Ah, Tulum! One of my favorite places in Mexico. Heart of the Mexican Riviera, jewel of the Yucatan. Known for its white sand, blue beaches, and countless cenotes, Tulum also happens to be one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads and party people alike.
As of this writing, most folks heading to Tulum will arrive by air to Cancun International Airport (CUN).
However, Tulum International Airport (TQO) is nearing completion, located just 25 miles south of Tulum. It is expected to begin receiving international flights as early as March 2024.
For now, we'll cover the options for getting to Tulum from Cancun's airport.
The most cost effective way to get to Tulum is via the ADO bus line. You can buy a ticket at the Cancun airport and hop on directly. The bus ride will take about 2 hours, with a quick stop in Playa del Carmen. The ticket will set you back around $15 USD.
If you really want to get to Tulum in a hurry, you can pay for a private taxi that will set you back about $125 USD or more (depending on your negotiating skills). The taxi rates are usually fixed, but there is still room for a bit of negotiation.
If independence is your game, consider renting a car when you arrive at the airport in Cancun. This will give you the most flexibility for moving around, allowing you to see all the sights and attractions you want at your convenience.
Driving can be tricky in a foreign country, particularly in Mexico where rules of the road that you might know from home don't always apply.
You'll also need to have and International Drivers Permit (IDP), which you can get from AAA in the US for $20 bucks.
If you're traveling with a group, consider booking a private shuttle bus. There are a multitude of vendors that can arrange this for you, but expect to pay around $50USD per person. The shuttle can drop you off directly at your hotel(s) or Airbnb.
Higher end hotels may offer or even include a pickup from the Cancun airport to Tulum. Be sure to take advantage of this, if offered.
Sometime in 2024 the Tren Mayaa project will be completed. This will open up a rail route that will connect Cancun and Tulum, along with other destinations in the Yucatan peninsula. As of December 2023, the section linking Cancun and Tulum is not yet open.
There are probably a few other elite, bougie ways to get to Tulum, but I can't really speak on that. I'm sure with a little digging on your part, you can find a speed boat or helicopter ride, if you're willing to drop some cash and live like a baller.
There's a reason that Tulum's peak season is in January.
While a good chunk of the world is fighting off the snow and trying to keep warm, the weather is fantastic in Tulum.
Tulum sits in a lush jungle environment that is hot and humid, year round. You can typically expect temperatures in the mid 80's during the day, and the mid 70's at night.
In the summer time, things get hotter, with temperatures in the 90's that occasionally peak into the 100's.
No matter what time of the year you visit, you are likely to be sweating any time of the day or night due to the humidity. Be sure your accommodations include air conditioning. Many "eco friendly" hotels (of which there are many) do not include A/C.
The rainy season typically runs from June through October, but since Tulum is a tropical environment, don't be surprised to encounter sparse showers from time to time. Hurricanes are also a possibility given the city's coastal nature. Be sure to check the local weather forecasts before and during your trip and be prepared.
Each morning, the sun rises up over the Caribbean sea, making for some spectacular sunrises. Sunsets are not as vivid, but there are still many bars and places where you can get an elevated sunset view.
The town of Tulum is essentially divided into two distinct areas: Centro and the Hotel Zone. Each has their pros and cons, but no matter what you're looking for, Tulum has something for you.
When you fire up your instagram and see all the influencers sunning themselves in beautiful Tulum, you're most likely looking at a place in the Hotel Zone.
The Hotel Zone has some of the most stunning hotels in all of Mexico, and they certainly don't come cheap. Depending on the season, many of these hotels will set you back $300-500+ USD... per night. Ouch.
If you really want to live large in Tulum, check out some of these hotels.
A walk through the Hotel Zone will lead you to a wide variety of shops that sell very fashionable Tulum style clothing. You might as well grab some cool new threads while you're down there!
The downtown area, otherwise known as El Centro, or El Pueblo, is where most of the locals in Tulum live. It's about 3-5 miles from the Hotel Zone, but the accommodations are much more affordable. Centro has many hostels and more reasonably priced hotels to choose from.
In Centro you'll also find a ton of awesome Airbnbs which, in my opinion, offer a much greater value than staying in the Hotel Zone. There are a few neighborhoods adjacent to downtown that are also a good choice. Aldea Zama and La Valeta are two newer developments that feature nice apartments and condos for rent.
The main street in Centro, Tulum Ave, is lined with a multitude of shops perfect for grabbing souvenirs of your trip. You'll always find plenty of street food options, and restaurants that won't break the bank.
Be forewarned however, that Tulum is constantly growing. New construction is springing up everywhere. In many neighborhoods, like the aforementioned Aldea Zama and La Veleta, you're likely to wake up with the sounds of heavy machinery early in the morning. It's not exactly pleasant, but it's something that should theoretically subside over time.
If you're looking to get the best deal on a place in Tulum, scout Airbnb for something that you like and message the owner privately to try and work out a deal for a long term stay.
Tulum is situated in one of Mexico's most heavily touristed areas, the Mayan Riviera. This area also includes Cancun and Playa del Carmen.
Many of the locals working the service economy will speak some degree of English, but picking up a few words in Spanish is always recommended. There are many indigenous Mayans that still inhabit the region, and you're likely to see the Mayan influence everywhere in the area.
Everywhere you go in Tulum, you'll see an abundance of art. In Centro, there are dozens of large scale street art murals adorning the sides of buildings. You'll also find some amazing art installations in the Hotel Zone. Simply walking around town is a great way to scope out some art.
Tulum has also blossomed into a real digital nomad hotspot, attracting remote workers from all over the world. There are plenty of nomad friendly cafes to patronize, and convene with others. When you're done with work, you can easily head down to the beach to catch the last rays of sun.
With the influx of tourism and the money that comes with it, it's also worth mentioning here the criticism Tulum has received for a perceived lack of authenticity, and destruction of the natural environment.
Not too long ago, Tulum was a sleepy little fishing village. But in the last 20 years or so, it has been completely transformed into what some would call an overdeveloped playground for the rich and famous. Some would even call it an ecological disaster, with rampant development destroying the natural beauty of the area.
For better or worse, the town is constantly seeing new developments spring up. Construction is everywhere. While there are many hotels and developments that bill themselves as "eco friendly", it's hard to say if that is just a superficial distinction or sincere. Many properties rely on generator power, and there are certainly issues with waste and sewage management.
Many people refuse to visit Tulum for this reason, however these are problems that are prevalent throughout the country of Mexico, and not just Tulum.
Ultimately, it's up to the local government to reign these issues under control, and it's up to each individual to determine whether or not Tulum is a place they'd want to visit.
Personally, I love Tulum and think it's worth a stop for just about anyone.
If you are a high roller and staying in the Hotel Zone, there will likely be a lot of cab rides in your future.
The taxi mafia rules Tulum with an iron fist (at least the transportation aspect of it) and they don't come cheap. At peak time, getting from the Hotel Zone to downtown, or vice versa, can cost up to $50 or more. A more realistic price to go from Centro to the Hotel Zone and vice versa is around $15-20 USD.
Do yourself a favor and negotiate with the cab driver. Or at least get a specific price before you get in the car. A Spanish phrase you should certainly learn is "cuanto cuesta?", which translates to "what is the cost?".
One of the best things about Tulum is that you can easily get most places via bicycle, particularly if you're staying in Centro. There are plenty of places to rent a bike, with prices ranging from around $7.50-15.00 USD per day.
As noted earlier, renting a car is your best option if you'd like to be independent. Honestly compared to the price of taxis in Tulum, renting a car can be a money saver. Bare in mind you'll need to park the vehicle, which can cost extra at some hotels.
If you're particularly brave, you can rent a scooter. Scooters can usually accommodate up to 2 people, but adding more weight can be tricky to handle, especially if you are not experienced.
Many places even rent ATVs, which can be a fun way to go explore some of the nearby cenotes.
If you do decide to rent a car, scooter, or ATV, be sure you have an International Drivers Permit. You'll legally need to have a motorcycle distinction on your home country's drivers license to be considered legal for motorbikes. Since this is Mexico, there is always the possibility that you will be stopped by the police. They will ask for your drivers license, and if you don't have the proper credentials, you can be ticketed or fined.
If you plan on getting drunk or high at any point, do yourself a favor and spring for a taxi. Driving drunk in a foreign country is a recipe for disaster.
Mexico has a lot of local people that need to get to a lot of different places, and they need to do so cheaply. That is why you'll find numerous small passenger vans zooming around the cities, nearly everywhere you go in this country. They are called colectivos and they offer a very cheap means of transportation.
In Tulum, you can get most places in town for no more than 50 pesos, which is a bargain compared to the rates of taxis. Colectivos are a bit sketch of course. They're not particularly clean or modern, and they tend to jam pack them with as many people as they can. In fact, its not uncommon for drivers to fill the isle with "standing room only" riders.
To catch one, you can wait at a designated stop, or you can simply flag one down as it passes by. The destination is usually printed on the markings of the van itself. If there's space, you can hop on. Since colectivos follow a predetermined route they likely won't take you directly where you're going, but they can take you most of the way.
You can even catch a colectivo up to Playa del Carmen, for far less than the ADO or a taxi.
There is no shortage of sights to see in Tulum. Here are a few must sees:
The most well known attraction in Tulum is the city's ancient Mayan ruins. Located inside the Parque Nacional de Tulum and perched on a cliffside looking out over the Caribbean sea, the Tulum ruins are a sight to behold.
The ancient city of Tulum was one of the last built by the Mayans, around 1200 AD. Tulum was an important city, serving as a trading port for the region. Jade and obsidian were among the most prized objects traded.
Many of the city's ruins are well preserved, particularly the defensive wall around the city. The central structure, known as El Castillo (the castle), towers atop its cliffside perch, overlooking the sea. It served as a watch tower and beacon to sailors making port in Tulum.
Admission to the park is 90 pesos, or roughly $5USD. For this price, you can easily tour the grounds yourself.
If you'd like to learn more about the history of the site, you can hire a local guide on site. Prices depend on how many people in your group and the on the individual guide.
You can also book guided tours ahead of time. Some tours may also include a boat ride and/or snorkeling opportunities in the sea below the ruins.
After exploring the ruins for a bit, be sure to walk down to the beach and catch some waves and a margarita to beat the heat.
Speaking of beaches, Tulum is known for it's sparkling white sand and bright blue water. The Hotel Zone sits on prime beach real estate, so if you're staying in that area, the beach is your backyard.
If you're staying in Centro or elsewhere, skip the Hotel Zone beaches. The area is highly controlled, with most hotels reserving beach access for guests only.
For more low key beach access, Tulum's Parque Nacional is your best bet. You'll have to pay a small fee to enter (unless you entered through the Archaeological Zone, in which case you already paid your fee), but you'll find plenty of people enjoying the sun and the waves.
The beaches in this area are not plagued by the type of bougie properties found in the Hotel Zone. You can easily walk along the beach, or find a spot to settle down and hit the water.
My favorite beach spot to relax is Playa Paraiso. There are plenty of beach bars serving drinks and food, along with loungers for rent, but you don't have to spend a dime if you don't want to. The waves are free!
The water is usually warm enough for swimming year round, however sargassum, a type of macro-algae, has become increasingly problematic on Caribbean beaches. It tends to wash up on shore, collecting in large piles and giving the water a brownish color. It also has an unpleasant odor, and is generally an eye sore.
The best time to enjoy Tulum's beaches is in the high season, from December to April. You'll be less likely to see collections of sargassum on the beach. Low season from June to October will likely see higher concentrations of this macro-algae.
Tulum and the entire Yucatan peninsula are dotted with natural sinkholes, known as cenotes. They are fed by fresh water from underground rivers, and interconnected through a series of caves. These cenotes were considered sacred by the Mayans. They believed that cenotes were the gateway to Xibalba, the underworld.
Today, you can visit many of these stunning locations within minutes of Tulum. Some of the best cenotes to see are:
It's important to note that cenotes are part of a very fragile ecosystem. While you can swim in most of them, its advised to forgo any form of sunscreen, as it can contaminate the pools.
Make sure to take in at least a few of these on your trip, but let's do our best to keep them pristine. They are truly one of a kind.
While not directly in Tulum, one of the most famous pyramids in the world can be found only a few hours from the city. The Mayan city of Chichen Itza is a short 2 hour drive from Tulum Centro.
Chichen Itza is an incredibly well preserved example of Mayan architecture. It's also home to the iconic pyramid structure known as El Castillo (yup, same name as the one in Tulum). No doubt you've seen this pyramid in photos, but you really must see it in person to appreciate its splendor.
There's a lot more to Chichen Itza aside from the main pyramid.
The observatory, known as El Caracol (the snail), is another must see feature of the park. The whole archeological zone is rather large, so plan a full day for your visit. You can book a guided tour leaving from Tulum at any of the many tourism stalls in the city, or hire a local guide on site.
If you're feeling adventurous, you can take the bus or rent a car and head to Chichen Itza on your own to explore the grounds at your own pace.
Afterwards, be sure to stop by the stunning cenote Ik-Kil to cool off after your day of exploring. It's a highly recommended stop while you're in the area.
The Sian Ka'an area is the perfect way to explore the beautiful natural surroundings of Tulum. A UNESCO site, Sian Ka'an protects over 1 million acres, and is home to hundreds of different species of flora and fauna.
I recommend taking a tour from Tulum, as it's a bit of a drive out of the city to reach. Be sure to choose a tour that includes a float through the Mayan waterway that cuts through the park to the sea. It's worth the trip itself.
If you're into things like yoga and wellness, Tulum is absolutely filled with studios that can help exercise your body and mind. Holistika is a great place to enjoy a relaxing sound bath, or join a yoga session.
If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try joining a Mayan healing ceremony known as temazcal. The temazcal ceremony is designed to cleanse both the body and mind, by recreating the feeling of being in the womb. It's something like a steam bath in a darkened room, heated by volcanic rocks.
The ceremony is guided by a shaman known as a Temazcalero, who leads the experience through 4 puertas (doors). The heat becomes greater through each door, which can become pretty intense. However once you come out, you will leave feeling refreshed like you never have before.
There are many other Mayan ruins in the area that can be easily reached from Tulum. The most well known of these include Coba, Muyil, and Ek Balam. Each of these are worthy of your time. Be sure to see as many as you can while you're in Tulum.
Tulum has no shortage of amazing restaurants to try. From the very finest of dining, to the most delicious of street foods, you'll find it all in Tulum.
For a small town, there is a fantastic variety of restaurants, particularly in Tulum Centro. The main Tulum Avenue plays host to dozens of delicious eateries, many with reasonable prices. You can find everything from sushi, to authentic Italian pastas, and surprisingly good barbecue. Here are a few of my favorite spots.
In Mexico seafood dishes are known as mariscos. My favorite place for mariscos is a little gem called Sabor de Mar. They have some truly outstanding offerings, including these amazing seafood towers. There are two locations in Centro, for your dining pleasure.
If you didn't get your fill of mariscos at Sabor de Mar, head over to another of my favorite stops in Tulum, El Capitan, for a heaping helping of fresh ceviche. The portions here are large, and very reasonably priced.
On our first visit, we attempted to order the "jumbo" ceviche pescado (fish). The waiter wisely warned us that the portion was intended for a large group of people. He brought us the regular order, which was more than enough for two people... or one really hungry raver.
If you want to try some regional favorites while you're in Tulum, you can't miss Taqueria Honario. They cook up one of my favorite regional dishes in the Yucatan, cochinita pibil.
Cochinita is a pork dish, marinated in paste of the achiote pepper. It's traditionally wrapped in a banana leaf and cooked under a pile of hot coals. It's incredibly flavorful and tender, and an absolute can't miss dish when you're in this area of Mexico. The tacos de lechon (suckling pig) are also outstanding.
Honario is mainly a breakfast/lunch spot. They open early at 6am, and close by 3pm, making it a perfect lunch time stop on your way to other adventures.
Sometimes there's no denying a craving for a good burger. Luckily for you, Tulum has a number of great places to grab a juicy burger.
My favorite spot is Mayami Burger. Located on Coba Ave, one of the main roads connecting Centro to the Hotel Zone, it's a perfect place to grab lunch before hitting the beach. The owners are DJs and party people too, and they often invite local DJs to play. Definitely stop by when the burger craving hits!
If you're a vegan, don't worry, there are plenty of options to suite you. Raw Love is a popular vegan restaurant, with locations in Centro and the Hotel Zone.
No one ever said that living in paradise would be cheap, and Tulum is no exception. Even as a digital nomad with a healthy salary, Tulum can quickly eat a hole in your wallet.
Accommodations can get expensive, which is why your best bet is booking an Airbnb or other private accommodation for several weeks or monthly.
Consider splurging on a weekend or a few nights in one of the fancy beach hotels, but they are really just too expensive for most to justify a long term stay.
When it comes to food costs, there are options for any budget.
Any meals you'll eat in the Hotel Zone are not going to be cheap, as nearly all restaurants are of the high end variety.
Restaurants in Centro are typically much more reasonably priced. There's also great variety with everything from burgers and Italian food, to sushi and fresh seafood. There's also a wide variety of street food options that can help you to sample some of the local favorites, and save a bit of money when you eat.
For everyday food items, there are also two large grocery chains. Super Aki and Chedraui will have everything you need to cook meals at home. You can also find a variety of local markets in town to pick up fresh veggies and the like.
Generally speaking, the internet is pretty good in Tulum. It's come a long way in the last few years.
Cell service in the Hotel Zone used to be a complete nonstarter, even with a Telcel SIM card in your phone. Now, you're likely to get at least a couple bars of service near the beach.
Internet in Centro has been pretty reliable in my experience. Of all the different Airbnb's and hotels I've stayed at in Tulum, I've never had much issue getting work done. There is also a variety of co-working spaces available with reliable internet.
In some of the newer developments, like Aldea Zama, power outages may randomly occur, but they are not regular. When this happens, the power and internet usually come back quickly. However it's never a bad idea to have a mobile hotspot and a local SIM with several gigs of data to use in an emergency.
Is Tulum safe? That's a fair question to ask.
Reports of violence in the city, along with drug cartel activity, popping up in the news from time to time have probably frightened many from visiting this incredible place. However, I've never been one to let fear guide my decision making, and I suggest you don't either. Tulum is typically a pretty safe place. In my many visits there, I've never felt like I was in any danger.
Things can always go wrong and you can be in the wrong place at the wrong time. But I don't believe that Tulum is inherently more dangerous than any other place in Mexico.
Keep your wits about you, don't get too drunk or otherwise impaired, don't act like an entitled fool, and you'll be fine.
Tulum is undoubtedly one of the best places to party in North America. While many visitors gravitate to Tulum's luxurious beach clubs and hotels, the real gems are the many parties that take place off the beaten path, deep in the jungle.
The best time of year to come to Tulum if partying is your goal is January. Every year, thousands of party people descend on Tulum to celebrate the new year. Many stay for a week or longer due to the numerous parties every single day and night.
Tulum is renowned for its many parties, but you better be prepared to shell out a lot of cash to join the fun.
Many of the best parties have a cover of $100USD or more simply to get in. Drink prices are exorbitant and honestly offensive. If you like cocktails, prepare to shell out $20USD or more per drink. Beer isn't priced much better, typically at $10USD for a domestic Mexican beer. You won't find much variety with beer either.
And here's the worst of it: water... the thing that literally EVERYONE needs to drink to stay alive? Same cost as beer. That's right, you can drink water, or beer that tastes like water, for a cool $10 bucks a pop. Do yourself a favor and err on the side of drinking water. It's hot in Tulum, and you will be sweating it out while you dance.
Peak party season is every January, but Tulum maintains a solid party vibe throughout the year. April is another good time for parties, with Zamna usually opening its doors a few times in that month. No matter what time of year you visit Tulum, there are bound to be some nice parties going down.
Here are some of the best spots to party in Tulum.
The absolute best party in Tulum is the Day Zero Festival, which takes place in January each year. If there's one party to base your Tulum trip around, make it this one.
The brainchild of Crosstown Rebels head Damian Lazarus, this spectacular event pays homage to Mayan culture, while showcasing some of the biggest names in house and techno.
The festival takes place on site at Parque Dos Ojos, and is set in the midst of the surrounding jungle and cenotes. The event spans 20 hours of music across three stages, including one dedicated exclusively to up and coming electronic musicians from Mexico.
The production value for the festival is off the charts, turning the jungle into a multicolored wonderland. Lights, lasers, and decorations abound, with various performers and dancers delighting attendees throughout the night and well into the morning.
One part boutique hotel, and one part stunning beach club, Papaya Playa is an iconic Tulum venue. They routinely host some of the best DJs in the world, and usually host a solid full moon party each month that will have you dancing until sunrise, with epic views of the Caribbean Sea.
The Selina chain of hostels is well known for it's incredible roster of locations around the world. Their property in Tulum's Hotel Zone features Mia Beach Club, which plays host to a regular lineup of top tier underground electronic acts. Their parties usually start from midday and go until about midnight. If you are a guest of Selina, you get free entry to events at Mia.
Tehmplo is one of the newest spots in Tulum serving up some incredible parties. It's a large open air venue, with the vibe of a jungle party, but without the need to leave Tulum. The venue is conveniently located between Centro and the Hotel Zone, making it an easy taxi ride to the party. The vibes go strong all night at this place, and well into the next day.
Zamna is one of the biggest parties in Tulum, however they are only active a few times a year. When they do host parties, they attract thousands of attendees to Tulum.
January is the high season, and Zamna usually brings a strong lineup of parties. Entry prices can be steep, so if you're planning on attending any of their parties, look for the multi-pass pack. This will get you entrance to three parties for a lower price than buying them individually.
Check out their website for more information on upcoming parties.
Many of the best parties happen far outside the Hotel Zone and Centro. You'll typically find out about jungle parties by word of mouth, or through Facebook, Whatsapp or Telegram groups. Due to the off-the-beaten-path nature of many of these types of parties, a shuttle to/from the venue is usually included in your ticket price.
With everything that Tulum has to offer, it's hard not to recommend it as one of the best places for digital nomads in the entire country of Mexico. Perhaps even the world. You've got everything a nomad could want within striking distance.
There is a large community of nomads who base themselves in Tulum for weeks or months at a time. With that comes numerous co-working facilities, coffee shops and restaurants to mix and mingle with other nomads.
Tulum has an abundance of breathtaking natural beauty, with the Caribbean sea, cenotes, and the near by Sian Ka'an Biosphere Preserve to explore and enjoy. Add to that the many exquisite Mayan ruins in the surrounding jungles and there really is nothing you're left wanting for in Tulum.
The party scene in Tulum is one of a kind. It continues to thrive beyond the pandemic and regularly hosts some of the best DJs on the planet in epic jungle and cenote venues that can only be experienced in this part of the world. The Day Zero Festival alone is a perfect reason for party people to visit Tulum.
The biggest drawback for Tulum is the high cost of living. But, if you know where to look, you can still find some deals on accommodations, as well as great food that won't break the bank.
Overall, Tulum is still one of the best places for digital nomads and party people alike. Teknomadic recommends everyone give Tulum a shot and see for themselves.
