The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide

I’ve traveled to Mexico a number of times, but like the typical American, most of my exploration has been limited to Cancun or Puerto Vallarta. When a few friends brought up the idea of a long weekend in Tulum, Alex and I were beyond excited to experience a new part of the country.

If you lump Tulum in with the expansive resort scene that characterizes nearby Cancun, you’re in for a surprise. Tulum sets itself apart with an aesthetic that can only be described as bohemian luxury. Hugging Tulum Beach, the hotel zone is made up of hundreds of boutique hotels, trendy restaurants, and chic stores that are seemingly stacked on top of each other.

If you’re looking to experience true Mexico, Tulum is probably not the best choice. The local economy depends on tourism and it’s obvious that nearly every business in the area caters to visitors from around the world. But if you’re ready to embrace it for what it is, Tulum will win you over with its breathtaking beaches, beautiful cenotes, expansive ruins, and relaxed way of life.

Before You Go

The closest airport to Tulum is the Cancun International Airport, meaning you’ll need to arrange ground transportation to your accommodations. The drive to Tulum takes roughly an hour and a half, but can be much longer depending on traffic. I arranged a private shuttle through the airport transportation service and had zero problems. They picked us up from the airport and dropped us off right outside our hotel.

Something else to be aware of before heading to Tulum is the cost. If you’ve traveled to other areas of Mexico, the prices in Tulum might surprise you. For instance, if you want to grab a drink near the beach, be prepared to pay $20 for a cocktail. The food in the hotel zone is equally expensive.

You can offset costs by grabbing lunch or dinner away from Tulum Beach. Tulum Town is only a few miles away from the hotel zone and has much more reasonable—and more authentic—dining options. Personally, I think it’s worth getting dinner near the beach at least once so that you can experience the craziness that is Tulum’s nightlife, but try adventuring to other areas to save some serious cash.

And speaking of cash, try to convert money before heading to Tulum. Taxis and many businesses in the area don’t accept credit cards and it can be difficult (and expensive) to convert US dollars or find an ATM.

Where to Stay

Even though it can be costly, the hotel zone is where you want to stay in Tulum. Nothing beats being able to walk straight to the water, especially at a beach that is as beautiful as Tulum’s.

We stayed at Zamas and loved it. It was reasonably priced and our quaint bungalow was perfect for our party of four. The hotel restaurant even had an unbelievable ocean view that we got to enjoy with a cup of coffee each morning. With that said, Zamas is actually on the edge of the hotel zone and is a bit removed from Tulum Beach by way of a bridge. It has its own private beach, but if you want easy access to miles of white sand, Zamas might not be for you.

What to Do

Swim the Cenotes

Besides the nightlife, Tulum is probably most known for its accessibility to a large number of cenotes. A cenote is a natural sinkhole resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater.

There are literally hundreds of cenotes within driving distance of Tulum so it can be overwhelming to decide which cenotes to visit, especially since each one is unique. To help you out, I’ve highlighted a few options below.

Casa Tortuga: Casa Tortuga is one of the best off-the-path cenotes in Tulum. For a single entry fee, you actually get to visit four different cenotes—two open cenotes and two caves. We were practically the only ones there when we went and loved the variety of things to do and see. It’s a 25 minute drive from Tulum.

Gran Cenote: If you’re looking for convenience, this cenote is a great option. It’s top rated and only an 11 minute drive from Tulum. The convenience does mean that it can get crowded, however, so visit in the early morning if you can.
Cenote Calavera: If you’re planning to visit Gran Cenote, this cenote is close by and great for photographers. It has become an insta-famous spot in the last few years due to a strategically placed swing inside the cave.
Dos Ojos: If you’re on the hunt for insanely blue water, cool cave formations, and amazing snorkeling opportunities, head to Dos Ojos. It’s a 25 minute drive from Tulum.
Cenote Ik Kil: If you plan to visit the Chichén Itzá Ruins, this cenote is a great addition to the itinerary. It’s picture perfect with dreamy vines hanging down the cave walls.

Explore the Tulum Ruins

As someone who has traveled fairly extensively and seen her fair share of ruins, I’ll be honest and say that I wasn’t expecting a lot from the Tulum Ruins. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised. The ancient city of Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya and the ruins themselves are some of the best preserved from the pre-Columbian era.

In addition to its rich history, there is the small fact that the archeological site is perched on the edge of limestone cliffs overlooking the crystal clear Caribbean. Moral of the story? It’s a site you don’t want to miss.

If you want to avoid sweaty tour groups slowly shuffling around and blocking the city walkways, try to get there as soon as the site opens at 8am. As an added bonus, an early start means you won’t be sweltering in the mid-day sun.

Go Thrill Seeking

Look, I’m not one to normally frequent amusement or adventure parks, but it just so happened that one of the people on our trip was turning 30 and she really wanted to go ATV-ing. When we looked into options, we found a company that gave us the ability not only to ATV, but also to swim through an underground cenote and go zip lining through the jungle. What more could you ask for?

Was it an absolute blast? Yes. Did the staff make us group pose for increasingly cringe-worthy pictures as the day wore on? Absolutely. All in all, I would rate it a 10/10 experience.

There are dozens of companies that offer similar experiences in the area, but we used Adventuras Mayas and had a wonderful time. They picked us up from our hotel, offered water and snacks throughout the day, provided lunch, and had a great crew that made sure we were having fun.

Visit Tulum Town

If you’re looking for a slightly more authentic Mexican experience, head to Tulum Town. As I mentioned before, it’s only a few miles from the hotel zone and feels like an entirely different world than the boho paradise that is the Tulum beach scene. Here, you’ll find excellent local food (tacos and margaritas, I’m looking at you!), street vendors, and locals going about normal life.

While there, be sure to walk the main street, pick up a few souvenirs, and above all else, EAT! Contrary to popular belief, you’ll find the best food, coffee, and cocktails in Tulum Town. In comparison to the hotel zone, the food in town is better priced and much more authentic. A few of our favorite places were Taqueria Honorio, El Takazo Jr, and Ki'bok Coffee.

Relax on Tulum Beach

Spending time by the ocean should be a given, but with so much to do and see in Tulum, it can be easy to miss out on relaxation. That would be a major mistake since Tulum Beach is home to superb white sand, turquoise blue waters, and amazing weather year round.

Something that I found confusing prior to going to Tulum was figuring out where the beach started and stopped. Tulum Beach technically extends all the way to the Tulum Ruins, but if you’re looking for the largest area of uninterrupted sand, you’ll want to stick to the hotel zone. This three mile strip is easily walkable and lined by beautiful restaurant patios and high-end beach lounges.

If you’re worried about accessibility, don’t fret. You can access the beach through any of the restaurants or bars that line the water. Be warned that if you want a lounge chair, you will have to pay for it. Personally, I thought the cost was worth having a comfortable seat. Most of the lounge chairs have a minimum spend of $50 or more. That may sound pricey, but when you’re spending $18 on a margarita, you’ll get there pretty quickly. In Tulum, embrace your boujee self.

Experience Tulum’s Nightlife

Now that I’m in my 30s, I’m not one to go out multiple nights in a row unless I want to spend all day in bed. With that said, if you’re willing to sacrifice your sleep for some fun, Tulum is where to do it. Every restaurant, hotel, and bar lining Tulum Beach goes all out to create an unforgettable nightly experience for its guests. I appreciated the over-the-top luxury. After all, who doesn’t like their cocktail to be delivered with a sparkler?

We went to Taboo, RosaNegra, and Gitano Beach and enjoyed each one. Just be prepared to pay high dollar to partake in such activities. If you have a few places in mind that you’d like to visit, I’d recommend making reservations as soon as possible. The most popular spots book up weeks in advance.

All in all, I loved Tulum. Was it a 100% authentic Mexican experience? Absolutely not, but I think that’s okay. I was able to relax on the beach with friends, snorkel through underwater caves, see ancient ruins, and drink numerous overpriced (but delicious) cocktails. I think that’s a win in my book. If you have any additional questions, feel free to drop me a note!

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My name is Kolby Tallentire and I’m the creator of Tallentire Travels. This blog formed out of my unending love of travel. My goal is to bring you the most unique and affordable travel recommendations for every destination. Learn More