Tulum is way from only a sleepy fishing village. Tulum’s Yucatan Peninsula is a haven of thick jungle, Mayan ruins, and paradisiacal white sand seashores – primarily every thing you need in a ravishing vacation to Mexico. There are such a lot of issues to do in Tulum, together with that loveably tacky photoshoot spot close to the Tulum signal. You’ll be able to go to historical Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, go cave diving in stunning cenotes, or relax at a seashore membership of your alternative. Tulum adventures are in every single place.
Visiting Tulum: 23 Greatest Issues to Do in Tulum
On this information, we’ll cowl the perfect issues to do in Tulum. Tulum is implausible for getting that ‘basic’ itinerary when visiting Mexico; Tulum is ideal for ticking off all the perfect Mayan ruins and seashores. We’ve obtained tons of nice actions developing for you – so sit tight and prepare to be aware of these high Tulum issues to do.
Planning Your Journey To Tulum Proper Now?
Beneath are among the high excursions in Tulum. Don’t neglect to plan forward when visiting Mexico!
High Actions and Excursions in Tulum:
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is a giant deal – think about it a star standing attraction. It’s simply some of the in style issues to do in Tulum, albeit accessed by day journey. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Website and a world-famous web site of historical Mayan ruins. When planning a Tulum itinerary, skipping Chichen Itza could be against the law. The advanced was as soon as an historical Mayan metropolis stuffed with Mayan ruins, together with the beautiful step Temple of Kukulkan (the postcard image of Chichen Itza). Many individuals mistakenly suppose that Chichen Itza is only a single temple. Nonetheless, the advanced can take half a day to discover and absolutely admire.
This attraction is a 2-hour drive inland from Tulum. Be ready to rent a automobile or guide an expertise, together with public transportation. It’s additional, if not the furthest, of all of the day journeys. Nonetheless, it’s positively probably the most well-known and, as one of many 7 New Wonders of the World, price carving out time to go to.
2. Scuba Diving
Tulum could be small, however it’s mighty by way of diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Seashore and expertise scuba diving; you’ll be able to’t go to Tulum with out really experiencing its underwater world, and a scuba dive expertise is rather more immersive than snorkeling. Information flash – scuba diving is unbelievable in Tulum. Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is offshore of Tulum; the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef on the earth. 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’ll be able to 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’s simple 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’s simply south of Tulum, additional down into the state of Quintana Roo. Regardless of being a UNESCO World Heritage Website, it attracts fewer vacationers. It’s someplace to go to for an actual jungle expertise, out within the remotest areas of Tulum’s shoreline. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Tulum to get ‘off the overwhelmed observe’. And it gives a extra intense jungle expertise than brief hikes to cenotes and Tulum ruins.
One of the best ways to expertise the reserve is by guided tour. The park is so huge; you need some path from a educated information.
4. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is understood for its wonderful seashores and resort metropolis buzz. Just some persons are lower out for days and days in a comparatively sleepy city, so in the event you want a metropolis repair, Playa del Carmen is the place to take a day journey to. Contemplate this top-of-the-line issues to do in Tulum to get away from precise Tulum. We’d counsel strolling Quinta Avenida – a promenade meets thoroughfare alongside the beachfront with eating places and bars. You’ll be able to get pleasure from important 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’ll be able to guide a taxi or simply arrange a rental automobile or shuttle. By 2024, a practice will join the 2 main Yucatan locations, so watch this house. Ensure that to take a look at all of the Greatest Issues to do in Palya Del Carmen earlier than you go.
5. Playa Paraiso
Playa Paraiso interprets precisely to Paradise Seashore, and if that doesn’t promote you, we don’t know what is going to. The seashore, we are able to attest, does appear like paradise. Image these slanted palm bushes simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is without doubt one of the finest seashores in Mexico. You’ll be able to seize meals and snap footage by its enormous multi-colored signal; Paradise Seashore is the principle Tulum Seashore, and it’s simple to see why it made our checklist of Greatest Seashores in Mexico.
Playa Paraiso is a 20-minute drive or an hour’s stroll from the city heart. In case you select to stroll, you’ll move via the Parque Nacional Tulum on foot. You possibly can simply mix this with a go to to the Playa Ruinas, El Castillo, Casa de Cenote, and the beloved turtle seashore, Playita Tortuga.
6. Hop Between Seashore Golf equipment
Relating to seashore golf equipment, head out of Tulum Pueblo as an alternative of Tulum Seashore. This neighborhood is filled with seashore 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 resort. That is the die-hard occasion strip, and you’ll count on extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seashore membership hopping is definitely 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 via the encompassing jungle to go to Chococacao Maya. This attraction takes you on an immersive expertise the place you rework your personal cacao beans right into a scrumptious chocolate dish. The expertise is led by a educated information. Probably the most worthwhile a part of that is the cultural alternate and perception into the significance of cacao and chocolate in Mayan historical past that you simply’ll depart with.
Chococacao Maya is a 40-minute drive from Tulum. Nonetheless, it’s positioned proper subsequent to the Nohoch Mul Pyramid and a number of cenotes – so it’s simple to mix.
8. Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera is a well-known cenote that you simply’ve very seemingly 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 coated by the rock above. It has a pure cavern really feel, which is atmospheric and makes for a singular swimming spot. Cenote Calavera can be only a 10-minute drive from Tulum Pueblo heart in the event you want any extra persuading.
9. Tulum Tower
Tulum Tower is like one thing out of Conflict of the Worlds. The good 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 a ravishing view over Tulum. In case you go to Tulum and love scenic views, you understand the place to go to. Higher but, Tulum Tower is only a 10-minute drive or 40-minute stroll from Tulum city heart.
10. Take A Single-Day Highway Journey By way of Parque Nacional Tulum
Parque Nacional Tulum is the perfect place for the underconfident driver to sort out a single-day street journey. You’ll be stopping and beginning continuously with a full checklist of to-dos, a lot of which already function on this information. It neatly combines so many points of interest right into a single day, making it top-of-the-line issues to do in Tulum. There’s Playa Ruinas, the turtles at Playita Tortugas, and the notorious Tulum ruins. The overall driving time can be lower than an hour, however you’ll have a lot to see that you would be able to dedicate a complete day to the expertise.
11. Avenue Markets at Parque Dos Aguas
Parque dos Aguas is correct in the course of Tulum Heart – 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 road meals distributors promoting tasty, conventional Mexican meals and ice cream. Parque dos Aguas is a superb place to attach with the neighborhood. And the park will get even higher when it hosts considered one of its common road markets the place you should buy handicrafts and splurge on souvenirs. Take a look at the schedule while you go to Tulum.
12. Playa Ruinas
Tulum has quite a lot of beautiful seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit on the subject of dramatic enchantment. This seashore is a tiny strip of shiny white sand with the stays of an historical Mayan metropolis overlooking it from a grassy cliff high. Guests have each the seashore and ruins to understand, and the seashore is simply 20 minutes from Tulum by automobile or an hour on foot via 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 huge photoshoot, and you’ll snap footage subsequent to colossal statues constructed from rustic supplies. Whereas this attraction sits inside Ahau Resort, you’ll be able to pay a tiny payment to enter and see the perfect statues. If you’re planning a seashore day, it’s a must-detour attraction.
Escultura Ven a la Luz is 20 minutes away from Tulum city by automobile or half-hour by bike. Located within the Tulum Seashore district, getting away from the city heart for a little bit of coastal buzz is sensible.
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 previous Mayan structure, visiting these ruins is among the finest issues to do in Tulum. The steep-walled pyramids are a a lot lesser photographed web site, a perfect answer to avoiding the crowds that inevitably accrue exterior 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. Mix it with a go to to the biosphere reserve and Santuario de Cenotes – a ravishing cenote with barely any crowds in comparison with the cenotes scattered round Tulum Heart.
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 automobile, however effectively price the additional miles. The water is (as you would possibly guess) a shiny, shiny blue. Regardless of its tinted shade’s power, you can even see all the way in which to the underside. It’s so clear. It’s so clear, the truth is, that you simply’ll be capable of depend all of the tiny fish that inevitably offer you a pedicure expertise. Surrounded by tropical jungle, Cenote Azul is a high 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. Completely breathtaking, the character park is a ravishing assortment of crystal-clear lagoons. You enterprise across the totally 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’s a stunning place to spend just a few hours, particularly within 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. In case you really feel 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 considered one of Tulum’s most magical cenotes. Regardless of 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.
After all, all of those components add to the adventurous factor of visiting this cenote tenfold. You pay a payment on the trailhead and get limitless day by day entry to the swimming gap. And on the cenote, there’s a rope swing to leap into the water, plus altering rooms for the extra shy vacationers. Whereas minimalistic, it positively has every thing you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Tulum; stunning, fairly quiet, remoted, and only a 10-minute drive from Tulum city; it’s a should on your Tulum itinerary. You’ll be able to even cycle there in lower than quarter-hour in the event you choose to bike.
18. Casa Cenote
Casa Cenote is without doubt one of the all-time favourite cenotes close to Tulum. Whereas it’s additional away from the city heart – 20 minutes by automobile – it is without doubt one of the largest cenotes within the space and is known for diving and snorkeling. You’ll be able to go to independently or on a guided tour. We’d counsel taking a scuba diving or snorkeling tour to get probably the most out of the expertise; getting further path will enable you to have interaction higher with wildlife and perceive extra concerning the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and luxuriate in considered one of Tulum’s largest, most fun cenotes.
Casa Cenote has the ‘huge vast world issue’ and is an amplified model of different smaller cenotes. There may be even a neighborhood crocodile known as “Panchito” that you would be able to see from a distance, and most excursions take you to go to him earlier than you end. He’s stated to be very pleasant, however we wouldn’t get too shut. Other than Panchito, there are tons of fish and wildlife within the surrounding jungle, too, typically together with little raccoons venturing right 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 perfect lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common reside music, Tulum procuring alternatives, and typically road events. However regardless of its fashionable oomph, additionally it is the place to move while you fancy a soothing day. Maybe a day of procuring, informal cocktails, and kicking again with some conventional meals. Tulum Centro is the best place to retreat when you’ve carried out your justifiable share of day journeys and edge-of-your-seat-style actions in Tulum.
You’ll be able to take a strolling tour of Tulum Centro or go to by your self. It’s actually enjoyable to get misplaced in, and in the event you obtain Google Maps offline in case you want further assist with instructions, you’ll be able to’t go improper 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 historical Mayan metropolis, and its full title is Zona Archeologica de Coba. The preservation is residence to the best pyramid within the Tulum space, Nohoch Mul, which sits dramatically in a jungle clearing. To achieve Nohoch Mul, you’ll first must hike for practically 40 minutes via 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 – hold that in thoughts when crowd dodging.
Coba is a 45-minute drive inland from Tulum. It’s a scenic drive via heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You’ll be able to all the time hire a automobile and make a full day of it, combing cenote hopping with the Coba ruins. In any other case, guide a guided tour with roundtrip transport included from Tulum.
21. Gran Cenote
Talking of great cenotes, Gran Cenote is without doubt one of the most stunning 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 a ravishing, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unbelievable wildlife. In case you choose to swim, you’ll be able to see turtles, fish, and even bats or birds in the event 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 quick pause from all these stunning cenotes. Subsequent up is a pastel-turquoise lake known as Laguna de Kaan Luum. Laguna de Kaan Luum is beautiful, 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 – individuals use the close by swimming pier when not admiring the water from a swinging hammock. There are additionally tons of conventional seashore huts with foods and drinks obtainable. Laguna de Kaan Luum’s successful high quality is finest appreciated aerially, although; within the lake’s heart, there’s a huge darkish blue patch of deeper water. Laguna de Kaan Luum has a ravishing pure coloring, and the totally 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 move just a few cenotes in your means. It’s a sensible spot to spend a handful of hours, particularly within the late afternoon while you desire a refreshing dip.
23. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Punta Laguna nature reserve is one other spectacular lake close to Tulum. Nonetheless, as an alternative of beautiful 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 finest issues to do in Tulum for any animal lover. The spider monkeys on the reserve are utterly free, and it’s a actually moral strategy to rise up near them. You can too 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 an amazing day journey. We suggest it for households as a zoo various.
Issues To Do in Tulum: FAQs
By now, we’ve got established that Tulum has quite a lot of issues to do. You’ll be twitching in your seats – completely able to sightsee Tulum with a vigor that may impress even the hardiest of sightseeing vacationers. Let’s face it. The attract of cave diving into considered one of Tulum’s superior cenotes is tough to withstand.
Earlier than you go, although, be aware of this important part on the practicalities of having fun with your go to to Tulum.
Tips on how to Get to Tulum
Tulum is most simply reached by way of a direct flight to Cancun Worldwide Airport. Cancun Airport has a repeatedly scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main nations just like the US and lots of cities throughout Europe and South America. It’s an absolute hub for arriving in Mexico by airplane and solely a 2-hour shuttle away from Tulum. You’ll be able to land at Cancun Airport after which guide a taxi or shuttle or rent a automobile to get to Tulum.
An alternative choice is to street journey to Tulum if you’re already inside driving distance. If this appears like the thought for you, simply control common Mexico safety updates so you’ll be able to keep away from any areas of explicit unrest. The choices are limitless, although. Some individuals even street journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Hold your eyes peeled for an upcoming practice line being constructed to attach Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum too. A brand new Mayan practice will join all the main Yucatan Peninsula hubs and is scheduled to be accomplished by the top of 2023. This may make touring from Cancun Worldwide Airport massively extra simple. And it’ll additionally imply that you would be able to get to Tulum from quite a few factors on the peninsula with no need a automobile or costly shuttle.
Getting Round Tulum
Tulum is tremendous simple to get round. The city heart is so compact that it’s simply absolutely skilled on foot. On the identical time, the outskirts might be reached by hiring bikes – preserving issues as eco-friendly as potential. The city heart is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum procuring and central amenities, whereas the seashore space is the place you’ll discover all of your golf equipment and seashore day alternatives. The 2 essential areas of Tulum are cut up by Avenida Coba, which you’ll sort out by bike or taxi.
Getting round Tulum is manageable with no automobile, however we’d counsel hiring a automobile if you wish to do day journeys. With a rental automobile, you’ll have full freedom and might head to among the most fun points of interest within the surrounding space. In any other case, you should utilize Tulum taxis and arrange excursions for day journeys. Most excursions embrace roundtrip transportation, eliminating the entire ‘how do I get there’ conundrum.
Greatest Time to Go to Tulum
The final consensus is that Tulum is finest visited in November. Or at a push, very early December. This season is within the shoulder season, which means it comes simply earlier than the December to April frenzy of partiers and flashing cameras. You get the nice and cozy climate and exquisite sights with out all of the mania. Costs are barely cheaper as effectively.
Many individuals query ‘is Tulum protected,’ 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 wish to tick off many issues to do in Tulum, planning a visit with fewer crowds is useful. Subsequently, follow the November shoulder season window, and also you’ll have an exquisite time visiting Tulum.
What’s Tulum finest recognized for?
Tulum is understood for Mayan ruins and pure wonders. You’ll spend mornings on Tulum Seashore or Tulum Pueblo after which take day journeys to journey within the Mayan jungle and cenotes.
Is 3 days sufficient in Tulum?
3 days are simply sufficient in Tulum. You’ll be capable of go to Chichen Itza and a handful of essential points of interest, however not benefit from the countless day journeys and actually get a style of Mexican tradition in Tulum. 5 to 7 days in Tulum is a lot better if you wish to get ‘sufficient’ of the city and all it gives.
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 seashore city various, it’s a should.
What to do in Tulum in two days?
In two days in Tulum, it is best to go to one of many cenotes or Chichen Itza. It is best to then get pleasure from a seashore membership and Tulum’s seashore city tradition.
To Conclude
Tulum is inconceivable to not love. The city is gorgeous – from the Tulum ruins to Tulum Seashore. And it’s the very best vacationer vacation spot for anybody wanting to actually expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
Relating to Tulum lodging, there’s a huge collection of luxurious accommodations and resorts. Simply try our information on the finest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seashore city even has among the finest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So in addition to looking for the perfect issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting via its throngs of five-star seashore view resorts with white sand seashores and Hollywood-worthy swimming swimming pools. Tulum is such an expertise.
And when you’ve visited Tulum, be at liberty to move throughout the remainder of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. A Yucatan Peninsula street journey is one strategy to see the remainder of the area. You may get out for a number of days, weeks, and even months. With a street journey, you’ll be able to hop alongside the finest 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.
