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 the whole lot you need in an attractive 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 stunning cenotes, or chill at a seaside membership of your selection. Tulum adventures are in all places.
Visiting Tulum: 23 Best Things to Do in Tulum
In this information, we’ll cowl the perfect issues to do in Tulum. Tulum is incredible 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 arising for you – so sit tight and prepare to be aware of these high Tulum issues to do.
Planning Your Trip To Tulum Right Now?
Below are a number of the high excursions in Tulum. Don’t neglect to plan forward when visiting Mexico!
Top Activities and Tours in Tulum:
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is an enormous deal – take into account it a star standing attraction. It is definitely one of the vital in style 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 can be against the law. The complicated was as soon as an historic Mayan metropolis filled with Mayan ruins, together with the gorgeous step Temple of Kukulkan (the postcard image of Chichen Itza). Many individuals mistakenly assume that Chichen Itza is only a single temple. Still, the complicated can take half a day to discover and totally recognize.
This attraction is a 2-hour drive inland from Tulum. Be ready to rent a automotive or ebook an expertise, together with public transportation. It is additional, if not the furthest, of all of the day journeys. However, it’s undoubtedly 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 may be small, however it’s mighty by way of diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Beach and expertise scuba diving; you may’t go to Tulum with out actually experiencing its underwater world, and a scuba dive expertise is rather 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 on the planet. 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 ebook diving excursions from Tulum city to see the coral reefs. Many of those journeys embody transportation to a dive middle; in any other case, you may simply seize a taxi. It is 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 a large 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 within the remotest areas of Tulum’s shoreline. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is likely 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 option to expertise the reserve is by guided tour. The park is so huge; you need some route from a educated information.
4. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is thought for its superb seashores and resort metropolis buzz. Only some individuals are minimize 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. Consider this among the finest 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 can get pleasure from vital museums and points of interest just like the 3D Museum of Wonders and Playacar Mayan Ruins.
Playa del Carmen is just a 50-minute drive north of Tulum. You can ebook a taxi or simply manage a rental automotive or shuttle. By 2024, a practice 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’s going to. The seaside, we are able to attest, does appear like paradise. Picture these slanted palm timber simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is likely one of the greatest seashores in Mexico. You can seize meals and snap photos by its large multi-colored signal; Paradise Beach is the primary Tulum Beach, and it’s simple to see why it made our listing of Best Beaches in Mexico.
Playa Paraiso is a 20-minute drive or an hour’s stroll from the city middle. If you select to stroll, you’ll move by way of the Parque Nacional Tulum on foot. You may 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 involves seaside golf equipment, head out of Tulum Pueblo as an alternative of Tulum Beach. This neighborhood is full of 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 resort. This is the die-hard celebration strip, and you’ll count on extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seaside membership hopping is definitely one of the vital enjoyable issues to do in Tulum. A taxi trip will take as little as 10 minutes.
7. Chococacao Maya
Chocolate lovers, depart Tulum Pueblo and head by way of the encircling 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 worthy a part of that is the cultural alternate 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 simple to mix.
8. Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera is a well-known cenote that you just’ve very seemingly seen earlier than. The cenote is sat in a large 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 also be only a 10-minute drive from Tulum Pueblo middle in the event 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 may scale the constructing to the highest for an attractive view over Tulum. If you go to Tulum and love scenic views, the place to go to. Better but, Tulum Tower is only a 10-minute drive or 40-minute stroll from Tulum city middle.
10. Take A Single-Day Road Trip Through Parque Nacional Tulum
Parque Nacional Tulum is the very best place for the underconfident driver to deal with a single-day highway journey. You’ll be stopping and beginning continually with a full listing 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 among the finest issues to do in Tulum. There’s Playa Ruinas, the turtles at Playita Tortugas, and the notorious Tulum ruins. The complete driving time can be lower than an hour, however you’ll have a lot to see that you could dedicate a whole day to the expertise.
11. Street Markets at Parque Dos Aguas
Parque dos Aguas is true in the midst of Tulum Center – so a straightforward 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 a superb place to attach with the neighborhood. And the park will get even higher when it hosts certainly one of its common avenue markets the place you should buy handicrafts and splurge on souvenirs. Check out the schedule once you go to Tulum.
12. Playa Ruinas
Tulum has numerous beautiful seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit in terms of dramatic attraction. This seaside is a tiny strip of shiny white sand with the stays of an historic Mayan metropolis overlooking it from a grassy cliff high. Visitors have each the seaside and ruins to understand, and the seaside is simply 20 minutes from Tulum by automotive or an hour on foot by way of the Parque Nacional Tulum.
13. Escultura Ven a la Luz
Escultura Ven a la Luz is an influencer’s paradise. The complete venue is designed for one large photoshoot, and you’ll snap photos subsequent to colossal statues constructed from rustic supplies. While this attraction sits inside Ahau Hotel, you may pay a tiny price to enter and see the very best statues. If you might be 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 within the Tulum Beach district, getting away from the city middle 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 outdated Mayan structure, visiting these ruins is a number of the greatest 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. Combine it with a go to to the biosphere reserve and Santuario de Cenotes – an attractive cenote with barely any crowds in comparison with the cenotes scattered round Tulum Center.
15. Cenote Azul
Cenote Azul is likely one of the most unbelievable Mexican cenotes and issues to do in Tulum. This cenote is half-hour from Tulum by automotive, however nicely price the additional miles. The water is (as you may guess) a shiny, shiny blue. Despite its tinted colour’s energy, you can too see all the way in which to the underside. It is so clear. It is so clear, in reality, that you just’ll be capable of rely all of the tiny fish that inevitably provide you with 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 likely one of the prettiest issues to do in Tulum. Absolutely breathtaking, the character park is an attractive 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 attractive 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 middle. If you are feeling energetic, you may 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 certainly one of Tulum’s most magical cenotes. Despite its proximity to the city middle, Cenote Escondido feels distant and remoted – solely accessible by a reasonably rugged-looking mountain climbing path that takes quarter-hour to deal with.
Of course, all of those elements add to the adventurous ingredient of visiting this cenote tenfold. You pay a price on the trailhead and get limitless every 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. While minimalistic, it undoubtedly has the whole lot you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum; stunning, fairly quiet, remoted, and only a 10-minute drive from Tulum city; it’s a should in your Tulum itinerary. You may even cycle there in lower than quarter-hour in the event you want to bike.
18. Casa Cenote
Casa Cenote is likely one of the all-time favourite cenotes close to Tulum. While it’s additional away from the city middle – 20 minutes by automotive – it is likely one of the largest cenotes within the space and is legendary for diving and snorkeling. You can 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 route will show you how to have interaction higher with wildlife and perceive extra in regards to the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and revel in certainly one of 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” that you could 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 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 primary Downtown Tulum space and the place you’ll discover the very best lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common reside music, Tulum purchasing alternatives, and generally avenue events. But regardless of its stylish oomph, additionally it is the place to go once 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 in the event you obtain Google Maps offline in case you want further assist with instructions, you may’t go mistaken with a very good 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 title is Zona Archeologica de Coba. The preservation is dwelling to the best pyramid within the Tulum space, Nohoch Mul, which sits dramatically in a jungle clearing. To attain Nohoch Mul, you’ll first have to hike for practically 40 minutes by way of the jungle. It is likely one of the most lively issues to do on a day journey from Tulum, and tremendous adventurous and atmospheric. If you need an lively 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 is a scenic drive by way of heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You can all the time hire a automotive and make a full day of it, combing cenote hopping with the Coba ruins. Otherwise, ebook a guided tour with roundtrip transport included from Tulum.
21. Gran Cenote
Speaking of great cenotes, Gran Cenote is likely one of the most stunning issues to do in Tulum. And, solely a 10-minute drive or 15-minute cycle from the city middle, this cenote can also be one of the vital 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 a large sink-hole-type-structure. To go to the cenote, you may swim and snorkel or keep on the primary boardwalk, offering an attractive, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unbelievable wildlife. If you decide to swim, you may 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 one of the vital distinctive swimming spots you’ll ever expertise.
22. Laguna de Kaan Luum
Okay, let’s take a short pause from all these stunning 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 – individuals 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 profitable high quality is greatest appreciated aerially, although; within the lake’s middle, there’s a huge darkish blue patch of deeper water. Laguna de Kaan Luum has an attractive pure coloring, and the completely different depths create a attribute sample of various colour blues.
The lake is only a 15-minute drive from Tulum or a (fairly difficult) 40-minute bike trip. You’ll move just a few cenotes in your approach. It is a superb spot to spend a handful of hours, particularly within the late afternoon once you need a refreshing dip.
23. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Punta Laguna nature reserve is one other spectacular lake close to Tulum. However, as an alternative of gorgeous watercolor patterns, you may count on two particular animals – howler and spider monkeys at this attraction. Visiting Punta Laguna nature reserve is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum for any animal lover. The spider monkeys on the reserve are fully free, and it’s a actually moral option to stand up near them. You may also 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 awesome day journey. We suggest it for households as a zoo different.
Things To Do in Tulum: FAQs
By now, we have now established that Tulum has numerous issues to do. You’ll be twitching in your seats – completely able to sightsee Tulum with a vigor that will impress even the hardiest of sightseeing vacationers. Let’s face it. The attract of cave diving into certainly one of Tulum’s superior cenotes is tough to withstand.
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 recurrently scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main international locations 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 ebook a taxi or shuttle or rent a automotive to get to Tulum.
Another choice is to highway journey to Tulum in case you are already inside driving distance. If this seems like the concept for you, simply regulate common Mexico safety updates so you may keep away from any areas of specific unrest. The choices are limitless, although. Some individuals even highway journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Keep 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 foremost Yucatan Peninsula hubs and is scheduled to be accomplished by the tip of 2023. This will make touring from Cancun International Airport massively extra easy. And it’s going to additionally imply that you could 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 simple to get round. The city middle is so compact that it’s simply totally skilled on foot. At the identical time, the outskirts might be reached by hiring bikes – retaining issues as eco-friendly as attainable. The city middle is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum purchasing and central services, whereas the seaside space is the place you’ll discover all of your golf equipment and seaside day alternatives. The two important areas of Tulum are break up by Avenida Coba, which you’ll deal with by bike or taxi.
Getting round Tulum is manageable and not using a automotive, however we’d counsel hiring a automotive if you wish to do day journeys. With a rental automotive, you’ll have full freedom and might head to a number of the most fun points of interest within the surrounding space. Otherwise, you need to use Tulum taxis and manage excursions for day journeys. Most excursions embody roundtrip transportation, eliminating the entire ‘how do I get there’ conundrum.
Best Time to Visit Tulum
The normal consensus is that Tulum is greatest visited in November. Or at a push, very early December. This season is within 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 nicely.
Many individuals 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 wish to tick off many issues to do in Tulum, planning a visit with fewer crowds is helpful. Therefore, follow the November shoulder season window, and also you’ll have a beautiful time visiting Tulum.
What is Tulum greatest recognized for?
Tulum is thought for Mayan ruins and pure wonders. You’ll spend mornings on Tulum Beach 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 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 wish to get ‘enough’ of the city and all it provides.
Is Tulum higher than Cancun?
We’d say undoubtedly. Tulum is miles extra genuine than Cancun and isn’t ruined by a shiny strip with 1000’s of vacationers arriving every day. For a seaside city different, it’s a should.
What to do in Tulum in two days?
In two days in Tulum, you need to go to one of many cenotes or Chichen Itza. You ought to then get pleasure from a seaside membership and Tulum’s seaside city tradition.
To Conclude
Tulum is not possible to not love. The city is gorgeous – from the Tulum ruins to Tulum Beach. And it’s the supreme vacationer vacation spot for anybody wanting to actually expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
When it involves Tulum lodging, there’s a huge choice of luxurious motels and resorts. Just try our information on the greatest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seaside city even has a number of the greatest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So moreover looking for the very best issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting by way of 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 go throughout the remainder of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. A Yucatan Peninsula highway journey is one option to see the remainder of the area. You can get out for a number of days, weeks, and even months. With a highway journey, you may hop alongside the greatest seashores in Mexico and style the area. It is likely one of the most fun methods to expertise the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula – so in case you are adventurous, set this concept apart as a should.