The Complete Tulum Travel Guide

Located on the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum is an intimate, nature-focused tropical escape. With its bohemian, laid-back vibe, it offers a slower pace centered on relaxation, wellness, and outdoor adventure, surrounded by stunning cenotes and ancient Mayan ruins.

Where to Stay

Travelers have the option of staying in Tulum Town (Pueblo) versus Tulum Beach. Tulum Town is perfect for those on a budget or looking for a more local atmosphere, while staying on the beach offers oceanfront views and the opportunity to fully embrace the beach ambiance.

If you're staying in town and heading to the beach frequently, note that the trip usually takes 15 minutes, but heavy traffic can extend it to 45 minutes or more.

Things To Do

Tulum Mayan Ruins

The Tulum Archaeological Site, located on a cliff overlooking the ocean, is one of the most picturesque ruins in Mexico. Be sure to visit El Castillo, the main temple that once served as a lighthouse for Mayan sailors. Arriving early is recommended to avoid the crowds.

Cenotes

Cenotes are natural sinkholes filled with clear freshwater that are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, or diving.

The below are recommended within 30 min. of Tulum. They accept cash or card and open around 8:30-9 AM:

Gran Cenote: The most popular with narrow cave passageways connecting to a smaller, shallower cenote.

Cenote Dos Ojos: Offers two "eyes" or pools to explore.

Cenote Calavera: Features a ladder for easy entry and is a great option for those who enjoy cliff jumping.

Cenote Azul: A family-friendly cenote with shallow areas.

Another beautiful cenote farther away is Cenote Ik Kil. This is ~two hours from Tulum, but close to Chichen Itza. This open-air cenote is surrounded by hanging vines that reach down to the water.

Beaches

Playa Paraiso

There are three beaches within 1-2 miles of each other near the Tulum Archaeological Site: Playa Paraiso, Ruinas, Santa Fe. Playa Paraiso is the most popular, with an entry fee of 60 pesos ($3). For those looking to reserve lounge chairs or cabanas, the beach club offers rentals for approximately $30 you can reserve here.

To access the road, you must get a wristband to the Jaguar National Park to enter the area

Ziggy's Beach Club

Features a laid-back vibe, fresh seafood, and cocktails without the party atmosphere. There’s no entry fee, but a minimum spend of around $70 per person includes a daybed and beachside service, see details here.

Distrito Panamera

Recognized by its red and white checkered pool, this beach club is ideal if you’re looking for a mix of relaxation without being too far from the nightlife. While they occasionally have DJs for a more upbeat vibe, it’s not overly crowded and avoids the big party scene. Part of Hotel Panamera, it features a Caribbean Colonial design and requires a $50 per person minimum spend.

Nightlife

Beach Clubs with Nightlife:

Papaya Playa Project

A more secluded option since it's on the North end of the beach road, with less people walking back and forth compared to other beach clubs. It's also famous for its full moon parties and themed events.

Gitano Beach

Started as a mezcal bar on the jungle side, and now there are two Gitanon locations: Gitano Beach and Gitano Jungle. Known for their delicious Mexican dishes, mezcal cocktails, and gypsy disco style. They're open daily and it's best to make a reservation here.

Vagalume

Recognized by the wooden hand sculpture along the pools leading down to the beach, the daytime brings a calm and sophisticated atmosphere while the nighttime transforms into a beach club with electronic music. Open Tuesday-Sunday 11AM - 1AM and entry to the beach club is ~$30.

Bagatelle

Sip on champagne at this Mediterranean luxury beach club and enjoy their lively, yet elegant atmosphere. Open Monday-Sunday 11AM - 11PM, their minimum spend is $100-150 per lounge chair/person.

Tantra

Inspired by Balinese architecture, featuring premium lounging areas, an Indonesian-inspired menu and at sunset, live saxophone and violin performances. The minimum spend is 2,500 pesos ($125) per person/beach bed.

Lively Dinners

Casa Jaguar

Casa Jaguar offers a candlelit dinner experience, set in a jungle-inspired atmosphere. On Tuesdays, enjoy the Todos Santos after-dinner cocktail party under the stars and on Thursdays, their Jungle Parties in the back of the venue.

Ilios

This Greek-inspired restaurant presents a visal and sensory experience during dinner including fire shows, belly dancing, and the famous Greek plate-smashing tradition.

Gitano Jungle

Enjoy a modern Mexican menu, mezcal cocktails, and a shared dining experience under a tropical jungle canopy. As the evening progresses, the restaurant turns into a dance floor with the highlight of the week being the Gypsy Disco Party hosted every Friday.

Nightclubs

Bonbonniere

Tulum's late-night venue, opening its doors at 10 PM, offering a VIP experience with a red-lit ambiance, professional dancers, and electronic dance music.

Jungle Festivals

Tulum is also famous for its jungle festivals featuring electronic music, art installations, and performances, including events like Zamna, Day Zero, and Tomorrowland Core.

Casual Nightlife

Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar

Located in Tulum Town, this bar is known for its mojitos made with fresh sugar cane juice from a converted VW Beetle, accompanied by live music on most days of the week.

Palma Central

This collective located in Tulum town features a dance floor surrounded by food trucks and a bar. They host salsa dance lessons at 7PM, followed by a night of dancing to live music with locals and tourists. Tip: Get the Tamarind Margarita

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this natural reserve features diverse ecosystems, including mangroves, wetlands, and coral reefs, and is home to wildlife such as jaguars and pumas. Explore the reserve by taking a boat ride through the mangrove forests, snorkeling in the Mesoamerican reef, or floating along the canals.

Temazcal ceremony

For a cultural experience, try out a traditional Mayan Temazcal Ceremony, a sweat lodge ritual aimed at physical and spiritual purification. The ceremony is led by a shaman and involves intense heat from volcanic stones for cleansing.

Alternatively, a cacao ceremony is lower-stress option to the intense heat that involves consuming cacao, believed to open the heart and promote emotional healing.

Azulik Uh May

Known as the City of Arts, this beautiful and immersive art installation feels like walking through a massive sculpture blending nature and art. Admission is $24 per person, and visitors are required to explore barefoot, enhancing the connection to the environment.

Chichen Itza

One of the New Seven Wonders of the World, this ancient Mayan city is famous for its pyramid, El Castillo. Guided tours are recommended, as they provide information about the site's significance since they are not well detailed onsite. Be sure to get there when it opens at 9 AM, to beat the crowds.

Where to Eat

Tulum Beach

Hartwood: Michelin selected, with a daily-changing menu based on fresh ingredients.

Arca: Michelin selected, serving modern Mexican fare with open-fire cooking.

Casa Banana: Michelin selected, Argentine cooking centered around a wood-fired oven and parrillada.

Posada Margherita: Michelin selected, beachfront Italian eatery specializing in handmade pasta and pizza.

Tulum Pueblo

Botanica Garden Cafe: A garden setting offering healthy, locally sourced breakfast and brunch options.

Del Cielo: A popular cafe in town known for fresh juices, smoothie bowls, and breakfast plates.

Cetli: Michelin bib-gourmand rating, a refined take on traditional Mexican dishes.

Burrito Amor: Casual eatery serving delicious, signature burritos along with smoothies and juices.

Night Market: Experience local street food such as tacos, tamales, and elotes.