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Tulum has almost everything: Maya ruins perched on a cliff above the Caribbean, crystal-clear cenotes, white-sand beaches and a laid-back vibe that blends the archaeological with the bohemian. Ever since it got its own airport, arriving is easier than ever. If it’s your first visit, this guide tells you what to see, where to cool off and how to get around to make the most of every day.
The town, the beach hotel zone and the ruins are several kilometers apart, so it pays to picture the map before setting off.
The Tulum Archaeological Zone
The Tulum ruins are unique: the only walled Maya city built right at the edge of the sea. El Castillo, perched on a cliff with the turquoise Caribbean behind it, is one of Mexico’s most famous postcards. Go early to beat the heat and the crowds, bring water and, if the beach below the ruins is open, take a dip with a view of history.
Cenotes: the jungle’s fresh water
The Riviera Maya is cenote country, natural sinkholes of crystal-clear water. Near Tulum you’ll find the Gran Cenote, ideal for snorkeling with turtles, Dos Ojos, famous for diving, and Cenote Calavera. Swimming in these caverns and pools is an experience like no other; follow the rules (biodegradable sunscreen only) to help protect them.
Beaches and beach clubs
Tulum’s beach is the stuff of postcards: fine white sand, turquoise water and a string of beach clubs and boutique hotels. Playa Paraíso and the area near the ruins are among the prettiest. The hotel-zone road is lined with restaurants, bars and shops in that boho-chic style that made Tulum famous.
Sian Ka an and Cobá
To the south stretches the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a World Heritage Site: mangroves, canals, birds and stunning biodiversity, visited on responsible tours. Inland, the ruins of Cobá preserve one of the tallest pyramids on the peninsula, surrounded by jungle. Both make excellent day trips from Tulum.
Getting around Tulum
In Tulum, distances are deceiving: it’s several kilometers from town to the beach, the cenotes are spread along the highway, and Cobá or Sian Ka’an are far off. Taxis are notoriously expensive and not always easy to find. With a rental car you move freely, reach the less-crowded cenotes and don’t depend on anyone to catch the sunset on the beach.
Want to explore Tulum and the Riviera Maya at your own pace? Rent a car for your trip with Veico
Tulum now has its own Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO); you can check flights and services on the Tulum Airport site before picking up your car.
How many days do you need?
Three days cover the ruins, the beach and a couple of cenotes; add one or two more for Sian Ka’an, Cobá or a trip to Cancún or Playa del Carmen. With a car, the whole Riviera Maya is within reach.
Still exploring the southeast? Check our guides to things to do in Cancún, things to do in Mérida and things to do in Mexico City.
