Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, I may receive a small commission (for which I am very grateful for) at no extra cost to you.

To be totally honest, I first became interested in visiting Tulum from seeing awesome pictures on Instagram. But Tulum lives up to the hype – it is very chic, lively, and fun (it’s even considered one of the best party destinations in Mexico). I booked this trip pre-pandemic and was both surprised and grateful when it didn’t get canceled, despite the ongoing situation. The locals were excited that the tourists were coming back as many depend on tourism for their livelihood. This post will cover some background about Tulum and a collection of the best things to do in Tulum, Mexico.

How to get to Tulum

The closest airport to Tulum is Cancun and it is approximately a 90 minute drive from Cancun to Tulum. You can take a shuttle, hire a private transfer, or rent a car to get from the Cancun airport to Tulum. This is important for planning purposes because it will require some advance preparation.

If you do decide to rent a car, which is what we did, it will make getting around for various activities easier. But watch out for the speed bumps in and around Tulum as they can sneak up on you!

Once you figure out how to get to Tulum it’s time to pack. Here is a great Mexico packing list to make sure you don’t forget the essentials!

Where to stay in Tulum

As I visited Tulum during the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to stay off the main hotel zone at the Mereva Tulum by Blue Sky to minimize our interactions with other people and we actually had the hotel mostly to ourselves. The hotel was beautiful and very close to Casa Cenote.

However, if I was going back and wanted a more party experience, I would likely stay in the main hotel zone. Many of the hotels, such as the Ahau Tulum pictured below, have many awesome Instagram spots if this is something you are interested in.

If you want to avoid staying in a hotel altogether, Airbnb may be your best bet. Here you can find the Best Airbnbs in Tulum, Mexico.

Currency in Tulum

When you are considering how to pay for things to do in Tulum, many of the restaurants and tour companies take cards. However, there are some things like parking, tips, etc that do require pesos. Pesos are not the easiest to come by. ATMs can run out and there are not many places to exchange once you are in Tulum. Some places you can pay in USD and get change back in pesos to help with buying things in the future.

Not sure what to do in Tulum? 🇲🇽 Then book this tour to see Chichen Itza, Cenotes, and Valladolid since it’s an exquisite combination of delicious local food and authentic Mexican culture 🪅.

Things to do in Tulum

There are so many amazing things to do in Tulum, Mexico suited for a variety of adventure levels. We will start with the least adventurous and move to progressively higher on the adventure scale.

Enjoy a Day Trip to Chichen Itza, Cenotes, and Valladolid

⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5.0 (116 Reviews) Price: $180 per person Duration: 11 hours 📍Meeting Point: Pick up at Hotel Operator: Mexico Kan Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

One of the best things to do in Tulum is to go out on a day trip and explore all of the magical things that this incredible part of the country has to offer.

And this amazing day trip to Chichen Itza, cenotes, and Valladolid will allow you to do just that! In fact, you’ll start the day getting picked up from your Tulum area hotel.

You and your small group (for a more personal and authentic experience) will then make your way to the world-famous Chichen Itza.

It’s an awe-inspiring archaeological site that is an essential part of your Tulum itinerary if you want to learn more about the history and culture of this fascinating area.

So, take some time to explore structures like the Pyramid of Kukulkan and the Great Ball Court as you marvel at all of the incredible things the Mayans were able to build.

“A great day with a small group! We left early and got to the site before the crowds came and got an excellent explanation of what we were seeing. The cenote afterwards was AMAZING!”

Anonymous (read more reviews now)

Next, visit the colorful, modern city of Valladolid, where you will be amazed by delicious local food and vibrant Mexican culture.

While you’re here you’ll have lunch in a beautiful courtyard outside a fully restored colonial mansion before ending your day at a stunning cenote that is operated by the local community.

It’s a great place to avoid the crowds and rejuvenate yourself in the sparkling blue water that Mexico is famous for.

Go Shopping

If you’re obsessed with fashion and enjoy a good shopping trip then you’ll love Tulum. After all, the area is filled with cool boutique shops where you can pick up neat, hippie-inspired souvenirs.

The best area to go shopping is South Beach Road. Just grab a bike and stop at any shop that piques your interest.

Just don’t expect any huge discounts since the prices here are on parr with what you’ll find at home.

Check out this Cenote Trail: Caves Visit and Bike Tour

⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5.0 (78 Reviews) Price: $136 per person Duration: 5 hours 📍Meeting Point: Mexico Kan Tours Office Operator: Mexico Kan Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

You cannot visit Tulum without exploring some of the incredible cenotes that this area is famous for.

So, spend the day away from the city and enjoy the tranquility of nature as you explore a series of unique caverns and caves that are hidden in the Mayan jungle.

After all, cenotes were once considered by ancient people to be a portal into the underworld. Therefore, you can use this amazing tour to see three of the most awesome cenotes in Tulum.

“Very fun experience overall! Be prepared for the 20km bike ride but overall it was very fun and different biking around to visit all the cenotes. Cenotes visited were all very different and very nice. It is also nice because the schedule was not very strict and we were allowed sufficient time at each one to explore and swim around.”

Anonymous (read more reviews now)

In fact, you’ll visit Grand Cenote right when it opens so that you don’t have to share this magical place with tons of tourists.

Next, you’ll devour an incredible brunch as you use bicycles to make your way down a hidden jungle trail that leads to two other cenotes.

Just don’t forget your bathing suit since you’ll swim, snorkel, and dive into crystal-clear rivers and underground sinkholes – all while your expert guide explains the unique history of the Yucatan Peninsula.

Grab a Drink at Santino Bar

When it comes to a vibrant nightlife scene, Tulum is lacking since there aren’t a ton of cool places to go once the sun sets.

However, Santino is a bar/club that sits smack dab in the middle of town. It is a great place to go if you like fun music, a killer dance floor, and strong cocktails.

Overall, it’s a great after hours spot in Tulum since pretty

Visit Mayan Ruins and Sian Kaan Nature Reserve

⭐️ Rating: 4.9/5.0 (203 Reviews) Price: $153 per person Duration: 6 hours 📍Meeting Point: Hotel pick up provided Operator: Mexico Kan Tours Details: Read more on Get Your Guide Now!

Get out of the city and get back into nature as you explore stunning Mayan ruins and the awesome beauty of Sian Kaan Nature Reserve throughout this incredible tour.

See, during this expertly curated half-day experience you’ll explore the Sian Kaan Nature Reserve before visiting the Mayan ruins of Muyil.

So, be prepared to see a wide variety of birds, plants, and animals before heading to stunning ruins to learn all about what life was like for the Mayans.

“The whole tour was excellent. We were picked up by a brand new leather seated van. Our guide Paloma had prepared delecious hommade cookied for the group. The lunch was great. We went to the ruins around sian caan and then floted on the river connecting the 2 lakes. Overall I can only say good things about this tour – it was a great experience!”

Anonymous (read more reviews now)

But first, your day will start with a pick-up from your hotel. Next, you’ll travel to the Sian Kaan Nature Reserve where you will go on an exhilarating walk to the highest point in the park.

Once here, take in sweeping panoramas of the area’s incredible wildlife before hiking to boats that will whisk you through ancient canals and to the temple of Xlapak.

Take time to admire the river valley and the detailed facades of the temple before swimming down through the crystal-clear waters of local canals.

Finally, hop back on the boat to enjoy snacks and a delicious Mexican-inspired dinner as you watch the sunset beneath the horizon.

Enjoy the Restaurant Scene

While you might think that Mexico is synonymous with cheap but that is not the case in the hotel zone. If you are looking for inexpensive food options, get away from the main hotel area and go into the main Tulum town,

There are many great restaurants in Tulum and many places to grab drinks. Some of the places we enjoyed were Bak, Raw Love, La Taqueria, and Liefs.

Try Kitesurfing

As much as I love the beaches in Tulum, they can get quite windy. However, that is a good thing for anyone who wants to try kitesurfing.

It’s an amazing, high-adrenaline watersport that can be difficult to learn. Therefore, I recommend visiting a local operator along Tulum’s south beach.

They can rent you equipment and teach you how to kitesurf. Just be sure your instructor has an International Kiteboarding Association certification guide before you sign up for a lesson.

Visit the many Instagram Spots in Tulum

Not surprisingly since I first discovered Tulum on social media, there are many Instagrammable places in Tulum. Many of the cool places that you see on Instagram are located right in the hotel zone along the street or in the actual hotels and restaurants themselves. Depending on where you are staying, you can walk to many of these Insta spots right from your hotel.

Pro Tip: Although the below photo is of me and my friend, I actually took the photo myself with a tripod and my phone. To learn more about how to take solo travel photos, check out this blog post.

Visit Mayan Ruins

There are many Mayan ruins in the area. The most famous of these is the Chichén Itzá, however I was unable to visit while I was there as it was closed. The Chichén Itzá is not actually located in Tulum itself and is about a 2 hour drive away so plan accordingly if this particular Mayan Ruin is on your list. This is the perfect spot to visit for a day trip from Tulum.

The closest Mayan ruins to the hotel zone is the Tulum ruins. Depending on where you are staying, you could walk, bike, taxi, or take a boat to visit the Tulum ruins.

Rent Bikes in the Hotel Zone

Renting bikes in Tulum is another very popular activity – although don’t let the Instagram pictures fool you, it can be a little dangerous. The roads in Tulum and especially the hotel zone are very narrow and there are no bike lanes. You should be careful when riding and watch out for cars, taxis and pedestrians. You can take your bike and ride into Tulum town, to the Tulum ruins, or just along the hotel zone itself.

Despite the dangers, it can be an easier way to get around than waiting on a taxi. And if there is a lot of traffic, you can go around the gridlocked cars [carefully]. Some hotels offer free bikes for their guests, but you can rent them at most hotels if yours does not.

Hang Out at Playa Paraiso

Spend the day basking in the sun and enjoying some of the beaches in Tulum. After all, a day at the beach is a highlight of any trip to Tulum.

But, if you’re not sure where to go then visit Playa Paraiso. Once you see the beach’s pristine white sands and clear blue waters you’ll understand why it is consistently ranked one of the best beaches in Mexico.

The best part is that Playa Paraiso is open to the public, making a visit one of the best free things to do in Tulum.

If you have a bit of extra cash to spend, head to beach clubs like Villa Pescadores and El Paraiso.

You can relax on a plush lounge chair if you spend a certain amount of money on food and drinks. It’s a total steal if you ask me.

Go Snorkeling with Sea Turtles

Although I have been snorkeling several times, I had an amazing experience snorkeling in Akumal. Depending on your exact hotel location within Tulum, Akumal is about 30-60 minutes away from Tulum and it is THE destination to see sea turtles in the area. We opted for a private tour with Ocean Tours Riviera Maya and had the chance to swim very close to the sea turtles right in their natural habitat! It was definitely a highlight of the trip.

Go Paddleboarding

If you like paddleboarding and love the great outdoors, head to Laguna de Kaan Luum. It is located just 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) outside of Tulum and lacks the crowds of many popular spots in the area.

Essentially, this place is one giant cenote where novice and expert paddleboarders can come to cruise across the calm, crystal-clear waters of this amazing place.

Alternatively, spend the day swimming and relaxing along the edge of this beautiful lagoon since you only need to pay 300 pesos ($17.00) to enter. In fact, this is easily one of the most affordable cenotes in Tulum.

Explore the Cenotes

One of the main things that drew me to visit Tulum was the chance to check out the cenotes. Think of these as underground caves and sinkholes. These cenotes are found throughout the Yucatan Peninsula. There are three different types of cenotes. These are: Cavern (located in a cave); Semi-open (half is underground and half is open); Open (looks more like a pond). While we only got the chance to check out three of the cenotes, I would love to go back and see more of them as each was very unique. Touring cenotes was definitely one of my favorite things to do in Tulum as the turquoise waters are incredibly beautiful. Picutured below is the Gran Cenote and the cover photo of this blog post was Cenote Calavera. These are two of the more popular cenotes but they were stunning. Check out this post for a complete list of the best cenotes near Tulum and tips for your visit.

Pro tip: If you plan to visit the cenotes, it is a good idea to be prepared with adventure sandals like these for your excursion. It is both muddy and rocky and your feet will likely get cut up if you aren’t careful.

Relax at a Local Beach Club

I love Tulum’s south beach. But, it is lined with beachfront hotels and resorts. Therefore, it can be difficult to use the beach unless you’re staying at one of these properties.

That’s why I suggest visiting a local beach club and renting a bed for the day. I have been to many beach clubs in Tulum and Papaya Playa is one of my faves.

It has a cool, Bohemian feel and is more welcoming and friendly than the other places I have been to. The food is also really good and it is just an all-around great place to hang out.

Generally, the minimum spend here is 500 pesos ($27.00). However, you can ask your server in advance and they may be willing to lower this fee for you.

Not sure what to do in Tulum? 🇲🇽 Then book this tour to see Chichen Itza, Cenotes, and Valladolid since it’s an exquisite combination of delicious local food and authentic Mexican culture 🪅.

Amazing things to do in Tulum, Mexico

Hopefully this list of things to do in Tulum will have you planning your next trip to Mexico to enjoy this fun, chic, and adventurous town. Have you ever been to Tulum before? What did you think? Let me know in the comments!

Let’s Stay in Touch…

name:
email:

Sharing is caring!