ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE TO TULUM MEXICO

Tulum has quickly become the hottest destination in the last few years and I can see why. With so many Insta-worthy locations I also wrote a blog post on the Most Instagrammable Places in Tulum. With warm Caribbean clear blue water, amazing food, and lush greenery everywhere you turn it truly felt like paradise.

Tulum is a very small town in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula. It is roughly 2 hours south of Cancun. I’ve been to Tulum twice and I always find myself wanting to go back. If you have plans to visit, here is an ultimate travel guide to Tulum, Mexico.

 HELPFUL TIPS

  • No direct flights to Tulum. You will fly into Cancun and will need to either rent a car, book a private shuttle, or use public transportation. Here’s a great post on how to get to Tulum from Cancun.
  • Always have cash! ATMs have high fees and many of them were broken when we tried to use them. Most places do not accept credit cards!
  • U.S. Dollars are accepted at many restaurants and shops
  • I used tour guides for adventures and taxi’s but you may want to rent a car if you like exploring on your own
  • Best time to go is from October-December as weather is still nice but hotel prices are low
  • I had my share of mosquito bites so don’t forget to bring Insect Repellent!

WHERE TO STAY

There are plenty of amazing hotel options but I highly suggest choosing one along the hotel zone with beachfront cabanas! You will not regret it one bit! I stayed at Rosa del Viento & Coco Limited. Coco Limited is a sister property to Coco Tulum, both are great options. There are plenty of taxis so you will not have an issue getting around. Tulum is also bike-friendly so you can always rent a bike at the hotel and explore the town.

A few other Insta-worthy hotels: Nomade Tulum, Nest Tulum, Casa Malca, La Valise Hotels, Kanan Hotel, Ahau Hotel

Looking for a unique jungle experience? Check out Azulik and Papaya Playa Project.

Coco Tulum

Coco Tulum

WHAT TO DO

1. GO SWIMMING IN CENOTES

Cenotes are natural swimming holes that are worth a visit when in Tulum! The water is not as cold as you would think, the water is extremely clear and if you’re a dive enthusiast, exploring the cenotes is a magical experience! You can explore them on your own by purchasing entrance fees which are only a few pesos. I opted for a tour with Adventure Tour Center where snorkeled and I visited 3 cenotes in 4 hours: Gran Cenote (top-rated cenote), Cenote Calavera & Casa Cenote. A few other cenotes closest to Tulum include Cenote Zazil-ha & Cenote Dos Ojos (top-rated cenote).

Cenote Calavera

2. TULUM RUINS

I’m sure you’ve seen plenty of photos of the Tulum ruins perched on high cliffs facing the Caribbean Sea so this is a no-brainer. I suggest visiting this site on your own, you don’t need a tour guide. We spent roughly 20 minutes to walk the entire place.

Travel Tip: Go early!! We arrived around 10 am and it was already getting crowded so I suggest going between 8-9 am. Don’t forget to bring pesos for the entrance fee and a taxi ride is roughly 200 pesos

3. COBA RUINS

I wish I had time to visit the Coba Ruins but I didn’t. If you have time, I suggest booking a tour and visiting cenotes nearby, it is roughly 45 minutes from Tulum.

4. WALK ALONG THE BEACH AND VISIT OTHER HOTELS

All of the beachfront hotels are connected so you are able to walk for miles and explore other hotels!

Azulik

Azulik

5. DAY TRIP TO AKUMAL

Take a day trip to Akumal and snorkel with the turtles. Akumal is roughly 25 minutes from Tulum, you can swim with large sea turtles or visit the Monkey Sanctuary.

6. VISIT BACALAR

If you have a few extra days you may want to spend time in Bacalar, a small town 3 hours from Tulum or Playa del Carmen which is an hour.

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK

Posada Margherita – Obsessed with this place! They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and they have the freshest seafood/pasta and juices! The owners take great pride in the look and feel of the place and it really shows! The beachfront restaurant serves a great view for any meal.

Hartwood – Probably my favorite meal in Tulum. It’s very popular so make sure you make reservations for dinner.

Nu Tulum – An absolute must after Hartwood!

Gitano – Come here for mezcal drinks and delicious dinner under the stars and live music and sometimes they even have live performances!

Mur Mur – I’ve heard amazing things but have not tried it yet. There are also cute swings for photos here.

Taqueria La Eufemia & Antojitos La Chiapaneca – For the best tacos in Tulum!

Raw Love – Best organic raw food and smoothie bowls (think Acai bowls). It is located inside the Ahau Hotel.

Kin Toh – is located at Azulik Hotel. If you want to visit this treehouse property guests can dine at the restaurants. The food is pricey but it was also really good!

MORE MEXICO TRAVEL POSTS:

Most Instagrammable Places in Tulum

7 Awesome Things to do in Acapulco

Where to Stay in Acapulco

Exploring Best Cenotes in Tulum

Chichen Itza & Ik Kil Cenote Day Trip from Cancun

Ultimate Bachelorette Destination: Puerto Vallarta

Shop my Tulum favorites: 

Have you been to Tulum? Tell me what you loved most about it below!

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26 comments

  • Diana

    January 16, 2017 at 7:54 pm

    Perfect timing! 😉😉😉 can’t wait to go see what’s the fuss is all about!

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      You will love it Diana!

  • Anne

    January 17, 2017 at 12:34 am

    I visited Tulum a few years ago on a cruise. The sea was beautiful and the ruins were fascinating. I also bagged a yoga blanket at one of the stalls there and absolutely love it as it has great colour but keeps me lovely and cosy too

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:23 pm

      That sounds amazing!! They do have amazing shopping in Tulum!

  • Christina Pfeiffer

    January 17, 2017 at 4:03 am

    That swimming hole looks very inviting. I bet the water was really refreshing. Tulum looks great. Thanks for the tip about carrying cash but are credit cards widely accepted?

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:24 pm

      The water was so fresh and refreshing for sure! Credit cards aren’t accepted in most places so cash is best!

  • Soraya

    January 17, 2017 at 6:04 am

    Tulum looks and sounds incredible! Your tips are good to know. I always tend to forget to bring cash, because of how easy having a card is…but you forget that there are places where ATMs have super high fees or many don’t even work. I would love to experience swimming in cenotes! It looks so cool and like a lot of fun.

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:24 pm

      You’re welcome Soraya! We had to go to the ATM twice so always bring enough cash to small towns like this.

  • Daphne of Girlswanderlust

    January 17, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Great guide! It is good to know that the ATMs have high fees and that many of them are sometimes broken. The Cenotes and Tulum Ruins look great. Would love to check it out one day. Perhaps during a trip that is longer than your 3-days trip.

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:25 pm

      I agree Daphne! Definitely try to go longer if you are able to.

  • Khansa

    January 17, 2017 at 8:46 am

    Tulum looks amazing, and so inviting. I have heard a lot about it! Your pics tell a lot about the place. I hope to be there someday

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      Thank you Khansa! I hope you get to visit it’s truly a magical place.

  • Findyourhappyplate

    January 17, 2017 at 1:46 pm

    This is super informative! I love the pics too. Everyone in nyc loves to take long weekends in Tulum!

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      OMG YES!! Everyone I met was basically from New York!!

  • Christina

    January 17, 2017 at 2:52 pm

    YESS!! Tulum really is the most perfect place. Looks like you had a wonderful time 🙂

    1. Tour de Lust

      January 17, 2017 at 4:26 pm

      I sure did! I can’t wait to return!

  • Agness of Fit Travelling

    February 19, 2017 at 12:44 pm

    Mexico is on my bucket list and I admire your experience there, Christine! Keep us posted and providing amazing travel guides.

    1. Tour de Lust

      February 19, 2017 at 1:40 pm

      Aww thank you so much Agness!! I hope you get to visit soon and check it off your bucket list!

  • Tulum Mexico: El Pez best brunch & amazing hotel

    June 27, 2017 at 12:26 am

    […] gorgeous cenotes, Coba ruins and incredible beaches and hotels. If you want to learn more check out Tour de Lusts great Ultimate Travel Guide to Tulum it has some great tips for visiting […]

  • Chrissie & Mikey – Aswetravl

    July 12, 2017 at 12:42 am

    Great blog post Christine! Love your photos, Tulum looks so incredible.

    Chrissie
    http://www.aswetravl.com

    1. Tour de Lust

      July 12, 2017 at 12:46 am

      So glad you like it! Thank you so much!

  • Greeb

    May 24, 2018 at 8:50 am

    Great post

  • Claudia

    April 15, 2019 at 1:09 pm

    Tulum has been on my wishlist for the longest time! Thank you for sharing your experience, a great guide for me to use for when I visit.

    1. Tour de Lust

      April 15, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      I hope you get to visit soon!

  • Tash M

    July 29, 2019 at 10:46 pm

    I want to visit now, because of the all delicious sounding food recommendations!

    1. Tour de Lust

      July 30, 2019 at 1:15 pm

      You will love Tulum!

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