Considered one of the best tropical paradises, there are of course plenty of things to do in Tulum. Located on the southern side of the world-famous Riviera Maya and part of the state of Quintana Roo, Tulum is home to some of the most beautiful scenery and waters of the Caribbean.
In this destination you can enjoy not only its spectacular nature and climate, but also a myriad of adventures and activities that will provide a unique experience. From intense jungle excursions, to mornings on the beach and moonlit dinners, it is impossible to get bored in Tulum. If you want to find out all about this paradise, read on!
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.
Things to do in Tulum
Cenotes route
One of the first activities to do in Tulum is a tour of the cenotes scattered throughout Mexico’s tropical wilderness. They are considered sacred places in the Mayan culture, offering a very well preserved and beautiful slice of nature.
You can visit the famous ones such as the Gran Cenota, Car Wash or the Cenote Calavera, although they are usually the most crowded ones. If you would rather go on an adventure and discover new cenotes, we recommend renting a car and driving through the jungle until you find one. However, in this case it is important that you not to travel alone. You will have a great time taking a dip in these small natural pools.
Mayan Ruins in Tulum
Tulum has an impressive archaeological area, due to the fact that it was the most important Mayan city in all of Quintana Roo. Besides being one of the most famous and popular spots in the area, you cannot miss a visit to learn about its history and the Mayan culture.
In ancient times, Tulum was known as Zama, which means “dawn”. This name is due to the fact that Tulum is by the sea, being the first spot to be bathed by the first rays of sunlight. During your tour through the ruins, you will discover remains of the wall that protected the city, several buildings and even its most important feature: the castle, whose ruins are located next to a cliff. Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Tulum National Park
The Tulum National Park is annexed to the coast closest to the city, covering 664 hectares of land and sea. In this park you can walk through all its lush leafy landscapes, as well as discover the wide biodiversity and get lost in its tropical forests and cenotes.
This park is located more specifically between the cities of Solidaridad and Cozumel, and allows you to discover the wildest side of Mexico. You can spend hours marvelling at nature, as well as different animal species, particularly pelicans, calandrias and other types of birds, an unbeatable experience!
Paradise Beach
Playa Paraiso, next to Playa Pescadores, is one of the most famous beaches near Tulum. This is not only due to its idyllic location, crystal clear waters and white sand, but also thanks to its many amenities. One of the best things about this beach for travellers is the beautiful contrast of turquoise and dark blue in its waters.
This beach has a wide sandy area where you can lie down and enjoy the sun. It is also considered a place of Cultural Heritage of Quintana Roo. You can spend an incredible day by the sea while enjoying its bars, restaurants and tropical cocktails under the warmth of the sun, with spectacular views of the Caribbean. You’ll certainly want to come back.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is an impressive protected area in Quintana Roo, covering an area of up to 528,000 hectares. It is located only 50 kilometres from Tulum, and can be reached quickly by road.
This biosphere preserves a beautiful natural environment where you can find many cenotes to swim in, as well as lush mangroves to go on excursions and even archaeological ruins. Another of the most characteristic features of this natural space are the petenes, imposing 30-metre high trees that create a film-worthy landscape. You will love it!
Visit Carmen Beach
Playa del Carmen has to be on your list of places to visit in Tulum. Only 65 kilometres from the city, you will find one of the most visited places in the entire Riviera Maya. This beach is less than an hour’s drive from Tulum, making it an ideal getaway.
Here you can not only enjoy stunning beaches and an exceptional climate, but also many cultural and historical points of interest within the city. Playa del Carmen is also well known for its nightlife, so you can enjoy lively nights and music-filled streets while strolling or stopping for a refreshing drink.
The Cobá Ruins
The Ruins of Coba are the remains of what once was the city of Coba. Although the whole complex is impressive, what will surely catch your eye is its spectacular pyramid, Nohoch Mul, the tallest pyramid in the north of the Yucatan Peninsula.
It is 43 metres tall, creating a truly unique landscape. Cobá is less than an hour’s drive away, making it the ideal place for a morning or afternoon getaway. You can park in the car park at the entrance. From there, all you have to do is head off along the route and enjoy yourself as you get to know the different symbolic spots, including the Oval Temple and the aforementioned pyramid. You’ll be completely fascinated!
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to do in Tulum with children?
Xcaret Park
One of the first places we recommend visiting if you are travelling with the little ones is the hilarious Xcaret Park. In addition to being a highly popular place in the Riviera Maya, in this park you can learn about the history and culture of Mexico in more detail. And all this in an amazing tropical setting.
Swimming with turtles in Akumal
One activity you certainly can’t miss with your family is swimming with turtles. The best place to do this is in Akumal, just 30 kilometres from Tulum. This site is very famous for the experiences it has on offer to swim with these incredible marine animals.
Because it is a protected area, you have to pay a fee to access the beach, but it is totally worth it. A guide will provide you with the necessary equipment to dive and get a closer look at the turtles, making it a fun experience for both young and old!
@jesus_rosas
@jesus_rosas
Where and what to eat in Tulum?
In the centre of Tulum you can find different places to enjoy a good lunch or dinner, all at very cheap prices, especially if you go away from the tourist area. Here are our favourites:
– Our first recommendation is, without a doubt, the famous Taquería Honorio. In this little stall you’ll find the tastiest tacos around, all homemade and at really affordable prices. You can’t miss them!
– If you’re looking for something more sophisticated, we recommend Bal Nak’. In this restaurant you can enjoy a totally tropical atmosphere while you try some of the best Mexican cuisine in town – a real treat!
– To enjoy a good seafood dish, don’t hesitate to visit Sabor de Mar. Here you can try different local fresh fish products at unbeatable prices.
– Finally, we suggest La Coqueta, a place serving high quality dishes with a great traditional Mexican atmosphere, and great value for money. Come and try it!
How to organise the things to do in Tulum?
If you don’t know how to organise your trip, or where to start when visiting all the points of interest in Tulum, sign up to Passporter for free and we’ll help you.
- Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
- Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.
If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Tulum
Playa Paraiso is only 15 minutes away from Tulum by car, so you can easily reach it by taking Highway 15 from the city towards the coast.
Entry to the Mayan Ruins costs 80 pesos, which is the equivalent of €3.40 / $3.73 / £2.83.
Nowadays, Tulum is a very safe place to travel as it is very well adapted for tourism. Even so, it is important to follow basic safety measures to ensure peace of mind (try not to travel alone at night, do not leave your belongings unattended in the car, etc.).
The best time to travel to Tulum is during the months of December to April, as you can enjoy warm temperatures without suffering too much from the heat of May to July. Tulum also has a fairly sunny climate all year round.
No Comments