Tulum is way 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 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 seashore membership of your alternative. Tulum adventures are all over the place.
Visiting Tulum: 23 Best Things to Do in Tulum
In this information, we’ll cowl the easiest issues to do in Tulum. Tulum is improbable for getting that ‘classic’ itinerary when visiting Mexico; Tulum is ideal for ticking off all one of the best Mayan ruins and seashores. We’ve bought tons of nice actions developing 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 among 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 a giant deal – think about it a celeb standing attraction. It is well one of the well-liked issues to do in Tulum, albeit accessed by day journey. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous website of historical Mayan ruins. When planning a Tulum itinerary, skipping Chichen Itza could be a criminal offense. The advanced 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 individuals mistakenly suppose that Chichen Itza is only a single temple. Still, the advanced can take half a day to discover and totally recognize.
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 undoubtedly probably 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 is perhaps small, however it’s mighty in phrases of diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Beach 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 rather 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 heart; in any other case, you’ll be able to simply seize a taxi. It is simple 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 a large 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 greatest issues to do in Tulum to get ‘off the beaten track’. And it gives a extra intense jungle expertise than brief hikes to cenotes and Tulum ruins.
The greatest means to expertise the reserve is by guided tour. The park is so huge; you need some path from a educated information.
4. Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen is understood for its wonderful seashores and resort metropolis buzz. Only some persons are reduce 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. Consider this among the best 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 can take pleasure in 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 prepare will join the 2 main Yucatan locations, so watch this area. Make positive to try 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 is going to. The seashore, we are able to attest, does appear to be paradise. Picture these slanted palm timber simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is without doubt one of the greatest seashores in Mexico. You can seize meals and snap footage by its big multi-colored signal; Paradise Beach is the principle Tulum Beach, and it’s simple to see why it made our listing of Best Beaches in Mexico.
Playa Paraiso is a 20-minute drive or an hour’s stroll from the city heart. If you select to stroll, you’ll cross by way of 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 seashore, Playita Tortuga.
6. Hop Between Beach Clubs
When it comes to seashore golf equipment, head out of Tulum Pueblo as a substitute of Tulum Beach. This neighborhood is full of seashore bars and golf equipment, and you may simply spend a day (or evening) hopping between them earlier than lastly reserving a taxi again to your lodge. This is the die-hard social gathering strip, and you may anticipate extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seashore membership hopping is well one of the 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 by way of the encompassing 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 dear a part of that is the cultural change and perception into the significance of cacao and chocolate in Mayan historical past that you just’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 just’ve very possible seen earlier than. The cenote is sat in a large 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 heart if you happen to 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’ll be able to scale the constructing to the highest for a gorgeous view over Tulum. If you go to Tulum and love scenic views, you already know the place to go to. Better but, Tulum Tower is only a 10-minute drive or 40-minute stroll from Tulum city heart.
10. Take A Single-Day Road Trip Through Parque Nacional Tulum
Parque Nacional Tulum is one of the best place for the underconfident driver to deal with a single-day street journey. You’ll be stopping and beginning continually with a full listing of to-dos, lots of which already function in this information. It neatly combines so many sights right into a single day, making it among the best issues to do in Tulum. There’s Playa Ruinas, the turtles at Playita Tortugas, and the notorious Tulum ruins. The complete 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 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 road meals distributors promoting tasty, conventional Mexican meals and ice cream. Parque dos Aguas is a superb place to join with the neighborhood. And the park will get even higher when it hosts one in all 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 a whole lot of beautiful seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit when it comes to dramatic enchantment. This seashore 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 seashore and ruins to recognize, and the seashore is simply 20 minutes from Tulum by automobile or an hour on foot by way of 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 massive photoshoot, and you may snap footage subsequent to colossal statues constructed from rustic supplies. While this attraction sits inside Ahau Hotel, you’ll be able to pay a tiny price to enter and see one of the best 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 automobile or half-hour by bike. Situated in the Tulum Beach 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 need previous Mayan structure, visiting these ruins is among the greatest issues to do in Tulum. The steep-walled pyramids are a a lot lesser photographed website, an excellent answer to avoiding the crowds that inevitably accrue exterior websites like Chichen Itza. The Muyil ruins are quieter and far much less trampled. And the precise website 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 gorgeous 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 properly value the additional miles. The water is (as you would possibly guess) a vivid, vivid blue. Despite its tinted colour’s power, you can too see all the way in which to the underside. It is so clear. It is so clear, in reality, that you just’ll have the opportunity to depend all of the tiny fish that inevitably offer you 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 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 is a gorgeous 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 heart. If you’re feeling 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 in all Tulum’s most magical cenotes. Despite its proximity to the city heart, Cenote Escondido feels distant and remoted – solely accessible by a reasonably rugged-looking mountaineering path that takes quarter-hour to deal with.
Of course, all of those elements add to the adventurous component of visiting this cenote tenfold. You pay a price on the trailhead and get limitless day by 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. While minimalistic, it undoubtedly has every part you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is without doubt one of the greatest issues to do in Tulum; stunning, fairly quiet, remoted, and only a 10-minute drive from Tulum city; it’s a should to your Tulum itinerary. You may even cycle there in lower than quarter-hour if you happen to 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 heart – 20 minutes by automobile – it is without doubt one of the largest cenotes in the realm and is known for diving and snorkeling. You can 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 additional path will assist you interact higher with wildlife and perceive extra in regards to the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and luxuriate in one in all Tulum’s largest, most fun cenotes.
Casa Cenote has the ‘big wide world factor’ and is an amplified model of different smaller cenotes. There is even an area 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 alleged to be very pleasant, however we wouldn’t get too shut. Aside from Panchito, there are tons of fish and wildlife in the encompassing jungle, too, typically together with little raccoons venturing down to search for a snack.
19. Downtown Tulum, aka Tulum Centro
Tulum Centro is the principle Downtown Tulum space and the place you’ll discover one of the best lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common reside music, Tulum buying alternatives, and typically road events. But regardless of its fashionable oomph, it’s also the place to head once you fancy a soothing day. Perhaps a day of buying, informal cocktails, and kicking again with some conventional meals. Tulum Centro is the perfect place to retreat when you’ve achieved your fair proportion 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 actually enjoyable to get misplaced in, and if you happen to obtain Google Maps offline in case you want additional assist with instructions, you’ll be able to’t go improper with a very good 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 identify is Zona Archeologica de Coba. The preservation is dwelling 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 by way of 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 – hold that in thoughts when crowd dodging.
Coba is a 45-minute drive inland from Tulum. It is a scenic drive by way of heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You can all the time 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 heart, this cenote can also be one of the 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 a large sink-hole-type-structure. To go to the cenote, you’ll be able to swim and snorkel or keep on the principle boardwalk, offering a gorgeous, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unimaginable wildlife. If 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 typically, however the cenote ticks that field. Climbing down into the cenote provides to that mystical attract, creating one of the 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 – 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 foods and drinks accessible. Laguna de Kaan Luum’s profitable high quality is greatest appreciated aerially, although; in 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 colour blues.
The lake is only a 15-minute drive from Tulum or a (fairly difficult) 40-minute bike journey. You’ll cross a number of cenotes in your means. 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 a substitute of gorgeous watercolor patterns, you’ll be able to anticipate 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 means to rise up shut to them. You may also 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 a fantastic day journey. We suggest it for households as a zoo different.
Things To Do in Tulum: FAQs
By now, we’ve got established that Tulum has a whole lot of issues to do. You’ll be twitching in your seats – completely prepared to sightsee Tulum with a vigor that may impress even the hardiest of sightseeing vacationers. Let’s face it. The attract of cave diving into one in all Tulum’s superior cenotes is tough 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 usually scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main nations just like the US and plenty 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 possibility is to street journey to Tulum if you’re already inside driving distance. If this feels like the thought 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 street journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming prepare line being constructed to join Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum too. A brand new Mayan prepare will join all the most important Yucatan Peninsula hubs and is scheduled to be accomplished by the tip of 2023. This will make touring from Cancun International Airport massively extra easy. And it can additionally imply that you could get to Tulum from quite a few factors on the peninsula with no need a automobile or costly shuttle.
Getting Around Tulum
Tulum is tremendous simple to get round. The city heart is so compact that it’s simply totally skilled on foot. At the identical time, the outskirts could be reached by hiring bikes – retaining issues as eco-friendly as attainable. The city heart is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum buying and central services, whereas the seashore space is the place you’ll discover all of your golf equipment and seashore day alternatives. The two primary 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 with no automobile, however we’d counsel hiring a automobile in order for you to do day journeys. With a rental automobile, you’ll have full freedom and may head to among the most fun sights in the encompassing space. Otherwise, you need to use 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 normal consensus is that Tulum is greatest 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 properly.
Many individuals 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 a beautiful time visiting Tulum.
What is Tulum greatest identified for?
Tulum is understood 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 have the opportunity to go to Chichen Itza and a handful of primary 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 gives.
Is Tulum higher than Cancun?
We’d say undoubtedly. Tulum is miles extra genuine than Cancun and isn’t ruined by a shiny strip with 1000’s of vacationers arriving day by day. For a seashore city different, 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 ought to then take pleasure in a seashore membership and Tulum’s seashore city tradition.
To Conclude
Tulum is unattainable not to love. The city is gorgeous – from the Tulum ruins to Tulum Beach. And it’s the preferrred vacationer vacation spot for anybody wanting to actually expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
When it comes to Tulum lodging, there’s a huge choice of luxurious lodges and resorts. Just try our information on the greatest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seashore city even has among the greatest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So in addition to trying to find one of the best issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting by way 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 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’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 if you’re adventurous, set this concept apart as a should.