Mexico

8 Fun and Amazing Things to do in Tulum

Posted on 31st May 2018

Tulum was my first port of call in Mexico and it was an amazing introduction the country I’d soon spend more than 2 months travelling through. My friends had been before and had raved about how cute this little Caribbean beach town is, with its rooftop mojito bars and carefree vibes. There are honestly so many things to do in Tulum, and I think that’s why I ended up loving it so much. Keep reading for my top picks!

8 Fun and Amazing Things to do in Tulum

Visiting Tulum Ruins

You’re probably going to visit a fair few ruins on your trip to Mexico but none will be as picturesque as the Tulum Ruins. With their prime location overlooking the Caribbean Sea, a visit to this archaeological site is one of the top things to do in Tulum, as well as Mexico as a whole.

The ruins are open between 8 am and 5 pm with most tours arriving in the middle of the day so it’s best to go early in the morning to skip the crowds. For the best chances of having photos with no one else in them, you can also take an early morning tour to Tulum ruins before it opens.

How to Get to Tulum Ruins

It’s easy to visit the Tulum ruins independently from both Tulum beach and the town. Either go by bike or hop in one of the many collectivos that run between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

Swimming with Turtles at Akumal Beach

Akumal Beach is one of the best places in the world to go snorkelling with sea turtles, so it should definitely be at the top of your list of things to do in Tulum. I didn’t expect to see many turtles at all when I went but literally could hardly get away from them. Make sure you don’t miss your chance to get up close and personal with them, too.

When you get to Akumal Beach, you can hire your own snorkel, but they do come at a premium price. If your accommodation has them, I recommended bringing them with you. You should, however, hire a life jacket when you get there. Even if you’re a strong swimmer, there’s recently been a ban on people snorkelling without life jackets which is a good thing as it helps to protect the reef.

To be honest, I don’t see much point in doing a tour to Akumal Beach since it’s so easy to do independently and you can swim around at your own pace.

Getting to Akumal Beach

Like most day trips to take from Tulum, Akumal Beach can be easily reached from Tulum via one of the collectivos that run between Tulum and Playa del Carmen.

Visiting Cenotes

One of the main attractions of the Yucatan Peninsula is the number of cenotes that there are to visit, making this one of the most quintessential things to do in Tulum. If you’re a bit like me and love the beach, but hate the absolute hassle that sand brings with it, this is the perfect way to take a dip and cool down from the strong Mexican sun. The most famous cenote is the Grand Cenote but there are loads of other small ones, too. Just take a look at Google Maps and see which cenotes you can find- there are loads!

Getting to Cenotes from Tulum

Depending on where you want to go, you’ll never be far from a cenote! Either jump on one of the many collectivos that run between Tulum and Playa del Carmen, or hire a bicycle or motorbike for a more adventurous experience!

Chilling at Caleta Tanka

Caleta Tanka was recommended to me by my good pal Eva who’d just visited Tulum and I’m glad she recommended it. (Check out her guide on things to do in Tulum here!) Caleta Tanka is a hotel which you can pay access to, then enjoy some food and drink, swim in the cenotes and go to the beach. I’ll be honest, the hotel itself isn’t that gorgeous but the views that go with it are.

And, the ceviche isn’t half bad either!

How to Get to Caleta Tanka

Take a collectivo towards Playa del Carmen and ask them to drop you off along the way. Since this is on the way back from Akumal, I’d suggest visiting both places on the same day.

Take a Day Trip to Coba Ruins from Tulum

For a more authentic Mayan ruin experience than the Tulum ruins, head to the Coba Ruins. These archaeological ruins are slightly off the beaten path, so attract fewer tourists than the likes of Chichen Itza and Tulum. A lot of the ruins are still to be excavated so the experience is much wilder, in its junglelike setting. Want to skip the queues? Get your tickets here prior to your visit.

How to Get to Coba Ruins

Buses leave from the ADO Tulum terminal, cost 50 MXN (£2/$3) and the journey takes an hour.

Visit the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO world heritage site filled with biodiversity just outside of Tulum. It’s home to dolphins, crocodiles, turtles, rays and manatees, among other flora and fauna, and is the largest protected area in Mexico’s Caribbean peninsula. One of the ultimate things to do in Tulum for nature lovers!

How to Vist the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Although it is possible to visit the Reserve independently, it’s best to go as part of a group for more chance of seeing wildlife. This tour leaves from Tulum and includes snorkelling, wildlife spotting and lunch, with a hotel drop off.

Beach Hop by Bike

Bicycle is the main mode of transport for tourists in Tulum and most accommodations offer bike rental for a small daily fee. Start from Tulum ruins and ride down the coast line and jump onto whichever beach looks most appealing. There are public stretches of beach, as well as private sections. For the private sections, you’ll need to either pay a cover charge or commit to spending a set amount of money on food or drinks to use a lounger. I would always choose the latter and get my fill on ceviche and micheladas because that’s what beach holidays in Mexico are all about!

Sunset Drinks in the Jungle at Mateo’s Mexican Grill

Since the beaches in Tulum are East facing, it can feel like it’s impossible to see a sunset. However, there is one place that’s ideal- Mateo’s Mexicam Grill. The platform bar is high enough to see over the jungle that runs alongside Tulum, meaning you can watch a completely unique beach sunset. And, best of all, they have 2 for 1 cocktails at sunset time- margaritas all round!

Tulum Travel Tips

If you want to spend a lot of time at the beach, I recommend finding beachside accommodation so you don’t need to continously pay a cover charge. These hotels are more expensive but you can use hotels combined to find a great deal.
Collectivos are a great way to see all the things to do in Tulum. They run from the main highway in Tulum town and can take you anywhere between Tulum and Playa del Carmen for a small price.
The dry season rus from December to April, with the bulk of tourists visiting over the Christmas holidays and Easter holidays. I visited in June which was shoulder season- all of the restaurants were still open, the weather was still dry, and there were less tourists than usual, making it an ideal time to visit.
A lot of the restaurants in Tulum are aimed at American and European tourists meaning inflated prices and, more often than not, watered down Mexican food. Check out Tulum town for more authentic and budget friendly Mexican food!
Tulum is the place to be for all things yoga and spiritual. Why not take a few yoga classes while you’re there or stay at a yoga resort?
To get to Tulum, fly into Cancun. There are so many cheap flights from all over Europe and North America. I use Kiwi for the best rates. Don’t miss my guide on how to find the cheapest flights on the web!

Where to Stay in Tulum

Accommodation in Tulum is split between Tulum town and the beach area. Tulum town is more aimed towards budget travellers but has a lot of bars and restaurants, while the beach has more upmarket eco-resorts. I would splash out a bit to stay at the beach for a better holiday experience if your budget allows for it. If not, just jump on your bike to the beach every day to enjoy the best of both worlds.

Tulum Eco Resorts

Nomade Tulum: Trendy boutique accommodation on the beachfront.

Azulik Adult’s only eco-resort and spa.

Sanara Luxurious boutique eco-resort.

Tulum Midrange Accommodation

Ginger Hotel Tulum: Cute accommodation near Tulum ruins.

Azura Boutique Hotel: A trendy midrange hotel in Tulum town.

Cool and Unique Hostels in Tulum

Chill Inn Hostel: A fun place with cabana style dorms. See my review here!

Lucky Traveler All Inclusive Hostel in Tulum: Maybe the world’s only all inclusive hostel?

El Jardin de Frida: An eco-poshtel with beautiful botanical gardens and Frida Kahlo inspired decor.

So, there you have it! There are so many fun and amazing things to do in Tulum, but these are just some of my favourites. If you’ve been to Tulum and have anything to add, don’t hesitate to leave a comment!