What To Do In Tulum? – Must-See Things When Visiting Tulum, Mexico

It’s your first time visiting Tulum and you are looking for what to do in Tulum, Mexico?

We have vacationed in Tulum countless times and know the must-see things in Tulum as well as the best things to do in and around Tulum.

In our Tulum Vacation Guide, we put together inspiration for you on the best places to visit in Tulum as well as the best attractions and things to do near Tulum.

From Mayan ruins and pyramids, cenotes to the most beautiful nature reserve we compiled all the best must-do things in Tulum.

What To Do In Tulum?

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Guide To Visiting Tulum, Mexico

From visiting Tulum for the first time in 2008 to now, the Mexican beach town has changed quite dramatically.

Some things it lost, other things it gained. Meanwhile, Tulum has become the boho travel destination in the world.

Over the years we got to explore quite a lot of Tulum and the Yucatán Peninsula, which we want to share with you in our Tulum Vacation Guide here.

We split up this post into the best things to do in Tulum, the top Tulum things to see, and the best things to do around Tulum.

How To Get To Tulum

There are a few ways how to get to Tulum. By car, bus, colectivo, or private transfer.

We have used all options at some point. Whichever option works best for you depends on your budget and your travel plans.

Getting To Tulum By Rental Car

You can easily get to Tulum by car. It takes about two hours from Cancun to Tulum. You can rent a car at the airport in Cancun.

The drive to Tulum is pretty straightforward, actually even literally. Once you get out of Cancun you drive straight for about 1,5 hrs, et voilà, you’ve made it to the center of Tulum.

Colectivo Bus

Two other options are the colectivo bus and ADO bus. The colectivo bus is a smaller shuttle bus that stops at bus stops and here and there along the highway until you are in Tulum. You can recognize them by their white color and thick red stripe on the side.

Taking the colectivo is the way to commute for locals and a cheap option to get to Tulum.

ADO Bus

The ADO busses are regular large-size busses that stop at designated bus stations. It takes a little over two hours to get to the center of Tulum from either the Cancun airport or the center of Cancun.

Once you have arrived at the ADO bus station in Tulum you will need to switch to a local taxi for the rest of the way to get to your hotel in Tulum.

Nowadays, the busses are new, air-conditioned and have wifi. Bus tickets are pretty cheap and can be booked online.

Private Shuttle & Taxi

Lastly, you can hire a private shuttle or taxi at the airport to get you to Tulum. This option is going to cost you a lot more than the other options but gives you flexibility and comfort.

Hiring a private shuttle makes especially sense if you are a group of people and/ or have a lot of luggage.

Check prices for a private shuttle to Tulum here.

Best Private Transfer From Cancun To Tulum

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Mexico Travel Insurance When Visiting Tulum

How To Get Around In Tulum?

It is pretty easy to get around in Tulum by taxi, just hail one from the curbside. Don’t forget to negotiate the price before you enter the taxi or have them turn on the “taximetro”.

Another option to get around Tulum is by renting a bike. Check around downtown or the beach area for bike rental places or with your hotel. Your hotel may even offer free bike rentals.

The Best Things To Do In Tulum

Enjoy The Beach & Beach Clubs

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Must Do In Tulum

Enjoying the beach and beach clubs is a must-do in Tulum! This is what you are here for after all!

Take advantage of your Tulum beach hotel or check out a beach club or one of the public beaches in Tulum if you are staying in town.

Here are some popular beach clubs and public beaches:

If you want to know more about the beach clubs and public beaches in Tulum, we wrote an entire post about it that lists all the public beaches and some of the best beach clubs.

Best Public Beaches In Tulum & Beach Clubs

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Watch The Sunrise From Tulum Beach

Since the beach of Tulum is East facing there is not really a sunset to be seen. However, if you get up early you can witness the amazing sunrise in Tulum and watch the Mexican beach town slowly wake up.

It’s absolutely worth getting up early to watch the sun rise over the Caribbean Sea!

We recommend finding a hotel in Tulum that’s directly located at the beach. Our favorite beach hotels in Tulum are Shambala Petit Hotel, Papaya Playa Project, Azucar Hotel Tulum and Nueva Vida de Ramiro.

Sign Up For A Yoga Class In Tulum

When in Tulum and since you already got up early to watch the sunrise, sign up for some yoga classes or even do a days-long yoga retreat in Tulum.

Shambala Petit – Yoga Hotel In Tulum

Shambala Petit Yoga Retreat is our favorite yoga hotel in Tulum beach. The yoga shala is directly by the beach and absolutely amazing. We loved staying there.

Read on about our experience at Shambala Petit Yoga Hotel in Tulum.

Shambala Petit Hotel – Tulum Yoga Retreat

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Explore Tulum Beach Road

Walk around and explore the hotels, shops, restaurants, and ice cream places on Tulum’s beach road.

It’s fun and you will discover great food, tropical smoothies, and maybe a new Tulum outfit to take home as a keepsake or some souvenirs.

Shop Here	Shop Here	Shop Here

Boho Beach Outfits & Beach Vacation Packing List

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Dine Trough Tulum’s Food Scene

Tulum Beach Restaurants

Tulum has some of the best restaurants out there that serve incredible local and international food.

We highly recommend eating at least at one of the many amazing beach restaurants in Tulum.

Inexpensive Restaurants In Tulum Center

Most of the restaurants at the beach in Tulum or along the beach road are pretty expensive. If you are looking for more affordable options, there are great restaurants in Tulum center as well.

One of your favorite restaurants in Tulum center is La Hydra, which serves authentic Italian pizza from the brick oven.

Have A Local Beer At Cerveceria Tulum

Cerveceria Tulum is Tulum’s newest attraction. Not only does the cerveceria brew local beer, it also became a Tulum Instagram spot with its huge Tulum letters with integrated swing out front.

You can’t miss Cerveceria Tulum. Shortly before you arrive in Tulum center from the highway, you will pass the brewery on the right-hand side.

Top Tulum Things To See

Visit The Tulum Archaeological Zone

The Tulum Ruins is the number one Tulum attraction that you have to see. This magical archeological site of remaining ancient Mayan temples is located next to jaw-dropping cliffs and the most turquoise water.

When we visited the Tulum Archaeological Zone we had this peaceful and amazing experience of exploring the temples almost by ourselves and going for a swim at the nearby secluded beach.

OK, we have to admit, that was in 2008 and these times are long gone, unfortunately. Now the masses flock to the ruins and the experience couldn’t be more different from what it was then. However, the Tulum ruins are still worth a visit. They are still as amazing as they used to be, but with a lot more company now.

Best Time To Visit The Tulum Ruins

To avoid the masses, visit the ruins first thing in the morning to enjoy the archeological site in a more peaceful way.

Please be mindful of the environment, don’t leave any trash and be respectful of the wildlife.

Swim In The Most Turquoise Water At The Tulum Ruins

Best Things To Do Near Tulum

Visit Other Ancient Mayan Ruins Near Tulum

Visiting the ancient Mayan pyramids of the Yucantán Peninsula is a must-see when in Tulum. Go see at least one of the other Mayan ruins that are near Tulum. At some of the pyramids, you can even climb to the top.

Visit Muyil Archaeological Zone Near Tulum

The closest Mayan pyramid near Tulum is the Muyil Archaeological Zone. The Muyil Ruins are only a 20-minute drive from the center of Tulum.

The ruins in Muyil are some of the lesser-known Tulum tourist attractions and are not nearly as crowded as the ruins which are located directly in Tulum.

When visiting the Muyil Ruins, you can do the Mayan Canals River Float, which is on top of our list of the most unique things to do in Tulum. Only surpassed by the Sian Ka’an biosphere.

Head to our Muyil Ruins Guide if you want to know more about the ancient Mayan ruins and the Mayan Canals River Float.

Muyil Ruins Tulum & Mayan River Float

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Visit The Coba Ruins Near Tulum

Another Mayan ruin near Tulum is the even more popular Coba Pyramid. The Coba Archaeological site is one of the top things to do near Tulum.

Coba is located about 45 minutes inland from Tulum and easily accessible. You can find lots of day trips to Coba from Tulum.

Check out our post if you want to learn more about the Coba Ruins.

Visiting The Coba Ruins Near Tulum

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Visit Chichen Itza From Tulum

Even though Chichen Itza is not located anywhere close to the boho beach town, the famous Chichen Itza Pyramid is the top Tulum sightseeing attraction for tourists.

Can’t blame them, Chichen Itza is really a must-see when visiting the Yucatan Peninsula.

Best Things To Do Near Tulum

Go Swimming & Snorkeling In A Tulum Cenote

The Yucatán Peninsula is famous for its many amazing cenotes. There are lots of incredible cenotes around Tulum, especially, which is why these unique attractions are the absolute best places to visit in Tulum.

What Is A Cenote?

Cenotes are natural sinkholes that expose the underlying groundwater. The water is usually crystal clear and cool. You can swim and snorkel in the cenotes in Tulum and at some, you can go diving to explore the underwater caves.

Cenote Calavera

Cenote Calavera is one of the most popular cenotes in Tulum and also the closest one to the town. Lots of people like to bike to Cenote Calavera from Tulum.

Tulum Cenotes

We wrote an elaborate blog post including a Tulum cenote map about the best cenotes near Tulum. Check it out to learn all about swimming and snorkeling in the coolest cenotes in Tulum.

The Best Cenotes Around Tulum To Visit

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Swim In The Kaan Luum Lagoon

The Kaan Luum Lagoon is located South of Tulum and is one of the newest things to do in Tulum.

The water of Laguna Kaan Luum is incredibly clear and blue. The unique thing bout the lagoon is the cenote in the middle.

There are two piers and some hammocks in the water for you to hang out and enjoy the day.

Explore The Incredible Sian Ka’an Biosphere South Of Tulum

Sian Ka’an is a biosphere reserve South of Tulum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The reserve is home to many different species and archaeological sites like the Mayan Muyil Ruins. The second-largest reef, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, runs through the biosphere and is an incredible spot for snorkeling.

Sian Ka’an spans overland South of Tulum and the Caribbean Sea and has the clearest water we have ever seen. It’s as clear as in a swimming pool. No kidding!

This place is the most beautiful place on earth! No wonder Sian Ka’an translates to “gate of heaven” or “a place where heaven begins“.

Sian Ka’an Jeep Safari Tour

To get there is an adventure. We went there via a guided Jeep tour. You start in the center of Tulum, pass Tulum beach road and drive your own Jeep for three hours over the bumpiest dirt road until you arrive in paradise.

The Sian Ka’an biosphere in Tulum is a nature reserve and probably the last spot in the area that is still not taken over by tourism. It is an adventure and not for everyone, but so so worth it. Highly recommend it.

Find out more about our trip in our Sian Ka’an Tour Guide.

PRO tip: Use biodegradable sunscreen to not pollute the water.

Jeep Safari Tour To The Sian Kaan Biosphere

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Hop On A Paddle Board In Tulum

Swim With Sea Turtles Near Tulum

In Akumal Bay, you’ll have the unique opportunity to swim and snorkel with sea turtles.

Akumal is located only half an hour North of Tulum along the Riviera Maya towards Playa del Carmen and should be on your list of things to do if you like activities like snorkeling and seeing wildlife.

When swimming with the sea turtles, please be mindful of them and the coral reefs. Keep your distance and leave enough space to not disturb them.

Learn more about swimming with sea turtles in Akumal in our post here.

Snorkeling With Sea Turtles In Akumal Bay, Mexico

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Make A Day Trip From Tulum To Bacalar

Bacalar is a town located about 2,5 hrs South of Tulum. Laguna Bacalar is called the lagoon of seven colors because of its many shades of blue ranging from light to deep blue.

You can take a sailing tour across the pristine lagoon, paddleboard, or float down the lazy river at Los Rapidos Bacalar.

Visit Xel-Ha Park Near Tulum

Summary: What To Do In Tulum

Where To Stay In Tulum

Over the years and with lots of research we found some incredible hotel gems in Tulum Beach that are not outrageously expensive but still really amazing.

Hotels in Tulum we loved staying at were:

Tulum Beach Hotels

	Shambala Petit Hotel Yoga Retreat & beachfront infinity pool – See Rates ➤
	Azucar Hotel Tulum Affordable beachfront casita w/ hammocks – See Rates ➤
	Papaya Playa Project Beachfront casitas with rooftop pool – See Rates ➤
	Nueva Vida de Ramiro Beachfront hotel with pool – See Rates ➤

Hotels In Tulum Center

	Cacao Tulum Hotel Private plunge pools & rooftop pool – See Rates ➤
	Madara Tulum Penthouse Luxury penthouse with plunge pool – See Rates ➤

Affordable Tulum Beach Hotels

We put together an affordable Tulum beach hotels guide with an overview of cool but inexpensive beach hotels in Tulum. Check it out!

Affordable Beach Hotels In Tulum – Where To Stay In Tulum On A Budget

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Tulum Hotels With Private Pool

If you are looking for a private pool or plunge pool in Tulum check out our Tulum Hotels With Private Pool Guide.

Best Places To Stay In Tulum With Private Pool

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What To Do In Tulum, Mexico

Best Things To See & Do In Tulum

Tulum is the most exciting vacation destination in the Yucatan Peninsula. No matter if you are visiting Tulum for the first time or the 100th, there are always new things to see in Tulum.

We hope you got inspired by our Tulum Vacation Guide and now know what to do in Tulum and which nearby attractions to explore.

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