Tulum, Mexico

What is there to do in Tulum?

Beaches

Ruins

Coba Ruins
Casa del Cenote
Parque Nacional de Tulum
Archeological Zone of Tulum - Mayan Port City Ruins- Heres a few tips when visiting the ruins. Tulum’s Ruins offers a beach onsite but not very kid friendly because it’s not a walk up beach! You’ll have to plunge in for a swim! But know worries right before you hit the ruins is a beach open to the public which you can walk on the sand to the water. Tulum Ruins entrances fee is 40 Mexican Pesos ($2USD) Plan to walk a lot !! There’s more than one structure to see throughout the Ruins! There is no shade, so plan on to catch a tan or pack an umbrella! Try to even visit early in the morning or late evening! The ruins aren’t as wheelchair/stroller friendly as It says! Thanks God I brought our chest carrier because we had to hike up many stairs and push the stroll through dirt roads! No need to pay extra for a guide! Most signs are translated to English around the site if your interested on reading up on the history of the ruins!
Ek Balam & Valladolid ruins
Chichen Itza(Located in Cancun) Atta Centones can help arrange your tours!

Cenotes

A cenote is a natural pool, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater underneath.

Where to stay in Tulum?

Tulum Town

is more of a local area and favorite! If you're looking more for an authentic feel and food, stay here! You'll find a ton of hotels and hostels to stay at on a budget in the area! The only downside about staying in the town is that the beach is located about a 5-10 minute drive, so you'll have to drive or take a taxi back and forth. In the Town of Tulum you'll be able to purchase accommodations for less than $10USD for a dorm!

Aldea Zama

is a new development that is in progress in Tulum. If you're searching for accommodation on Airbnb, you'll find a ton of condos in the area. There's not much to do in the area, but its a great area for families or anyone that would want to rent a home with a bunch of friends!

The Private Beaches

Is the most popular area in Tulum but also the most expensive. You'll find many high-end shops, boutique hotels, and restaurants all located on its own private beaches. You can spend between $200-1000USD per night. If you plan to stay in a hotel on a private beach, just know that these hotels get booked out very far in advance! Plan accordingly.

Where I stayed in Tulum?

I stayed in Tulum a few times & here are all the Airbnb's I stayed at! I prefer an Airbnb stay in Tulum because most resorts can get costly here! I also enjoy my own privacy.

Attha Cenote. Tulum, Mexico

TOTALLY PRIVATE POOL AND TERRACE @ La Veleta D2

AMAZING NEW Villa- PRIVATE DESIGN POOL 13

Never tried AirBnB before? You can get up to $55 off your stay through my link.

How to get to your destination from the airport?

Rent a Car

If you rent a car, you will have the independence to move around when you chose. It's also a straight road to Tulum with no turns and an easy drive from Cancun!! You can rent a car in Mexico for as low as $2 a day, but here's the catch! You'll have to purchase Mexican liability insurance by law. We rented a car here in Tulum, and lucky our Major Chase credit card (sapphire) covered Collision coverage, so It saved us some bucks, but we still had to purchase Mexican liability insurance for about 15-20$USD a day we rented the car! If you do have a major credit card that covers car rental insurance, make sure you call your credit card company ahead of time to have them send you a physical copy for proof!

ADO Bus

A one-way ticket on the ADO bus from Cancun International Airport to Tulum costs $262 MXN( $13USD). You can purchase this ticket in advance online, by card at the ADO ticket booth inside the arrivals hall or in cash at the ticket stand next to the bus stop. The ADO bus can be found outside of all 4 terminals at Cancun International Airport. Once you've passed baggage claim and customs, through the exit doors and to your right. You will see the bright red ticket stand just in front of you; the ADO bus stops right there.

Taxi fare from Cancun airport to Tulum

There is no set fee or taximeter for the journey from Cancun International Αirport to Tulum, you will need to barter and agree on a price with your driver. However, the usual price is somewhere around $1,700 MXN ($89 USD).

Private Transfer service

If you want to prebook a taxi service from Cancun to Tulum before arrive, Check out Expedias services!

How to get around Tulum?

On Foot

Walking is only a realistic option if you don't intend to leave the resort. If you're staying in the town of Tulum, being on foot maybe your best option because you won't have to deal with parking on the main road.

Bike

Tulum is a bike-friendly destination and has an excellent network of cycling paths and circuits. Biking around is one of the main ways people tend to use to get around Tulum.

Rent a Car

Taxi

Taxis are one of the most reliable ways to get around Tulum. You'll be able to wave down a taxi in the streets or find them around the hotel areas and bus terminals. The fixed fares are reasonable. You'll pay around 100 pesos (about $5USD) to ride from the popular hotels to the beach and ruins.

When to travel to Tulum?

The best time to visit Tulum is when the hurricane season is over, and the weather is warm from October to December. Tulum's rainiest months are June, September, and October. January through March is tourist season, so if you're looking to save money and the crowds avoid visiting around this time!

Where to eat in Tulum?

www.tomato.mx is where you can order food online from local restaurants and have the food delivered to you for a small fee.
Chedraui supermarket . Open from 8:00am to 10:00pm Mexico Pesos
Matcha Mama - One of my favorite places to get smoothies!
Burrito Amor
Ahau Tulum
El Cenzontle
Humo
Kitchen Table
The Papaya Playa
Los Aguachiles
Del Cielo
El Asadero
Gitano
Bateys
Taboo- Is one of my favorite beach clubs and to dine with great food! It is a little costly but worth it! Make sure you make a reservation online!

What language is spoken in Tulum?

Spanish

Currency?

Mexican Pesos

Check out Google Currency Converter for current rates.

Learn basic Spanish.

Buenos días — Good morning

Buenas tardes — Good afternoon

Buenas noches — Good evening / Good night

¿Cómo estás? — How are you? (informal)

Muy bien — Very well

Mi nombre es — My name is

¡Muchas gracias! — Thank you very much!

¡De nada! — You’re welcome! / No problem!

Por favor — Please (generally used at the end of a sentence)

¡Perdon! — Excuse me!

¡Disculpe! — Excuse me! (to apologize in advance for being a bit of a bother)

¡Lo siento! — Sorry! (to apologize for a mistake)

Things you should know when traveling to Tulum?

There aren’t any direct flights into the city of Tulum. You have to fly into Cancun and take a 1-2-hour car ride to get to your resort.
Most places in Tulum close early by 10 pm.
When exchanging cash in Mexico, you'll need to bring your passport along to any cashier that exchanged money. It's the Mexican law.
Tulum is most known for the Mayan history, food, and best beaches.
Expect to spend a bit of cash in Tulum! Mexico is cheap, but many beach restaurants/resorts have prices comparable to those of big cities in the US like New York and San Francisco.
If you’ve never seen a cenote or sinkhole, then you should add one to your Tulum bucket list! It's worth the experience!
Tulum has developed into an eco-chic destination! Take a yoga class while you're in Tulum to detox from modern life!
Recently there has been a ton of seaweed washing up on the beach on the coast of Tulum throughout Cancun. The seaweed that washes ashore usually is from a climate changed and can't be avoided when traveling here. There were days where we have seen no seaweed when visiting the beach and days where the seaweed lead up to the waves on the beach! If you're not a seaweed fan take advantage of the Cenotes here in Tulum!