Tulum is a tropical paradise that blends Mayan history, stunning Caribbean beaches, and eco-friendly adventures. But before you pack your bags, you need the right Tulum travel tips to make your trip seamless.
I’ve explored Tulum extensively, from its cenotes to its boutique hotels, and I’m here to help you avoid tourist traps while unlocking the best local experiences.
First, timing is everything. The best months to visit Tulum are November to April when the weather is dry and pleasant. If you’re looking for fewer crowds and better hotel rates, aim for May or September. Transportation is another key factor—Tulum doesn’t have its own airport, so you’ll need to fly into Cancún International Airport and either rent a car, take an ADO bus, or book a private shuttle for the 1.5-hour journey.
Where to stay? If you want oceanfront luxury, the Hotel Zone offers eco-chic resorts, while Tulum Pueblo (downtown) is perfect for budget travelers and authentic dining. Speaking of food, don’t leave without trying cochinita pibil, fresh ceviche, and tacos from a local taquería.
From Mayan ruins to hidden cenotes and the buzzing beach clubs, I’ll guide you through everything you need to know to have the perfect Tulum vacation—without the stress. Keep reading for essential packing advice, safety tips, and must-visit spots.
10 Essential Tips to Travel Tulum On Your Own
1. Introduction to Tulum
With its turquoise water beaches (if there is no sargassum, of course), its relaxed atmosphere focused on sustainability but at the same time modern, bohemian and posh, Tulum usually wins over most travelers who pass through (although there are those who think it is too touristy and artificial).
It is one of the most popular destinations in the Riviera Maya , but unlike Cancun or Playa del Carmen, Tulum has opted for a less "yanked" type of tourism , with boutique hotels, specialty coffee shops and a slightly healthier atmosphere. This has made it a hub for digital nomads .
Which doesn't mean that it's the perfect destination ... Where there is tourism and money moving around, there will always be a bit of chaos, small mafias and people looking for a quick way to make a living. The consequences are easy to foresee: higher prices, a more impersonal atmosphere and scams are the order of the day. A very significant example is taxis, which charge the same for a 2 km trip as a 15 km trip in Mexico City.
However, it is clear that Tulum is one of those places that you have to visit at least once in your life, so let us know which side you are on after getting to know it 😉 Ready for our tips for traveling to Tulum?
2. Best time to travel to Tulum
The best months to visit Tulum are from December to April , when it enjoys a warm and dry climate, ideal for getting to know its great charms, among which are the paradisiacal beaches. But keep in mind that it is also the high season, which raises the prices of accommodations and activities.
On the other hand, the low season between May and November presents a warmer and rainier climate, especially from June to October, with fewer tourists and a quieter atmosphere. Prices are more affordable, with discounts on hotels and activities. It is important to know that the hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November, although Tulum is not always affected.
Here is a graph with the annual climate in Tulum:
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3. How to get around Tulum
A very popular option among tourists is to rent a bike . The flat streets make it a good alternative for getting around both the hotel zone and the town centre. It is also a great way to visit the nearby beaches and archaeological ruins in an eco-friendly way without having to pay for parking. But be careful because the heat can be stifling and the distances can sometimes be too long… There are many bike rental businesses and even the accommodations themselves offer them.
There is also the possibility of renting a scooter , an economical, agile and quite common way to get around Tulum without depending on expensive taxis and without having to pedal with your tongue hanging out. The price per day is approximately 500-800 pesos, depending on the model, and can be reduced if you rent for several days. Quads and buggies are also available.
If you prefer even more comfort, you can always rent a car , which will allow you to explore not only Tulum but also its surroundings, such as cenotes, Mayan ruins and natural parks. On the other hand, parking prices are sometimes extremely expensive (the mafias around them are lamentable). It is advisable to book in advance, especially in high season (you can take a look at Discover Cars ), and the price can even be cheaper than renting a motorbike.
⭐ Here we tell you how to rent a car and drive safely in Mexico .
Public transportation , primarily ADO buses and colectivos, connect Tulum to other nearby towns such as Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and Coba. Within Tulum, local colectivos are a cheap option for getting between town, the hotel zone, and some nearby points of interest, but the information is not very clear and it can be a bit of an adventure. There are colectivos that go from downtown Tulum to the hotel zone for $20 (€1).
Taxis are available almost everywhere, but unfortunately UBER is not currently operating in Tulum (the alternatives would be inDrive and DiDi). It is not common for taxis to be used , so you have to agree on a price before starting the trip. Our experience is that they do not move for less than 150 pesos (this would be the standard rate for any trip in downtown Tulum) and if you want to go to Tulum Playa they will ask you for at least 600 pesos, and double that for the return trip! We advise you to have the contact of a local taxi driver to avoid the stress of negotiating on the street (Rodrigo is very nice: +52 984 452 8461 ).
IMPORTANT : Be careful with the parking lots in the Hotel Zone , since for a few years now it has been forbidden to park on the street (don't take any chances, the police are always there). The solution is to find private parking lots, which are not cheap at all (the daily price is around 200-500 pesos!). Of course, you can try to haggle or choose to visit a beach club that includes parking with the entrance, which is not cheap either (it requires an expense of between 50 and 100 USD per person, but at least you pay for something concrete).
4. How to get to Tulum from the airport
The Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport in Tulum was recently opened , located about 40 km away in the heart of the dense Mayan jungle. On our last trip we flew there from Mexico City with the Viva Aerobus company and when we looked at the information a few days before we were amazed by the prices: from what we read, taxis to Tulum were not less than 125USD! But we reassure you, not everything that is written on the internet is true…
It is true that transportation from the airport to Tulum is quite improvable, but there are alternatives for all budgets:
- Taxi : Based on my own experience, it is best NOT to book anything online and ask at the many authorized taxi stands in the arrivals hall. The price to Tulum Centro is about $1,000 and to Tulum Hotel Zone about $1,400. If you want to go further, for example to Akumal it costs about $1,700, to Puerto Morelos $2,800 and to Cancun it costs about $3,500.
- Bus : ADO offers a regular line to Tulum Centro with plenty of schedules for $220, and also to other more distant destinations. We don't think it's essential to book in advance. It takes about 50 minutes. If you travel with Viva Aerobus, they offer a bus that coincides with the arrival times, which is a bit cheaper than the ADO, but only in high season (ask the cabin crew about this option before landing).
- Train : The new Mayan Train is inaugurating new sections until the entire route from Palenque to Cancun is completed. At the moment, it has very few schedules and we don't know how reliable it is. Also, although the price is quite convenient, the Tulum station is far from the center, so you will have to complete the trip with a taxi (and you already know that they are not cheap).
- Private transfer : the most convenient option and the one that avoids complications. You book the transport online and a driver will pick you up at the airport with a sign and take you to your hotel.
- Car rental : we think this is a very interesting and cheap alternative. You can return it here or, better yet, at a central office, or you can start alonger route through the Riviera Maya and the Yucatan Peninsula . We recommend you take a look at the Discover Cars comparison site .
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5. Where to stay in Tulum
Although it may seem surprising, you will have no problem finding good, nice and cheap accommodation in Tulum , since the hotel offer is overwhelming: there are options of boutique hotels, small guest houses or all-inclusive resorts. In addition, with the new constructions in the La Veleta area, prices are becoming more moderate compared to the past, especially outside the high season.
The main thing to know is that Tulum is divided into two parts : the downtown area and the hotel zone . The latter is located near the beach, and is ideal for those looking for luxury and sea views. If you prefer something more affordable and closer to local life, the center of Tulum has a wide range of hostels and more affordable hotels, with lots of very cool boutique hotel alternatives at reasonable prices.
⭐ Here we detail the best areas to stay in Tulum (with interesting accommodation suggestions).
6. Restaurants where to eat in Tulum
Tulum is known for its excellent gastronomic offer and you can find practically all the cuisines in the world in one place: from cheap tacos to luxury restaurants with international dishes, sushi places, Neapolitan pizzas and places with grandma's cooking. As for prices, they vary greatly between the more local restaurants and those aimed at tourists.
Bonus point, if you are vegan/vegetarian, we think it is one of the best destinations in Mexico to eat plant-based.
⭐ In this post we recommend 10 places to eat well and cheaply in Tulum.
7. What to visit in Tulum
We think that including Tulum in your trip to the Riviera Maya is an excellent idea, since not only will you be able to visit Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches without having to travel, but it is also a perfect base for varied and interesting day trips. Do you want to know what awaits you? Here is our top 5 of Tulum and its surroundings :
- Archaeological Zone : Tulum is home to the only Mayan ruins located by the sea. It is true that there are no large buildings and no exceptional decorations, but it seems to us to be one of the best-prepared Mayan sites in all of Mexico.
- Cenote Route : Tulum is surrounded by numerous cenotes, natural freshwater pools, which are ideal for swimming, diving or snorkeling. Some of the most popular are the Gran Cenote , the Cenote Dos Ojos or the Cenote Calavera . Tickets cost around $200 and it is best to visit them first thing in the morning, when the tour buses have not yet arrived.
- Playa Paradiso : after a day of walking, there is nothing better than ending on a high note with a swim in the waters of this beach.
- Cobá Archaeological Site : About 45 minutes from Tulum are these Mayan ruins, famous for having the tallest pyramid in the Yucatan Peninsula, Nohoch Mul. Although you can no longer climb it, it is still a very interesting site, with typical Mayan constructions (does the ball game sound familiar to you?) in the heart of the jungle, which perfectly complements the Tulum site. Here we tell you how to visit the Cobá archaeological site .
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve : a place to discover the impressive nature of Mexico, a protected area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site where wetlands, mangroves, virgin jungle, pristine beaches and coral reefs await you. If you feel like it, you can take this tour to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve from Tulum .
And of course, don't just stick to the hotel zone or the surrounding areas, the center of Tulum is the ideal place to get to know its authentic soul and the best place to eat. One of our must-try places is Antojitos La Chiapaneca (great value for money).
⭐ For more detailed information and more activities, read our post with the best things to see and do in Tulum .
8. Tulum Archaeological Zone: Everything You Need to Know
As we have just seen, one of the main reasons to travel to Tulum is to visit its archaeological site. Located on a cliff facing the Caribbean coast , it offers interesting Mayan ruins scattered throughout a well-kept garden area and spectacular panoramic views.
The entrance fee is divided into two tickets: the first one costs 60 pesos to enter the National Park and the second one costs 95 pesos for the park itself. The best advice we can give you is to visit early in the morning , even arriving before they open at 08:00, to avoid both the crowds that arrive from every corner of the Riviera Maya and the intense midday heat. In a couple of hours you will have finished the visit, and you will have the rest of the day to continue sightseeing (or relaxing in the hotel pool).
Bring water, sunscreen (you will be spending a lot of time in the sun), a hat and comfortable shoes.
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9. Best beaches in Tulum
Tulum has several dream beaches and, if the sargassum does not make an appearance, you will enjoy turquoise and crystal-clear waters . Sounds idyllic, right? Well, not everything that glitters is gold... and we are not talking about the sargassum problem. It is important to know that in many parts of the Riviera Maya the beaches are privatized , so you have to pay a fee or an entrance fee to access them.
In fact, in 2023, the protected public space “Parque el Jaguar” was created in the area surrounding the archaeological zone of Tulum and aims to preserve biodiversity, protect ecosystems and promote sustainable tourism in the area. So to access nearby beaches, such as Playa Ruinas, Pescadores or Paraíso, you have to pay the $60 ticket (about €3 at the current exchange rate).
Some of the most beautiful beaches in Tulum are Playa Paraiso , Playa Ruinas and Playa Las Palmas . Also, Akumal , about 28km from Tulum, is worth a day trip as it is possible to swim with turtles on its beach. Please be a responsible tourist: do not touch or chase them.
Extra: Is it worth going to a Beach Club?
We are not the kind of people who enjoy spending hours and hours sunbathing on the beach, so in our case it is NOT worth paying the 25-100USD minimum* to access one of the many (and beautiful, it must be said) beach clubs in Tulum.
* Please note that this is not an entrance fee, but rather a minimum food/drink consumption requirement (some only in high season, so find out before you go).
But if it's a good investment for you, go ahead! The good thing is that you'll have access to well-prepared facilities , well-kept beaches and first-class service.
The most famous beach clubs in Tulum are: Mia Tulum , Ahau Tulum , Ziggy's Beach Club & Restaurant , CoCo Tulum , La Zebra , Gitano Beach , Vagalume or Kanan Beach Club . We recommend that you search for them on Google Maps beforehand and read the latest reviews to avoid any unpleasant surprises.
10. Security in Tulum: What you must know
Is it safe to travel to Tulum? One of the main concerns when visiting the Riviera Maya is usually the question of safety. We can say that, in general, Tulum is a safe city , but as in any destination, it is important to take precautions . Always keep your belongings under control, do not show valuables, do not get into trouble and avoid walking alone at night in desolate areas. But hey, in Tulum you can relax.
More tips for visiting Tulum
Finally, we leave you with a series of specific recommendations that can help you enjoy some wonderful days in Tulum:
- Although most places accept card payments , it is advisable to also carry some cash . As you probably already know, we usually use the Revolut card (with a €10 promo) to pay and withdraw money abroad without fees.
- If you prefer not to rent a car or motorbike, you don't have to miss out on exploring the surroundings of Tulum. There are many highly recommended group excursions , such as Chichén Itzá + Chichi Kan cenote , Isla Mujeres by catamaran or Kaan Luum lagoon + cenotes .
- Be prepared for the heat : wear light clothing, drink plenty of water, and always wear sunscreen (even on a cloudy day).
- Did you know that you can do a scuba diving baptism in Tulum ? If you have never tried it, this may be your chance. You can book it here .
- If you have Instagram, you already know that one of the most popular spots in Tulum is the sculpture “Come to the Light” by South African artist Daniel Popper. Created for the Art With Me festival in 2018, it became so popular that right now you have to pay $100 (approx. €5) to take a photo with it. We didn’t go because, besides, it’s always crowded :-p
Now, we hope that with all these tips for traveling to Tulum you are ready to take advantage of this very special destination in the Riviera Maya. Do you know any more tips and recommendations that you can share to complete this travel guide to Tulum ? Feel free to reach out and we will gladly add them to this post.
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