The Federal Consumer Prosecutor's Office (Profeco) has suspended the Diamante K hotel, owned by actor and entrepreneur Roberto Palazuelos, as part of a special operation carried out in Tulum, Quintana Roo. The action follows complaints about unjustified price increases for tourist services and basic goods. The operation included inspections in establishments in downtown Tulum and at Jaguar Park, where significant discrepancies in hotel rates and various violations of current regulations were identified. According to the official statement, Profeco personnel conducted 29 visits to supermarkets, pharmacies, hotels, and restaurants, in addition to supervising 22 establishments within Jaguar Park. It was there that the most expensive double room was found at the Diamante K hotel, with a rate of 13,860 pesos, well above the area's average. Profeco placed suspension seals on the Diamante K, Pocna Tulum, Villa Pescadores, and Cabañas Playa Condesa Tulum hotels for various infractions, including failure to display rates, lacking terms and conditions, inducing tip payments, and not providing receipts. The authority detailed: “Violations of the Federal Law for the Protection of Consumers were detected that directly affect the tourist and the local visitor”. The operation also included monitoring of food and beverages, where elevated prices were detected, such as guacamole costing up to 280 pesos, burgers exceeding 400 pesos, and taco orders costing up to 400 pesos. In addition to the suspended hotels, Profeco conducted eight formal inspections in supermarkets, pharmacies, and convenience stores, where recurring violations were found, such as the failure to display prices, lack of information on warranties and returns, and absence of clear consumer policies. Among the inspected businesses were Súper San Francisco de Asís, Walmart, Chedraui Tulum, Comercializadora Farmacéutica del Sureste, and Proveedora del Panadero, all of which received suspension measures, with the exception of Farmacon, which partially complied with the regulations. The operation also included surveillance visits to restaurants in the tourist area, such as Burrito Amor, Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar, Encanto, Wang Tulum, Restaurante Estrada, Sabor de Mar, and Negro Huitlacoxe. At these locations, Profeco detected practices violating the Federal Consumer Protection Law, including inducing tip payments, failing to display prices for certain dishes or drinks, and presenting menus with unclear rates. In all cases, immediate recommendations were issued to correct the irregularities before a possible greater sanction. Likewise, Profeco monitored the prices of basic goods in convenience stores like OXXO, GO MART, and 7-Eleven, identifying that most items have prices above the national average. According to the Profeco statement, the highest prices were recorded at the GO MART chain, especially in beverages, snacks, and fast-consumption items. This variation, the authority noted, could directly affect tourists and residents during the high season, so monitoring will continue to prevent unjustified price increases.
