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If you’re dreaming of sun, sea, and pure white sands in Mexico, then you’ll want to head to the serene shores of Tulum, one of Mexico’s most popular beach towns on the Yucatán Peninsula.
It features ancient Mayan ruins, great food, and endless beach clubs set along the spectacular Caribbean Sea – but there are plenty more things to do in Tulum, Mexico than just lazing on the beach.
Although Tulum’s popularity continues to increase, it remains quieter than nearby Cancun and Playa del Carmen, offering a more laid back vibe for travellers.
But if you’re not sure what to do in Tulum, here are some of our top picks…
Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico
1. Spend a lazy day at one of Tulum’s beach clubs
There are more than 50 beach clubs along Tulum’s main stretch of beach. Many are hotels as well, offering it the nickname “Tulum’s Hotel Zone”, which was inspired by Cancun’s beachside “Hotel Zone.”
Most of the clubs offer access to day visitors either for free or for a minimum spend at a bar or restaurant on site.
Spending the day at a beach club is one of the best things to do in Tulum if you are staying in central Tulum and not on the beachfront itself.
There are a couple of public sections of beach, but if you want to relax on a sun bed under an umbrella with a choice of food and cocktails a Tulum beach club is the way to go!
When choosing a beach club, walk along the beach from the ocean side, which allows you to check out the different set ups of each club – something you can’t do from the road.
Personally, I loved Viento De Mar. This was a smaller beach club with a minimum spend that seemed to help keep numbers down.
Viento De Mar had among the best sun bed set up of any beach club and has the advantage of not being listed in the tourist map handed out by most hotels in downtown Tulum, meaning people won’t come searching it out.
Top tip: If there are two of you, and you have the choice, select an umbrella with two single beds, as opposed to doubles, as during busy times you may find they put another couple next to you under the same umbrella. This kind of kills some of the exclusivity. Pack a book or two and you’ll be set for the day.
2. Explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum
The Tulum ruins of the former Mayan city at Tulum have to be the most beautifully situated I saw in all of Mexico. Right on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, many people come to the Tulum ruins for the photo opportunities alone.
The most impressive structure still here today is the Castillo, which sits atop a limestone cliff above a small sandy beach. There are palms below and turquoise water laps at the shore. It is easy to see why this is one of the most iconic images of Mexico.
Ancient Tulum was at its most powerful between the 13th and 15th centuries. The city served as a port and was the only Mayan city built on the coast, as well as one of only a few walled cities ever built by the Mayans. This makes the well-preserved ruins unique to explore.
It’s best to arrive early to visit the Mayan ruins at Tulum. The site opens at 8am and if you are there for opening time you can make your way through the old city wall and into the site before the tour groups arrive meaning you’ll get some great photo opportunities as well as some time to appreciate the site before it gets busy.
3. Swim in the Gran Cenote
Just three kilometres from Tulum on the way to Coba and Chichen Itza is the Gran Cenote, a popular swimming and snorkelling spot.
Cenotes are like natural sinkholes, created when limestone collapses to reveal the underground river systems below. Cenote means sacred well and the Mayans built cities close to cenotes as they were a reliable water source in an otherwise dry landscape.
There are many cenotes on the Yucatan Peninsula but the Gran Cenote would have to be one of the best for swimming.
The water is so pure and fresh that it is as clear as glass. Plenty of fish and turtles are at home in the cenote and they don’t seem to be too shy so you’ll likely run into a few while you are swimming.
As you make your way through the cave system you will see stalactites, stalagmites and just like in any cave, lots of bats. As well as swimming and snorkelling in the Gran Cenote, you can also arrange scuba diving.
Like the Mayan ruins at Tulum, try and get here for opening time (8am) so you can be the first in the cenote. The cenote is not particularly big so you will have a much nicer experience if you are one of just a couple of people silently swimming around. The ambiance can be lost when noisy groups arrive.
4. Ride a bike through the jungle at Coba
The Coba ruins, about 40 minutes from Tulum town, are set among dense jungle and are different again from the ruins at Tulum and other popular Mayan sites such as Chichen Itza or Uxmal.
Large sections of this former city are still to be discovered and restored, meaning Coba has a much more wild and untouched feel to other ruin sites.
The site is huge and was once home to around 50,000 people. Much of the Coba’s construction occurred in the sixth and seventh centuries and you can see the remains of roads, homes and temples still today.
There are bikes for rent inside the complex and I really recommend you grab one for exploring Coba. It means you can cover more ground and it’s also lots of fun. The site is so large that at times you can find yourself in a little pocket with no one else around.
You’ll also ride past plenty of mounds that upon closer inspection prove to be pyramids and other structures not yet cleared of the vegetation that has taken hold over the years.
You are able to touch and climb the structures here and although it feels a little disrespectful to begin with, it is actually a great way to get up high and look out over the site.
Once you see all the people climbing the giant pyramid, known as Nohuch Mul, at the back of the site, you’ll want to give it a go to.
It’s a steep ascent, but the challenge is more in the mind than the body at times, particularly on the way down. At about 42 metres, be sure to only look a step or two ahead if you’re not a huge fan of heights.
5. Visit one of the yoga retreats
If you want some relaxation on your vacation, then you’ll find no shortage of yoga retreats and yoga studios in Tulum.
Whether you want a jungle setting or a yoga practice on the white sand beaches, you will find a yoga studio that has your vibe.
Some of the most popular yoga studios in Tulum are Tribal Tulum, Jungle Yoga Tulum, and Breathwork Tulum.
6. Go diving in a cenote
If one cenote isn’t enough, then don’t worry, because Tulum has over 100 in the area, ranging from peaceful and remote to popular tourist traps.
Some of the most iconic cenotes are the Dos Ojos, which is popular but still beautiful. It’s known for its dark cave opening and turquoise waters.
Cenote Calavera is also an iconic one to visit, known for its unique formation. The word “Calavera” means “skull” in Spanish, and it’s so named because it has three openings resembling two eyes and a mouth, like a skull.
For those with kids, Cenote Zacil-Ha is a popular one as it has a zip line into the lagoon.
7. Take a day trip to Valladolid
If you want to escape the crowds in Quintana Roo, then a lovely destination with fewer tourists is Valladolid, just 1.5 hour’s drive from Tulum.
Valladolid is known as the place where Christopher Columbus died, and where Europe’s first moral debate on the treatment of indigenous people was held.
It’s full of medieval architecture, cobbled roads, and impressive monuments such as the Valladolid Cathedral and Plaza Mayor.
8. Snap a selfie with the Ven a La Luz Sculpture
The Ven a La Luz Sculpture is a 10-meter high sculpture by Daniel Popper, located in the Ahau Tulum Sculpture Park in Playa Paraiso of Tulum.
The sculpture is made of wood, rope, and steel and represents the harmony between human and nature.
It’s also a popular selfie spot.
9. Take a day trip to Cozumel
There are many reasons to come to the Riviera Maya, but most is for the crystal-clear water and white sand beaches.
If Tulum’s beaches aren’t enough for you, take a ferry over from Playa del Carmen to Cozumel for a day trip.
Cozumel is known for being largely undeveloped, making it a great place to do some snorkeling on the coral reef.
There are many dive sites around Cozumel, such as the Mesoamerican Reef and the Museo Subacuático de Arte’s submerged sculptures, as well as Chankanaab, which is known for its underwater caverns and sea turtles.
We visited Cozumel for a day on our Carnival Western Caribbean cruise.
10. Explore the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its sublime natural beauty and unspoiled landscape.
Here you can find some of the Yucatan’s most allusive wildlife, such as manatees, dolphins, and even jaguars, as well as see thousands of types of native plants and flora.
What makes the reserve special is it’s the largest protected area in the Mexican Caribbean.
The best way to explore the reserve is by boat tour, which takes you into the mangroves where you might have a chance of spotting an allusive manatee.
11. Join a Temazcal Ceremony
A Temazcal Ceremony is a traditional Mexican sweat lodge ceremony which is designed to heal your spirit.
These sweat lodge ceremonies have been performed for over 1,000 years and are said to make you feel physically, emotionally, and mentally healthier.
Some even say the experience leaves you feeling spiritually charged.
Best Time to Visit Tulum
The best time to visit Tulum is from November until early Spring, when the weather is warm but the humidity is not too great.
The crowds are also a little thinner in January and February, but are busy in December and April during school holidays.
The hurricane season extends from June until October, and has heavy rains and strong winds, which also means many restaurants and hotels close for several weeks – so avoid these months if possible.
How to Get to Tulum
Tulum is split between a central area with shops, restaurants, resorts, and boutique hotels that run along the main road to Playa del Carmen and Cancun in the north, and the beachfront, located approximately five kilometres from town.
To get to Tulum, you will want to fly into Cancun Airport, and get an airport transfer down, which takes about an hour.
When you arrive in Tulum, you can choose which area you want to stay in – the town or the beach. There is a small road running the length of the beach, which has hotels and restaurants on both sides, and is where you will likely spend most of your time while in Tulum.
Whether you stay by the beach or in the centre of town, it is easy to get between the two areas. Most people rent a bike and cycle, and some accommodations come with bike rentals you can use to get around.
If you’re on a budget, it’s cheaper to stay in central Tulum and make your way to the beachfront either by car, taxi or cycling.
While you could easily spend all your time in Tulum eating, drinking, and swimming from the beach clubs, the town is close to a number of popular attractions in the surrounding area.
Check the map below for accommodation options in Tulum
Final Thoughts
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What are you most excited to do in Tulum? Let us know in the comments section below.