| Buying real estate in Tulum has increased in popularity | | | | into a contract with the bank and can usually be |
| as rapidly over the past several years as the land | | | | obtained within a few days. When named as the |
| values in the area. Travelers from all over the world | | | | beneficiary of the fideicomisos, a foreign investor has |
| come and see the breathtaking beaches, the kind and | | | | all the rights and privileges as any other owner including |
| loving people and the colorful and lively culture, and | | | | to build structures, run a business and sell the land. |
| become mesmerized. The question of how to buy real | | | | The other option to purchase land within the restricted |
| estate in Tulum is being asked more and more | | | | zone as a foreigner is to have an established Mexican |
| frequently as many people are trying to buy land in | | | | corporation. By law Mexican corporations are |
| Tulum before prices increase further. | | | | permitted to own land anywhere within Mexico. Setting |
| Buying land in Tulum has also gotten easier over the | | | | up a corporation is a legal matter and a Mexican |
| past many years. Many pieces of land are already | | | | attorney should be involved. |
| titled and buying from the Ejido has gotten more | | | | Purchasing land in Tulum and the surrounding area is |
| streamlined and much more straightforward then it | | | | often done so directly from the Ejido. Ejido land is land |
| was originally thought to be. | | | | that is owned by the native people who have lived |
| All of Tulum, and an additional 45 km inland, lie within | | | | there for many generations. This land, given to the |
| the restricted zone. The restricted zone is deemed by | | | | communities after the revolution as a means of |
| the constitution of Mexico to be 100 km (62 miles) | | | | maintaining themselves, largely through agriculture, has |
| from any Mexican boarder and within 50 km (31 miles) | | | | now sectioned and is available for sale in lots. |
| from any coastline. And it states that land within this | | | | When buying land in Tulum from the Ejido there is |
| zone may not be owned by foreigners. In order to | | | | some additional paperwork and fees in order to |
| comply with federal law but also promote foreign | | | | transfer the property but can easily be handled by a |
| investments within Mexico, the government established | | | | Notary Public and/or a Mexican attorney. A lawyer |
| 2 ways that land within this area could be owned and | | | | that is licensed within Mexico will be able to draw up |
| utilized by foreigners. | | | | contracts and review conditions of the sale and will be |
| To buy land in Tulum as a foreigner, one must go | | | | aware of all current laws within Mexico. |
| through 1 of 2 channels. The first and most common | | | | While a Mexican lawyer is advised, it is not mandatory. |
| option, is through a fideicomisos. These are, in essence, | | | | The services of a Notary Public (Notario Publico) |
| a trust like in the USA, in which a Mexican bank would | | | | however are mandatory. By Mexican law only a |
| be the trustee and the foreign buyer the beneficiary. If | | | | Notary Public can prepare a deed for properties within |
| purchasing land within the restricted zone one must | | | | Mexico. In the end it is the responsibility of the Notary |
| also obtain a permit from the Ministry of Foreign | | | | Public to ensure proper paper work and transfer of |
| Affairs. This permit allows a buyer the ability to enter | | | | real estate in Tulum. |