Tulum Travel Guide 2023 – What You Must Know Before Traveling

This comprehensive Tulum Travel Guide will cover everything you need to know about traveling to Tulum Mexico, practical things, what to do in Tulum, and where to stay and eat, including some important sustainability questions

With its endless white sand beach, fancy hotels and beach clubs, world-class restaurants, a fake laid-back luxury, and a growing boho-chic culture (I am not sure what it means but it’s quite a trendy word) Tulum is definitely one of the most popular and coolest destinations on the Mexican Caribbean coast.

And it became even more popular during the pandemic when, as soon as restrictions started to loosen up, many remote workers from the USA, especially NYC, flocked to the overdeveloped eco-fake beach town to find some peace and relief from the covid hysteria.

And here they really found it, as it seems that the ongoing pandemic was completely ignored while hospitals were overpopulated with new cases every day. Things went out of control with the art festival, which became a sort of pandemic party and end up spreading the virus even more.

Not to count the recent sad events that have been in the news regarding crime in Tulum…

✔ Do I need travel insurance to travel to Mexico? – Yes, you do!
Among all the multiple reasons why you should get travel insurance, is the peace of mind it gives you! Knowing that whatever happens, from medical emergencies to lost bags, canceled flights, theft, and more, your bills are taken care of. I have been using SafetyWing as I found it to be the best for what I need. I have recently found TRAVEL INSURANCE MASTER which is a great site to compare different insurance companies. Make sure you read carefully what’s included before making the purchase

Despite all the above Tulum still remains on top of the most charming destinations in the world and you cannot vacation in the Yucatan peninsula without stopping by or even making a Tulum itinerary and staying a few days while exploring from there. You might even fall in love and never want to leave, like many expatriates and digital nomads did.

Anyway in this post I would like to give you some practical tips about Tulum so that you can plan your vacation ahead of time and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Therefore, before digging in some interesting information on all the amazing things to do in Tulum, where to stay, and the amazing restaurants in Tulum, and other useful info, you will want to read about some important practical tips that you need to know before traveling.

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Tulum FAQ

How much money do I need in Tulum?

This is a good question and yet difficult to answer because it really depends on the kind of lifestyle you have. Hotel costs range from 15 USD for a hostel bed to 600+ in a Luxury beach hotel in Tulum.

To eat you can find cheap tacos on the street at 2 USD each to fine dining on the beach for 100 USD (wine included).

If you like to party it adds up. So I guess I can say Tulum is for everyone but if you like to have a luxury or semi-luxury vacation I am afraid it is expensive.

How many days do you need in Tulum?

For a beach vacation, you can stay as long as you get bored basking in the sun on a white-sand beach. If you love to explore, there is so much to see in the surroundings that you really

What is the best time to go to Tulum?

My favorite time of the year to visit Tulum is the low season which is after Easter until the end of June and September through November. However, mind that September through November is hurricane season so there is more risk of rain.

In these months prices are low and the beach is less crowded, that’s why I love it the most. But if you love to party you might want to check out Christmas time until Easter, the most crowded times and most expensive. Mind that if you wish to travel to Tulum for Christmas it is advisable to book in advance.

Is Tulum safe for travelers?

It is relatively safe but you still need to look after your belonging and use the safe in your hotel room. For more details check out this guide on safety in Mexico or you can check out my guide to Tulum Safety on my new site.

Tulum vs Cancun

I personally prefer Tulum, but it’s a completely different vibe and not comparable. In Cancun, you will see huge all-inclusive hotels on a 20km stretch of beach. The downtown is not particularly charming to visit except for a couple of spots separated from the tourist area.

In Tulum, locals and tourists share the same space, and downtown is as charming as the beach area where locals and tourists alike hang out.

Tulum vs Playa del Carmen

Tulum now is like Playa del Carmen 20 years ago. Now Playa is much more developed and more for party lovers. If you love the beach and the boho chic life you should go to Tulum.

Is Tulum Mexico expensive?

Yes, if you compare it to other Mexican destinations, but if you don’t mind living in hostels and eating on the road it’s affordable. It’s not the way I love to travel through.

Is Tulum worth visiting?

Yes, it is, if you love the beach, but also explore the surrounding natural attraction such as the cenotes, biosphere, but also Mayan sites, or if you love good food and the fine Tulum boutique hotels.

Can you swim in the ocean in Tulum?

Yes, you can, if there is no Sargasso, which has become a recurring problem. Before booking check out the news.

Is Tulum overrated?

It is becoming overrated and over-expensive but I still love it, for the reasons I explain in this guide.

Why is Tulum so popular?

Because of the boho-chic culture that has been developing over the years and created amazing hotels and shops that are simply works of art. Unfortunately, nature is paying for all that now.

Do people speak English in Tulum?

Yes, they do, although the main language is Spanish, there are many American expatriates living here, and being the American tourist the strongest, many locals have learned English.

Are there good Airbnbs in Tulum?

Tulum Airbnb options are endless and all spectacular. I have even written a guide to Tulum Airbnb to help you find your perfect place. Or you check it out directly on the Airbnb site through the search box below.

Where is Tulum located and how to get there

Tulum is located about 131 km south of Cancun, and 65 km from Playa del Carmen. 

How to get to Tulum from Cancun

By car: There is one road that connects Cancun with Tulum, the coastal road (Carretera Federal – Road 307), you cannot go wrong.

By bus: If you are not driving there are comfortable buses from Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and the airport. You can check on the ADO website, the local bus company. The buses are very clean and comfortable but insanely cold, so be equipped. 

By minivan ( combi) Right in front of the ADO in Mexico and on the Calle 1 con Avenida 2 in Playa del Carmen, there are combi,  minivans, and leave more frequently.

For more detailed information read this post on 4 best ways to get from Cancun to Tulum

When I arrive in Tulum, where do I go?

If you arrive in Tulum by car

The area is so small that you cannot get lost.

Tulum is divided into two areas, the downtown (pueblo) and the beach area (Boca paila direction).

If you get to Tulum by car, at the first set of traffic lights if you go straight on, you enter the ‘’Pueblo’’, or downtown; turn left and you reach the beach area.

You will meet then at a roundabout at a T-junction, where both exits will take you to the beach area which is right in front of you, you just don’t see it because you are separated by either hotels or the jungle.

Don’t worry; there are no 10-story hotels, or 9 or 8. I believe the maximum height is 2 floors (including the ground floor).

This is one of the things that makes this place so special.  All the properties are built with an ecological mindset, using local materials, white stones, wood, and palm-leaf rooftops. Although unfortunately there has been a misuse of the word “green” or “Eco” and unfortunately not all that is called green is indeed sustainable.

So be mindful of that and do not hesitate to ask. You are a paying customer and you have all the right to know about the place you are intended to stay. The long stretch of beach is interrupted only a couple of times, so you can walk non-stop for miles; my favorite part, however, is all the way down southwards by the last hotels.

Taking the left-hand exit at the roundabout, the road comes to an end at the gate to the Tulum archeological site, where I would suggest leaving the car and walking to the entrance, just 400 m.

Taking the right-hand exit at the roundabout, you come to my favorite part of Tulum, as you will see a display of great shops and restaurants; the clothes stores, in particular, are works of art and labs for creativity. 

If you arrive in Tulum by bus or combi

The combi can leave you anywhere you want on the main road.

The big ADO buses will take you to the bus station in the town center. From there you would need either a taxi or a bike to get to the beach zone which is about 12 km away.

How to get around in Tulum

In the hotel zone, the parking space is very limited and the road s narrow. There are parking lots where you can leave the car, though.

If you wish to try the Tulum experience, check with your hotel if they have bikes to lend or rent, otherwise, you can find one in town.

It is very convenient and during the day you might want to leave the car behind and move around like a local, watching the passers-by and exploring every corner, lingering in a particular clothing shop, or getting an organic vegan ice cream at the bar around the corner.

The road in the hotel zone is very narrow and there is no street lighting at night unless you are close to a restaurant. Nor is there much space for those on foot or bike, so just bring a torch with you and be careful.

 However, I wouldn’t use a bike at night.

The pueblo, or downtown, has also become very popular in the past few years, with lots of bars and fancy restaurants to hang out in at night, and very creative artistically- decorated coffee shops where you can hang out alone, reading your book or writing your own things (like me), hanging out with friends or holding a meeting, day or night!  As a coffee shop freak, those are my favorite spots.

TAXI – There are taxis available at a taxi stand at the main traffic light, where the turn to the hotel zone is, or you can ask your hotel to call one.

The public transportation to the hotel zone is not reliable and not very frequent.

Is Tulum Safe

The area is very intensively patrolled by local police and is quite safe, but of course, a general common sense is advisable (don’t leave your bag unattended on the beach or anywhere, for example).

Here you can read my full and detailed post on safety in Tulum.

Money exchange in Tulum and other money-related tips

In Tulum they love cash!

The majority of restaurants, hotels, and shops don’t accept credit cards, so come with enough cash (Euros, USD, CAN$, Pounds) and you can change it at the ‘’Casa de Cambio’’.

Although they accept USD, it is always convenient to have cash in pesos, because the exchange rate that you will receive by paying in dollars is ridiculous.

There are ATM all over the hotel zone, and at the huge supermarket Chedraui at the beginning of the road to the beach zone.

Banks are in downtown and you can cash either in Pesos or USD, however, you should know that the  US ATM machine will charge you a commission of 50 USD for every cash withdrawal, not really convenient.

You would be much better off by cashing pesos.

When is the best time to travel to Tulum?

Tulum Weather

Tulum weather is the typical Caribbean tropical weather, that’s to say very hot and humid in the summer especially from June through September, with temperatures that get up to 95 ºF (35 ºC).

Winters are normally dryer and with lower temperatures which are still around 80ºF (28 ºC) – the nights are always cooler in winter.

So probably if you come to Tulum around January through February you might want to bring a shawl or a light jacket for the evenings, although you might not need it. But these months are considered the best time to visit Tulum although the most expensive and crowded.

The summer is also the rainy season in Tulum which means that you might get up in the shining sun and get soaked with rain in the afternoon. Or the other way around. It’s really unpredictable.

The suggestion I always give and use for myself is that if you plan a trip somewhere don’t give up on it if you see a cloudy sky. Chances are that it clears up in the next few hours, or not. You never know.

This doesn’t mean that the dry season will never rain at all. It’s crazy weather in Tulum and all the Riviera Maya, therefore expect the worse and hope for the best, but be merry always and enjoy the  Tulum happy vibes!

Winters are also the busiest months and are more expensive.

For Christmas and New Year you should book way in advance as you risk not finding space.

Shoulder seasons like April – June, and October-December are the best time of the year when to travel to Tulum or the Riviera Maya.

Top things to do in Tulum

Besides basking in the sun on the spectacular beach and enjoying the views from your trendy beach hotel, trying the exceptional food, or shopping in the Boho Tulum, there are so many daily activities that you can do in Tulum and discover the spectacular places that made Tulum one of the most popular travel destinations in the world.

Here below I am listing all the amazing visits that you can do while vacationing in Tulum.

1. Tulum Archeological site

The only archeological site right on the beach offers amazing views and interesting history. You can reach the site either by bike or taxi.

Read more about the Tulum Mayan Ruins.

2. Visit Akumal beach and swim with the turtle (free in the ocean)

Akumal is a beautiful beach about 30 minutes from Tulum where you can swim in the sea and casually meet turtles that are naturally hanging out close to the shore. It got a little overcrowded in the past couple of years, but still a good spot to visit.

Read also: the best beaches of the Riviera Maya

3. Visit a cenote

They have estimated around 6000 cenotes are scattered around the Yucatan Peninsula. Cenotes are natural sinkholes created by the corrosion of limestone rock by water and other natural elements.

There are many beautiful cenotes at just 30 minutes time from Tulum as I explain in detail in my post.

4. Take a tour of the biosphere of Sian Ka’an

The spectacular biosphere of Sian K’an is home to a wealth of wildlife including bird colonies and dolphins. There are several ways to visit the Biosphere of Sian Ka’an. My favorite is the boat tour by Itour Mexico

5. Visit Coba’s archeological site

Even more interesting are the Coba archeological site and the 3 nearby cenotes. At only one hour driving you can reach the tiny village of Coba either by car or by local busses. In the two posts I have linked to above you will find all the necessary information you need.

6. Enjoy a day trip to the lesser-known Muyil

Very few people know about this pretty archeological site with access to the Sian Ka’an biosphere.

Read my full guide to Muyil to know more.

7. Visit Punta Laguna

While going towards Coba’ you can plan a stop in Punta Laguna, where a group of local families manage this beautiful area and will take you around to find out about the spider monkeys and other animals.

To learn about all the things to do from Tulum you can check out my full guide to day trips from Tulum.

Where to stay in Tulum

I  wrote a complete guide on where to stay in Tulum on the beach and downtown.

Here I am giving you just a brief consideration of the accommodation options in Tulum:

✔ Tulum’s all-inclusive offer is very scarce, just because there are so many restaurant options in Tulum both downtown and on the beach that you wouldn’t want to dine all the time in your hotel, but try all the unrivaled culinary experiences in the different top-notch restaurants throughout the town.

✔ Tulum beach hotels are the most expensive but definitely the best option if you wish to live the Tulum Boho life to the fullest. And you might find some moderately priced options as well.

✔ If you are on a strict budget, downtown Tulum offers a variety of beautiful cozy accommodations that suites your needs.

✔Jungle hotels are the new trend and you will also find a lot of options in the tranquillity of the overwhelming nature.

✔ VRBO – Another way to live the Tulum life is to rent a villa or an apartment on VRBO. There is such a variety of choices in Tulum, from the trendiest and most expensive beach house to a simple apartment in town or in the Jungle.

Each one it’s own. You can also check out my post on Tulum Airbnb and Aldea Zama Airbnb where I have selected the top apartments for rent.

Tulum Restaurants

The culinary ambiance of Tulum also plays a great part in the general appeal of the swanky town.

The delicious variety of food offers the most incredible and unimaginable combinations of flavors, and the restaurant layouts represent a showcase of the most amazing and creative architecture, where

mayonnaise jars become fancy lamps and old sewing machines become in-demand ornaments; home depot water pipes become elegant hooks for clothes and old doors become the headboard of your comfortable bed… and I could go on.

I have put together a list of my favorite restaurants in Tulum which I hope you will find helpful.

Tulum Beaches

The beach in Tulum is just one long stretch of beach that might get different names at times, but it’s just one.

And it will leave you speechless; endless and wide, the soft white sand is what any beach lover and paradise seeker are looking forward to.

Even if it is sometimes sprinkled with seaweed, it just doesn’t matter; it’s still beautiful and dreamy.

The contrast with the pristine water and its 50 shades of blue and the green jungle as a background, makes it one of the top destinations in the world.

To enjoy Tulum Beach even better you should try on the of the Tulum beach clubs, there are of many prices and in many locations and totally worth the money.

Another great advantage is that the water is not deep and the current doesn’t tend to be strong, so you can easily walk and swim stress-free, as opposed to Cancun’s beaches, for instance.

Everywhere in Tulum allows free access to the beach, and the majority of the hotels will rent you beach chairs and umbrellas if you are in need. In most cases, they will give you some kind of discount on the cost of a meal if you eat there, which is always very convenient.

Always ask at reception.

Is Tulum tourism indeed as sustainable as they want us to believe?

Tulum is no doubt one of the most popular destinations in Mexico.

Its popularity comes from different elements; it’s the hip town, the cool place to go for the jet-setters and their followers, fashionista and modern/vintage art lovers, eco-chic fans, or last but not least, those simply attracted by the unique and pretty Mayan site, the only one situated on the water, offering you not only a very interesting historical meaning but also a very picturesque subject for your pictures.

Not to talk about the amazing natural wonders that you can visit in the surrounding.

I love both worlds and for all these reasons I have grown particularly fond of this quaint and multifaceted little town.

However, all this fancy movement has also shown its dark side. 

Greediness has led to an unsustainable overdevelopment which is slowly destroying the natural environment and the reason why Tulum was so appealing in the first place.

To understand what I am talking about you can check out this post on the dark side of Tulum and watch this video.

We love Tulum and we want tourists to continue to come and visit but we do believe there is a more sustainable way to grow and it’s important that whoever comes is aware of the present situation.

So please follow eco-friendly practices and help conserve Tulum’s natural beauty as amazing as they are.

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