Once a sleepy fishing village, Tulum has turned into a major travel and yoga destination. Tulum is characterized by white sandy beaches and turquoise water. With a vibrant feeling throughout the town that is full of music, dancing culture and yoga retreats, you will probably love exploring this place. We have enjoyed every minute spent in this now bustling beach town and wanted to give you the list of our favorite things to do (mostly on a budget) in Tulum, Quintana Roo.
Our story with Tulum started three and a half years ago when we decided to go on a two-week vacation from our then-home of Portland, Oregon. The funny part about it is that this vacation in Tulum was what convinced us to start our journey of living abroad full-time. When we got back to Oregon, we bought one-way tickets to Cancun airport, without telling anyone for a few months. We saved our money, got rid of most of our stuff and took the leap of moving to the Yucatan Peninsula in 2018. Tulum had been our inspiration!
Tulum is located 2 hours south of Cancun, Mexico at the end of a long stretch of highway lined with giant mega-resorts (one after another). As you travel on this highway it seems like it will never end and then after about two hours, you enter the Puebla of Tulum. The first thing you will notice if driving, is the massive speed bumps that keep traffic slow, but also assist in helping people cross the street.
The town of Tulum is split into two sides: the Puebla and the beach road (Hotel Zone). Even with the close proximity of these two areas, they feel like they are worlds apart.
The Pueblo:
In the center of the city, the main street is lined with small local stores that sell hammocks, souvenirs and clothing. You will also see dozens of restaurants that have an organic hippie vibe using advertising such as organic, farm to table and local. A lot of the advertising is in English to accommodate the consistent tourist population.
We have spent hours walking, driving or riding our bikes up and down the main strip. One of our favorite activities while staying in the Pueblo is taking a road that we have not traveled down and finding a local restaurant. In this case, we usually follow our ears and nose listening for some live music or the great smell of Mexican Cuisine.
The Pueblo in Tulum does not necessarily have the instagramable pull of the beachside, but it has many wonders to explore plus inexpensive and delicious food. We highly recommend that you try it out and book an Airbnb in the Pueblo. You will save money on your rental to spend on tours or dinners out, plus have a lot more of the local flavor of Mexico.
The Beach Road (Hotel Zone):
The beach is obviously the main tourist destination for those who visit Tulum. The expensive and fancy resorts sit on the Caribbean ocean. However, if you are on a budget and want to spend time on the beach you can still find a few affordable stays which typically exist on the “jungle side” of the Beach Road (meaning you will have to walk across the street to get to the beach). It is also tough to find affordable food and beverages along the Beach Road, you will typically find American prices, even on the high end.
Getting Around
We recommend biking and walking if you have the energy because you will bump into many cool things to see and do spontaneously! However it is also a good idea to rent a car so that you can easily go on the many day trips available within an hour or two away.
Biking
There is a very nice pathed bike path from the Pueblo to the Beach Road that we love. It is pretty long, about 3 miles, but on a bike it goes fast. Once you are on the Beach Road however, be cautious because the separate bike path stops and you will be on the single road with a lot of traffic, most likely. Stay alert and always have a bike light if you are riding at night.
Walking
We love to walk around the Pueblo because we see a lot of typical Mexican cultural activities happening. Especially at the corner of the main strip Avenida Tulum and Calle Centuro Sur.
Our favorite recommendation?
Go to the many free public beaches on the northern “Old Tulum” beach road (the section closest to the ruins)! Head to a grocery store in the Pueblo (ie Soriana, Chedraui) and pack an iced cooler with your favorite snacks and cold beverages before hitting the beach. Bring sunscreen, beach chairs, towels, a hat, a book and a speaker for music if you want.
This was seriously our favorite way to go to the beach. With the recent sargassum (seaweed) issue that has affected Riveria Maya since 2018, we found these public beaches were much cleaner. The water also was more crystal clear than the beaches along the hotel zone.
We also have recommendations for beach clubs that you can go to for access to the beach, like Ziggy’s Beach Club pictured below. You just have to buy at least one drink. However we preferred being able to access the beach hassle free.
On the free beaches listed below, you will not feel strange about drinking or eating your own food and beverages because you’ll see many other people doing the same thing. We actually liked the vibes better because there are more families, kids running around, but yet it’s still very peaceful, chill and fun.
Favorite Free Beaches:
- Paradise Beach (Playa Paraiso)
- Las Palmas Public Beach (enter near Mezzanine restaurant)
- Playa Pescadores- somewhere around this beach there are simple showers and bathrooms for 10 pesos which is awesome if you want to head straight to a restaurant after swimming all day!
- Playa Santa Fe – closest beach before you get to the ruins; you will be able to see the Tulum ruins perched up on the distant cliffs just north of this beach.
- Secret Beach (Sian Kaan region) – bike or drive south of town down the beach road to Secret Beach. In the Sian Kaan bio reserve, away from everyone in busy Tulum, most of the time you’ll have the whole pristine beach to yourself.
Restaurants:
As noted above the food in Tulum, for the most part, is focused on organic ingredients mixed with local Mexican cuisine and seafood. You can also find many Italian, Sushi and Mediterranean restaurants. We suggest that you walk down the street and see what calls to you. Here is our list of favorite restaurants in Tulum.
Pro Tip: Cash is King in Tulum!
Make sure to go to a bank with an ATM (there are many in the downtown Pueblo near the main Zocalo/square) and take out lots of pesos because for some reason cash is king pretty much everywhere you go in Tulum! Depending on your budget we would recommend taking out several thousand pesos if not more, because every time you make an ATM transaction the bank and your bank back home will charge you a few dollars typically.
Favorite Restaurants in the Tulum Pueblo:
- Burrito Amor– Honestly one of the best burritos that we have found in the entire Yucatan Peninsula. The atmosphere is wonderful with communal-style tables that surround the main eating area and kitchen. We have gone here every time sometimes two times a day when visiting Tulum. Depending on the time of day or night you will see entertainment from local artists and performers.
- Tú – One of our favorite bump into restaurants in Tulum. We were riding our bikes coming back from a day at the beach and heard some music coming from a beautiful dining room. A lot of locals were sitting inside this beautiful restaurant laughing and enjoying the local music. We couldn’t resist sitting down and grabbing a bite. We were so delighted at what we found. Not only was the restaurant beautiful but the staff was the nicest we have found in Tulum. The food matched the overall vibe, we ordered the shrimp and fish tacos and a couple of drinks. The food was incredibly flavorful and wonderfully presented and they had great cocktails to compliment the food. The owner of the restaurant was very involved in the restaurant checking in with us asking how everything was going and if we were enjoying our time. We ended up staying for food and drinks and staying a little longer to listen to the local rounds of musicians that make their rounds through the restaurant. This place is a must for our next time in Tulum.
- Batey – bar in pueblo with live music every day
- Tres Galeones – good fish and shrimp burritos , across the ADO station
- El Camello , El Capitán , El Dorado –Best Places to eat seafood
- El Dorado – the best ceviche
- La Pebeta- Argentinian brunch spot
- Charlie’s Tacos – Vegan spot
- Palma Central – Food cart garden area
Favorite Restaurants on the Beach Road:
- Rosa Negra– a favorite place for fancy dinner with friends or a romantic date. The food is delicious and the service is impeccable and flawless! Tip: go early if it’s romantic. Go later for people watching and a slightly rowdier scene with friends. The music spinning will not disappoint 🙂
- La Eufemia – cheap tacos on the beach with a rave/ weed scene at night
- Matcha Mama – acai bowls and matcha lattes
- Raw Love cafe (Ahau Tulum) – Great breakfast and coffee space right on the beach. Bonus: check out the huge sculpture of the tree goddess named Ven a la Luz by Daniel Popper
- Arca, Kitchen Table, Meze and for sunset, go to the rooftop pool at Hotelito Azul (our friend Foodieflashpacker’s recommendations)
- Puro Corazón – Watch the sunset at the Sunset tower overlooking the jungle and sea
- Mezzanine – delicious Thai food and exotic cocktails (2 for 1 deal in the afternoon) overlooking the sea
- Ziggy’s Beach Club – get a drink to easily access the hotel zone beach!
Tours:
Tulum is located at the very southern tip of the road right before you enter into one of the largest bio reserves on the Peninsula— Sian Kaan. This makes it an ideal spot for taking tours to see the jungle where you can see monkeys or take a boat trip out into the Sian Kaan reserve to witness the conservation efforts to help the manatees, turtles and sea birds.
Tour Companies we recommend:
- Mexico Kan Tours– Eco Tours Tulum Riviera Maya Mexico Kan Tours Tulum Riviera Maya Eco Tours
- Medhi Guide Tulum – take a relaxing float down the “nursery canals” built by Mayans hundreds of years ago in Sian Kaan
For tours that support the local Mayan economy and show you authentic Mayan village life (ie making tortillas, handicrafts, etc) we have been recommended:
- Marlon Mercanti Villanueva – a local guide with Eco Tour Company El Viaje de Kanan
- Avelino Cach with Mayan Traveler
- Community Tours of Sian Ka’an – offers overnight stays with a family from a Mayan village
- Mayan Eco Tours
Best Tours to do:
- Sian Ka’an with Mexico Kan Tours: boat tour from Tulum to Punta Allen – You will see manatees in a sea cenote, dolphins, possibly crocodiles, many sea birds, sea turtles, and more. Also, you will get to swim and play in one of the largest natural “kiddie” pools in the world. Lunch is served at a restaurant in Punta Allen. Learn about why the Sian Kaan bio reserve is so important and support this eco-tour company
- Bat Cave Snorkeling Tour at Dos Ojos Cenote – this is a very unique tour in one of the more well-known cenotes in the area. Snorkel through a maze of stalactites and stalagmites in the pitch back with only small flashlights and a guide to guide you into a magical cave with a single hole to let the sun rays in. You will see hundreds of bats congregating on the high ceiling and tiny silver fish sparkling in the limited light. Truly one of the most incredible experiences we have had.
- Snorkel with Sea Turtles and tropical fish in Akumal – in the past few years Akumal has tightened their restrictions for snorkeling and exploring this rich biodiverse cove in order to protect endangered species such as the green sea turtle that regularly grazes on the sea grass here. Akumal literally translates from Mayan to mean “Place of the Turtles.” Akumal is located about 30-40 minutes north of Tulum along the major highway. The cove is very calm and on a sunny, windless day, the water is perfectly clear to snorkel with the turtles and bright fish. Find a tour guide along the road entering Akumal or go to one of the dive shops to hire a guide. A pair of fins and snorkel will be provided as well as a knowledgable guide who can safely lead you to exactly where the turtles are. Make sure to keep your distance for respect to the turtles and bring your Gopro or underwater camera! It is certainly a magical experience everyone should have.
- Find a tour with one of the many stands on the free beach just south of the Tulum ruins called “Inclusivo Beach”
Cenotes:
- This is one of the most popular cenotes in the Tulum area. The beautiful crystal clear blue water is incredible and refreshing in the Caribbean heat.
- They have two options for guided or unguided time spent at the cenote.
- 350 pesos per person: unguided pass with limited access to both of the main cenotes, but you have to stay within the roped area. This comes with a free life jacket, fins, and a snorkel
- 600 pesos per person: private guided tour to both of the cenotes with a bonus tour of the bat cave past the roped area in the second cenote. Each person receives a flashlight, and your guide takes you through a maze of stalactites to get to the bat cave. It is definitely worth the extra pesos. This package comes with a snorkel and mask, an optional wetsuit (it is cold!), fins and lifejacket.
- There is another great option that we did not do. It is the scuba diving tour from one opening or Ojo Uno (First Eye) to Ojo Dos (Second Eye). You get to go deep into the cave and cenote seeing the blend of salt and fresh water in this amazing location. For info on prices go here.
- Casa cenote – this sprawling “open air” cenote is absolutely gorgeous, bright and fun to explore! There are lockers to put your things while you put on your snorkel and fins (provided) and swim through the light-filled cenote. You will see hundreds of tiny, bright fish and if you look closely you could also spot the small and friendly alligator who calls this cenote his home. We were lucky enough to spot him staring at us from the tangled mangrove roots a few feet away. But don’t worry, he won’t harm you, he may just give you a tiny scare! This is truly a gem of a cenote for its pristine clear water, biodiverse flora and fauna as well as the fact that it is so bright because it is not in a cave. You will feel like you are in a natural pool.
Popular and Recommended (we haven’t been yet):
- Grand cenote
- Calavera cenote
The Tulum Ruins:
The Tulum Ruins are a wonderful way to spend a morning or sunset. Our advice would be to try as hard as you can to avoid the heat in the middle of the day because you will be searching for shade. However, if you do go in the hot part of the day be sure to walk past the main buildings until you reach the very edge of the cliff overlooking the aqua sea. There are steps leading down to the beach where you can jump in to get a much-needed refreshment. Bring a towel and wear a swimsuit under your clothes.
The Tulum ruins were developed in the 13th century by the Mayan people living there. It was used as an hub for international trade and center for distribution of goods throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. Similar to what a port would act like today. The only one of its kind, Tulum is epically positioned high up on a cliff it also acted like a fort and gate from any possible intruders or enemies who might wish to enter the Mayan city state.
It was originally named Zamá which is Mayan for “Dawn,” because it is facing the morning sunrise over the Caribbean Sea. The Tulum Ruins are a must-see for anyone visiting the area. Even though the area is small and it won’t take more than a couple of hours to walk through, it is very memorable and beautiful. The history and preservation of the stone structures is remarkable as well.
Shops:
You cannot go to many places in Tulum without bumping into a store to buy something. You will find sustainably-minded stores almost everywhere. We have loved spending the day walking around the local stores in Tulum’s Pueblo. We enjoy buying reusable and sustainable items and find it very important for the environment as well as supporting the local economy. Here are some local items to keep your eye out for while in Tulum:
- a hammock
- a dream catcher
- a macrame wall hanging
- Wooden art pieces
- Local Honey
Macario Gomez
In Macario Gomez (a village 20 mins west of Tulum on the way to Coba) you will find a small, authentic local Mayan artisan community lined with countless shops of these artisan pieces mentioned. You will most likely have the chance to meet the maker of what you buy and hear a little about who they are. We have been so happy to buy a dream catcher for example, from a local Mayan family who were so gracious and welcoming. Highly recommend taking an afternoon to explore Macario Gomez!
Other Attractions Nearby:
- Coba Ruins
- Laguna Luun
- Archeological Zone of Muyil
- Ferry to Cozumel and snorkeling tour there
- Akumal Monkey Reserve
- Valladolid
- Chichen Itza & Ik Kil cenote
- Ek Balam and cenote on the property
Hotels:
On a Budget:
- Find an Airbnb apartment in the Pueblo:
- very economical with nice, modern places to stay
- Affordable Airbnbs on the Beach Road (Jungle Side):
- Cabañas attached to Puro Corazon on the northern end of the road
- Residencia Gorila- cabanas on the southern end of the beach road
If you opt for the most budget-friendly experience, book one of these hostels
Luxury Hotels:
- Papaya Playa Project
- La Zebra Colibri Boutique Hotel
Our Final Thoughts on Tulum…
Regardless of what you may have heard of Tulum and its growing popularity, we think Tulum is an amazing place to vacation and go and explore. We have figured out ways that we can make a week or two completely affordable and still enjoy all there is to see and do in Tulum. Check out our video below for more ideas and visual inspiration about Tulum.
Let us know if you have any questions or recommendations of your own for more things to do in Tulum!
Check out our YouTube Video below of our Favorite Things To Do in Tulum (without breaking the bank)!
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How much money do you need per day in Tulum?
We recommend spending about $50-$60 per person per day in Tulum. This includes food, drinks, activities, transportation and accommodation.
How many days in Tulum is enough?
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