Tulum Mexico Travel Guide
Tulum is a small town in the state of Quintana Roo in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Approximately 2 hours south of Cancun Airport. It can be a destination for luxury travelers, couples, solo travelers and even sometimes families (although many hotels are adult-only). It has much to offer for offbeat adventures and healthy enthusiasts as well.
Tulum is mostly known for its beaches and yoga retreats. It’s where idyllic white-sand beaches meet chic hotels and high-end resorts in addition to cute restaurants. There are also plenty of things to do in the area, such as visiting my favorite cenotes.
As I’ve been living nearby in Playa del Carmen for a few years, I got to know the area and Tulum quite well. This is my ultimate Tulum Mexico Guide. Here’s everything you need to know, but if you have any more questions post the comment and I’ll try to answer as soon as possible.
The Complete Tulum Mexico Travel Guide
What’s the Best Time to visit Tulum Mexico?
For the best weather: Mid-November to March are the ideal months to travel to Tulum, but it’s also the busiest times to visit, so expect higher price tags and larger crowds. Booking accommodation and a rental car is a must!
Tulum Shoulder Season: March to May is the shoulder season in Tulum. It’s a great time when the weather is still nice and warm, and the prices are still low and hoards of tourists leave.
For the best value: May to September will get you the most bang for your dollar, but it comes with a risk. Summers can be rainy, hot, humid and buggy and you might be hit with a hurricane. Personally, even when I lived in the area full time we tended to leave for at least a month around July or August.
How to Get to Tulum?
There are no direct flights to Tulum, as there’s no airport there. You can choose to fly to either Cancun (2 hours by car) or Cozumel (40 minutes by ferry & 1 hour by car). Check on Skyscanner which one is cheaper to fly to.
If you’re flying into Cozumel, you can simply take a taxi to the ferry terminal and take a ferry to Playa del Carmen. It will leave you directly next to the ADO bus station, from where you can take a bus to Tulum. There’s also a taxi stand if you prefer. There’s no need for pre-booking anything in advance.
If you’re flying into Cancun (which is the closest airport, even though it’s 90-120 minutes away), then you have a lot of options.
I don’t recommend renting a car at the airport, as it’s way more expensive than if you rent one once you arrive in Tulum. The best way to get to Tulum is by the ADO bus. These buses are safe, clean and nice – don’t think it’s like a Greyhound!
I recommend booking with Cancun Airport Transportation, especially if this is your first trip to Tulum. It’s faster and you won’t have to find someone to take you and haggle down. I used it myself every time I fly with the kids.
Read more on how to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport.
Is Tulum Safe?
Tulum is extremely safe, but it isn’t as safe to leave your belongings unattended. You can drive a rental car without any issues, you can walk around at night.
Despite what you probably heard about Mexico being dangerous, you’re probably safer in Tulum or anywhere in Riviera Maya, than you would be in New York City.
While scams happen occasionally, they can happen pretty much anywhere else in the world too. I would recommend following general safety precautions that you would take anywhere and have some common sense.
Is Tulum Expensive?
I don’t want to lie to you: Tulum isn’t cheap even for tourists. Because of many rich visitors, the place has become way overpriced so expect US and UK prices. Monthly rent is even more expensive than in the USA – it’s almost comparable with NYC ridiculous rents.
While U.S. Dollars are accepted at many restaurants and shops, I don’t recommend using it. You’ll overpay way more than if you paid in Mexican Pesos. Banks are plentiful in Tulum and the majority of them offer 24-hour ATMs as well.
For dinner, I’d usually prepare at least $35 if you’re eating in a hotel zone, or even $55 if you want a cocktail or wine with your meal.
If you decide to downtown (far from the beach) and try some street food or small local restaurants, you can get a meal for $5-7.
Where to Stay in Tulum
There are plenty of amazing hotel options, but I highly suggest choosing one along the hotel zone with beachfront cabanas. And by that, I don’t mean booking a resort, but direct access to the beach in Tulum is important.
While there’s a public beach, it’s pretty small and gets easily crowded. You’ll be better off with a beachfront hotel.
My Hotel Recommendations
I had a chance to stay at a few different places in Tulum. Here are my recommendations depending on your budget, expectations, and location preference. I stayed at all of these properties, so can tell you everything about them.
There are many fantastic AirBnBs in Tulum