If you have a vacation in Mexico in mind, Tulum is a must-see on your itinerary. A small paradise on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, Tulum is known for its beautiful beaches, ruins, cenotes, and laid-back hippie vibes.

Tulum offers a plethora of activities for travelers of all ages and interests. Whether you’re interested in history and culture, looking for outdoor activities and adventure, or just want to soak up the sun and sand… Tulum has it all!

Have you ever been to Tulum in Mexico? The small town on the Riviera Maya is known in the whole world for its famous Mayan ruins and its breathtaking beaches. But Tulum is no longer a sought-after destination only just because of its Mayan ruins.

The small Mexican town with its casual boho ambience and the beautiful beach is very much in vogue. In recent years, the small fishing village has become a very trendy hot spot for life-hungry travelers. Mayan-style buildings with roofs made of palm leaves, laid-back people, and candlelight during power outages make Tulum a very special place for free spirits.

Until the early 1990s, Tulum was a quiet village, and tourism was limited to a few small shops and simple huts on the beach. Visitors only came in buses from Cancun for day trips. Much has changed since then – since 2008, the city is the seat and administrative center of the ninth district in the state of Quintana Roo, and the population had grown to more than 18,000 at the 2010 census. And at the 2020 census it was even more than 46,000 persons.

Tulum has a rich history and culture dating back to the Mayan period. The Mayan ruins of Tulum are one of the city’s top attractions and offer a fascinating insight into the life and customs of this ancient civilization.

The city also has a vibrant arts scene today and is known for its traditional craftsmanship and colorful artwork. Tulum’s street art is also becoming increasingly famous, as the small town has declared war on the ever-popular gray concrete walls. You will also find some elements of the architecture in the place, which are based on “tribal” style and are uniquely integrated into the ambience on site.

Today, Tulum lives mainly from tourism and offers a variety of holiday homes, hotels, restaurants and bars in the town centre. Supermarkets, boutiques, bicycle rentals, fitness centers, tour operators, banks, ATMs, internet cafés, a hospital and much more complete the offer. Language schools for learning Spanish during your holiday are also very popular here. The typical Mexican ambience of the place is enchanting and very relaxed.

The hotel zone is located along the beach and ends at the entrance of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. It is best reached from the center of town by shuttle bus or taxi. The hotels closest to the Mayan ruins are the oldest and easiest, further south, the quality of the offers increases and with that also the price goes up significantly.

The hotel zone of Tulum is several kilometers long and almost completely developed. It already offers over 70 small hotels, many of them are kept in a very individual boutique style. Most of the hotels are built in the traditional Mayan style as “Cabañas”, with roofs made of palm leaves. Electricity often has to be produced by generator or solar cells on site.

There are many restaurants, mainly on the jungle side of the only road (“Beach Strip“), and some of them have already received significant international recognition. You will also find some beach clubs and public beaches.

Cancún Airport is the gateway to Tulum. From there you can take a taxi or a shuttle service to your hotel or Airbnb. If you are an adventurer and prefer a rental car, there are numerous car rental companies directly at the airport. However, if you want to travel from another city in Mexico, you can also easily reach Tulum by bus or car.

Tulum is known for its unique selection of accommodations. From extravagant boutique hotels right on the seafront to rustic glamping experiences in the jungle, Tulum has something for everyone. If you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll also find plenty of hostels and Airbnb accommodations in Tulum.

When looking for the right hotel in Tulum, in addition to your travel budget, the question of whether you prefer to spend the night in the center of town or in the hotel zone is crucial. Both have their advantages – during the day, of course, there is a lot going on at the beach and at the Mayan ruins; in the evening, life tends to take place in the restaurants and bars downtown.

You should also be aware that many hotels are built in the traditional Mayan style with roofs made of palm straw. At the time of writing this post, the city of Tulum is not fully connected to the public electricity grid of the state of Quintana Roo, and many locations have to produce their own electricity. You shouldn’t be upset about that, just enjoy the very special ambience in this magical place!

Tulum is a rather small city, so many sights and activities are within walking or biking distance. You can rent a bike to explore the city. Many accommodations rent bicycles, and there are also dedicated bike rentals in town. For excursions into the wider area, taxis, local buses or a rental car are available.

The cuisine in Tulum is unique and reflects local traditions. Most restaurants use fresh, local ingredients and offer local specialties. The Mayan contribution to the region’s cuisine is a combination of Caribbean and traditional Mexican flavors. Some of the popular dishes you should try are ceviche, tacos al pastor, and cochinita pibil. Most restaurants also offer great mezcal and tequila options, and at the Beach Strip you can often find fresh coconuts as well.

In Tulum you will find a wide range of restaurants both on the beach and in the center. Downtown, food is significantly cheaper (including the taxi fare) and often better than on the beach, especially if you are looking for traditional Mexican dishes and tacos.

However, the best tacerías are only open in the evening, and as a rough rule of thumb applies especially to Tacos al Pastor: the later you come, the more delicious is the meat! Mexican soups are also wrongly underestimated – in Tulum they are often offered and if they are on the menu, you should definitely try them. For those in a rush, there are also very tasty grilled chickens with side dishes to take away downtown.

The nightlife in Tulum is much quieter than in Cancún or Playa del Carmen. But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing going on here. Tulum, meanwhile, also has a vibrant bar and nightlife scene that offers a mix of local and international options.

If you like to drink delicious cocktails or cold beer in the evening, eat Mexican tapas and enjoy music from salsa to funk you will feel very comfortable here. Near the beach there are a lot of bars and clubs, and there are regular night parties on the beach, where you can dance the night away under the stars, moon and palm trees by the campfire.

Downtown there are not so many evening venues, but often the locals and the tourists meet in some very trendy locations. You will have the opportunity for beautiful evening walks with extensive souvenir shopping.

In high season, many hotels and restaurants offer shows, live music, salsa nights to dance and much more. Most locations also have a very relaxed atmosphere in the evening, so that no one will care if you enjoy the tropical nights in shorts and sandals.

Please note that bars and clubs in Tulum are often very seasonal and can change at times!

You can spend your days in Tulum just enjoying the beautiful beach and feasting on delicious food. That would certainly be very relaxing – but also a pity, because there is so much to experience in this beautiful part of Mexico.

Tulum has numerous activities for all ages and interests. The region known as the “Riviera Maya” is famous for its archaeological sites. If you want to experience Mayan history, visit the ruins of Tulum or the Cobá Pyramid. For an authentic experience, you should also take a dip in a cenote, a natural and picturesque bathing opportunity. You will be amazed by the clear, cool and emerald green color of the water.

Tulum is known for its art scene and unique shopping. In downtown Tulum, you’ll find a variety of shops selling traditional handicrafts, clothing, and jewelry. There is also a weekly arts and crafts market where local artisans showcase their products.

Tulum is a place that enchants your senses and refreshes your mind. From the beautiful beaches to the unique cuisine and culture, Tulum has it all. We hope that our little guide has helped you and that you can plan an unforgettable trip to this enchanting destination.

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