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 every part you need in a gorgeous 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 may go to historical Mayan ruins like Chichen Itza, go cave diving in lovely cenotes, or sit back at a seashore membership of your selection. Tulum adventures are in all places.
Visiting Tulum: 23 Greatest Issues to Do in Tulum
On this information, we’ll cowl the easiest issues to do in Tulum. Tulum is unbelievable 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 pay attention to these prime Tulum issues to do.
Planning Your Journey To Tulum Proper Now?
Under are a number of the prime excursions in Tulum. Don’t neglect to plan forward when visiting Mexico!
High Actions and Excursions in Tulum:
1. Chichen Itza
Chichen Itza is an enormous deal – contemplate it a star standing attraction. It’s simply one of the crucial well-liked 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 assume that Chichen Itza is only a single temple. Nonetheless, the advanced can take half a day to discover and absolutely recognize.
This attraction is a 2-hour drive inland from Tulum. Be ready to rent a automotive or e book an expertise, together with public transportation. It’s additional, if not the furthest, of all of the day journeys. Nevertheless, 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 may be small, however it’s mighty when it comes to diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Seashore and expertise scuba diving; you’ll be able to’t go to Tulum with out actually experiencing its underwater world, and a scuba dive expertise is way 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 this 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 may e book 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 straightforward to squeeze into a brief interval if you have already got your PADI qualification, and if not, allocate a couple of 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’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 greatest issues to do in Tulum to get ‘off the crushed monitor’. And it provides a extra intense jungle expertise than quick hikes to cenotes and Tulum ruins.
The easiest way 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 superb seashores and resort metropolis buzz. Just some individuals are lower out for days and days in a comparatively sleepy city, so if you happen to want a metropolis repair, Playa del Carmen is the place to take a day journey to. Think about 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 may get pleasure from vital 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 may e book a taxi or simply arrange a rental automotive or shuttle. By 2024, a prepare will join the 2 main Yucatan locations, so watch this area. 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’s going to. The seashore, we will attest, does appear to be paradise. Image these slanted palm bushes simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is without doubt one of the greatest seashores in Mexico. You may seize meals and snap photos by its big multi-colored signal; Paradise Seashore is the primary Tulum Seashore, and it’s straightforward to see why it made our record of Greatest Seashores in Mexico.
Playa Paraiso is a 20-minute drive or an hour’s stroll from the city heart. In the event you select to stroll, you’ll go by means of the Parque Nacional Tulum on foot. You would 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
In relation to seashore golf equipment, head out of Tulum Pueblo as a substitute of Tulum Seashore. This neighborhood is full of seashore bars and golf equipment, and you may simply spend a day (or night time) hopping between them earlier than lastly reserving a taxi again to your lodge. That is the die-hard occasion strip, and you may count on extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seashore membership hopping is well one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Tulum. A taxi trip will take as little as 10 minutes.
7. Chococacao Maya
Chocolate lovers, go away Tulum Pueblo and head by means of the encompassing jungle to go to Chococacao Maya. This attraction takes you on an immersive expertise the place you remodel your personal cacao beans right into a scrumptious chocolate dish. The expertise is led by a educated information. Essentially 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 go away with.
Chococacao Maya is a 40-minute drive from Tulum. Nevertheless, it’s situated proper subsequent to the Nohoch Mul Pyramid and a number of cenotes – so it’s straightforward 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 a large sinkhole with a wood 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 heart if you happen to want any extra persuading.
9. Tulum Tower
Tulum Tower is like one thing out of Struggle 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’ll be able to scale the constructing to the highest for a gorgeous view over Tulum. In the event you go to Tulum and love scenic views, you recognize 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 Street Journey By means of Parque Nacional Tulum
Parque Nacional Tulum is the perfect place for the underconfident driver to deal with a single-day highway journey. You’ll be stopping and beginning continuously with a full record of to-dos, a lot of which already function on this information. It neatly combines so many sights 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 full driving time shall be lower than an hour, however you’ll have a lot to see you could dedicate a whole day to the expertise.
11. Road Markets at Parque Dos Aguas
Parque dos Aguas is true in the midst of Tulum Middle – 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 an excellent place to attach with the group. And the park will get even higher when it hosts one among its common avenue markets the place you should purchase handicrafts and splurge on souvenirs. Take a look at the schedule whenever you go to Tulum.
12. Playa Ruinas
Tulum has numerous beautiful seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit with regards to dramatic attraction. This seashore is a tiny strip of brilliant white sand with the stays of an historical Mayan metropolis overlooking it from a grassy cliff prime. Guests have each the seashore and ruins to understand, and the seashore is simply 20 minutes from Tulum by automotive or an hour on foot by means of 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 may snap photos subsequent to colossal statues made out of rustic supplies. Whereas this attraction sits inside Ahau Resort, you’ll be able to pay a tiny charge 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 automotive 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 would like 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 great 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. Mix it with a go to to the biosphere reserve and Santuario de Cenotes – a gorgeous cenote with barely any crowds in comparison with the cenotes scattered round Tulum Middle.
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 automotive, however effectively price the additional miles. The water is (as you may guess) a brilliant, brilliant blue. Regardless of its tinted shade’s power, it’s also possible to 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 to rely all of the tiny fish that inevitably provide you with a pedicure expertise. Surrounded by tropical jungle, Cenote Azul is a prime 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 gorgeous 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 lovely place to spend a couple of 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 the event 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 one among Tulum’s most magical cenotes. Regardless of its proximity to the city heart, Cenote Escondido feels distant and remoted – solely accessible by a reasonably rugged-looking mountain climbing path that takes quarter-hour to deal with.
After all, all of those elements add to the adventurous factor 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 leap into the water, plus altering rooms for the extra shy vacationers. Whereas minimalistic, it positively has every part you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum; lovely, 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 if you happen to desire 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 automotive – it is without doubt one of the largest cenotes within the space and is legendary for diving and snorkeling. You may 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 allow you to have interaction higher with wildlife and perceive extra in regards to the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and luxuriate in one among Tulum’s largest, most fun cenotes.
Casa Cenote has the ‘huge large world issue’ and is an amplified model of different smaller cenotes. There’s even a neighborhood crocodile known as “Panchito” you could see from a distance, and most excursions take you to go to him earlier than you end. He’s mentioned to be very pleasant, however we wouldn’t get too shut. Except for Panchito, there are tons of fish and wildlife within the surrounding jungle, too, usually 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 perfect lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common stay music, Tulum buying alternatives, and typically avenue events. However regardless of its stylish oomph, it is usually the place to go whenever you fancy a soothing day. Maybe a day of buying, informal cocktails, and kicking again with some conventional meals. Tulum Centro is the perfect place to retreat when you’ve carried out your justifiable share of day journeys and edge-of-your-seat-style actions in Tulum.
You may take a strolling tour of Tulum Centro or go to by your self. It’s actually enjoyable to get misplaced in, and if you happen to 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 a couple 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 dwelling to the best pyramid within the Tulum space, Nohoch Mul, which sits dramatically in a jungle clearing. To succeed in Nohoch Mul, you’ll first have to hike for almost 40 minutes by means of 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 would like an energetic 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’s a scenic drive by means of heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You may all the time hire a automotive and make a full day of it, combing cenote hopping with the Coba ruins. In any other case, e book 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 lovely issues to do in Tulum. And, solely a 10-minute drive or 15-minute cycle from the city heart, this cenote can also be one of the crucial 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’ll be able to swim and snorkel or keep on the primary boardwalk, offering a gorgeous, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unbelievable wildlife. In the event you decide to swim, you’ll be able to see turtles, fish, and even bats or birds if you happen to take a peak into the cavern. We don’t throw the phrase magical round usually, however the cenote ticks that field. Climbing down into the cenote provides to that mystical attract, creating one of the crucial distinctive swimming spots you’ll ever expertise.
22. Laguna de Kaan Luum
Okay, let’s take a short pause from all these lovely 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 excellent 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 food and drinks obtainable. Laguna de Kaan Luum’s profitable high quality is greatest appreciated aerially, although; within the lake’s heart, there’s a huge darkish blue patch of deeper water. Laguna de Kaan Luum has a gorgeous 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 trip. You’ll go a couple of cenotes in your approach. It’s a sensible spot to spend a handful of hours, particularly within the late afternoon whenever you desire a refreshing dip.
23. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Punta Laguna nature reserve is one other spectacular lake close to Tulum. Nevertheless, as a substitute 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 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 approach to rise up near them. You may as well 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 numerous issues to do. You’ll be twitching in your seats – completely able 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 tough to withstand.
Earlier than you go, although, pay attention to this important part on the practicalities of having fun with your go to to Tulum.
The best way to Get to Tulum
Tulum is most simply reached by way of a direct flight to Cancun Worldwide Airport. Cancun Airport has a recurrently scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main nations just like the US and plenty 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 may land at Cancun Airport after which e book a taxi or shuttle or rent a automotive to get to Tulum.
An alternative choice is to highway journey to Tulum in case you are already inside driving distance. If this seems like the concept for you, simply keep watch over common Mexico safety updates so you’ll be able to keep away from any areas of specific unrest. The choices are limitless, although. Some individuals even highway journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Hold your eyes peeled for an upcoming prepare line being constructed to attach Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum too. A brand new Mayan prepare will join all the key Yucatan Peninsula hubs and is scheduled to be accomplished by the tip of 2023. This can make touring from Cancun Worldwide Airport massively extra simple. And it’ll additionally imply you could get to Tulum from quite a few factors on the peninsula with no need a automotive or costly shuttle.
Getting Round Tulum
Tulum is tremendous straightforward 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 attainable. The city heart is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum buying and central amenities, whereas the seashore space is the place you’ll discover all of your golf equipment and seashore day alternatives. The 2 major areas of Tulum are cut up by Avenida Coba, which you’ll be able to 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 may head to a number of the most fun sights within the surrounding space. In any other case, you need to use 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 greatest 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 greatest identified for?
Tulum is thought 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 to go to Chichen Itza and a handful of major 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 if you wish to get ‘sufficient’ of the city and all it provides.
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 1000’s of vacationers arriving each day. For a seashore city various, it’s a should.
What to do in Tulum in two days?
In two days in Tulum, you must go to one of many cenotes or Chichen Itza. You must then get pleasure from a seashore membership and Tulum’s seashore city tradition.
To Conclude
Tulum is unimaginable to not love. The city is gorgeous – from the Tulum ruins to Tulum Seashore. And it’s the ultimate vacationer vacation spot for anybody wanting to really expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
In relation to Tulum lodging, there’s a large collection of luxurious inns and resorts. Simply try our information on the greatest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seashore city even has a number of the greatest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So apart from trying to find the perfect issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting by means of 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 happy to go throughout the remainder of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. A Yucatan Peninsula highway journey is one approach to see the remainder of the area. You may get out for a number of days, weeks, and even months. With a highway journey, you’ll be able to hop alongside the greatest 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 in case you are adventurous, set this concept apart as a should.