The Ultimate Guide to Tulum, Mexico
Tulum has got to be Mexico's next up-and-coming tourist destination. While it is already a popular spot for many to vacation, it is expanding rapidly - this charming little city is already getting their own airport in 2023! My husband and I spent our honeymoon here and honestly, it felt like the perfect destination as newlyweds!
So, are you thinking about heading a bit more South of Quintana Roo, wanting to know everything there is to know about Tulum? Keep reading and I'll help guide you through all the important details you'll want to prepare for before booking that flight.
Why Visit Tulum?
There are many different things here that make this city so great. Although it is known for its beautiful blue oceans and Instagrammable locations, it's easy for Tulum to attract the eye of many different types of people. For history buffs, there's fascinating ruins from the Mayan period, and it's even a 2 hour drive from Chichen Itza, one of the 7 wonders of the modern world. If you're into nature, there's the many cenotes and jungles with incredible wildlife to discover. For being a small area, it's pretty well-rounded when it comes to the activities and sights to see.
And even though Tulum is definitely a tourist town, I didn't find it as commercially cheesy as the Cancun and Riviera Maya areas felt. Depending on where you stay, walking/biking around town is very doable, and there are a lot of villages tucked into the tourist districts that make it feel a bit more local.
Where to Stay
There are a few different tiers of options when it comes from finding a place to stay in Tulum. Whether you're on a tight budget or looking to splurge on something more luxurious, there will definitely be somewhere that'll fit within your range!
- Budget -
One thing became clear very quickly while exploring Tulum - Backpackers LOVE this town... we saw them everywhere! On the Pueblo, or main strip of town, there are hostels galore. I couldn't even keep track of how many people I saw with packs on twice the size of their body. After doing some research, it seems that Lum is one of the best hostels in the area, and can go for as cheap as $9 US dollars a night!
- Moderate -
Aside from all the hostels surrounding Tulum, another thing you will find many of are the boutique hotels. I have to rave about the one we stayed at, as it was an absolute dream. (And not sponsored... found it from all the great reviews online!)
I would recommend Kasa Parota Tulum to anyone looking for a moderately-priced hotel. They have a few different types of rooms: standard, studio suites and penthouse suites (that include their own rooftop pool!) It's also right in the center of everything, so it's easy to walk 20-30 minutes most places, and they have a free shuttle that'll take you to the beach!
- Luxury -
If you're looking to go all out and want to wake up to the beachfront every morning, then don't you worry, because there are plenty of beautiful hotels to stay at: Some that are even adult-only. But what's most astounding about these hotels are their aesthetic... These bungalows will have you feeling like a jungle king or queen! One of the best is La Valise, where your bed can literally move to your balcony to relax out under the stars!
What to Do
Most may come here to enjoy the beaches of the Yucatan peninsula but I promise you, there are all kinds of different things to experience in Tulum! Here were a few of our favorite activities that we got to do while here:
- The Beach:
So yes, I did just say there were many other things to do while here, but that doesn't mean that you should skip out on the gorgeous, shimmering oceans of the Caribbean Sea! Make sure to spend some time at one of the beach clubs while here to get an even more relaxing experience.
- Tulum Ruins:
Tulum was one of the last cities that the Mayans made their way through, and it's pretty incredible to see the ruins that are left behind. To make it even better, they sit right next to the ocean! It's a very beautiful area to explore, and is even walking distance from Santa Fe Beach.
- Chichen Itza:
While we're on the topic of ruins... this famous wonder of the world is only 2 hours from Tulum! There are all kinds of tour companies that will take you to Chichen Itza - We booked ours through Cancun Adventures, and I highly recommend them. This sight is incredible to see in person and is worth the trek out there.
- Visit A Cenote:
One thing you must not do while in Tulum is skip out on the amazing cenotes! These are large sinkholes that have become swimming holes inside caves...You'll find all kinds of different fish, turtles and evens bats while floating around! There are all kinds to check out, but the Gran Cenote is one of the most popular and has so much to see.
Hopefully this post has helped introduce you to what Tulum has to offer. When Chris and I were first trying to determine where in Mexico we wanted to spend our honeymoon, it was tough but ultimately decided on Tulum because of the diverse amount of things to do here. And in the end, I was so glad we ended up making that decision!
Have you been to Tulum? If so, what are your thoughts? If you haven't, what are you looking forward to seeing most here?
