Tulum is much from only a sleepy fishing village. Tulum’s Yucatan Peninsula is a haven of thick jungle, Mayan ruins, and paradisiacal white sand seashores – basically every thing you need in an exquisite vacation to Mexico. There are so many issues to do in Tulum, together with that loveably tacky photoshoot spot close to the Tulum signal. You can go to historic Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, go cave diving in lovely cenotes, or chill at a seaside membership of your selection. Tulum adventures are in every single place.
Visiting Tulum: 23 Best Things to Do in Tulum
In this information, we’ll cowl the easiest issues to do in Tulum. Tulum is implausible for getting that ‘classic’ itinerary when visiting Mexico; Tulum is ideal for ticking off all the very best Mayan ruins and seashores. We’ve acquired tons of nice actions developing for you – so sit tight and prepare to be aware of these prime Tulum issues to do.
Planning Your Trip To Tulum Right Now?
Below are a few of the prime excursions in Tulum. Don’t neglect to plan forward when visiting Mexico!
Top Activities and Tours in Tulum:
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a giant deal – contemplate it a celeb standing attraction. It is well some of the common issues to do in Tulum, albeit accessed by day journey. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous web site of historic Mayan ruins. When planning a Tulum itinerary, skipping Chichen Itza could be against the law. The complicated was as soon as an historic Mayan metropolis stuffed with Mayan ruins, together with the gorgeous step Temple of Kukulkan (the postcard image of Chichen Itza). Many folks mistakenly suppose that Chichen Itza is only a single temple. Still, the complicated can take half a day to discover and totally respect.
This attraction is a 2-hour drive inland from Tulum. Be ready to rent a automotive or guide an expertise, together with public transportation. It is additional, if not the furthest, of all of the day journeys. However, it’s positively probably the most well-known and, as one of many 7 New Wonders of the World, value carving out time to go to.
2. Scuba Diving
Tulum is likely to be small, however it’s mighty in phrases of diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Beach and expertise scuba diving; you’ll be able to’t go to Tulum with out actually experiencing its underwater world, and a scuba dive expertise is way more immersive than snorkeling. News flash – scuba diving is unbelievable in Tulum. Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is offshore of Tulum; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef in the world. It’s second solely to the Barrier Reef in Australia. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is a breeding floor for a flurry of brightly coloured tropical fish and bigger animals like sharks, turtles, manta rays, and dolphins.
You can guide diving excursions from Tulum city to see the coral reefs. Many of those journeys embrace transportation to a dive heart; in any other case, you’ll be able to simply seize a taxi. It is straightforward to squeeze into a brief interval if you have already got your PADI qualification, and if not, allocate just a few days of your itinerary to getting the qualification first.
3. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is an enormous pure park of 5,280 km2. It is simply south of Tulum, additional down into the state of Quintana Roo. Despite being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it attracts fewer vacationers. It is someplace to go to for an actual jungle expertise, out in the remotest areas of Tulum’s shoreline. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum to get ‘off the beaten track’. And it provides a extra intense jungle expertise than quick hikes to cenotes and Tulum ruins.
The greatest means to expertise the reserve is by guided tour. The park is so large; you need some route from a educated information.
4. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is understood for its wonderful seashores and resort metropolis buzz. Only some individuals are reduce out for days and days in a comparatively sleepy city, so should you want a metropolis repair, Playa del Carmen is the place to take a day journey to. Consider this the most effective issues to do in Tulum to get away from precise Tulum. We’d recommend strolling Quinta Avenida – a promenade meets thoroughfare alongside the beachfront with eating places and bars. You can take pleasure in vital museums and points of interest just like the 3D Museum of Wonders and Playacar Mayan Ruins.
Playa del Carmen is simply a 50-minute drive north of Tulum. You can guide a taxi or simply manage a rental automotive or shuttle. By 2024, a prepare will join the 2 main Yucatan locations, so watch this area. Make positive to take a look at all of the Best Things to do in Palya Del Carmen earlier than you go.
5. Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso interprets precisely to Paradise Beach, and if that doesn’t promote you, we don’t know what is going to. The seaside, we will attest, does seem like paradise. Picture these slanted palm timber simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is without doubt one of the greatest seashores in Mexico. You can seize meals and snap footage by its large multi-colored signal; Paradise Beach is the principle Tulum Beach, and it’s straightforward to see why it made our record of Best Beaches in Mexico.
Playa Paraiso is a 20-minute drive or an hour’s stroll from the city heart. If you select to stroll, you’ll cross by the Parque Nacional Tulum on foot. You might simply mix this with a go to to the Playa Ruinas, El Castillo, Casa de Cenote, and the beloved turtle seaside, Playita Tortuga.
6. Hop Between Beach Clubs
When it comes to seaside golf equipment, head out of Tulum Pueblo as a substitute of Tulum Beach. This neighborhood is filled with seaside bars and golf equipment, and you’ll simply spend a day (or night time) hopping between them earlier than lastly reserving a taxi again to your lodge. This is the die-hard social gathering strip, and you’ll count on extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seaside membership hopping is well some of the enjoyable issues to do in Tulum. A taxi journey will take as little as 10 minutes.
7. Chococacao Maya
Chocolate lovers, depart Tulum Pueblo and head by the encompassing jungle to go to Chococacao Maya. This attraction takes you on an immersive expertise the place you remodel your individual cacao beans right into a scrumptious chocolate dish. The expertise is led by a educated information. The most dear a part of that is the cultural trade and perception into the significance of cacao and chocolate in Mayan historical past that you just’ll depart with.
Chococacao Maya is a 40-minute drive from Tulum. However, it’s positioned proper subsequent to the Nohoch Mul Pyramid and a number of cenotes – so it’s straightforward to mix.
8. Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera is a well-known cenote that you just’ve very possible seen earlier than. The cenote is sat in an enormous sinkhole with a picket ladder teetering down the sting into the water. Of Tulum city’s close by cenotes, Cenote Calavera is the one that’s the most lined by the rock above. It has a pure cavern really feel, which is atmospheric and makes for a novel swimming spot. Cenote Calavera can be only a 10-minute drive from Tulum Pueblo heart should you want any extra persuading.
9. Tulum Tower
Tulum Tower is like one thing out of War of the Worlds. The nice spider-looking construction is extra alien-looking than one thing a human has designed. For an entry ticket of round $40, you’ll be able to scale the constructing to the highest for an exquisite view over Tulum. If you go to Tulum and love scenic views, you understand the place to go to. Better but, Tulum Tower is only a 10-minute drive or 40-minute stroll from Tulum city heart.
10. Take A Single-Day Road Trip Through Parque Nacional Tulum
Parque Nacional Tulum is the very best place for the underconfident driver to sort out a single-day street journey. You’ll be stopping and beginning continually with a full record of to-dos, lots of which already characteristic in this information. It neatly combines so many points of interest right into a single day, making it the most effective issues to do in Tulum. There’s Playa Ruinas, the turtles at Playita Tortugas, and the notorious Tulum ruins. The complete driving time might be lower than an hour, however you’ll have a lot to see you can dedicate a whole day to the expertise.
11. Street Markets at Parque Dos Aguas
Parque dos Aguas is true in the center of Tulum Center – so a simple match into even probably the most packed of your itineraries. The little park is a continuing hive of exercise, with public sports activities areas and avenue meals distributors promoting tasty, conventional Mexican meals and ice cream. Parque dos Aguas is an excellent place to join with the neighborhood. And the park will get even higher when it hosts one in all its common avenue markets the place you should buy handicrafts and splurge on souvenirs. Check out the schedule while you go to Tulum.
12. Playa Ruinas
Tulum has a variety of beautiful seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit when it comes to dramatic enchantment. This seaside is a tiny strip of vivid white sand with the stays of an historic Mayan metropolis overlooking it from a grassy cliff prime. Visitors have each the seaside and ruins to respect, and the seaside is simply 20 minutes from Tulum by automotive or an hour on foot by the Parque Nacional Tulum.
13. Escultura Ven a la Luz
Escultura Ven a la Luz is an influencer’s paradise. The entire venue is designed for one massive photoshoot, and you’ll snap footage subsequent to colossal statues made out of rustic supplies. While this attraction sits inside Ahau Hotel, you’ll be able to pay a tiny charge to enter and see the very best statues. If you’re planning a seaside day, it’s a must-detour attraction.
Escultura Ven a la Luz is 20 minutes away from Tulum city by automotive or half-hour by bike. Situated in the Tulum Beach district, getting away from the city heart for a little bit of coastal buzz is good.
14. Zona Arqueologica de Muyil
The Muyil ruins are located simply on the outskirts of the huge Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. If you need outdated Mayan structure, visiting these ruins is a few of the greatest issues to do in Tulum. The steep-walled pyramids are a a lot lesser photographed web site, a perfect resolution to avoiding the crowds that inevitably accrue outdoors websites like Chichen Itza. The Muyil ruins are quieter and far much less trampled. And the precise web site dates again so far as 300 BCE to 1500 CE.
The Muyil ruins are a 20-minute drive south of Tulum. Combine it with a go to to the biosphere reserve and Santuario de Cenotes – an exquisite cenote with barely any crowds in contrast to the cenotes scattered round Tulum Center.
15. Cenote Azul
Cenote Azul is without doubt one of the most unbelievable Mexican cenotes and issues to do in Tulum. This cenote is half-hour from Tulum by automotive, however effectively value the additional miles. The water is (as you may guess) a vivid, vivid blue. Despite its tinted shade’s power, you may as well see all the best way to the underside. It is so clear. It is so clear, in truth, that you just’ll give you the chance to rely all of the tiny fish that inevitably offer you a pedicure expertise. Surrounded by tropical jungle, Cenote Azul is a prime day journey from Tulum. It has that jungle aesthetic that many individuals pursue on a Tulum vacation.
16. Tankah
Tankah is without doubt one of the prettiest issues to do in Tulum. Absolutely breathtaking, the character park is an exquisite assortment of crystal-clear lagoons. You enterprise across the completely different lagoons utilizing an thrilling mixture of trails – and even zip traces – with Mayan ruins and jungle dotted across the park to greet you as you stroll. It is an exquisite place to spend just a few hours, particularly in the morning when the climate is cooler and fewer humid. Tankah completely blends collectively pleasure and pure magnificence.
Tankah is only a 20-minute drive from the city heart. If you are feeling energetic, you’ll be able to simply catch a taxi or bike there in about half-hour.
17. Cenote Escondido
Seemingly arising out of simply jungle and mangrove swamps, Cenote Escondido is one in all Tulum’s most magical cenotes. Despite its proximity to the city heart, Cenote Escondido feels distant and remoted – solely accessible by a fairly rugged-looking mountaineering path that takes quarter-hour to sort out.
Of course, all of those elements add to the adventurous aspect of visiting this cenote tenfold. You pay a charge on the trailhead and get limitless day by day entry to the swimming gap. And on the cenote, there’s a rope swing to soar into the water, plus altering rooms for the extra shy vacationers. While minimalistic, it positively has every thing you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum; lovely, fairly quiet, remoted, and only a 10-minute drive from Tulum city; it’s a should on your Tulum itinerary. You may even cycle there in lower than quarter-hour should you choose to bike.
18. Casa Cenote
Casa Cenote is without doubt one of the all-time favourite cenotes close to Tulum. While it’s additional away from the city heart – 20 minutes by automotive – it is without doubt one of the largest cenotes in the world and is known for diving and snorkeling. You can go to independently or on a guided tour. We’d recommend taking a scuba diving or snorkeling tour to get probably the most out of the expertise; getting additional route will enable you interact higher with wildlife and perceive extra in regards to the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and revel in one in all Tulum’s largest, most fun cenotes.
Casa Cenote has the ‘big wide world factor’ and is an amplified model of different smaller cenotes. There is even an area crocodile referred to as “Panchito” you can see from a distance, and most excursions take you to go to him earlier than you end. He is alleged to be very pleasant, however we wouldn’t get too shut. Aside from Panchito, there are tons of fish and wildlife in the encompassing jungle, too, typically together with little raccoons venturing down to search for a snack.
19. Downtown Tulum, aka Tulum Centro
Tulum Centro is the principle Downtown Tulum space and the place you’ll discover the very best lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common stay music, Tulum purchasing alternatives, and typically avenue events. But regardless of its fashionable oomph, it is usually the place to head while you fancy a calming day. Perhaps a day of purchasing, informal cocktails, and kicking again with some conventional meals. Tulum Centro is the best place to retreat when you’ve performed your justifiable share of day journeys and edge-of-your-seat-style actions in Tulum.
You can take a strolling tour of Tulum Centro or go to by your self. It is de facto enjoyable to get misplaced in, and should you obtain Google Maps offline in case you want additional assist with instructions, you’ll be able to’t go flawed with wander. We vote for together with just a few hours in Tulum Centro for a lazy morning when visiting Tulum.
20. Coba Ruins
Coba is an historic Mayan metropolis, and its full identify is Zona Archeologica de Coba. The preservation is dwelling to the very best pyramid in the Tulum space, Nohoch Mul, which sits dramatically in a jungle clearing. To attain Nohoch Mul, you’ll first want to hike for practically 40 minutes by the jungle. It is without doubt one of the most energetic issues to do on a day journey from Tulum, and tremendous adventurous and atmospheric. If you need an energetic expertise of a Mayan pyramid, the Coba ruins are your most suitable option. These Mayan ruins are additionally a lot quieter than Chichen Itza – preserve that in thoughts when crowd dodging.
Coba is a 45-minute drive inland from Tulum. It is a scenic drive by heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You can at all times lease a automotive and make a full day of it, combing cenote hopping with the Coba ruins. Otherwise, guide a guided tour with roundtrip transport included from Tulum.
21. Gran Cenote
Speaking of serious cenotes, Gran Cenote is without doubt one of the most lovely issues to do in Tulum. And, solely a 10-minute drive or 15-minute cycle from the city heart, this cenote can be some of the handy issues to do in Tulum. This cenote is a glass-blue pool with limestone rock and a spectacular cavern. You entry the cenote by way of a flight of steep steps, stepping down into the pool partially underground in an enormous sink-hole-type-structure. To go to the cenote, you’ll be able to swim and snorkel or keep on the principle boardwalk, offering an exquisite, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unbelievable wildlife. If you choose to swim, you’ll be able to see turtles, fish, and even bats or birds should you take a peak into the cavern. We don’t throw the phrase magical round typically, however the cenote ticks that field. Climbing down into the cenote provides to that mystical attract, creating some of the distinctive swimming spots you’ll ever expertise.
22. Laguna de Kaan Luum
Okay, let’s take a short pause from all these lovely cenotes. Next up is a pastel-turquoise lake referred to as Laguna de Kaan Luum. Laguna de Kaan Luum is gorgeous, stretching so far as the attention can see in an unlimited expanse of shallow, pastel-blue water. The lake is shallow and ideal for swimming – folks use the close by swimming pier when not admiring the water from a swinging hammock. There are additionally tons of conventional seaside huts with food and drinks obtainable. Laguna de Kaan Luum’s successful high quality is greatest appreciated aerially, although; in the lake’s heart, there’s a huge darkish blue patch of deeper water. Laguna de Kaan Luum has an exquisite pure coloring, and the completely different depths create a attribute sample of various shade blues.
The lake is only a 15-minute drive from Tulum or a (fairly difficult) 40-minute bike journey. You’ll cross just a few cenotes in your means. It is an excellent spot to spend a handful of hours, particularly in the late afternoon while you need a refreshing dip.
23. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Punta Laguna nature reserve is one other spectacular lake close to Tulum. However, as a substitute of gorgeous watercolor patterns, you’ll be able to count on two particular animals – howler and spider monkeys at this attraction. Visiting Punta Laguna nature reserve is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum for any animal lover. The spider monkeys on the reserve are utterly free, and it’s a actually moral means to rise up shut to them. You can even take ziplines across the reserve as an additional enjoyable contact.
A 50-minute drive from Tulum city, this nature reserve is the place for moral wildlife watching and a terrific day journey. We advocate it for households as a zoo different.
Things To Do in Tulum: FAQs
By now, we now have established that Tulum has a variety of issues to do. You’ll be twitching in your seats – completely prepared to sightsee Tulum with a vigor that might impress even the hardiest of sightseeing vacationers. Let’s face it. The attract of cave diving into one in all Tulum’s superior cenotes is tough to resist.
Before you go, although, be aware of this important part on the practicalities of having fun with your go to to Tulum.
How to Get to Tulum
Tulum is most simply reached by way of a direct flight to Cancun International Airport. Cancun Airport has a repeatedly scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main nations just like the US and plenty of cities throughout Europe and South America. It is an absolute hub for arriving in Mexico by aircraft and solely a 2-hour shuttle away from Tulum. You can land at Cancun Airport after which guide a taxi or shuttle or rent a automotive to get to Tulum.
Another choice is to street journey to Tulum if you’re already inside driving distance. If this feels like the thought for you, simply keep watch over common Mexico safety updates so you’ll be able to keep away from any areas of specific unrest. The choices are limitless, although. Some folks even street journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming prepare line being constructed to join Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum too. A brand new Mayan prepare will join all the most important Yucatan Peninsula hubs and is scheduled to be accomplished by the top of 2023. This will make touring from Cancun International Airport massively extra simple. And it’s going to additionally imply you can get to Tulum from quite a few factors on the peninsula while not having a automotive or costly shuttle.
Getting Around Tulum
Tulum is tremendous straightforward to get round. The city heart is so compact that it’s simply totally skilled on foot. At the identical time, the outskirts might be reached by hiring bikes – protecting issues as eco-friendly as attainable. The city heart is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum purchasing and central amenities, whereas the seaside space is the place you’ll discover all of your golf equipment and seaside day alternatives. The two most important areas of Tulum are break up by Avenida Coba, which you’ll be able to sort out by bike or taxi.
Getting round Tulum is manageable with out a automotive, however we’d recommend hiring a automotive if you would like to do day journeys. With a rental automotive, you’ll have full freedom and may head to a few of the most fun points of interest in the encompassing space. Otherwise, you should utilize Tulum taxis and manage excursions for day journeys. Most excursions embrace roundtrip transportation, eliminating the entire ‘how do I get there’ conundrum.
Best Time to Visit Tulum
The common consensus is that Tulum is greatest visited in November. Or at a push, very early December. This season is in the shoulder season, that means it comes simply earlier than the December to April frenzy of partiers and flashing cameras. You get the nice and cozy climate and delightful sights with out all of the mania. Prices are barely cheaper as effectively.
Many folks query ‘is Tulum safe,’ and the reply is that it’s a lot safer out of hurricane season (September and October) and peak vacationer season when crowds make it simpler for pickpocketers and petty criminals. And if you would like to tick off many issues to do in Tulum, planning a visit with fewer crowds is useful. Therefore, stick to the November shoulder season window, and also you’ll have a beautiful time visiting Tulum.
What is Tulum greatest identified for?
Tulum is understood for Mayan ruins and pure wonders. You’ll spend mornings on Tulum Beach or Tulum Pueblo after which take day journeys to journey in the Mayan jungle and cenotes.
Is 3 days sufficient in Tulum?
3 days are simply sufficient in Tulum. You’ll give you the chance to go to Chichen Itza and a handful of most important points of interest, however not benefit from the limitless day journeys and actually get a style of Mexican tradition in Tulum. 5 to 7 days in Tulum is significantly better if you would like to get ‘enough’ of the city and all it provides.
Is Tulum higher than Cancun?
We’d say positively. Tulum is miles extra genuine than Cancun and isn’t ruined by a shiny strip with hundreds of vacationers arriving day by day. For a seaside city different, it’s a should.
What to do in Tulum in two days?
In two days in Tulum, it’s best to go to one of many cenotes or Chichen Itza. You ought to then take pleasure in a seaside membership and Tulum’s seaside city tradition.
To Conclude
Tulum is not possible not to love. The city is gorgeous – from the Tulum ruins to Tulum Beach. And it’s the excellent vacationer vacation spot for anybody wanting to actually expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
When it comes to Tulum lodging, there’s a large choice of luxurious accommodations and resorts. Just take a look at our information on the greatest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seaside city even has a few of the greatest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So moreover trying to find the very best issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting by its throngs of five-star seaside view resorts with white sand seashores and Hollywood-worthy swimming swimming pools. Tulum is such an expertise.
And when you’ve visited Tulum, be happy to head throughout the remainder of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. A Yucatan Peninsula street journey is a technique to see the remainder of the area. You can get out for a number of days, weeks, and even months. With a street journey, you’ll be able to hop alongside the greatest seashores in Mexico and style the area. It is without doubt one of the most fun methods to expertise the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula – so if you’re adventurous, set this concept apart as a should.