In the last few years, Tulum has quickly become one of the most popular destinations to visit. Tulum offers equal parts authentic Mexican culture and bohemian, laid-back beach vibes. It truly is a magical place with so much to see and do! Here’s a thorough guide of where to eat, sleep, drink and play while exploring Tulum.

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Before you go

BRING CASH (PESOS): While you can easily pay by credit card at most restaurants, attractions and shops - taxis only take cash.
GETTING AROUND: There are no Ubers in Tulum but taxis are zipping by everywhere and are pretty cheap. But the best and most popular way to get around is on a bike. While Tulum is a pretty small town, walking around in the heat can be exhausting. Rent a bike and stroll through town!
BRING A FLASHLIGHT: I am not kidding when I say the jungle side gets pitch black at night. Not even my iPhone flashlight did the job. The road has very sparse street lights so if you’re staying on the jungle side - bring a small flashlight!
BEACH SEAWEED: The first time I visited (April-May 2018), the seaweed on the beaches was so dense, it was not worth getting in the water. I’ve read that seaweed is pretty consistent on Tulum’s beaches year-round. Some seasons may have more than others, but keep this in mind when booking accommodations on the beach.
GETTING TO TULUM: The closest Tulum airport has very limited flights and they’re pretty pricey so not it’s worth it. You should fly into the Cancun airport and take an hour and half ride (1 hour on a good day) to Tulum. The drive is smooth and easy! There is also a local bus that takes you from the airport to the town center, but I opted for the quick and easy private car. You can also rent a cheap car and take the drive yourself.

Where to stay

There are two parts of Tulum you can stay in: in town or on the jungle/beachside. The drive between the two parts is about 15-20 minutes. While you can stay in one part and visit the other for the duration of your trip, you definitely want to pick the part of Tulum you will enjoy the most. When I first visited, I booked an Airbnb in the town and while it had a lot to offer, the second I stepped foot on the jungleside I knew I should’ve stood there. So I ended up booking a cheap Airbnb for the second half of my trip on the jungle side and I did not regret it (even though I had already paid for the first Airbnb for the entire duration of the trip). In my subsequent visits, I have chosen the beachside and have had no regrets. Don’t get me wrong though, the town was also very fun. It all comes down to your preference.

Jungle/Beach Side

The jungle side in Tulum is truly magical. Almost everything is outdoors, or at least partially outside. The vibe is laid-back but upscale and very bohemian. Think neutral hues, bamboos, lots of palm leaves and wooden built shacks. This area of Tulum is situated on a narrow road that runs alongside the beach for a couple of miles. You can stay on the beachside of the road for direct beachfront access or on the jungle side and literally walk 5 minutes to the beach. Despite the side you pick, this part of town has a plethora of really cool restaurants, shops, beach clubs, hotels, bars - you name it. Keep in mind that accommodations on this side are on the pricier side, but in my opinion worth every penny.

Tulum Town

The town offers more of a local experience and has plenty of great restaurants and bars. Though, it’s not directly situated on the beach or within the jungle, if you choose to stay in town - you can bike it to the beach in about 20 minutes. The town area is very safe and the roads are paved and use street lights and stop signs, so need to worry there. Accommodations in town are known to be much cheaper.

Hotel vs Airbnb

I recently stood at a moderately priced beachfront hotel called La Zebra. It’s centrally located with a rooftop pool, beachfront restaurant, and their beach is known for being one of the cleanest ones along the beachfront (bye seaweed!). Get a hotel room with a plunge pool for a private lounging at night. I recommend using third-party hotel booking sites for competitive rates.

A lot of the Airbnbs in the jungle are eco-friendly. Most run on solar-powered energy, running limited air conditioning during certain hours and some run their plumbing on saltwater. If you’re cool with this, you can find some really unique and fun places. Check out the Airbnb I rented and LOVED here.

Things to do

Take a dip in the Lagoon Kaan Luum

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A beautiful natural lagoon with a claylike floor base, which people have used to exfoliate their skin. They are opened 9am-4pm daily and the entrance last time I was there was a mere 300 pesos, bring cash!

BRING SNACKS: snacks are allowed and there are no restaurants nearby. If you’re planning to stay a while, may be worth bringing some.

BRING HAND SANITIZER/WIPES: Bathrooms have limited plumbing and most likely no toilet paper, come prepared!

Dive into a cenote

Mexico is known for its many beautiful cenotes with over 6,000 in the Yucatan peninsula alone. Entrance is normally inexpensive, costing a couple of pesos and not all have lockers or changing rooms so be sure to arrive prepared. Come in your bathingsuit, bring a towel, and leave the valuables at home. With many cenotes in the surrounding Tulum area, below some top choices for you.

Cenote Dos Ojos

Gran Cenote

Cenote Zacil-Ha

Cenote Cenote Ak Tun Ha aka Cenote Carwash

Cenote Ik Kil (located at Chichen Itza)

Shop in the boho chic stores on the jungle side

Tulum’s jungle side is lined with open-air boutique shops that mostly sell boho-chic clothing and handmade jewery. These aren’t your typical souvenir style shops, so don’t expect “I love Tulum” gear but do plan to spend some $$ and get unique items.

Attend a day party at a beach club

What’s a visit to Tulum without hitting up a beach party? It’s a must! While the Tulum beach side is lined with a plethora of beach clubs, you can’t go wrong with any of these and they all serve up a fun, upbeat atmosphere with music, great bites and tasty cocktails. There may be a cover charge, a spending minimum, or rental of a day bed required.

Visit Pablo Escobar’s old mansion “Casa Malca”

Casa Malca is probably one of the most visited and photographed places in Tulum. What used to be drug pin Pablo Escobar’s mansion up until his death in 1993, is now a massive art-filled beachfront hotel. The hotel rates cost a pretty penny! So if you’re not staying here… get cute, make a reservation in one of the three onsite upscale restaurants, and tour the grounds before your lunch/dinner.

Snap a pic at the “Ven a la Luz” sculpture

Created by South African artist Daniel Popper, this massive wooden sculpture is an Instagram hotspot. The sculpture also doubles as the main entrance to the beachfront hotel and restaurant at Ahau Tulum. Check it out and marvel at the details.

Visit the Tulum Ruins

Into history? Tour the grounds of the Tulum Ruins and learn about its Mayan history. Entrance costs about 80 pesos. There’s a small train (20 pesos) that takes you from the entrance to the grounds, otherwise, it’s about a 15 minute (sweltering) walk. You can purchase a ticket and do a self-guided tour at your own leisure or book a ticket with a guided tour so learn about the history as you walk around.

HYDRATE: There’s hardly any shade and it can get crazy hot while walking around.
DRESS COMFORTABLY: I am not exaggerating when I say it is HOT during the summer season, so dress light and wear comfortable shoes.
BRING A BATHING SUIT: If you want to cool off after, take a dip in the beach that you have access to with your ticket.

Take a day trip to Chichen Itza

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Another historical tour you can check out is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World: Chichen Itza. If you like learning the history of the places you visit, then this one is for you. I highly recommend joining a group tour or hiring a guide to give you the full scope of everything you need to know about the amazing pyramids and ruins. Chichen Itza is about 2 hours away from Tulum, so I suggest getting a tour that includes transportation. Plan to spend a couple of hours on this tour.

BRING SNACK: I’m all about being prepared and since this may be a long tour (likely with no lunch included), bring chips, popcorn or any snack to munch on through the day.
HYDRATE: Again, it’s very hot during the summer season, don’t ruin the vibez and pass out - drink your water!

DRESS COMFORTABLY: You will be walking for hours during the tour, so wear light clothing and comfortable shoes.
BRING A BATHING SUIT & TOWEL: Some of the tours may include a cenote visit, come prepared to take a dip.

Where to eat/drink

Tulum is home to one of the best food scenes I’ve had while traveling! Cheap eats at the local spots are mostly located in town. Enjoy upscale dining on the jungle side. While there are so many places to choose from, here are my faves that keep me coming back:

Beach/Jungle Side

Rosa Negra ($$$)

Great quality food and cocktails with great service and fun atmosphere. Great for lunch or dinner. I recommend making reservations for dinner. Try the humita and truffle empanadas, black cod, baked short rib tacos and ask for the free popovers.

Gitano ($$$)

Prepare to spend money at Gitano! It’s one of the more popular restaurants in Tulum and the food is incredible. It’s a large, lively space that gets crowded quickly so be sure to make reservations. It’s so popular, that they opened a pop-up version in New York City for a summer. Try the shrimp tacos and a spicy mezcal margarita

Parole ($$$)

If you’re craving Italian food during your Mexican vacation (I always do!), look no further. It’s a great atmosphere and they have a nice selection of wine. Try the meatballs, eggplant au gratin, and the black fettuccine.

NÜ Tulum ($$$)

NÜ is one of those places that serve 3 peas, a sliced carrot and mint garnish and call it dinner, but they have GREAT cocktails.

Bak ($$$)

Upscale steakhouse that is a total vibe. Grab your boo or crew and make this dinner a thing for the night. Try the “giant” octopus, rock shrimp and a steak, of course!

Loco Tulum ($$)

Great local vibes, upbeat service and even better food. Try the shrimp pesto pasta.

Wild ($$$)

One of the best cocktail places on the strip. I didn’t get to try their food but the drinks were out of this world. The mixologists here know their stuff.

Mateo’s ($$)

A lively and fun place with great food and drinks that’s also a family-friendly vibe. Check out their sunset lounge aka rooftop space for amazing jungle sunset views. Try their self-proclaimed “best fish tacos in the world.”

Sensaciones ($$)

This bar and beach club is part of the Hotel El Paraiso and serves great tacos and fajitas. Try a drink served in a fresh coconut and ask about their beachside massages.

Town Side

Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar ($$)

Batey’s is the place to be on a night out in the town. They always have live music performances and you can’t miss out on trying one of their hand-made mojitos.

La Malquerida ($$)

Lowkey and authentic Mexican food serving huge portions. Try their massive shrimp ceviche.

Teetotum Hotel Restaurant Lounge ($$)

Great little cafe with a super cute hostel located in the back. They serve a range of breakfast dishes, salads, sandwiches and awesome coffee.

El Capitan ($$)

Another authentic local spot with insane food portions. Try their enormous shrimp ceviche that can easily feed a family.

View my Tulum highlights on Instagram for a closer look at this itinerary here.

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Aug 12 Travel Itinerary: Tulum, Mexico

Before you go