Tulum, Mexico: travel guide
A bohemian beach town famed for its clifftop Mayan ruins, crystal cenotes, eco-chic resorts, and wellness culture on the Caribbean coast.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Cancun
- Nearest airport
- TQO
Top places to visit in Tulum
Tulum Ruins
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry MXN 85
The only major Maya site on sea cliffs overlooking the Caribbean. El Castillo rises above the turquoise sea with a swimmable beach below.
Gran Cenote
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry MXN 180
Crystal-clear freshwater cave pool with stalactites, turtles, and incredible snorkelling — connected to the vast Sac Actun underground cave system.
Playa Paraíso
Beach · about 2.5 h
Postcard white-sand beach below the ruins, regularly ranked among Mexico's best.
Cenote Dos Ojos
Nature · about 3 h · entry MXN 350
Famous cavern cenote system with crystal-clear water for snorkelling and cave diving.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Wildlife · about 6 h
UNESCO reserve of lagoons, mangroves and reefs south of Tulum, reached by guided boat tour.
Cenote Calavera
Nature · about 1.5 h · entry MXN 250
Compact open cenote nicknamed the "Temple of Doom" for its three skull-like openings.
Cobá Archaeological Zone
Heritage · about 3 h · entry MXN 100
Jungle-shrouded Maya city with Nohoch Mul, one of the Yucatán's tallest pyramids.
Cenote Zacil-Ha
Nature · about 2 h · entry MXN 150
Family-friendly open pool cenote with a zip-line, near Cenote Dos Ojos road.
Playa Pescadores
Beach · about 2 h
Central beach where fishing boats land, gateway to the hotel-zone beach clubs.
Tulum Pueblo Art & Craft Market
Market · about 1 h
Main-avenue strip of craft shops, cafés and street food in the town centre.
Things to do
- Tulum Ruins at Sunrise Cultural · 2 h · from MXN 90 per person
- Cenote Swimming & Snorkeling Tour Water Sports · 5 h · from MXN 1,200 per person
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Boat Safari Tour · 7 h · from MXN 1,600 per person
- Cobá Ruins Bike & Climb Cultural · 4 h · from MXN 900 per person
- Scuba Diving at Cenote Dos Ojos Water Sports · 5 h · from MXN 2,900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sian Kaan Biosphere + Lagoon Floating 7 h · from 1,900
Where to stay in Tulum
- Tulum Beach Road about MXN 4,500 per night
The iconic destination — boutique jungle-meets-beach hotels, cenotes, bike lanes, and the ruins visible from the shore. Expensive but irreplaceable.
- Tulum Pueblo about MXN 600 per night
The town — affordable hostels, local food, colectivo hub, and where all the locals live. 4km from beach but far cheaper. Good for budget travellers.
Hotels
- Papaya Playa Project 4-star · MXN 4,500 to MXN 12,000 per night
- Hotel Bardo Tulum 4-star
- Mayan Monkey Tulum 1-star · MXN 450 to MXN 1,200 per night
- Nomade Tulum 5-star
- Azulik Tulum 5-star
- Che Tulum Hostel 2-star
Where to eat
- El Camello Jr seafood, mexican · about MXN 150 per person
- Hartwood mexican, contemporary · about MXN 2,200 per person
- Taquería Honorio Mexican, Tacos · about MXN 150 per person
- Gitano Mexican, International · about MXN 900 per person
- Del Cielo Mexican, Cafe · about MXN 300 per person
- Arca Mexican, International · about MXN 1,100 per person
- Burrito Amor Mexican · about MXN 200 per person
- Cetli Mexican · about MXN 650 per person
Getting around
- Bicycle main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced "Local" Taxis at Beach Zone
Tulum Beach Road
Taxi drivers at beach clubs quote tourist prices 3–5× higher than town taxis. Routes between the beach road and pueblo are short but drivers exploit lack of alternatives.
How to avoid it: Agree on the price before getting in. Download InDriver — it operates in Tulum and allows you to propose your own fare. Alternatively rent a bicycle for the beach-pueblo route (~MXN 150/day).