had a big brown strip along the back side of his trousers . An other passenger brought his own seats. Was dressed like a school boy but was over 50 years old. A mix couple kept on going to the rest rooms together and the stewardesses said nothing. This is the state of western people now.

[@maremagnus]

People lost dignity self respect and shame that's why the many videos of Karens and their male counterparts here in KZbin 🤮

[@punstress]

There's a pair of American ex-pats who also left Tulum when they saw things going downhill, and that's the only city they don't recommend. I only went there decades ago when my sister and I took the bus down from Cancun. I told my sister the guidebook said only take the first-class bus; she thought I was being elitist. Then we saw the other bus being loaded and I kid you not, people were bringing chickens and it was so full that parents were holding their kids out the window. So glad that my sister listened to me for once! The ruins were amazing though. Back then they still let you climb it. No more, guess it was climb-it change (ba-dum-bum). Anyway, I also remember a lady selling squares of toilet paper in front of the poorly stocked public bathrooms and a sort of campground of palapas on the beach where people slept on hammocks, not even a door to lock. Met a Canadian girl and learned that, with airfare, she paid as much to rent a palapa as we did to stay in a nice hotel. I'll never forget the sadness in her eyes. I'm sure there are many other cities to avoid in Mexico - Tijuana, anyone? - but they are typically not exactly vacation destinations in the first place.

[@elcaudillojauregui481]

U ever been at Oakland CA u have garbage every where u go

[@elcaudillojauregui481]

You can go to highland hospital and talk to doctors and nurse they have people gunshot everyday

[@elcaudillojauregui481]

San Francisco store are getting broke everyday

[@elcaudillojauregui481]

At Mexico only one shooting at the hole history at USA every month

[@elcaudillojauregui481]

If I keep going u will cry

[@user-zb1ps5is5j]

Now take that, multiply it a few times, and you get Morocco.

[@aggierowe9574]

Oh no! Marakech was on my bucket list but I think I pretend its 1960

[@pablovi77]

Tulum is not a city. It’s an archaeological site, and tourist destination. That got so popular that they needed to build a town for the people serving and providing service. Same as Playa del Carmen, and the entire Riviera Maya.

[@bunghole209]

Exactly how I'm feeling about the United States right now. Gotta get out but where do I go unless I have enough funds to buy a private island in international waters.

[@richardhowe5583]

Go to Malaysia Vietnam Cambodia Thailand or the Philippines. I prefer the Philippines because most people speak English and is 98% Christian. Vietnam and Thailand have the best infrastructure and food if you can get past the language barrier. The Filipino girls are the most beautiful and friendly of any in the world and they do not care how old you are. Me and my girl live in a small Beach town on $1,000 a month and we live very well.

[@pauloshea3741]

Buy a boat!

[@leswhynin913]

Andrew looks like he would wear an old-time bathing costume to the beach. Seriously though - Tulum used to be a cool quiet place, but in the last few years it's been overdeveloped like crazy.

[@michaelyork7844]

This is what fn developers so just look at all the eyesore home subdivisions everywhere in countries

[@punstress]

> Andrew looks like he would wear an old-time bathing costume to the beach. OMG yes!

[@SunsetSheen]

😂

[@LauraFugate73]

Rock that old-fashioned bathing suit, Andrew!

[@DD-gz9ut]

These stories are why a lot of Mexicans do not travel to this part of Mexico. It is even cheaper and more convenient to go all the way to Cuba for Mexicans wanting a beach holiday…

[@SmithsnMoz]

Cuba? .😆 🤣 😂 ... One of my Best friends almost died over there... THE FOOD WAS HORRIBLE and Him and his girlfriend ended up in the E.R. as soon as they made it back to the USA 🇺🇸... NO THANKS! 👎

[@oscardelapena7376]

yeap Cuba is the best! Tulum so overrtaed ....only spoiled rich "whitexicans" brag about Tulum

[@DD-gz9ut]

@@SmithsnMoz I do not know what your friend was doing but Cuba has no weapons, so a mass shooting is extremely unlikely to happen. I have a friend who had his rental car window shot near downtown Miami, luckily he was not in the car when this happened. I had really bad food poisoning from a restaurant in NYC once. As you can see danger, terrible service, horrible experiences and scams follow tourists anywhere we go. Yes, even in the 🇺🇸…

[@SmithsnMoz]

@@DD-gz9ut.. I DONT KNOW.. But he said he will NEVER Go back ..😆 🤣 😂

[@lorenaledger6547]

Why will mexicans go to Cuba for a beach holidays when up and down of the country there are beautiful beaches

[@adrianpruszkowski8450]

Tulum is far overpriced. Not developed yet. I know there is many nice places but 80% of Tulum or even 90 is just not worth it. In City center prices are higher about 30,40% than Playa Del Carmen, by the beach is over 100% more expensive. You can eat much cheaper in London, its crazy..

[@travelsquad5704]

It's true! I had the same experience. City looks gorgeous on KZbin videos but it's not look like this in real life. Prices are crazy!

[@pedrogonzales5426]

I have the same experience about Tulum. I wanted to leave it straight after arriving there..

[@drx1xym154]

@@pedrogonzales5426 -- IDK, Tulum "proper" can be somewhat pricy, though I really have not noticed. We always get the excursion packages from our resort (which is also nice). Yes the prices can be a little high - yet I feel that is money well spent for a quality experience. I find the sketchyness often comes in when people are too "frugal" - I suppose penny wise, yet pound foolish is the way? I hear Tulum is worse, and that is likely to be expected diving the events of the last 2 years or so ... I suppose it would have deteriorated slower, had we no, "enfermedad de la cerveza". I am sure certain parts are still great. I do love the Baja/Pacific side more. Also (to the OP), AFAIK, steak knives are "outlawed" in London by the psychotic mayor - so, you can keep all your chips and dips, buddy. I am sure the touristy areas in London are often of poor quality and high prices - like much of the world. I even remember a field trip Austria where we went to a castle (which was great) yet they had the crappies, watered down "beer", that I have ever had (also in Jamaica - I have seen some of the worst and best rum, you can attempt to drink). I would not really even call it beer, so much as "piss flavored, light yellow, liquid" - I am not even sure it was safe to sip (to test, though no one got sick so, there is that).

[@emesegede5588]

double high five! we've been travelling with my hubby around Mexico since May and visited more local places (Querétaro, Morelia, Guanajuato, Guadalajara) which were awesome and the people were friendly, nice, helpful, and never gave us gringo prices. BUT when we arrived in Yucatàn, everything has changed and couldn't wait to get out of this part of Mexico. Nice beaches? yes. Good weather? yes. But the locals were hunting for gringos (and we are not even from the US) at every corner at all times. Services, prices were just unbelievably over the top compare to what we've experienced in the other cities. So, couldn't agree more with you, Andrew! greetings from Oaxaca

[@cobblestone977]

I can not agree more !!!! Drives me crazy when Americans visit the tourist areas in Mexico (i.e. Cancun, Cabo, Tulum) and make negative comments. So many wonderful places and wonderful people in Mexico. Also, I thought it was cute when Andrew called Merida "sleepy". Merida is anything but sleepy Tons of activities to do, places to visit, and events going on in all the zocalos every night of the week.

[@emesegede5588]

@@VibeWithVida Hi, Oaxaca is a beautiful place surrounded by gorgeous mountains, very kind and lovely people. The culture is very intense and many little villages around to visit and learn about the indigenous people. One downside though is that the internet is not very stable to work online but all in Oaxaca state is like that. The tourists seemed to be the "nicer" ones. The downtown is beautiful, recommended districts to look for rents: Jalatlaco and Barrio de la Noria. Unfortunately, we didn't have the time to visit Puebla but I would recommend Querétaro 100%. It's a very livable city with good prices, infrastructure and stable wifi. It's not touristy at all but there is a growing expat community because of the international companies settling there. I would even say a middle class, safe hidden gem city only 3 hours up north from Mexico City. Anyway, I am sure you will have a great time in Mexico! We've visited over 40 countries around the world with my hubby and Mexico has become one of our huge favourites :)

[@VibeWithVida]

@@emesegede5588 Super helpful! That's information I actually didn't know. I need internet so looks like Oaxaca might not be the best choice. That's fine though. So many choices! Thank you 💙👍🏽

[@towaritch]

My problem in Yucatan was different, as it is the easiest part of Mexico to access from Europe where I m from, there were some individuals from a minority we don't like in my country that had the displeasure to see with their usual " attitudes" ( not agressive though)

[@OutboundShane]

I went to Puerto Escondido in Oaxaca and had the opposite of the Yucatan tourist trap nightmare experience. Everyone was laid back and there were street vendors like everywhere in Mexico but they weren't rudely shoving things in your face like in Playa del Carmen where you can't even enjoy a walk.

[@mw3516405]

Mexico City is the largest city North American continent. Big cities are hard to take!

[@daveoliver3515]

what makes it great ;)

[@shoshi06]

It was about Tulum. Mexico City is one of the best cities I've ever been to and I've seen alot of places.

[@pg618]

I have been to Mexico 16 times in total each town is different and sometimes different each time I visit. If I love a place a lot I need to go back and have a second look. If I hate a place a lot sometimes I'll go back and have a second look and it will be different. case by case. All in all over the last 40 years tourism has drastically damaged many many cultures.

[@LMDinNC]

I was fortunate to go to Tulum in 2000 before any of this development happened. The properties all had palapas and cabanas and it was just a relaxed beach getaway. Mexico did not designate Tulum as a tourism development area, and that’s why there’s no planned development infrastructure there. I wonder what kind of research you did before going there. It’s pretty well known that Tulum has a major drug scene, horrible traffic issues, and outrageous prices.

[@ns7023]

Those were the good times

[@txurbina]

Unfortunately, you're right and it's shame.

[@rickc.3552]

In all fairness, everyone knows that Tulum is very bohemian with a ton of House music DJ’s and a bunch of brits crammed into 1 sh*tty room. Lots of people on molly. Andrew is also the oldest 38 year old on the planet. Not a good combination.

[@_DD_15]

What a comment 🤣🤣 I'm younger than Andrew and I'd feel the same by going in such places. All that pseudo " here it's cool, enjoy the vibe " sickens me. But each to their own 👍🏻

[@cmgzfiveonezero]

This guy is 38? Really? No way he’s at least in his late 40s

[@HouseJawn]

Best thing about this channel other than the obvious, is that andrew is actually really funny 🤣

[@HueBFuture]

this is so true. very serious but also funny. very confident.

[@thebomontellano4996]

Great video. Thanks for the heads up.

[@baronbattles4681]

This reminds me of the different experiences my brother and I had in Jerusalem. I had a great time and his was more like yours in Tulum. Yes, the people we encounter can have an enormous impact on our experiences in a place. There are wonderful people everywhere and evil people everywhere. You are very right to go where you are treated best.

[@mattanderson6672]

Yeah I hated Tulum as well, tourist spots always suck

[@Denver_____]

I had about the same experience in Mexico. Was looking for a new country to live and decided to go there 2 times around that area 6 months apart. The vegan trendy restaurants, $60 dollar tacos (lol what!?) and drugs being offered in the open was not for me

[@elysecruz1108]

Who knew you were funny too? I almost died after "Go where you're treated best!" You: "Yeah, believe me I'm going". Totally made my day. 😁

[@drx1xym154]

Dark humor is like food. Not everyone gets it. -- J Stalin

[@HouseJawn]

Me too lol

[@tressarust2774]

I agree. Love the added humor🤣

[@prettybrwneyez7757]

Lmaoooooo this whole thing was hilarious

[@RedSpiralHandTV]

Tulum is a disgusting tourist-driven cesspool and I would never go there... Now it's actually quite unsafe.

[@BrianBaileyedtech]

Yep - had a similar-ish experience in Tulum 18 months ago on my way to Belize. Chetumal is a much nicer city. I got an airbnb in Tulum, advertised as a villa but it was far from the center - like almost 25 minute walk. I know the grocery store you are talking about - they were all like that plus overpriced. I ended up eating out all the time because I could find a decent place to buy groceries. Lots of security too - constant procession of riot police as a couple of tourists (well, they had connections with the drug trade so no surprise) were shot before I arrived. Finally, the beach is so far from the centre and also very expensive - not worth it. Better places run the gamut from Mazatlan (loved it, dangerous rep not deserved IMHO), Acapulco (likewise), Puerto Vallarta, La Paz, Merida (great call), etc. Two standouts for me are Puebla and Oaxcaca which I visited a few months ago.

[@ellena858]

I love this kind of video from you, sharing what a place is like. I hope to see more where you give us your impressions of locations in these other countries. Thx!

[@TNSCorp]

My father bought a place there not too long ago, it is fairly swanky but next to very underdeveloped houses, I tagged along to sign the property papers and those 4 days were miserable, so expensive without reason and so overdeveloped and under administered, felt really unwelcomed, didn't even went to the beach cause the taxis and places that charge to sit on the beach seemed like a racket. When I first went to Tulum about 20 yrs ago, it was just a beautiful strip of beach with a hippie vibe, now it is just an overpriced tourist trap.

[@Jzarecta]

I have gone to Tulum many times, is known as the hippish city. I was almost thinking of Tulum when you said you were in playa at the start of the video. Definetly a town not for you. They did the Cryptopsycodelics back in February which yep, you had a lot of old nude people, and people talking about ayahuasca and tribal medicine, everything suited for people not too concern with anything. Not the place for people that want things to be 'Just So'. I recommend you to visit Puerto Aventura instead, rent a villa there, and you would love it. Is between Tulum and Playa, is not cheap but is a marina, with yatches and access to private beach and even dolphis across the walking streets. I loved it, and I think you would too. Other cities you should go to is Guadalajara, not sure why you never talk about it. I really HATE Mexico City, but LOVE Guadaljara, is just the overal sophistication witout all the polution, and noise, and really overpopulated areas. Which I know you can find in some in Mexico City but is more prevalent in Zapopan, believe me. Another town I feel is amazing is Los Cabos and Ensenada which yeah is another tourist trap but also pretty well developed and fit for Americans.

[@johnmknox]

Are there any other towns and cities you recommend looking at in Mexico but on the coast?

[@Jzarecta]

@@johnmknox yeah Puerto Vallarta is very US friendly, same as Acapulco, and Mazatlan

[@Jzarecta]

@The Taco Kawaii yeah stay at the 'krystal area' is like going to Miami and staying at the West Gate district. Every place is a shithole if you are not on the right area. Again depends on what you are there for.

[@alexmendoza9270]

Acapulco? Really? When was the last time you had a great time in Acapulco?

[@Bavubuka]

Yes, Guadalajara is like Mexico city 2.0.

[@mars54mars54]

That Caribe coast has been destroyed by all the resort development on so many levels, locals forced to try and fit in, shaky property deals, grifters, pollution, mangrove/reef destruction… best days are long gone.

[@drx1xym154]

IDK. There are a few quality resorts, where people are more focused on quality time and even "fun", though maybe not in the "loud-crazy drunk Cancun way". I tend to love Playa del Carmen and Cozumel. I have only been the the ruins/beach in Tulum as an excursion... we also take to the water parks, which, yes are toursity, though they also have some good culture (and bad) - not so surprisingly. The enfermedad de la cerveza has caused a lot of havoc, world wide, so I am sure that is causing more havoc in certain areas, leading to a steeper decline. I mean, one could always vacation in Belize. I hear it is more expensive, yet maybe more friendly to US/Canadian and even UK peoples - since they are officially a bi-lingual country.

[@alexzabala2154]

Tulum was awesome before the Spaniards came in the 1500s, if you didn't mind an occasional human sacrifice..lol..

[@theshermano3000]

I lived in Cancun for almost a year. Got to Playa and Tulum often. Playa was okay but Tulum's desire to become the "hippie" capital of Mexico has brought so many hippies that they've become just the opposite. Too much demand, too quickly and the prices skyrocketed and the people in charge of investing in infrastructure dropped the ball. It's become a complete cluster.

[@edjouvladimirovich4920]

VIVA MEXICO! Love-Love Mexico and Mexicans...Mexico City amazing! That said, Mexico can sometimes be a mixed bag of shocking and unexpected surprises. There are definitely places in the country to investigate before visiting and places to definitely stay far away from.

[@lorenaledger6547]

Can of the same anywhere on the world

[@jamescalifornia2964]

@@lorenaledger6547 -- Not Wyoming 😉👌

[@CarCal0216]

Wyoming? Why?? Do you have the same weather? Beaches? Precolombian ruins?? Please stay in Wyoming 👋

[@jamescalifornia2964]

@@CarCal0216 - Can you flush the toilet and drink the tap water ... ? Colorado is nice too ! ☺

[@CarCal0216]

@@jamescalifornia2964 please don’t comparé Mexico City with Wyoming. It’s insulting 😤

[@elplata7224]

Agreed. I last visited Playa 2005 or so. It was 100% a ‘developing country’. Most emblematic memory was the 1.5 lane road to and from Cancun, with people running across to get to the bus. Every-time we drove it there was a dead body in the road…

[@MW-mx6lu]

Good retelling of your trip. Thanks for sharing!

[@1rjona]

For me , stay in Mexico city and just take vacation everywhere else. Touristy towns like Tulum and Playa de Carmen are not worth staying for more than a week

[@ns7023]

You can stay in Puebla, Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Guadalajara for longer. Plenty to see. But overall yeah. Solid plan

[@1rjona]

@@ns7023 I was suppose to work in Guadalajara but got reassigned to Mexico city instead. My friends love Guadalajara and miss it

[@holodeckdragon8876]

I'm not surprised at your experience. We have a house in Pt. Morelos north of Playa del Carmen where we winter. Tulum used to b a magical little town but grew with tourism really fast. it's full of scams and rip-offs now but rides on an old reputation. i had a friend who was followed in her car in Tulum for quite awhile about 8 months ago. the old part is better. the tourist part is terrible and really expensive. i don't recommend it to anyone. The ruins are small and filled with bus loads of people lining up. skip it. just down the coast is Pt. Morelos, a small, beautifully safe, ecologically protected town with numerous restaurants, live music, sunsets and no hustle. another magical experience 2 hours inland half way to Merida is Valladolid. A small Spanish town with art Galleries, hand made natural perfume shop, top notch affordable restaurants, no crime, local markets, cenotes, really affordable boutique hotels, chocolate shops, ancient buildings and cathedrals. It has a beautiful town square and incredible night life. One of my favorite destinations!!. There is incredible art everywhere including a private Mexican art collection of over 3000 pieces open daily for public tours in a huge, private house! It is also surrounded by numerous other small towns worth exploring.

[@quest4facts]

I went to Tulum in 2018 from a cruise we went on so I got 100% tourist trap locations and hagglers looking to sell me on everything under the sun. The people were nice, and I did a few double takes on strange sights I'd seen there, but nothing too crazy. We bought a few keepsakes that didn't last long afterwards, that was disappointing. The food, the drinks, the tours were great and had a good experience (luckily). I can see how the novelty would wear off quickly if you lived there or if you stayed longer than a day. Other parts of Mexico are very vibrant and have an authentic charm to them, but that was not to be found in Tulum.

[@gregorior5207]

By far, this is my favorite of all your videos so far. Hilarious! Keep up the great work!

[@loukramer152]

Andrew, thanks for the heads-up on Tulum - I've had similar experiences with the annoying street hawkers in Playa del Carmen and I totally agree with your take on Mexico City being a great place!

[@dogtooth12]

I try to explain to friends and family what it is about Mexico City... they all seem skeptical. I *love* that city. Maybe how it is sophisticated, humble & authentic. I think under-appreciated, tho lots of people on this channel seem to recognize it as the awesome city it is.

[@keithhagen1541]

I have had a house in Tulum since 2018 and the downturn happened with the Pandemic lockdowns. The Europeans and Canadians stopped coming and the Hotels adapted (to survive) to catering to Americans looking to party. Within a few months the music, attitude and vibe shifted. Hopefully as travel resumes, the visitors return to being more diverse.

[@lililululalabooboo]

I've been to Tulum, and I agree with you.

[@lordkingston]

Would love to hear the opposite now: Mexican city that you absolutely loved! This way, the perspective can be balanced out! :). Thanks Andrew!

[@jrd8526]

Mexico City, pretty awesome place

[@QueOndaWhey]

Yes he's done that a few times.

[@falcon127]

ANDREW HAS SOME GREAT VIDEOS ON MEXICO, MEXICO CITY!

[@vikki4now]

He just said he thinks Mexico city is one of the best cities he has been to. Did you listen to the video.?

[@mcotrone]

Yes! We had the same experience. We've been all over Mexico. Lived in Kuala Lumpur. Been to Bali. Spent months in Mexico - Baja, Zacatecas, Merida, Mexico City, Playa, PV, etc. But Tulum!! No idea what the hype is. We visited some developments by Dos Amigos. They looked nice. But just not near anything! And when we are on the plane. Every bozo on the plane is like "I'm going to Tulum".

[@drx1xym154]

Tulum is the "hip new place" that the actual "hip" people found 10 years ago (or more). I maybe found it 6 years ago - though I stay in Playa del Carmen or Cozumel. Excursions to the ruins of Tulum or its beach or even the water parks (yes, they are all touristy) can be fun, since they are organized by the resort - you pay a bit more, yet it is often less hassle.

[@mcotrone]

@@drx1xym154 that's visiting. Travelers with the means to stay longer emerse themselves in an area. Get familiar with local businesses and people. Tulum doesn't have that vibe. It's like a run down version of 5th Ave in playa. You heard straight from the man

[@planetguantanamo2978]

If you didn't go to Chiapas, 🤬CHIAPAS LIBRE no vax no tyranny just mountains🌳🗻💃

[@oscardelapena7376]

"Spiritual Tourism" (drugs and techno).

[@maryrobinson3836]

Just like everywhere, there are crazy people walking around half dressed, I've seen it in Santa Barbara, NYC, Portugal and in Thailand. We built a beautiful home on the Riveria Maya just north of Tulum in Tankah, with security at the entrance. It is quiet and beautiful there. Tulum town is definitely a bit shabby for such a popular high end place, but it's typical of many places in Mexico that they don't put the foundation/infrastructure in first and shoestring things together and then have to go in and fix the issues. Tulum has become very expensive even for an average margarita or ceviche, which is making people say they never need to go back. I do think this area is shooting themselves in the foot with overpricing themselves out. We don't spend much time in Tulum but when we venture down there, we enjoy it for what it is. Not every city is supposed to be Zurich either.

[@mw3516405]

That's a good assessment accurate!

[@ckmaui]

what place in portugal ? curious :)

[@Althea1111]

I’m from San Francisco, the capital of the crazies, so I’d like to go somewhere where I can get a break from seeing people walking around soiled and half undressed!

[@IslandHopperTV]

The hotel zone in Tulum is why you go to Tulum. The town of Tulum is nothing special. The hotel zone is what makes Tulum special…. If you missed the hotel zone then you missed Tulum…

[@marcelbilbao8533]

The sad thing is that back in the day 20+ yrs ago it was absolutely gorgeous, just incredible, only one or two hotels by the beach, full of nature...last time I went couple of yrs ago it was shocking to me, so many foreigners living there not only U S hippies but a lot of people from the rest of Latin America, awful crowd... A combination of mass tourism and weak immigration policies...

[@NekoBoyOfficial]

Thankfully my first time in Mexico wasn't touristy. Baja sur was a pleasant and chill experience.

[@OutboundShane]

The Pacific side is much better. Even the top destination of Puerto Vallarta was laid back and not overwhelming when I went.

[@tedcolman8675]

I laughed out loud a few times hearing your story. That did sound awful. Hopefully that kind of thing happens rarely and then you can look back and laugh later. It does highlight one thing though and that is there truly are some places to be avoided at all costs. Sounds like you stumbled on to one. Thanks for sharing!

[@GranFinale]

Tulum is for tourists only, where good food is found at the resorts, not locally. Everyone there wants a little extra $, from the minute you step off the plane, to the taxi to the hotel and everything in between.

[@shesellssanctuary1601]

Thanks for your experience! I’ve always been curious to go to Tulum but it sounds like other places I’ve been to with the same vibe and over priced tourist areas in Costa Rica.

[@sr9253]

Are you sure you weren’t in downtown LA :)?

[@veronicaleyva4986]

My daughter (Mexican) spent time there in a school trip on the 2007 and loved it and had her best memories from it. She went there last month for work, stayed 3 days, and she told me it just has bad vibe, super expensive, abusive customer service, and she thought to herself that the next time she would visit it would be whenever the Tren Maya makes a stop there and bye, she cannot see herself spending her time or money in that place. It has been developed under the point of view to attract snob people either Whitexicans, or foreign spring breakers.

[@DanielGonzalez-cs8pr]

Careful with that muscle relaxant, you could wake up without a kidney in an ice filled bathtub somewhere!

[@joannwolf4980]

In the early 1970’s Tulum was a beautiful small village. It is a hell hole now ruined by very bad developers, tourists and drifters.

[@tentimetex]

Great story, well told! :-) i think you should do more of these!

[@user-xj4yv3qo3v]

That's good to know, I like a little pre-warning if I ever go there. The super positive travel vlogs are so unauthentic. Travel can be stressfull and this info can save some energy and time.

[@nicolasoleazazueta2927]

Playa&Tulum are crowded, turn south of Quintana Roo State, to -not yet- spoiled places like Bacalar (Magic Town) and Mahahual/Xcalac in the Costa Maya (with Turquoise beaches equivalent to the Maya Riviera), near the Belize border..

[@jeffarcher400]

I haven't been there but I just read an article about the rapid unsupervised growth. It seems tourist hotels spring up without being hooked up to the sewer line. Instead septic tanks are leaching into the incredible underground Cenote systems. In addition huge gringo raves are held out in the jungle without restrooms. Now street drugs are also being detected in the waters that were until recently some of the purest in the world. Always amazed that they let you even swim in it but now it's in danger of becoming a cesspool. I think it's the main source of water for the area. If there's a good thing about covid it's that it slowed down the swarms of tourists and the industry. Can't believe it's coming back already. All aboard the cruise ships.

[@Dragon-kf5sb]

You're absolutely correct; breaks one's heart to see such horrible destruction of nature... Using the cenotes as sewer dumping ( there's an underwater film showing it to bring it to an end) as well as swimming and "potable" water system for the entire population is horrifying... Not forgetting that the beautiful jungle IS their dumping land field... Absolute shame to our once beautiful place.

[@jeffarcher400]

@@Dragon-kf5sb Most damage is likely due to Spring break college kids. Used to be a few surfers and free spirits in VW vans. Then word got out. Now there's airports and cruise ship docks. I blame the tourist industry. Industry sounds so detached from the dream. We're going to manufacture your memories and sell them to you at unbeatable prices. Don't worry if we destroy this paradise we are constantly searching for more and more remote places to consume.

[@Dragon-kf5sb]

@@jeffarcher400 indeed, what a shame! That's the problem with small paradise found here and there... We humans seems to be excellent on turning ourselves into a plague of destruction bugs that don't stop till all gone and turn into a nasty and expensive slumps.

[@deeleerambles]

I went to Tulum (from the U.K.) expecting to love it! I’m a bit of a free spirit creative etc… it seemed like it would be my cup of tea, but like you, I wasn’t keen! I’m sure there are some beautiful resorts and hotels there, but I just booked an air bnb in the town area, and found it all a bit manic and grotty, and similar to you, I didn’t like the vibe, or lack of? I loved everywhere else I went in Mexico though, so it was definitely a Tulum thing! Im sure some people have a great time there though, so to each their own I guess!

[@andreas11735]

This is a great video.

[@markmaracatu6811]

I came to Playa and Tulum in 1995. It was AMAZING then. Now - I try avoiding them. I prefer Cancun, honestly, no pretentious people there, just regular tourists and normal Mexican people living there

[@Danygotaworldtosee]

5:40 forget it i will starve. hahahah. I love it

[@AlicjaChojecka]

Tulum is hardly a "city" ;-) Ilove Mexico!

[@gaius_marius]

Agree!

[@rasheed2chemist]

I faced same feelings of Surabaya, Indonesia when I first came in 2019 to join a university as a teacher. In fact, I tolerated bad things for a year and then I tried to focus on good things here. My ideas changed dramatically as I focus on better shopping places, coffee shops, and restaurants.

[@fu6461]

That happens when you have moral standards... most of the world is a turn off

[@janejeffery2615]

I love your comments very insightful and yes lol great one thanks

[@MOOR5]

Mexico City is def one of the greatest cities in the world

[@87solarsky]

Rural Philippines are a nice alternative to Central America.

[@Heywood.Jablome]

Philippines is fantastic. Unfortunately, they're not open for business yet.

[@87solarsky]

@@Heywood.Jablome ...officially...

[@clavi1276]

I'm extremely excited for Andrew's Tulum perspective and it affects my travel planning. We agree about numerous places including Bangkok (not interested), South Korea, general eastern Europe , and Taiwan.

[@andrewfreeman88]

Love Taiwan so much I married one and created another ; ) We want to see South Korea and more of Japan too. Can't wait til these quarantines are lifted.

[@lt6873]

Is this Portland's sister city?

[@aipacsucks]

If you try to set fire to businesses, loot, tear down statues, block traffic and shoot police in the head in Mexico, there are consequences. So, no - they're not the same. 😑

[@lt6873]

@@aipacsucks San Francisco??

[@augustoeducation]

Try Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state .. very small .. ixtapa is the modern "turistic" part... and zihuatanejo is the classic mexican fishing little town... but has many restaurants (from the tipical tamales or pozole to good italian pasta ones, and you have that mexican flavor but can go and sleep in a modern place in ixtapa. is just for relaxing and having a good time.. the pacific beach is great, it has like 7 different beaches and each has its own special thing.. I'm developing my real estate company there

[@thedalillama]

Mexico ruined Tulum like they ruined Isla Mujeres. These used to be good options to Cancun, which is Las Vegas at the beach. You could really enjoy the beaches and natural surroundings. They are tourist traps now. It's also Porlandia Sur, where young people go to retire.

[@ns7023]

Sadly.

[@lacalcetaderayas4505]

in all case, gringos, askin for a line in the moment the get out of the plain, its what has ruin Tulum an every other turistic paradaise in mexic, the grewup to fit the demands

[@mia.2936]

Thanks for the heads up. 👍

[@peterr.7641]

I felt the same after 10 days in Cabo. You can't walk 5 feet in the downtown area without being assaulted with people trying to sell you taxi rides or snow. Prices are absolutely ridiculous - everyone is gringo hunting there and they don't back down. Same on most beaches so good luck taking a romantic walk as you are heckled 27/7. Resort charges guests $14 for a cab that costs less than $3 normally, and thats an example of the more "sane" pricing if you are white. Exhausting.

[@andros1000]

Really? So pricing is based on whiteness ? Do they give you a discount if you have a tan? You do realize that not all tourists from the USA (which I presume you just have to be one) are not, as you are apparently fond of thinking, “white”? And that lots of Mexicans are “white”, if by “white” you mean European-descended? Surely you were targeted because of various markers that gave you away as a potential victim, but being “white” isn’t one of them.

[@clubtutti1]

Loved your story. Laughed out loud a few times 👍

[@ScottPaton]

I spent a month or so in Playa and Cancun. I took a trip down to Tulum and I felt the same way you did without all your experiences. Went once, was enough. Yet I have friends who are rushing to buy down there.

[@guillersl9510]

I went to Mexico City and I was amazed I could not believe how massive and vibrant that place is. Tulum not in my bucket list.

[@cr8zystar282]

Tulum sounds like another San Francisco overprice and grimy!

[@sandraavalos9501]

I’m mexicana live in usa problem with the península it’s the gringos own that part of the méxico in that’s the big problem

[@motobro3870]

*you should check out Puerto Escondido* Developing like crazy. International Presence. Variety of zones from luxury condos to humble bungalows. Tons of space (unlike Tulum, where they dump trash into into jungle).

[@TallulahGold505]

Watching your Larry David impression and say the word "quaaludes" was totally worth it. Spent a couple of weeks in Cancun back in 2013 - and ended up cutting a day trip to Tulum short for many of the reasons you described. We ended up spending all of our time exploring several ruins in the Yucatan. I loved that experience and think of it often.

[@drx1xym154]

wow. I have never had any issues in Tulum, though I mostly stayed near the ruins (near the beach) and the water part (Xel Ha, etc...) which can be interesting and fun and being close to the water is key - as the heat (and sometimes bugs) can be oppressive. I do see the "seedy" sides of various parts of Mexico (and the USA), though and it sounds like certain areas are not work the trouble, anymore. I was in Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, late 2019 and had a great time. I was also in San Jose del Cabo and Cabo san Lucas late last year, with a smaller group and also had a great time. I have become adept at avoiding the scammers, harassing merchants (though some street merchants are fine) and beggars. Few, if any places are perfect. Even when you can find those - they may not be as "perfect" as you remember, the next time you come back.

[@wjro]

Never been to Mexico, have been to Thailand a few times. I agree with you on Bangkok. First time in BKK was ok, but just not my thing. Now when I travel to Thailand, it's 1 night at a hotel just to adjust to the time differences and the next day the wife and I get out of town. Thailand has so many nicer places to go, see and get a much better experience of the country.

[@annemorris505]

We visited Tulum in the late 90's when it was just a sleepy little stop on the road. (We were staying in Playa del Carmen in the pre-timeshare, no big hotels era.) What a shame, greed rules and foreign developers are the worst.

[@sweetchavacano2]

Tulum was this small village that was only known for the Mayan ruins by the sea, and it was just a stop in the mayan Rivera, with nothing else to do but visit the archeological place, in the recent years some real state developers are trying to make Tulum the new hot spot for the rich and trendy, building boutique resorts, expensive villas and bringing celebrities to private expensive parties, but as usual they don t care to develop the whole village just to make some money. And with that comes all the drug trafficking problem.

[@c00lmanable]

Love this channel. If you have the time can you please make more videos on places to live under $1000? 🙏

[@motodxb]

Nice that u r honest and keeping it real, I’ve been to many places where I couldn’t wait to leave the minute I got there

[@marlajacques6947]

Had a casa near Tulum about 9 yrs ago, thot I’d be keeping it but after a few trips down, I flipped it instead for the same reasons AH mentioned! I grew up around real hippies thanks 😆

[@allenhammer7923]

Thanks but no thanks?

[@jmlnc]

Really funny!! Husband and I almost moved there in 2018 after 3 visits. Initially such a beautiful place. Too much development and pricess soaring, no thanks. Very hot there as well. We chose Lake Chapala and love it.

[@gaius_marius]

I love Ajijic on Lake Chapala. I hope I can retire there one day.

[@towaritch]

But if you can't swim in that lake because it is polluted and there are no beaches what's the use?

[@wtf_usa5597]

I was in Tulum in the early 90's too. It was quaint and amazing. This is so sad to hear. Even PV was great back then. Now it's unrecognizable.

[@jolly7728]

That's pretty funny -- your candor is off the charts and very much appreciated. And your story-telling talent is second to none. Sorry that you didn't have a very good time there. I chalk it up to this: being in a foreign country means things will be foreign. Situations can get really weird when you are away from home, for sure. Let's face it, though; even in your own country the vibe can be "off," depending on where you go. Assessing the vibe of a place has a lot to do with one’s expectations. If you don't expect much then you'll likely be okay with whatever experiences you end up having, and that leaves a lot more room to being occasionally impressed. So, happliy program yourself to expect very little when traveling, and you should be okay - and you’ll likely have lots of happy stories to tell when you get back home, such as, “Oh, my gosh. I expected to see a curly haired guy walking around in soiled undergarments, and I actually saw such a person while taking a walk one afternoon.”

[@dcbc21]

Tulum is a hippie and backpackers more of a place. Chill-out town. Not all cities are the same.

[@dylnrvs]

I was in Tulum in October 2020 looking for an alternative to Bali while it was closed, spent 3 weeks too long in La Veleta. Our airbnb was over priced, poor quality, expensive food, bicycle rental was extortionate, had the worst food poisoning in my life, probably the most over hyped place and will never go back.

[@ns7023]

Go to Puerto Escondido o Huatulco