Once a relatively unknown town in the Mexican Caribbean, Bacalar is trending on TikTok as a cheaper, less-crowded alternative to Tulum. With each passing day, more Americans become aware of this hidden gem and its cultural value, leading regular visitors and locals alike to question: could the viral videos and rise in tourism eventually ruin …

The Mexican Caribbean, especially the ever-busy Cancun and Tulum, are not known for being particularly affordable or even relaxing to visit, depending on accommodation choice, with the intense party scene and thousands of beachgoers fighting for the perfect spot in the sun. Luckily, there are a handful of unfrequented resort towns that are not only …