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 all the things 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 lovely cenotes, or chill at a seaside membership of your alternative. Tulum adventures are in every single 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 unbelievable for getting that ‘classic’ itinerary when visiting Mexico; Tulum is ideal for ticking off all the perfect Mayan ruins and seashores. We’ve obtained tons of nice actions arising for you – so sit tight and prepare to be aware of these high Tulum issues to do.
Planning Your Trip To Tulum Right Now?
Below are a number of 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 crucial well-liked issues to do in Tulum, albeit accessed by day journey. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a world-famous web site of historical Mayan ruins. When planning a Tulum itinerary, skipping Chichen Itza can be against the law. The complicated was as soon as an historical Mayan metropolis filled with Mayan ruins, together with the beautiful step Temple of Kukulkan (the postcard image of Chichen Itza). Many folks mistakenly assume that Chichen Itza is only a single temple. Still, the complicated can take half a day to discover and absolutely admire.
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, price carving out time to go to.
2. Scuba Diving
Tulum could be small, however it’s mighty in phrases of diving alternatives. Get off Tulum Beach and expertise scuba diving; you may’t go to Tulum with out actually experiencing its underwater world, and a scuba dive expertise is way 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 embrace transportation to a dive heart; in any other case, you may 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 among the finest issues to do in Tulum to get ‘off the beaten track’. And it provides a extra intense jungle expertise than quick hikes to cenotes and Tulum ruins.
The finest manner 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 superb seashores and resort metropolis buzz. Only some individuals are minimize out for days and days in a comparatively sleepy city, so for those who want a metropolis repair, Playa del Carmen is the place to take a day journey to. Consider this probably the greatest issues to do in Tulum to get away from precise Tulum. We’d recommend strolling Quinta Avenida – a promenade meets thoroughfare alongside the beachfront with eating places and bars. You can take pleasure in vital museums and sights just like the 3D Museum of Wonders and Playacar Mayan Ruins.
Playa del Carmen is simply a 50-minute drive north of Tulum. You can e book a taxi or simply manage a rental automobile or shuttle. By 2024, a practice 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’s going to. The seaside, we will attest, does appear like paradise. Picture these slanted palm timber simply made for climbing, white sand, and lulling waves – it is among the finest seashores in Mexico. You can seize meals and snap footage by its large multi-colored signal; Paradise Beach is the principle Tulum Beach, and it’s straightforward 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 go via 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 seaside, Playita Tortuga.
6. Hop Between Beach Clubs
When it comes to seaside golf equipment, head out of Tulum Pueblo as an alternative of Tulum Beach. This neighborhood is full of seaside 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 resort. This is the die-hard occasion strip, and you may anticipate extravagant cocktails and music in any respect hours. If you’re a partier, seaside membership hopping is well one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Tulum. A taxi experience will take as little as 10 minutes.
7. Chococacao Maya
Chocolate lovers, depart Tulum Pueblo and head via 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. The Most worthy a part of that is the cultural trade and perception into the significance of cacao and chocolate in Mayan historical past that you simply’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 straightforward to mix.
8. Cenote Calavera
Cenote Calavera is a well-known cenote that you simply’ve very doubtless 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 for those who 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 may scale the constructing to the highest for a gorgeous view over Tulum. If you go to Tulum and love scenic views, 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 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 listing of to-dos, a lot of which already function in this information. It neatly combines so many sights right into a single day, making it probably the greatest issues to do in Tulum. There’s Playa Ruinas, the turtles at Playita Tortugas, and the notorious Tulum ruins. The complete driving time will probably be lower than an hour, however you’ll have a lot to see that you may dedicate a complete day to the expertise.
11. Street Markets at Parque Dos Aguas
Parque dos Aguas is correct in the center of Tulum Center – so a simple 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 group. And the park will get even higher when it hosts considered one of 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 quite a lot of beautiful seashores, however Playa Ruinas takes the biscuit when it comes to dramatic enchantment. This seaside is a tiny strip of shiny white sand with the stays of an historical Mayan metropolis overlooking it from a grassy cliff high. Visitors have each the seaside and ruins to admire, and the seaside is simply 20 minutes from Tulum by automobile or an hour on foot via 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 constituted of rustic supplies. While this attraction sits inside Ahau Hotel, you may pay a tiny charge to enter and see the perfect statues. If you might be planning a seaside 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 good.
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 outdated Mayan structure, visiting these ruins is a number of the finest issues to do in Tulum. The steep-walled pyramids are a a lot lesser photographed web site, a super 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. 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 among the most unimaginable Mexican cenotes and issues to do in Tulum. This cenote is half-hour from Tulum by automobile, however effectively price the additional miles. The water is (as you may guess) a shiny, shiny blue. Despite its tinted coloration’s energy, it’s also possible to see all the way in which to the underside. It is so clear. It is so clear, in truth, that you simply’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 among the prettiest issues to do in Tulum. Absolutely breathtaking, the character park is a gorgeous assortment of crystal-clear lagoons. You enterprise across the completely different lagoons utilizing an thrilling mixture of trails – and even zip strains – 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 are feeling energetic, you may 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 considered one of 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 climbing path that takes quarter-hour to deal with.
Of course, all of those components add to the adventurous component of visiting this cenote tenfold. You pay a charge on the trailhead and get limitless every day entry to the swimming gap. And on the cenote, there’s a rope swing to soar into the water, plus altering rooms for the extra shy vacationers. While minimalistic, it undoubtedly has all the things you want for a refreshing afternoon.
Cenote Escondido is among the finest 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 for those who desire to bike.
18. Casa Cenote
Casa Cenote is among the all-time favourite cenotes close to Tulum. While it’s additional away from the city heart – 20 minutes by automobile – it is among the largest cenotes in the world and is legendary for diving and snorkeling. You can go to independently or on a guided tour. We’d recommend taking a scuba diving or snorkeling tour to get probably the most out of the expertise; getting further path will aid you interact higher with wildlife and perceive extra concerning the cenote. Go for a swim, snorkel, or scuba dive and luxuriate in considered one of Tulum’s largest, most enjoyable 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 may 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 the perfect lowkey issues to do in Tulum. This space has common reside music, Tulum purchasing alternatives, and typically road events. But regardless of its stylish oomph, additionally it is the place to head once you fancy a calming day. Perhaps a day of purchasing, informal cocktails, and kicking again with some conventional meals. Tulum Centro is the perfect place to retreat when you’ve accomplished your justifiable share 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 de facto enjoyable to get misplaced in, and for those who obtain Google Maps offline in case you want further assist with instructions, you may’t go unsuitable with 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 title is Zona Archeologica de Coba. The preservation is residence 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 via the jungle. It is among the most energetic issues to do on a day journey from Tulum, and tremendous adventurous and atmospheric. If you need an energetic expertise of a Mayan pyramid, the Coba ruins are your most suitable 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 via heaps of jungle and previous many main cenotes. You can at all times 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 great cenotes, Gran Cenote is among 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 may swim and snorkel or keep on the principle boardwalk, offering a gorgeous, scenic view.
Gran Cenote has unimaginable wildlife. If you choose to swim, you may see turtles, fish, and even bats or birds for those who 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 crucial distinctive swimming spots you’ll ever expertise.
22. Laguna de Kaan Luum
Okay, let’s take a quick pause from all these lovely cenotes. Next up is a pastel-turquoise lake referred to 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 ideal for swimming – folks use the close by swimming pier when not admiring the water from a swinging hammock. There are additionally tons of conventional seaside huts with food and drinks accessible. Laguna de Kaan Luum’s profitable high quality is finest 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 completely different depths create a attribute sample of various coloration blues.
The lake is only a 15-minute drive from Tulum or a (fairly difficult) 40-minute bike experience. You’ll go a number of cenotes in your manner. It is a superb spot to spend a handful of hours, particularly in the late afternoon once you need a refreshing dip.
23. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Punta Laguna nature reserve is one other spectacular lake close to Tulum. However, as an alternative of beautiful watercolor patterns, you may anticipate two particular animals – howler and spider monkeys at this attraction. Visiting Punta Laguna nature reserve is among the finest issues to do in Tulum for any animal lover. The spider monkeys on the reserve are fully free, and it’s a actually moral manner 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 an awesome day journey. We suggest it for households as a zoo various.
Things To Do in Tulum: FAQs
By now, we have now established that Tulum has quite a lot of issues to do. You’ll be twitching in your seats – completely prepared 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 considered one of Tulum’s superior cenotes is difficult to resist.
Before you go, although, be aware of 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 by way of a direct flight to Cancun International Airport. Cancun Airport has a repeatedly scheduled flight fleet, connecting Mexico with main international locations just like the US and plenty of cities throughout Europe and South America. It is an absolute hub for arriving in Mexico by aircraft 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 highway journey to Tulum in case you are already inside driving distance. If this seems like the thought for you, simply regulate common Mexico safety updates so you may keep away from any areas of explicit unrest. The choices are limitless, although. Some folks even highway journey from the US to Mexico – thrilling.
Keep your eyes peeled for an upcoming practice line being constructed to join Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Tulum too. A brand new Mayan practice will join all the foremost 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’s going to additionally imply that you may 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 straightforward to get round. The city heart is so compact that it’s simply absolutely skilled on foot. At the identical time, the outskirts may be reached by hiring bikes – maintaining issues as eco-friendly as potential. The city heart is the place you’ll discover all of the Tulum purchasing and central amenities, whereas the seaside space is the place you’ll discover all of your golf equipment and seaside day alternatives. The two foremost 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 recommend hiring a automobile if you need to do day journeys. With a rental automobile, you’ll have full freedom and might head to a number of the most enjoyable sights in the encompassing space. Otherwise, you should utilize Tulum taxis and manage excursions for day journeys. Most excursions embrace roundtrip transportation, eliminating the entire ‘how do I get there’ conundrum.
Best Time to Visit Tulum
The basic consensus is that Tulum is finest 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 effectively.
Many folks 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 if you need 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 finest recognized 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 foremost 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 significantly better if you need to get ‘enough’ of the city and all it provides.
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 every day. For a seaside city various, it’s a should.
What to do in Tulum in two days?
In two days in Tulum, it is best to go to one of many cenotes or Chichen Itza. You ought to then take pleasure in a seaside membership and Tulum’s seaside city tradition.
To Conclude
Tulum is inconceivable not to love. The city is gorgeous – from the Tulum ruins to Tulum Beach. And it’s the supreme vacationer vacation spot for anybody wanting to actually expertise Mexico off the Cancun strip.
When it comes to Tulum lodging, there’s a huge collection of luxurious resorts and resorts. Just try our information on the finest Tulum all-inclusive resorts – the seaside city even has a number of the finest adults-only all-inclusive in Mexico. So apart from trying to find the perfect issues to do in Tulum, dedicate ample time to sifting via its throngs of five-star seaside view resorts with white sand seashores and Hollywood-worthy swimming swimming pools. Tulum is such an expertise.
And when you’ve visited Tulum, be at liberty to head throughout the remainder of the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula. A Yucatan Peninsula highway 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 highway journey, you may hop alongside the finest seashores in Mexico and style the area. It is among the most enjoyable methods to expertise the Riviera Maya and Yucatan Peninsula – so in case you are adventurous, set this concept apart as a should.