20 EPIC Things To Do In Tulum, Mexico (2024 Guide)

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Are you looking for the best things to do in Tulum?

Tulum has very quickly become one of the must-see places in Mexico. Boasting tropical beaches, amazing cenotes, Mayan ruins, and vibrant nightlife, it’s no wonder everyone seems to be spending their holidays in Tulum!

I spent one week in Tulum and have put together the ultimate guide of 20 Epic Things To Do In Tulum to help you plan your trip ahead of time.

Also in this post, I have included some useful information on how to get to Tulum, where to stay, how to get around, and the best time to visit!

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QUICK ANSWERS: THINGS TO DO IN TULUM

Before I dive into the main topic of what to do in Tulum, here are some quick answers to the most frequently asked questions by first-time visitors.

HOW TO GET TO TULUM?

There are a few ways to get to Tulum and they are by plane, bus, or car.

The majority of tourists that visit Tulum are typically traveling south from Cancun to Tulum or heading north from Chetumal on the border of Belize.

Whichever direction you happen to be traveling in, there are plenty of transportation options to reach Tulum.

  • Cancun → Tulum: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Playa del Carmen → Tulum: 1 hour
  • Chetumal → Tulum: 3 hours

BY PLANE

The closest airport to Tulum is located in Cancun. From Cancun International Airport to Tulum, it’s approximately a 1 hour and 30-minute drive.

Search All → Flights to Cancun on Skyscanner

BY BUS

Traveling to Tulum by bus is the most convenient, affordable, and popular means of transport among travelers.

The main bus company in Mexico is ADO and OCC with daily buses running every hour from major cities such as Cancun, Playa del Carmen, and Chetumal. 

The main bus station is situated on the edge of the main road in the town center.

From here, you can take a taxi to your accommodation for around 50 – 100 MXN if you are staying in town or 150 – 200 MXN if your accommodation happens to be somewhere along Tulum Beach. 

Click here to search all bus routes and timetables to Tulum

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BY CAR

Renting a car is another great way to travel around at your own pace.

This particular area of Mexico is said to be the safest when it comes to getting behind the wheel yourself, so it’s definitely an option to consider.

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HOW TO GET AROUND TULUM?

There are a number of ways of getting around Tulum and they are by car, taxi, bicycle, or on foot.

If you are staying in town, you must know that it’s around 1 hour and 15 minutes walk to the beach, so if you’re quite fit, go for it, otherwise, I would highly recommend renting a bicycle or taking a taxi from the main town to Tulum Beach.

It’s approximately a 15-minute drive or a 30-minute bike ride from the main town to Tulum Beach.

Bicycle rental is generally around 150 MXN per day and you can find a set of wheels at your hostel or from one of the many bike rental stores in the main town.

If you’re staying along Tulum Beach, there are also a few bicycle rental stores along the main street. 

A taxi ride from the main town to Tulum Beach or vice versa is a set price of 150 MXN, so if there are a few of you it works out better to split this cost.

Some cab drivers will try to charge you 200 MXN but you shouldn’t pay more than 150 MXN.

If you plan to rent a car in Tulum then great, however, parking along Tulum Beach isn’t always easy.

During high season it’s nearly impossible to find free street-side parking though there are some parking lots with plenty of spaces that cost around 100 – 200 MXN for the day.

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Exploring Tulum by bike

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BEST TIME TO VISIT TULUM?

The best time to visit Tulum is during the winter season from December to April. During this time there is little to no rainfall and the temperatures are just perfect.

The rainy season in Tulum is typically between May and October which sees higher temperatures due to the humidity.

The only plus side to visiting Tulum during these months is there will be fewer tourists and prices are less inflated.

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20 EPIC THINGS TO DO IN TULUM

Now that you’ve got all the information on how to get to Tulum, where to stay, and all the logistics, let’s get to the fun stuff.

So without further ado, here is my ultimate Tulum travel guide which includes 20 Epic Things To Do In Tulum!

SWIM AT PLAYA PARAISO (PARADISE BEACH)

Hands down one of the best things to do when you arrive is to head straight to the beach and the most beautiful is Playa Paraiso which translates to Paradise Beach.

Located on Tulum’s northern stretch of coastline, Playa Paraiso is a hard-to-beat destination!

The name says it all – Playa Paraiso is indeed a slice of paradise and the most popular beach in Tulum.

With a long stretch of glistening white sands, a palm tree fringed shoreline, and azure blue waters, Playa Paraiso is not to be missed!

I was lucky enough to spend a few nights at Playa Esperanza Beach Resort located right on the beach at Playa Paraiso and spent many hours soaking up the sun, swimming in the shallow waters, going for long beach strolls, and watching the sunrise for three days in a row.

It was indeed the ultimate tropical (working) holiday I have ever had.

If you’re looking for an awesome day at the beach, Playa Paraiso is your best pick.

There are plenty of beach chairs and umbrellas to use, all you need to do is purchase something from the beachside restaurant and bar, or if you’re on a budget you can perch up under a coconut palm for free.

Must Read → 9 Awesome Things To Do In Bacalar

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Sunset on Playa Paraiso – Tulum Things To Do

VISIT THE TULUM RUINS

The next location to check off your list is the Archeological Zone of Tulum featuring amazing temple ruins enriched with Mayan history.

Tulum Ruins are located at the very end of Tulum’s northern beach, Playa Paraiso. The opening hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, 7 days a week and the Tulum Ruins entrance fee is 75 MXN.

It’s possible to visit the ruins on your own, however, I highly recommend booking a guided tour of Tulum Ruins as you’ll get to learn all about the history of this incredible archaeological site.

The biggest draw to these Tulum ruins is their location, set right on the beach with stunning views of the coastline.

These ancient Mayan ruins in Tulum aren’t quite as impressive as that of Chichen Itza in Valladolid or Tikal in Guatemala, but it’s definitely worth checking out while you’re in the area.

Travel Tip → Get there early when doors open as this is one of the more popular Tulum activities to do and it gets very crowded during the middle of the day.

If you want to get some decent photos without hoards of tourists in the shot, then the earlier you arrive the better.

RELATED GUIDE: 21 Things To Do In Isla Mujeres

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Tulum Ruins
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Epic scenes right on the beach

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TAKE A PHOTO OF THE BENT PALM TREE

Another one of the top things to do in Tulum Mexico is to get the classic Instagram shot of the bent palm tree that sticks out over the ocean.

I’m a sucker for coconut palm trees in general, so I couldn’t resist heading to this awesome Tulum attraction to get some photos.

The famous bent palm tree in Tulum can be found along the northern shores of Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach). It’s best to visit early morning if you want to get some shots without hoards of other tourists around. 

Because of its east-facing location, this is a great location to watch the sunrise. I recommend setting your alarm for 6:00 am and making your way down to Playa Paraiso to catch the sunrise at Tulum’s bent palm tree.

Of course, you can’t forget your camera gear to take awesome shots!

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Famous bent palm tree

VISIT GRAND CENOTE

Grand Cenote is arguably the most popular tourist attraction in Tulum, apart from Tulum Beach, and not to be missed during your visit.

If you don’t know what a cenote is, it’s basically a natural sinkhole filled with fresh groundwater which is typically a vibrant blue or crystalline color due to the surrounding limestone rocks.

Some of the best adventures to be had, which I highly recommend adding to your list of what to do in Tulum, is visiting as many cenotes as you can, and the Grand Cenote should be at the top of your list.

Grand Cenote is a short 10-minute drive, a 25-minute bike ride, or a 1-hour walk from the center of town.

Grand Cenote Tulum is open 7 days a week, from 8:00 am to 4:45 pm, and the entrance fee is 200 MXN.

 

As I mentioned earlier, Gran Cenote is the most popular tourist attraction in Tulum and it gets VERY busy during the day.

I recommend arriving before doors open to be the first in line and once inside, you’ll get around 30 minutes to 1 hour to enjoy swimming in the cenote without hundreds of others around.

Believe me, it’s far more enjoyable with fewer people, and your photos will turn out great!

Also, my personal recommendation is to take a quick-dry travel towel and slip-on waterproof shoes, both will come in handy when visiting the cenote.

There are two main swimming areas at Grand Cenote, one features a large open-air sinkhole and a wooden deck that is surrounded by crystalline waters.

You can also spot freshwater turtles swimming around in the Grand Cenote.

The second area can be accessed by swimming through a natural tunnel that emerges in a smaller cenote filled with turquoise waters and a little island of palm trees sits in the middle.

RELATED GUIDE: Best Things To Do In Cozumel Island

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Gran Cenote – What to do in Tulum
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Grand Cenote Tulum
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Turquoise waters at Gran Cenote Tulum

WATCH THE SUNRISE AT SUNRISE BEACH

Watching the sunrise is a daily routine of mine and if you’re an early person like myself, be sure to check out Sunrise Beach during your visit to Tulum.

Sunrise Beach is located along Tulum’s southern coastline and it’s a public beach with no entrance fees, unlike some of the beaches in Tulum.

Click here to see the location of Sunrise Beach on Google maps.

Sunrise Beach is a large cove featuring a rocky shoreline at the northern end and a beautiful white sand beach at the southern end, which is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise.

You can also find a bright yellow roadside street sign at Sunrise Beach that says STAY PRESENT on one side and EMBRACE THE MYSTERY on the other.

There are a few of these signs dotted around Tulum which make for an awesome Instagram-worthy shot!

Also, it’s worth noting that Sunrise Beach is not far from The Beach Tulum Hotel, one of the best adult-only resorts in Tulum and I couldn’t recommend it enough!

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Sunrise Beach Tulum
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CLAN DESTINO BAR & CENOTE

Situated right in the heart of it all, along Tulum’s south beach tourist area, Clan Destino Bar features its very own cenote surrounded by lush jungle.

It truly is a little hidden gem that I highly recommend checking out while you’re in the area!

There is no entrance fee to swim in the cenote, all they ask is that you purchase something from the bar or restaurant.

The best seats in the house are the ones that are situated on the wooden deck on the very edge of the cenote. 

I spent around one hour sipping on a Michelada and swimming around in the crystalline waters.

I honestly could have spent an entire day at Clan Destino Bar but there were more places to check off my Tulum things to do list!

Find All → Hotels / Hostels / Resorts in Tulum

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Clan Destino Cenote

MIRADOR TULUM BEACH

If you like beaches and viewpoints, be sure to add Mirador Tulum Beach to your list of what to do in Tulum.

‘Mirador’ is the Spanish word for ‘Viewpoint’, and this particular one is very easy to find.

Situated at the southern end of Sunrise Beach, you’ll see a rocky islet that sticks out over the ocean and you can walk out to it from the beach.

Enjoy panoramic views to the north and south of Tulum Beach and over your shoulder, you’ll catch an incredible sight of the expansive Tulum jungle.

Related Article →  13 Things To Do In San Cristobal

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Epic views of Tulum Beach
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Mirador Tulum Beach

RAW LOVE ART INSTALLATION

Raw Love is a restaurant that can be found along Tulum Beach and is most famous for its art installation located at the very entrance.

I guarantee you would have seen a photo of this incredible wooden sculpture on Instagram (that’s how I found out about it anyway).

The very talented artist from Cape Town, Daniel Popper, specializes in art installations all over the world and this is by far one of his most creative works!

I recommend heading there early morning to take a photo with the Raw Love art installation as it gets super busy during the day and you’ll most likely be queueing in line among other tourists. 

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Such an epic sculpture

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‘FOLLOW THAT DREAM’ SIGN

Another Instagram-worthy location to check out is the FOLLOW THAT DREAM sign.

Again, I found this location through Instagram and just had to go and check it out for myself! Located in front of Lolita Lolita store along the roadside in Tulum’s south beach tourist area. 

It can be quite tricky to get a good shot riding your bike next to the Follow That Dream sign as there are cars constantly driving up and down the road.

If you get there early on in the day there will be less traffic, making it easier to get the perfect Instagram shot!

If you like, you can even pop your head into the Lolita Loita store to do a bit of shopping. Their range of products looked amazing from what I saw.

RELATED ARTICLE → 4 WEEK MEXICO ITINERARY

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Follow That Dream Tulum

DISCOVER EL CENOTE ENCANTADO

One of my favorite cenotes in Tulum is El Cenote Encantado because of its large size and fewer tourists at this epic spot hidden in the jungle. 

El Cenote Encantado can be found at the very southern end of Tulum Beach, far away from the tourist areas, and probably why it’s uncrowded most of the time.

There are several entrances to this cenote as it’s shared between a number of accommodations. 

I personally entered via Maya Cabanas and walked along the wooden boardwalk to the back of the property to where the cenote is located. The entrance fee is around 75 – 100 MXN to enter.

El Cenote Encantado features a large natural swimming pool surrounded by mangroves and the water is crystal clear.

There were some kayaks tied up at the end of the wooden boardwalk so I took one out for a paddle and spotted a group of friends throwing themselves off of a diving board at the other end of the cenote. Not a bad way to spend a few hours!

I decided to fly my Drone Camera to capture an aerial perspective and I was really happy with the shots I got.

From above, El Cenote Encantado looks like the shape of South America and I could spot the other entrance trails leading through the jungle from the other accommodations. 

If you’re up for an adventure-filled activity, be sure to include El Cenote Encantado on your list of what to do in Tulum!

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Drone shot of El Cenote Encantado
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The diving board

HAVE LUNCH AT TUNICH CAFE

I am pretty confident in saying that Tunich Cafe is one of the top restaurants in Tulum offering a wide range of Mexican and international cuisine as well as signature cocktails and a selection of beers, wine, and spirits.

Tunich Cafe is located in Tulum’s south beach tourist area and is open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Visit the Tunich Cafe website for more information.

Tunich also offers accommodation during your stay in Tulum, featuring cozy cabanas at the back of the restaurant.

I personally tried the eggs Benedict and Kathy had the quinoa bowl. Both dishes were mouthwatering!

For drinks, I recommend the passionfruit Mezcal cocktail and the spinach, celery, and lemon juice.

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Lunchtime at Tunich Tulum
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Eggs benedict and quinoa bowl
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Delish meal at Tunich

DIVE INTO CENOTE CALAVERA

Cenote Calavera, in my opinion, is one of the best and most underrated cenotes in Tulum.

Although it’s not as large as some of the other popular cenotes, Calavera is one for thrill-seekers!

Cenote Calavera is located along the main highway in the same direction as the Grand Cenote.

A short 10-minute drive, a 25-minute bike ride, or a 1-hour walk from the center of town, you’ll see a big white sign on the right-hand side of the road that reads CENOTE – you can’t miss it!

The opening hours are 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, 7 days a week, and the entrance fee is 100 MXN.

Featuring an almost perfectly round sinkhole filled with freshwater, a wooden ladder, cliff jumps, and a chair rope swing, these are just some of the things that make Cenote Calavera so epic and photogenic at the same time. 

Again, if you arrive early enough, you will enjoy Cenote Calavera all to yourself. It’s a great spot for cliff jumping from the edges of the cenote or pin-dropping into the pool below through one of the cracks in the top. 

When I visited there were a few scuba divers gearing up to dive down into the cenote, so it must be quite deep.

If this is something you’d be interested in, it’s best to inquire at one of the dive shops in the main town. I believe the cost of a Calavera Cenote dive is around 200 MXN.

You could easily spend a couple of hours hanging out at Cenote Calavera as it’s one of the top attractions in the area.

Full Blog Post → Cenote Calavera

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Epic scenes from inside Cenote Calavera

 CHECK OUT THE AZULIK MUSEUM

The ephemeral architecture is the distinguishing feature of the Azulik Museum and Art Gallery which is a must-see.

The best part about the Azulike Museum (also known as Sfer Ik Museio) is that it’s completely free to go inside and wander around.

Upon entering, you must take your shoes off and leave them at the door and no professional cameras are permitted, only phone cameras are accepted. 

Sfer Ik is a nest-like structure constructed out of locally sourced wood, smooth cement, and a haze of incense fills the room.

It’s an extraordinary space, to say the least! Some of my favorite features inside are the elevated walkway and the rounded glass windows.

Azulik Museum has many different art exhibitions throughout the year though unfortunately when I visited they had just finished up one of the exhibitions and were about to install a new one. It was still very beautiful inside regardless!

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Epic architecture at Sfer Ik
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Inside the Azulik Museum
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Haze of incense inside Sfer Ik Tulum

FLY THE DRONE AT LAGUNA KAAN LUUM

For all the drone pilots out there, Laguna Kaan Luum is drone heaven and seriously looks incredible from a birds-eye perspective!

If you don’t have a drone, no worries, you can still visit the lagoon, go swimming, and marvel at the grandeur size of this epic Tulum cenote.

Laguna Kaan Luum, also known as Kaan Luum Lagoon, is located 15km southwest of the main town, approximately a 20-minute drive, and the entrance fee is 100 MXN and an additional 300 MXN if you wish to fly your drone.

Kaan Luum Lagoon features an almost perfect circle, a long wooden pier that stretches out into a shallow-watered area for swimming, and a drop-off into a very deep sinkhole that is around 80 meters deep.

This particular area of the cenote is roped off to swimming but it’s possible to go scuba diving down there. 

This Tulum cenote is not quite as popular as Grand Cenote but it is known to get quite busy during the middle of the day so try to time your visit early in the morning when it opens at 9:00 am.

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Aerial shot of Laguna Kaan Luum
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Kaan Luum Lagoon

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SUNSET & LIVE MUSIC AT MATEO’S

One of the best spots to watch the sunset in Tulum is from the 3rd-level rooftop terrace at Mateo’s Mexican Grill.

With live music and happy hour drinks, Mateo’s is the perfect place to sit back and relax after an adventure-filled day in Tulum!

My accommodation happened to be a stone’s throw away from Mateo’s and so I visited this spot a number of times for lunch, drinks, and of course at sunset. Mateo’s is open 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 11:00 pm.

Due to its popularity, you’ll want to arrive at Mateo’s a bit before sunset to score a seat on the rooftop terrace.

Once you’re settled in you can enjoy table service and live music while the sun begins to set over the horizon!

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Mateos Mexican Grill
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Sunset and live music at Mateos

GRAB A BEER AT PURO CORAZÓN

If Mateo’s Bar & Grill happens to be at full capacity, another fantastic location to grab a beer and watch the sunset is Puro Corazón, which is conveniently located right next door. 

Boasting a streetside restaurant and a rooftop bar out the back, this is the perfect location to pull up a chair with your friends and family and enjoy the jungle vibes that Tulum is best known for. 

Puro Corazón also offers cheap accommodation in their beach-shack-style bungalows.

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Sunset beers
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Rooftop at Puro Corazon

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CHICHEN ITZA TOUR

Chichen Itza is the second-most visited archaeological site in all of Mexico. Safe to say a tour of this incredible landmark is a must during your visit.

Featuring a 24-meter high pyramid, Chichen Itza was elected as one of the new Seven Wonders Of The World in 2007 and it holds many traces of ancient Mayan Culture.

Located a short 2-hour drive from Tulum, you can book a tour of this ancient archaeological site which includes a hotel pick-up and drop-off in a private minivan, an experienced tour guide, and a 3-hour tour of Chichen Itza.

 

TRY THE TACOS AT ANTOJITOS

Everybody loves taco’s right?! Well, Antojitos Taqueria in the main town of Tulum is low-key one of the best places to grab a quick and cheap feed.

For just 15 MXN for a taco and 30 MXN for a beer, Antojitos Taqueria is hard to beat on both price and quality.

Apart from tacos on the menu, you can also choose from a variety of other local Mexican dishes such as quesadillas, tostadas, burritos, enchiladas, and more!

If you’re heading to Cancun after Tulum and on the hunt for great tacos, be sure to read up on where to find the best tacos in Cancun.

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Antojitos Taqueria
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4 tacos and a beer for $5

OVERNIGHT TRIP TO BACALAR

Bacalar is home to the biggest and most beautiful lagoon in all of Mexico, located just 2.5 hours south of Tulum.

Bacalar Lagoon is commonly referred to as Laguna de Siete Colores (lagoon of 7 colors), boasting 7 different shades of blue and it’s truly one of the country’s best-kept secrets.

You can make a day trip from Tulum to Bacalar Lagoon, although I highly recommend spending at least one night to get the full experience. 

I have put together a separate blog post that includes 9 awesome things to do in Bacalar that you might like to check out before you go. 

Full Blog Post → Things To Do In Bacalar

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Bacalar Lagoon
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Pirates Channel Shipwreck in Bacalar

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VISIT THE VALLADOLID CENOTES

The small charming city of Valladolid is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes drive from Tulum and I guarantee you will not regret checking this place out if you have the time.

There are 4 epic Cenotes in Valladolid that are a must-see during your visit and they are; 

  1. Ik Kil Cenote
  2. Suytun Cenote
  3. Cenote Oxman
  4. Cenote Zaci

It’s possible to visit all of these Valladolid Cenotes on a single day trip from Tulum though I recommend spending a night or two in Valladolid to really immerse yourself in this vibrant town.

I have put together a complete guide of the 4 best Cenotes in Valladolid which will come in handy before you make the trip out here.

Full Blog Post → 4 Epic Cenotes In Valladolid

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Zaci Cenote

BEST TOURS IN TULUM

 

TULUM MAP

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WHERE TO STAY IN TULUM

You are spoiled for options when searching for where to stay in Tulum with cheap hostels, luxury hotels, and beachside resorts!

Tulum has it all to suit the needs of budget backpackers, luxury travelers, and everyone in between.

The majority of the accommodation in Tulum can be found in 3 main tourist areas: The Main Town, Tulum South Beach, and Tulum North Beach.  

I have put together a complete guide on Where To Stay In Tulum which you should definitely check out.

If you’re in a hurry, I have listed a few Tulum accommodations below that I can personally recommend:

Luxury: The Beach Tulum

Receive the celebrity treatment at The Beach Tulum with this adult-only, beachfront resort in South Tulum.

With an outdoor pool, a beach club, an onsite restaurant, and even a spa. This really is the height of luxury and one of the best things to do in Tulum in itself.

Each luxurious, beach-front room has stylish, minimalist décor, air-conditioning, free wifi, and a seating area.

These deluxe rooms come with large comfortable beds, private entrances, and ensuite bathrooms, and are right on the shoreline in the South Beach area, surrounded by shops, cafes, and restaurants.

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Mid Range: Playa Esperanza Hotel

This eco-sensitive hotel and resort boasts unique cabins made from natural materials and is located right on the shoreline of Tulum’s North Beach.

With 15 different styles of rooms to choose from, natural interiors, large comfortable beds, and private bathrooms. Enjoy the free wifi, beach bar, and ocean views.

This is great for a group of friends traveling together or couples. Choose between a room with 2 single beds or one with a double bed.

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Budget: Che Tulum Hostel & Bar

One of the most top-rated hostels in Tulum! With an outdoor pool, a lively bar, and a large green area to hang out.

Each bedroom has been modeled to offer natural lighting and features private bathrooms, air-con, new beds, and mattresses.

With a huge range of rooms on offer, pick from one of the many dorm rooms or private rooms.

This budget hostel in Tulum is great for travelers used to that hostel life.

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FOR MORE OPTIONS IN TULUM, SEARCH ON BOOKING.COM

WHAT TO PACK FOR TULUM

When visiting Tulum, here is a list of items I highly recommend bringing with you:

Must-Have Travel Essentials

Hidden Money Wallet

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Reusable Water Bottle

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Travel Backpack

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Quick-Dry Travel Towel

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Portable PowerBank

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More Mexico Travel Guides

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Click the button below to view all articles related to Mexico!

FINAL THOUGHTS – WHAT TO DO IN TULUM

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and if you have any questions about things to do in Tulum Mexico, please leave me a comment below this post and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

For a quicker response, be sure to join Jonny Melon’s Travel Tribe on Facebook and post your questions or recommendations to our awesome community.

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TRAVEL RESOURCES FOR YOUR NEXT TRIP

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or it’s your first trip overseas, here are some useful travel resources to help you kick-start your next adventure!

bookingcom

Search and book accommodation worldwide.


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Compare and book cheap flights to anywhere.


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Find tickets, tours, and experiences around the world.


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Book buses, trains, and transfers online in advance.


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THANKS FOR READING

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Things To Do In Tulum

8 thoughts on “20 EPIC Things To Do In Tulum, Mexico (2024 Guide)”

  1. Hi!
    Wondering if you could fly with drone at rocket islet in tulum? It Seems that you have done it? Thankful if you want to answer at my email 🥰

    Reply

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