For all of you that are looking for a complete guide that includes all the best things to do in Tulum (and some bonus underrated activities as well), the best hotels and restaurants plus TONS of useful info about how to get to the city and how to get around, you are in the right place. My Tulum guide below will cater to all your needs, that’s a promise!
I’m super excited to tell you everything I know about Tulum because I’ve been there on my most recent trip. I had a 1-month trip to Mexico, with 2 weeks spent in Playa del Carmen and 2 weeks in Tulum. And I can say that Tulum has my heart!
In fact, I’ve been to Tulum a few times before, in 2018 and 2016, and I have always looooved the vibe of Tulum – it’s a real tropical paradise! With the jungle so close to the beach and the insanely beautiful blue waters, incredible Mexican food and wild nightlife – what is not to love?
I’ll tell you.. the prices. The prices are not to love.
Since my first trip (and even my second), the prices in Tulum have become EXTORTIONATE. Like… I literally thought some people had gone insane with some of the prices they were attempting to charge. $40 for a 3-minute taxi ride. $3000 for a beachfront hotel – It was. literally. Insane.
Still! Tulum is beautiful, and there are ways of doing it on a budget, so this isn’t meant to deter you – it’s simply to warn you to be vigilant!
And if you want to talk numbers, the average price for one day spent in Tulum is around $80 per person and you can expect the cost of a Tulum vacation for an entire week for a couple to be around $1.200 if you’re a regular mid-range traveller.
TIP: If you’re on a tight budget but still want to visit Tulum, I’ve done my research and come up with this complete post on Free things to do in Tulum, Mexico that includes heaps of helpful tips on how to avoid the insane prices.
Okay, now let’s find out more about this unique destination and my personal selection of unmissable things to do in Tulum for first-time visitors!
Tulum was once a (rather boring) fishing village, now transformed into one of the hottest travel destinations in the world. So hot that even celebrities are choosing to visit Tulum to relax and take a dip into its turquoise waters! And with soft white beaches, tons of gorgeous cenotes (more about this below), boutique shops and incredible restaurants, it’s quite easy to understand why.
Tulum has a rich history as well. It was the last great, ancient Mayan city that was built between the 13th and 15th century. It’s a place where Mayan gods were adored – and the well-preserved Mayan ruins and their surrounding sites are standing proof of Tulum’s past and Maya civilization.
Combine that with striking natural wonders, spiritual centres and incredible resorts and you’ll end up with a wonderful place where both past and present collide. That’s Tulum in a nutshell!
And now a bit of technical info about how Tulum is structured. Tulum is divided into 3 (very) different areas and all of them are called ‘Tulum’, which can get a bit confusing at first, especially if you’re visiting the city for the very first time. Here they are, explained:
If things are still confusing for you, here’s a map of Tulum that I made in order to help picture it:
Tulum is located on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, in the state of Quintana Roo. It’s right in the centre of Riviera Maya in the Caribbean Sea. By car, you can reach Tulum in less than 2 hours from Cancun and 45 minutes from Playa del Carmen.
For detailed information about how to get to Tulum, head over to my dedicated section here.
If you’re up for an adventure, you’ll quickly find out that there are endless things to do in Tulum that will keep you busy for more than one whole week! But if you’re only on a short visit or it’s your first time setting foot on this wonderful Carribean destination, make sure you don’t miss any of the following activities in Tulum:
It’s no secret that Tulum is a place full of awesome shops and boutique stalls selling anything from clothes to furniture, accessories and Mexican handcrafts. You’ll find shops both in Tulum Town and on the beach area, the latter being a bit more expensive.
Speaking of prices… Although there are some amazing clothes, jewellery, bags, etc that can be bought in Tulum, be warned – they’re very pretty but very pricey. They practice Western prices here!
Some nice shops to check out in Tulum are Pura Vida Tulum, La Pulga Boutique, La Troupe and Wanderlust. For home decor, head over to Kaahal Home Tulum.
NOTE: Tulum is not the place to buy cheap souvenirs / local goods. They increase the prices by up to 50% just because they are on this part of the coast. If you’re looking to shop and buy some of those cute crochet Tulum cover-ups or beach-style dresses, I recommend heading over to Playa del Carmen – which is still a touristy area, but you’ll be paying significantly less! Cancun is also a good choice for cheap souvenirs, as well as Merida (although the latter is further away).
Cenotes are stunning, natural deep-water sinkholes. They’re like little blue holes of water carved in limestone and they look like an underground cave. Cenotes are typical to Mexico, they’re scattered all over the Yucatan Peninsula and are not to be missed! Luckily, some of the best ones are located in the proximity of Tulum and some of the activities that you can do there include swimming, diving, snorkelling or taking some incredible pictures.
Below are my favourites:
RELATED READ: This was just a brief introduction into the wonderful world of cenotes. For more information, I recommend reading my dedicated post: Best Cenotes to Visit in Tulum, Mexico
Taking a day trip to the famous Chichen Itza is one of the best things to do in Tulum – well, actually a bit outside of it, but it’s still high up on my list!
Besides being the most visited ancient Mayan ruins site in the entirety of Mexico, it is also one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It only takes two hours by car to reach it from Tulum and it’s definitely a must-visit. Seriously, you can’t go to Mexico and simply ignore Chichen Itza!
I did this day trip myself during my first trip – we rented a car and made a whole day of it. Our first stop was Cenote Suy Tun (so stunning), then we went on to Chichen Itza. On our way back to Tulum, we stopped in Valladolid for lunch and to explore the town. Perfecto! 👌
In case you don’t/can’t rent a car, there are also lots of organised tours available. Here are two of the best ones I could find departing from Tulum:
PRICE: Entrance to the ancient ruins is 533 MXN (around $26) per person.
RELATED READ: 23 Best Tulum Instagram Spots: A Photo Guide
I’d say it goes without saying that a day spent on one of the gorgeous beaches or clubs should be one of the top things to do in Tulum for everyone. In fact, it is said that Tulum has some of the best beaches in Mexico!
Although the beaches in Tulum are super popular, only a few of them are truly accessible to the public, the rest being taken over and “offered out” by resorts or beach clubs. In order to briefly explain it, there are three ways in which you can experience Tulum’s beaches:
Here are some of the best beach clubs in Tulum that I really enjoyed:
NOTE #1: Whenever you want to swim on a beach in Tulum, pay attention to the flags. Black means don’t swim, red flag means danger, yellow means caution and green means that it’s completely safe to swim. Also, pay even more attention if you’re going to a remote beach, as they don’t have flags at all.
NOTE #2: One thing most people don’t say about Tulum is that the coastline can sometimes get hit with a seaweed invasion. When this happens, the white sandy beaches are not that white and beautiful anymore, as you can imagine. This is a natural phenomena in Mexico and there’s nothing you can do about it – just pray that you won’t be that unlucky!
RELATED READ: Best Beaches and Beach Clubs in Tulum, Mexico
Although these are definitely not the most impressive ruins in the Yucatan, a great advantage is that they’re situated on a hill right in Tulum, so they’re super easy to get to. These 13th-century ruins also offer an incredible view of the ocean and the beach – pretty cool! In fact, the Tulum Ruins (also known as Tulum Archaeological Zone) are very close to Playa Paraiso, only 700m away.
PRICE: 85 MXN (around $4.20) per person. Photography fee is 45 MXN ($2.20). If you’re going with a car, you must park in the shopping centre’s parking lot and the price is 30 MXN ($1.50).
TIP: Make sure you don’t leave your visit to the Tulum Ruins for lunchtime or the end of the day, as you’ll encounter lots of tourist buses and huge crowds. Try to visit early in the morning instead. The site opens at 8 AM, but I recommend arriving 1 hour earlier.
Make sure you rent a bike for the duration of your stay – taxis charge astronomical prices and it’s so, so easy to cycle everywhere in Tulum. Plus, it’s a fun activity per se!
Biking around Tulum and between the Beach Zone and El Centro is super easy (and it only takes 15 to 30 minutes) – it’s the thing that everyone does. Another great advantage is that some hotels offer free bikes and there are also dedicated large bike baths that you can use. In case your hotel doesn’t offer this service, you can rent a bike from iBike Tulum or Ola Bike Tulum.
PRICE: around 200 MXN per day ($10).
In case you’re looking for unique things to do in Tulum, here’s my recommendation: a Temazcal ritual. This is the thing to do if you want to get a glimpse of real Mayan / Mexican culture and traditions!
In short, a Temazcal ritual is a Mayan ceremony of purification during which you sit in a traditional, tiny sweat lodge made of stone or wood that looks like a huge pizza oven. It’s pretty similar to a sauna: you enter the sweat lodge (called ‘temazcal’), which is heated by hot rocks and water.
A local shaman pours water over the rocks while singing a chant and summoning spirits, and everything happens in complete darkness. During this time, you should enter a state of meditation and calmness. It is said that the Temazcal ritual is meant to clean your body and mind and it’s been performed since ancient times.
Even if you’re sceptical if this ritual is effective or not, you can approach it with an open mind. After all, it’s still an interesting thing to do and it makes a great story to tell back home!
Some accommodations even have their own temazcal on-site. Two hotels that do good rituals and that I can recommend are Nomade and Holistika.
NOTE: You must wear your swimwear (or underwear) for this ritual.
You may remember that I explained above (right here) about how Tulum is structured into three different zones. Tulum Pueblo, also known as El Centro or Tulum Town is an attraction per se for all those that want to get away from the shiny, touristy, overpriced part of the city and get a glimpse of real, raw Mexican life. Which is why I think it’s one of the best things to do in Tulum, even though I left it as last on my list!
This is where you’ll find some authentic, more affordable shops and restaurants. You can visit Tulum Pueblo to take a walk, drink a cup of coffee or grab a bite of authentic Mexican food. Make sure you don’t miss the Main Ave, Calle Centauro Sur and their surrounding streets and search for their hidden gems.
Above was my list of unmissable things to do in Tulum, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. Now, if you’re staying for more than 3-4 days or if it’s your second visit to this destination, it’s time to delve deeper. Here are some extra things to do in Tulum that you can add to your itinerary:
RELATED READ: Free Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is a great destination where you can rent a bike or a car and easily create your own itinerary inside and around town. But in case you want to keep it simple, avoid too much organisation or just prefer organised tours in general, I have some excellent options for you below:
RELATED READ: Where to Stay in Tulum, Mexico – Downtown vs Hotel Zone
Because Tulum is divided into two main areas: Zona Hotelera and Tulum Downtown / Centre, I will offer you recommendations for both of them. Just note that, just like for restaurants and shops, the hotels in the hotel zone are way more expensive than the ones downtown – and they’re usually all-inclusive resorts.
BIG SPLURGE: Hotel Ma’xanab Tulum – 5-star hotel with world-class service, located right on South Tulum Beach.
LITTLE SPLURGE: Coco Limited – Where I stayed! They have a great beach location, the hotel is super cute and it doesn’t break the bank (unlike other beachside hotels in Tulum!)
BUDGET: Selina Tulum – especially good if you’re a family on a budget. Ahau Tulum Hotel is also a good choice.
GLAMPING: Cinco – only 350m from Playa Paraiso
HOSTEL: Mayan Monkey Hostel – really affordable and it also has an outdoor swimming pool!
BIG SPLURGE: Hotel Bardo – 5-star hotel with suites. Each of them has a private pool and a balcony as well!
LITTLE SPLURGE: Azura Boutique Hotel – I stayed here (twice) and I could not recommend it enough! The location is right in the centre and everything feels super safe. You get an entire apartment which is clean, cosy and modern. They also have a rooftop dipping pool and the staff are all so lovely and kind!
BUDGET: Hotel Central Station – 3-star hotel with clean and nicely decorated rooms, an ATM, free Wi-Fi and more. They also have family rooms!
GLAMPING: Huaya Camp – luxury tents for a great price, with free private parking included
HOSTEL: Hostel Oryx – amazing hostel with a shared kitchen, dry cleaning service and an outdoor swimming pool as well!
Okay, if you’ve been reading some other blog posts of mine, you may already know: I love food. And Tulum, for me, was an absolutely foodie’s paradise! So many incredible dishes, so many cute places to go out, I just had to share all MY FAVOURITE Tulum restaurants with you!
NOTE: One thing to know right from the start: Tulum center is much, much cheaper than the hotel road. Miles cheaper.
Del Cielo – This place has such a cute vibe and great food too! Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations and they are pretty popular, so oftentimes you’ll have to wait for a table. Don’t worry, they have a cosy, little waiting area, but be prepared for it.
Taqueria La Chiapaneca – This is THE place to go and get cheap, delicious, local tacos. You’ll notice it’s always busy, so you know it’s good!
Encanto Cantina – Ahh, the vibe, the decor, the food – such a cute spot for dinner. My favourite date night location in town for sure!
ATTENTION! This was the best burrito I ever ate in my LIFE! And I am not being paid to say this! Literally, I don’t even know the name of this amazing little burrito stall, but it pops up at this location nightly (6PM – 10PM) and I swear to you – it’s a game changer! Super affordable and insanely delicious. They use a recipe from the region of Chiwawa – so you’ll find no added rice or beans, and way more filling, along with a choice of insanely delicious sauces… Tell them Melissa says hi and thank me later!
Cinco was amazingly affordable for a beachside lunch!
If you’re going all out for dinner, then you want to head to Rosa Negra! It was SUCH a vibe: think all the Tulum gimmicks – dancing on the tables, handing out sparklers, dancers – just such a good place to set the tone for the night! But it’s more than that, the menu was soooo good, each dish and drink was a work of A R T! I was obsessed with their Besugo Sashimi. Oh, and make sure you leave room for dessert!
Other places that I LOVE that you have to add to your list include:
RELATED READ: Okay, I am such a lover of all the Mexican food I ate in Tulum that I can’t even contain it! This is why I wrote this dedicated post: Best Places to Eat in Tulum
I know I mentioned some of these options above, but I’ll suggest them again in this complete list of things to do near Tulum:
You can find more options for places to visit in Mexico in this section down below.
Being such a popular travel destination, Tulum is easily accessible from different parts of Mexico. Here are your options:
Tulum doesn’t currently have an airport, although the plan is for one to open in 2023 (and a train too). Right now, the closest one is Cancun International Airport, located 120 km / a bit less than 2 hours from Tulum. Once you arrive at Cancun Airport, you can easily find an ADO bus (much cheaper) to take you to the Tulum Centre or Hotel Zone for around 300 MXN / $15.
In case you’re planning a longer trip around Mexico, the best idea would be to rent a car. You can pick up your rented car right at Cancun Airport and then head over to Tulum Town, which is around 90 minutes away. One note here: the traffic along the famous beach road in Tulum can be insane at times, especially during high season. Make sure you’re paying lots of attention on the road and don’t drive too fast!
A local taxi is also an alternative, although I’m not very eager to recommend it, as the prices can be a crazy high. If this is your only option, make sure you negotiate the price before taking the ride.
Although not the fastest, this is definitely the cheapest way to reach Tulum. You can take a bus to Tulum from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. I, once again, recommend the local ADO buses, as they’re the cheapest.
Of course, I couldn’t let you go without telling you my most precious travel tips for Tulum, right? Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
Or you can save yourself some pennies by reading my dedicated post on the subject: Free things to do in Tulum
In case you’re planning a real adventure in Mexico, here are some other AMAZING places on the Yucatan Peninsula to add to your bucket list:
Aaaand here is the ultimate Tulum travel guide, aka one of the most popular destinations on the Yucatan Peninsula, in Mexico’s Riviera Maya!
If you’re planning on visiting Tulum soon, I’m absolutely convinced that this guide will come in handy, as I tried to include everything I learned when I visited Tulum myself recently! You’ll find the best things to do in Tulum here – from famous archaeological sites and Mayan ruins to the beaches, natural wonders, snorkelling and scuba diving, cenotes and more, plus lots of useful info about restaurants, hotels and everything in-between.
If you need more information that will help you plan your itinerary around Mexico, click here to find all my stories and articles about this vibrant country. And here you’ll find all the other blog posts about Tulum.
xoxo,
Melissa
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