Tulum, Mexico: travel guide
Clifftop Maya ruins above a Caribbean beach, plus cenotes and wellness
A bohemian beach town famed for its clifftop Mayan ruins, crystal cenotes, eco-chic resorts, and wellness culture on the Caribbean coast.
About Tulum
Tulum is a beach town on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán, known for a walled Maya site that sits on a clifftop above the sea. The mix of ancient stone, white sand and turquoise water makes it one of the more photogenic places in Mexico.
Visit the ruins early before the heat builds, then spend the afternoon on the beach or in one of the nearby cenotes, such as Gran Cenote and Cenote Calavera. Inland, the large site of Cobá lets you climb a pyramid above the jungle, and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve protects wetlands and coastline to the south. The town has a strong yoga and wellness scene, along with craft markets and small restaurants.
Tulum suits couples, wellness travellers and those who like nature as well as beaches. The drier months from December to April are the easiest time to go.
- Country
- Mexico
- Currency
- MXN
- Time zone
- America/Cancun
- Nearest airport
- TQO
Last updated
Top places to visit in Tulum
Tulum Ruins
Heritage · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry $85 (≈ ₹440)
The only major Maya site on sea cliffs overlooking the Caribbean. El Castillo rises above the turquoise sea with a swimmable beach below.
Gran Cenote
Nature · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry $180 (≈ ₹930)
Crystal-clear freshwater cave pool with stalactites, turtles, and incredible snorkelling — connected to the vast Sac Actun underground cave system.
Playa Paraíso
beach · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Postcard white-sand beach below the ruins, regularly ranked among Mexico's best.
Cenote Dos Ojos
cenote · about 3 h · entry $350 (≈ ₹1,820)
Famous cavern cenote system with crystal-clear water for snorkelling and cave diving.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
biosphere · about 6 h · check the fee at the gate
UNESCO reserve of lagoons, mangroves and reefs south of Tulum, reached by guided boat tour.
Cenote Calavera
cenote · about 1.5 h · entry $250 (≈ ₹1,300)
Compact open cenote nicknamed the "Temple of Doom" for its three skull-like openings.
Cobá Archaeological Zone
ruins · about 3 h · entry $100 (≈ ₹520)
Jungle-shrouded Maya city with Nohoch Mul, one of the Yucatán's tallest pyramids.
Cenote Zacil-Ha
cenote · about 2 h · entry $150 (≈ ₹780)
Family-friendly open pool cenote with a zip-line, near Cenote Dos Ojos road.
Playa Pescadores
beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Central beach where fishing boats land, gateway to the hotel-zone beach clubs.
Tulum Pueblo Art & Craft Market
market · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Main-avenue strip of craft shops, cafés and street food in the town centre.
Things to do
- Tulum Ruins at Sunrise Cultural · 2 h · from MXN 90 per person
- Cenote Swimming & Snorkeling Tour Water Sports · 5 h · from MXN 1,200 per person
- Sian Ka'an Biosphere Boat Safari Tour · 7 h · from MXN 1,600 per person
- Cobá Ruins Bike & Climb Cultural · 4 h · from MXN 900 per person
- Scuba Diving at Cenote Dos Ojos Water Sports · 5 h · from MXN 2,900 per person
Day trips and tours
- Sian Kaan Biosphere + Lagoon Floating 7 h · from 1,900
Where to stay in Tulum
- Tulum Beach Road about MXN 4,500 per night
The iconic destination — boutique jungle-meets-beach hotels, cenotes, bike lanes, and the ruins visible from the shore. Expensive but irreplaceable.
- Tulum Pueblo about MXN 600 per night
The town — affordable hostels, local food, colectivo hub, and where all the locals live. 4km from beach but far cheaper. Good for budget travellers.
Hotels
- Papaya Playa Project 4-star · MXN 4,500 to MXN 12,000 per night
- Hotel Bardo Tulum 4-star
- Mayan Monkey Tulum 1-star · MXN 450 to MXN 1,200 per night
- Nomade Tulum 5-star
- Azulik Tulum 5-star
- Che Tulum Hostel 2-star
Where to eat
- El Camello Jr seafood, mexican · about MXN 150 per person
- Hartwood mexican, contemporary · about MXN 2,200 per person
- Taquería Honorio Mexican, Tacos · about MXN 150 per person
- Gitano Mexican, International · about MXN 900 per person
- Del Cielo Mexican, Cafe · about MXN 300 per person
- Arca Mexican, International · about MXN 1,100 per person
- Burrito Amor Mexican · about MXN 200 per person
- Cetli Mexican · about MXN 650 per person
Getting to Tulum
Airport: Tulum (TQO)
How visitors arrive in Tulum
- Bus, shuttle or car from Cancún By road from Cancún · common
ADO buses and shared shuttles run from Cancún and Playa del Carmen; shuttle is a popular option. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Flight into Tulum International Airport By air from Mexico City and other cities · common
Tulum airport opened in December 2023 with domestic and some international flights; Cancún is an alternative. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Tren Maya By train from Cancún · possible
Tren Maya connects Tulum with Cancún airport. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
From the airport to the centre
- Tren Maya from Tulum airport unconfirmed
Tulum airport has its own Tren Maya station, and the train can be used as local transport into Tulum town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- ADO bus from Cancún airport
If you land at Cancún instead, ADO runs buses from Cancún airport to Tulum along Highway 307. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Pre-booked shuttle from Cancún airport
Companies such as Daytrip and SuperShuttle run shared shuttles from Cancún airport to Tulum, bookable in advance. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Bicycle useful for some trips
Bicycles can be rented in Tulum town and are used for getting to cenotes and the beach.
- Taxi useful for some trips
Taxis link Tulum's town with the beach zone and the ruins and are a common alternative to renting a bike.
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced "Local" Taxis at Beach Zone
Tulum Beach Road
Taxi drivers at beach clubs quote tourist prices 3–5× higher than town taxis. Routes between the beach road and pueblo are short but drivers exploit lack of alternatives.
How to avoid it: Agree on the price before getting in. Download InDriver — it operates in Tulum and allows you to propose your own fare. Alternatively rent a bicycle for the beach-pueblo route (~MXN 150/day).
Best time to visit Tulum
- Jan 27°C
- Feb 28°C
- Mar 29°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 31°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 30°C
- Aug 30°C
- Sep 30°C
- Oct 29°C
- Nov 28°C
- Dec 27°C
More in Mexico
Frequently asked questions about Tulum
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Tulum?
- The highest-rated places in our Tulum guide are Tulum Ruins, Gran Cenote.
- Where should I stay in Tulum?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tulum: Tulum Beach Road, Tulum Pueblo.
- How do I get around Tulum?
- Ways to get around Tulum covered in our guide: Bicycle, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Tulum?
- Scams reported to us for Tulum include Overpriced "Local" Taxis at Beach Zone. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Tulum?
- Average daytime highs in Tulum run from 27°C in Jan to 31°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Tulum?
- The nearest airport to Tulum has the code TQO.