Top things to do in Tulum blog. Listing 8 of our favorite things to do in Tulum, Mexico!
We spent four nights in Tulum during our month-long trip around Mexico. And, while we did like Tulum, we didn’t fall in love with it. Which was disappointing for me as I really thought Tulum would be my favorite place in Mexico!
There is a lot of hype around Tulum; it is, after all, one of the most visited beach towns in Mexico. Sitting pretty on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum is famous for its gorgeous beaches, with soft white sand and bright turquoise water, and its bohemian atmosphere. Yup, Tulum has got a chill vibe that just pulls you in.
As I said, I really wanted to love Tulum; it seemed like an exotic, spiritual haven, but I was a little disappointed by the crowds and high prices. And I hate to say it, but for us, Tulum felt a little pretentious.
Anyway, despite our mixed views of Tulum, I urge you to go and see it for yourself – it really is as pretty as a postcard, and the food is awesome. And who knows, it may turn out to be one of your favorite places in the world.
Would we visit Tulum again?
Hmmm, probably not! Or maybe we would, but with a little more money to spend.
You know, when you build something up too much in your mind? That was Tulum for us!
I think the problem for us was that Tulum was near the end of our Central America backpacking trip, and we had seen so many beautiful, hidden gem places beforehand. So in my mind I was comparing Tulum to places like Laguna Bacalar and Isla Holbox – which are still really touristic but maintain their authenticity (if that makes sense!)
Still, there were several things to do in Tulum that would entice us to revisit – and I’ve listed these, my top places to visit in Tulum, below.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that despite the downsides, I still recommend visiting Tulum.
The BEST Things to Do in Tulum
Even though we didn’t love Tulum, we still had a lovely, relaxing time here – sunbathing on the beach, swimming in Cenote Calavera, and exploring the Tulum Ruins. We also mostly dined out in the downtown area, as the prices here were better than the beachfront restaurants. And really enjoyed our dinner at La Negra Tomasa!
1. Visit the Tulum Ruins
The Tulum Ruins are the cherry on top of the tourism crown here in Tulum. They are situated right on the cliffs, offering amazing views of the Caribbean Sea. And unlike other Mayan sites, Tulum is one of the few walled cities of the Mayan World. The structures here are very well-preserved, especially the iconic El Castillo (the one perched on the cliff). This served as a lighthouse for Mayan merchants navigating the coast.
You should also check out the Temple of the Frescoes, which is adorned with intricate carvings and murals that depict Mayan deities.
We paid around 500 MXN ($20 USD) to explore the ruins. And we paid this at the ticket booth at the entrance. Overall, I’d say allow around two hours to explore the ruins.
2. Swim at Playa Ruinas
There’s also a glorious beach (Playa Ruinas) right below the ruins, perfect for a swim after all the wandering around in the hot sun. It can get quite crowded here, though – and it’s not the biggest beach. I’d also advise being cautious when going swimming here, as the waves looked pretty intense when we visited (in March).
3. Check out Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera, or “Skull Cenote,” is called so because of the three small openings in its limestone roof that look like the eyes and mouth of a skull when viewed from above.
We went snorkeling here and were surprised by how deep we could see – the water is crystal-clear. You must jump down into this cenote and climb out via the metal steps on the side.
We were mesmerized by the striking contrast between the bright sunlight filtering through the openings and the dark depths below, and that’s one of the reasons why it’s our favorite cenote in Tulum.
📌 Top Tip: When swimming in Tulum’s cenotes, only wear mineral-based or reef-safe sunscreen. This will help to protect these sacred areas.
4. Head to some other cenotes
- Dos Ojos: This cenote’s name means “Two Eyes,” which totally fits because of the two round sinkholes linked by a massive underwater cave system. Again, it’s very popular with snorkelers but more so with divers as it’s part of the Sac Actun cave system, one of the world’s longest underwater caves.
- Gran Cenote: Just a short drive from Tulum, Gran Cenote is famous for its clear blue waters and abundant marine life.
- Cenote Carwash (also known as Aktun Ha): This cenote is ideal for those seeking a more tranquil swimming experience. It’s called so because a couple of years back, local taxi drivers used the cenote to wash their cars.
- Cenote Zacil-Ha: A family-friendly option with facilities like a pool and zipline, Zacil-Ha is perfect for a fun day out.
- Cenote Suytun: Famed for the Insta-worthy photo that can be taken on the platform in the middle of the cenote, if you get here at the right time of day (mid-day in May and June is best), you’ll get a beam of light shining through onto you. This one is over an hour from Tulum, though!
5. Chill out on North Playa
This is one of the public beaches in Tulum, and it’s stunning – you can pay to hire a sun lounger and umbrella for a small fee. Or you could just lie out on your towel as we did. There are a couple of restaurants lining the beach and along the road into it. And if you want shade (without paying for an umbrella), head for the large palm trees at the back of the beach.
6. Spend an afternoon at Papaya Playa Project
Tulum’s main beach (aka Tulum Beach) can only be enjoyed if you’re staying at one of the beachfront hotels there or by paying to enter a beach club. That’s because it’s not a public beach (North Playa listed above is).
We enjoyed the afternoon we spent at Papaya Playa Project on the quieter end of Tulum Beach. This popular spot has a distinctive thatched roof and a great open-air seating area on the beach. It boasts resident DJs spinning the best tunes and delicious cocktails. This is definitely one of the more luxurious beach clubs in Tulum, but it’s less crowded and has a nice, friendly crowd – which is why we recommend it.
It operates on a minimum spend basis, which I believe is around $50 USD per person to be spent on food and/or drink.
Friends of ours spent the day at Ziggy’s Beach Club and really rated it. This beach club offers a more laid-back vibe with comfortable loungers and excellent food and cocktails.
I should also add that the distance from Tulum Town (Tulum Centro) to the beach (called Tulum Playa) is around 3 km, so you will likely need to get a taxi between the two.
7. Spend a day at Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Covering over 1.3 million acres, the stunning Sian Ka’an Reserve encompasses a diverse array of ecosystems, including tropical forests, mangroves, and coral reefs. And it’s home to an incredible variety of wildlife, with more than 300 species of birds and numerous species of mammals, such as jaguars, pumas, and manatees. Meaning “Origin of the Sky” in the Mayan language, this spot is not only a haven for wildlife but also a crucial area for scientific research and conservation efforts.
And without a boat, exploring the area can be challenging. But this Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve Half-Day Tour with Lunch from Tulum is the perfect solution. You’ll be led by an experienced guide who knows how to navigate the wetlands and avoid the crowds. You’ll see the region’s diverse wildlife, snorkel, and savor a delicious lunch at the beach. Sounds like bliss, am I right? The tour is 6 hours long and costs $204 USD per person – which includes everything (the tour, transfers, lunch, etc.)
8. Wander around the Coba Ruins
Unlike the more widely known Mayan sites like Chichen Itza, Coba retains a sense of mystery and allure, partly due to its semi-excavated state and less crowded nature.
The site (around 45 minutes from Tulum) is home to the towering Nohoch Mul pyramid, the tallest in the Yucatán, which visitors can still climb up (at Chichen Itza, you can’t climb the pyramids!). As you wander through the huge site, you’ll come across a network of sacbeob, or ancient Maya roads, that connect various clusters of ruins, including temples and ball courts.
This private half-day tour is the perfect choice if you want an in-depth tour of the site, it includes snacks and water as well as hotel drop-off and pick-up. It costs from $189 USD per person.
Our favorite restaurants in Tulum:
We had an incredible dinner at La Negra Tomasa in Tulum Centro – their dishes are authentically Mexican and so tasty!
We also had excellent tacos at Taqueria Honorio in Tulum Centro; their cochinita pibil tacos were insane. And on our final night in Tulum, we splurged on a meal at Kin Toh at Azulik, where we dined in treehouse-like nests overlooking the jungle. This is also the perfect sunset-watching spot in Tulum.
As for Cafes here, we really like Botanica Garden Cafe.
Where to Stay in Tulum
We chose to stay in Tulum Centro as opposed to at the beach, and we’re glad we did, as there are more restaurants and Cafe options in the town. We stayed at Hotel Boutique Pacha Tulum, which is just 500 meters from the town center. It’s a cute, boutique hotel with an outdoor pool, and our room was furnished with local furniture and artwork. It’s reasonably priced, too; we paid around $25 USD per night.
You could also splurge a little and stay at the iconic Papaya Playa Project that I mentioned above. Here, you can stay in a luxury casita next to the ocean! With its own private plunge pool on the roof!
Getting to Tulum
We came from Laguna Bacalar to Tulum by ADO public bus. It took around two hours and 20 minutes and cost us $20 USD from what I remember.
Most tourists, though, will fly into Cancún International Airport, the nearest major airport to Tulum, which is located about 120 kilometers (approximately 75 miles) away. From Cancún, you have several options to reach Tulum: renting a car, which provides flexibility for exploring the area; taking a shuttle service or private transfer, which is more convenient and stress-free; or using the public bus, such as the ADO bus.
Do we regret visiting Tulum?
No, not a single bit. It is a beautiful place, I will give it that, but our one mistake was believing the Instagram hype before even setting foot in Tulum. We sure won’t be doing that again. If you do visit Tulum, take it for what it is, enjoy the faux-bohemian vibes, and the stunning scenery.
Thanks for Reading!
Tell me – what did you think of our things to do in Tulum blog? I’ve also written several other articles about our travels through Central America, like How to Spend 3 Days in Palenque, Mexico and How to Visit Chacahua, Mexico: The Ultimate Guide.
Last Updated on December 10, 2025 by snaphappytravel