Here’s a guide to awesome things to do in Tulum, Mexico, including where to stay, eat, and lots of travel tips.
Tulum, a seaside town on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is a place where travelers will be surprised by the diversity of things to do and places to discover.
Situated along the Caribbean coastline in Quintana Roo state, Tulum has something for everyone – from archaeological treasures, to stunning natural scenery, and a lively yet relaxed ambiance.
ACCOMMODATION: Nomade Tulum (luxury), L’Hotelito Tulum (mid-range), Mama’s Home Hostel (budget).
AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book a private transfer to your hotel (from $79 per car) or reserve a seat on a shared shuttle (from $45 per person).
TULUM CAR HIRE: Exploring beyond Tulum? Use Discover Cars to find the best price on a rental car.
BEST TULUM DAY TRIP: Discover one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, one of the Yucatan’s Pueblos Magicos and swim in a unique cenote on this day trip that combines Chichen Itza, Valladolid and cenote.
5 ESSENTIALS TO PACK FOR TULUM: A universal travel adapter; a refillable water bottle; a a power bank (essential if you use your camera phone a lot); a crossbody/waist bag (to keep your valuables safely close to your body); and a copy of the latest Lonely Planet Guide to the Yucatan.
TRAVEL INSURANCE IN TULUM: I recommend Heymondo, which includes Covid-19 coverage. And you can get a 5% discount when you buy with my link.
STAY CONNECTED: Buy an eSIM for Mexico before you leave home and get connected as soon as you arrive in Tulum.
Table of Contents
- 1 Where to Stay in Tulum
- 2 Things to Do in Tulum
- 2.1 Visit the picturesque Tulum Ruins
- 2.2 Relax on the white sand beaches
- 2.3 Swim in cenotes
- 2.4 Shop and dine in Tulum Pueblo
- 2.5 Go on an adventure tour
- 2.6 Attend a Full Moon Party
- 2.7 Stay at a luxury eco-resort
- 2.8 Visit lesser known Mayan ruins
- 2.9 Experience trendy beach clubs
- 2.10 Wander the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
- 2.11 Revel in Tulum’s Nightlife
- 3 Best Places to Eat in Tulum
- 4 Tulum FAQs
Where to Stay in Tulum
Tulum offers a vast range of accommodation options available to travelers of every type and budget range.
With so many options, particularly when it comes to luxury hotels, you’ll be stuck for choice here, and this where to stay in Tulum guide will surely help you decide on the perfect spot to stay at.
Below are a few of my top recommendations:
- Nomade Tulum – Luxury
Stay in stylish yet comfortable tents amidst the lush jungle setting at this one-of-a-kind eco-resort. Enjoy daily yoga classes, mouthwatering meals, and a truly memorable glamping experience.
>Book Nomade Tulum here
- L’Hotelito Tulum – Mid-Range
Stay away from the tourist crowds. This charming downtown hotel features thatch-roofed rooms with balconies decorated in traditional Mexican style.
>Book L’Hotelito here - Mama’s Home Hostel – Budget
Located in lively downtown Tulum, this friendly hostel has both private and dorm-style rooms available. Take advantage of free breakfast, walking tours, bike rentals, and the communal kitchen and lounge areas.
>Book Mama’s Home Hostel here
Things to Do in Tulum
When planning things to do in Tulum, be sure to experience the variety of activities available, and you can even refer to this guide on Tulum tours to discover the best of this popular destination.
Visit the picturesque Tulum Ruins
The star attraction in Tulum is the sprawling cliffside ruins of an ancient Mayan port city. It is one of the top places to visit in the Yucatan.
These well-kept relics, dating to the 13th century AD, offer a window into the lives of the pre-Columbian people who once called this area home.
Wandering through the structures, like the El Castillo pyramid and the Temple of the Frescoes, you can envision vibrant ceremonies and daily rituals unfolding centuries ago.
Spend a few hours wandering around the ruins to see structures like El Castillo, the pyramid-shaped main building, Templo de las Pinturas, which contains faded mural fragments, and the Temple of the Descending God.
Go early to beat crowds. Open daily 8am-5pm, and the entrance fee is around $4 USD.
TOP TIP: For sunrise views without crowds, arrive right when gates open.
The Tulum Ruins make for a fascinating history lesson and are an unmissable activity during your stay. Here’s a recommended guided tour to learn about all about the archaeological site that also includes a visit to a cenote.
Relax on the white sand beaches
With sparkling white sands and crystal clear water, Tulum’s beaches are stunning. For an atmospheric beach club, spend a day lounging at Papaya Playa Project (day passes start at $100 USD), with beachside cabanas, food/drinks, and live DJs.
Seek out more seclusion further south near the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. And don’t miss the Riviera Maya coastal cuisine, like grilled lobster, ceviche, and fish tacos.
TOP TIP: For fewer crowds, head to Xcacel Beach and its miles of picturesque shoreline. You may even get lucky and see sea turtles.
Swim in cenotes
Swimming in Tulum’s cenotes, or sinkholes, is an absolute must and one of the best things to do in Tulum. Snorkel through caverns filled with stalactites at Gran Cenote.
Experience the phenomenal clarity of Cenote Cristal – great for freediving. And for a lesser-known spot, visit the verdant Cenote Yaax Che near Cobá ruins.
Arrive early to beat crowds and bring cash – entrance fees are typically under $15 USD. Nearby, sample traditional Yucatecan dishes like cochinita pibil (slow cooked pork), one of the most emblematic Mexican dishes.
Shop and dine in Tulum Pueblo
Tulum Pueblo (Tulum town) charms with its mix of bohemian boutiques, art galleries, and global cuisine along pedestrian-only Avenida Tulum.
Browse high-end beachwear at shops like LoveTulum and 777 Boutique. Refuel with acai bowls at vegan Raw Love, poke bowls at Onigiri Casa Poke or wood-fired seafood at Cetli.
Hartwood is another popular eatery set in a jungle garden serving creative dishes from wood-burning ovens.
From tacos to tapas, you’ll find diverse culinary experiences as well as endless shopping in this eclectic downtown.
Go on an adventure tour
For an active Tulum getaway, go on an adventure tour offering thrilling activities on both land and sea. Start your day soaring above the jungle canopy on ziplines with Xplor Park.
Next, drive amphibious ATVs through underground caves and freshwater pools in Sian Ka’an Biosphere with Riviera Maya Quad Tours.
If you want a water-focused adventure, take kitesurfing lessons on the Caribbean Sea, paddleboard through the mangrove forests, or kayak to hidden lagoons with a local guide.
Scuba diving is also world-class, with highlights including reef dives at Angelita Cavern or the deep sea Great Blue Hole.
For those craving some beach time between adventures, relax on lounge chairs and try your hand at stand-up paddleboard yoga. Or join a group bike tour to cenotes near Tulum.
Looking for a multi-day expedition? Book an immersive trip kayaking and camping through Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve with Community Tours Sian Ka’an.
However you choose to spend your days, Tulum serves up exhilarating adventures on both land and sea.
Attend a Full Moon Party
Partaking in one of Tulum’s famous full moon gatherings should be on every visitor’s itinerary. As the moon rises over cenotes like Cristal or Gran Cenote, people congregate for nights of fun under the stars.
Decorated with fairy lights, candles, and torches, the setting glows with a spiritual ambiance. You can practice yoga and meditation or just dance the night away beside bonfires on the beach.
With drum circles, art, and creative costumes, Tulum’s full moon parties create lifelong memories. Don’t miss your chance to experience the magic.
Dates vary, so research events during your stay.
UNMISSABLE EXPERIENCE: An evening swim during a full moon – the energy is electric.
Stay at a luxury eco-resort
Recharge surrounded by nature at one of Tulum’s eco-chic resorts like Be Tulum (rooms from $980/night), set amidst lush jungle gardens with a private beach, organic cuisine, and beachfront pool villas.
For a more intimate escape, unwind at The Beach Tulum (from $250/night) with its Caribbean vistas, spa treatments, and farm-to-table dining.
Wherever you stay, sustainable practices and nature reign supreme.
INSIDER STAY: Casa Malca – this art-filled beachfront gem offers a splash of culture and style.
Visit lesser known Mayan ruins
Escape the tour bus crowds and head inland to see Tulum’s remote ancient Mayan ruins and structures of Coba nestled in dense jungle.
Climb weather-worn monuments like the Nohoch Mul Pyramid for panoramic vistas, and marvel at the detailed decoration on buildings in the complex.
Walking through Coba ruins, you’ll feel a world away thanks to the seclusion and singing birds. To dig deeper into ancient architecture and culture, include these lesser-visited ruins in your Tulum itinerary.
Experience trendy beach clubs
Spend days relaxing in style at Tulum’s upscale beach clubs like Playa Paradiso Beach Club. Lounge in canopy beds and order ceviche at trendy Gitano.
If you go to Gitano, don’t miss the ‘Ven A La Luz’ sculpture. It’s only a few minutes’ walk away.
Sip cocktails poolside or get beachside massages at the luxury wellness oasis, Sanará. For under-the-radar vibes, visit Coqui Coqui Perfumeria Hotel‘s tranquil beach area with amenities galore.
When craving beachside pampering with elevated amenities, haute cuisine, and cool music, Tulum’s beach clubs are a great place to live it up. It’s one of the top things to do in Tulum.
LOCAL TIP: Arrive for beach club happy hours to enjoy the scene at a discount.
You’ll find top-notch service, fusion cuisine, and indulgent spa treatments at these luxurious havens.
Wander the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Just south of Tulum lies the magnificent Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a 1.3 million acre UNESCO World Heritage Site brimming with biodiversity.
Explore mangrove forests, marshes, beaches, and lagoons on a boat tour, getting up close with tropical birds like roseate spoonbills, pelicans, herons and more. You might even spot crocodiles, jaguars, spider monkeys, and manatees.
For the ultimate remote Tulum experience, stay in one of the reserve’s eco-lodgings and really immerse yourself in the peaceful natural surroundings.
Revel in Tulum’s Nightlife
As the sun sets, Tulum’s nightlife scene comes alive with lively beach bars, chic lounges, and lively nightclubs.
Arrive before sunset for front-row beach views at Papaya Playa Project, where DJs spin and dancers fill wooden decks. Late at night, join the beautiful crowd dancing at jungle-themed Coco Tulum Beach Club.
For a relaxed vibe, La Zebra‘s rooftop bar serves amazing mezcal cocktails and tapas under the stars.
With options for every mood, Tulum offers stellar nightlife right by the sea.
LOCAL NIGHTLIFE GEM: Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar – the best mojitos in town with sand floors and great live music.
Best Places to Eat in Tulum
Hartwood
Farm-to-table fare in a jungle setting
Dine on creatively prepared regional cuisine at this open-air eatery surrounded by tropical gardens.
The daily changing menus feature fresh seafood, wood-fired meats, and seasonal vegetables sourced from local farms.
Don’t miss the sweet potato gnocchi or the grilled octopus with chorizo at one of Tulum’s best restaurants.
Cetli
Trendy spot for Mediterranean-Mexican fusion
Blending Mediterranean and Mexican flavors, Cetli’s menu offers dishes like tuna tiradito drizzled with serrano chile sauce and lamb meatballs in a mint and parsley broth.
The stylish open-air setting with hanging rattan chairs creates a relaxing atmosphere for a lingering dinner. Cetli’s cocktails like the jalapeño margarita kick the flavors up a notch.
Taqueria Honorio
Unassuming joint with the best tacos al pastor
At this local favorite unassuming taco stand, you’ll find some of the best tacos al pastor in Tulum.
Watch as your meat is freshly sliced from the spinning trompo, and enjoy the perfect combination of savory marinated pork, caramelized pineapple, and spicy salsa on warm corn tortillas. Honorio serves up quick, delicious, and authentic street food.
With its incredible mix of nature, culture, adventure, and leisure, Tulum truly offers endless things to see and do for an unforgettable Mexican escape.
Tulum FAQs
To experience Tulum’s main attractions like some of the best beaches in Mexico, ancient ruins, cenotes and nightlife, as well as have time for relaxation, 5-7 days is ideal.
This allows you 2 days for the ruins and beach, 1 day for cenote swimming, 1 day exploring Tulum Pueblo, 1-2 days for day trips to places like Cobá ruins or Sian Ka’an Biosphere, and another day or two to simply unwind.
Extend your stay if you want a more immersive experience and to explore further afield, including a day trip to Chichen Itza or to Playa del Carmen.
The drier months of December through April is the best time to visit Tulum, when temperatures are comfortable and rainfall is minimal.
This high season draws more crowds and prices are higher, so those looking for a balance of great weather and affordability may want to visit during the shoulder seasons of early December or May.
The best way to get around Tulum is by renting a bike or motorbike, as the area is very spread out.
Taxis and collective vans are also inexpensive transportation options between the beautiful beaches, ruins, cenotes and town.
Walking is feasible for shorter distances. Booking a rental car allows the most freedom to visit farther destinations like Cobá independently.
Do you have any questions about the best things to do in Tulum?
Let me know in the comments!
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