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 – primarily all the things you need in a wonderful 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 historical Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, go cave diving in stunning cenotes, or relax at a seaside membership of your selection. Tulum adventures are all over the place.
Visiting Tulum: 23 Best Things to Do in Tulum
In this information, we’ll cowl the perfect issues to do in Tulum. Tulum is improbable for getting that ‘classic’ itinerary when visiting Mexico; Tulum is ideal for ticking off all the perfect Mayan ruins and seashores. We’ve bought tons of nice actions arising for you – so sit tight and prepare to pay attention to these high Tulum issues to do.
Planning Your Trip To Tulum Right Now?
Below are a few of the high excursions in Tulum. Don’t overlook to plan forward when visiting Mexico!
Top Activities and Tours in Tulum:
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is an enormous deal – contemplate it a celeb standing attraction. It is well probably the most standard issues to do in Tulum, albeit accessed by day journey. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous web site of historical Mayan ruins. When planning a Tulum itinerary, skipping Chichen Itza can be a criminal offense. The complicated was as soon as an historical 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 admire.
This attraction is a 2-hour drive inland from Tulum. Be ready to rent a automobile or e-book an expertise, together with public transportation. It is additional, if not the furthest, of all of the day journeys. However, it’s positively essentially 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 could be small, however it’s mighty in phrases of diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Beach and expertise scuba diving; you may’t go to Tulum with out really experiencing its underwater world, and a scuba dive expertise is far more immersive than snorkeling. News flash – scuba diving is unimaginable 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 e-book 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 straightforward to squeeze into a brief interval if you have already got your PADI qualification, and if not, allocate a number of 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 finest issues to do in Tulum to get ‘off the beaten track’. And it affords a extra intense jungle expertise than brief hikes to cenotes and Tulum ruins.
The finest manner to expertise the reserve is by guided tour. The park is so large; you need some path from a educated information.
4. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is thought 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 probably the greatest 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 get pleasure from important museums and sights 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 e-book 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. 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 bushes simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is without doubt one of the finest seashores in Mexico. You can seize meals and snap photos by its big multi-colored signal; Paradise Beach is the primary Tulum Beach, and it’s simple to see why it made our checklist 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 go via 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 an alternative 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 celebration strip, and you’ll count on extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seaside membership hopping is well probably the most 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 encircling jungle to go to Chococacao Maya. This attraction takes you on an immersive expertise the place you rework your individual cacao beans right into a scrumptious chocolate dish. The expertise is led by a educated information. The most useful a part of that is the cultural change 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. However, it’s situated 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 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 singular swimming spot. Cenote Calavera can also be only a 10-minute drive from Tulum Pueblo middle 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 may scale the constructing to the highest for a wonderful 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 middle.
10. Take A Single-Day Road Trip Through Parque Nacional Tulum
Parque Nacional Tulum is the perfect place for the underconfident driver to deal with a single-day street journey. You’ll be stopping and beginning continuously with a full checklist of to-dos, a lot of which already characteristic in this information. It neatly combines so many sights right into a single day, making it probably the greatest issues to do in Tulum. There’s Playa Ruinas, the turtles at Playita Tortugas, and the notorious Tulum ruins. The whole driving time might be lower than an hour, however you’ll have a lot to see that you could dedicate a complete 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 essentially 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 join with the group. And the park will get even higher when it hosts one among its common road markets the place you should purchase handicrafts and splurge on souvenirs. Check out the schedule once you go to Tulum.
12. Playa Ruinas
Tulum has lots of attractive seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit when it comes to dramatic attraction. This seaside is a tiny strip of vivid white sand with the stays of an historical Mayan metropolis overlooking it from a grassy cliff high. Visitors have each the seaside and ruins to admire, and the seaside 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 complete venue is designed for one huge photoshoot, and you’ll snap photos subsequent to colossal statues made out of rustic supplies. While this attraction sits inside Ahau Hotel, you may pay a tiny charge to enter and see the perfect 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 automobile or half-hour by bike. Situated in 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 previous Mayan structure, visiting these ruins is a few of the finest issues to do in Tulum. The steep-walled pyramids are a a lot lesser photographed web site, an excellent answer 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 – a wonderful 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 unimaginable Mexican cenotes and issues to do in Tulum. This cenote is half-hour from Tulum by automobile, however effectively value the additional miles. The water is (as you would possibly guess) a vivid, vivid blue. Despite its tinted shade’s energy, you may as well see all the best way to the underside. It is so clear. It is so clear, in truth, that you simply’ll give you the option to depend 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 without doubt one of the prettiest issues to do in Tulum. Absolutely breathtaking, the character park is a wonderful assortment of crystal-clear lagoons. You enterprise across the totally different lagoons utilizing an thrilling mixture of trails – and even zip strains – with Mayan ruins and jungle dotted across the park to greet you as you stroll. It is a wonderful place to spend a number of 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 middle. If you’re 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 one among Tulum’s most magical cenotes. Despite its proximity to the city middle, Cenote Escondido feels distant and remoted – solely accessible by a fairly 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 charge on the trailhead and get limitless each 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 all the things you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Tulum; stunning, moderately 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 should you favor 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 middle – 20 minutes by automobile – it is without doubt one of the largest cenotes in the realm and is legendary 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 essentially the most out of the expertise; getting further path will aid you have interaction higher with wildlife and perceive extra concerning the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and luxuriate in one among Tulum’s largest, most enjoyable cenotes.
Casa Cenote has the ‘big wide world factor’ and is an amplified model of different smaller cenotes. There is even a neighborhood 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 claimed to be very pleasant, however we wouldn’t get too shut. Aside from Panchito, there are tons of fish and wildlife in the encircling jungle, too, typically together with little raccoons venturing 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 perfect lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common dwell music, Tulum procuring alternatives, and generally road events. But regardless of its stylish oomph, it’s also the place to head once you fancy a soothing day. Perhaps a day of procuring, informal cocktails, and kicking again with some conventional meals. Tulum Centro is the perfect place to retreat when you’ve finished 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 absolutely enjoyable to get misplaced in, and should you obtain Google Maps offline in case you want further assist with instructions, you may’t go flawed with wander. We vote for together with a number of 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 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 via the jungle. It is without doubt 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 best 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 via heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You can at all times lease a automobile and make a full day of it, combing cenote hopping with the Coba ruins. Otherwise, e-book 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 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 probably the most handy issues to do in Tulum. This cenote is a glass-blue pool with limestone rock and a spectacular cavern. You entry the cenote through 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 may swim and snorkel or keep on the primary boardwalk, offering a wonderful, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unimaginable wildlife. If you choose to swim, you may 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 probably the most 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 enormous expanse of shallow, pastel-blue water. The lake is shallow and excellent 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 foods and drinks accessible. Laguna de Kaan Luum’s successful high quality is finest appreciated aerially, although; in the lake’s middle, there’s a huge darkish blue patch of deeper water. Laguna de Kaan Luum has a wonderful 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 go a number of cenotes in your manner. It is a superb spot to spend a handful of hours, particularly in the late afternoon once you desire 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 without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Tulum for any animal lover. The spider monkeys on the reserve are fully free, and it’s a actually moral manner to stand up shut to them. You also can 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 advocate it for households as a zoo different.
Things To Do in Tulum: FAQs
By now, we’ve established that Tulum has lots 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 among Tulum’s superior cenotes is difficult to resist.
Before you go, although, pay attention to 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 through a direct flight to Cancun International Airport. Cancun Airport has a commonly scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main international locations just like the US and lots of cities throughout Europe and South America. It is an absolute hub for arriving in Mexico by airplane and solely a 2-hour shuttle away from Tulum. You can land at Cancun Airport after which e-book a taxi or shuttle or rent a automobile to get to Tulum.
Another choice is to street journey to Tulum if you’re already inside driving distance. If this seems like the concept for you, simply control common Mexico safety updates so you may keep away from any areas of explicit unrest. The choices are limitless, although. Some folks even street journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming practice line being constructed to join 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 tip of 2023. This will make touring from Cancun International Airport massively extra simple. And it’s going to additionally imply that you could get to Tulum from quite a few factors on the peninsula without having a automobile 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 could be reached by hiring bikes – holding issues as eco-friendly as potential. The city middle is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum procuring and central amenities, 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 with out a automobile, however we’d recommend hiring a automobile in order for you to do day journeys. With a rental automobile, you’ll have full freedom and may head to a few of the most enjoyable sights in the encircling space. Otherwise, you should utilize Tulum taxis and arrange excursions for day journeys. Most excursions embody roundtrip transportation, eliminating the entire ‘how do I get there’ conundrum.
Best Time to Visit Tulum
The common consensus is that Tulum is finest visited in November. Or at a push, very early December. This season is in 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. 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 in order for you 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 an exquisite time visiting Tulum.
What is Tulum finest 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 in the Mayan jungle and cenotes.
Is 3 days sufficient in Tulum?
3 days are simply sufficient in Tulum. You’ll give you the option to go to Chichen Itza and a handful of important sights, 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 a lot better in order for you to get ‘enough’ of the city and all it affords.
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 each 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 inconceivable 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 really expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
When it comes to Tulum lodging, there’s a large collection of luxurious accommodations and resorts. Just take a look at our information on the finest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seaside city even has a few of the finest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So apart from trying to find the perfect issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting via 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 at liberty 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 may hop alongside the finest seashores in Mexico and style the area. It is without doubt one of the most enjoyable methods to expertise the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula – so if you’re adventurous, set this concept apart as a should.