Best Area to Stay in Tulum For Every Traveler
When booking your travel accommodation, selecting the best area to stay in can be challenging. If you have never been to the destination, you may end up relying on Reddit comments or simply choosing the best accommodation deal, which does not always work out in your favor. For newly popular travel destinations like Tulum, choosing the right area to stay can make the difference between a relaxing beach holiday and a hot, isolated, and underdeveloped desert holiday. To avoid a holiday catastrophe, here is a guide to help you find the best area to stay in Tulum for your next trip.
Tulum has 4 main areas that I would classify as the best area to stay in: the Tulum beach or hotel zone, Tulum Centro (Pueblo), Aldea Zama, and La Veleta. I dive deeper into each of these sections below and explain the best spot depending on which type of traveler you are and what you are looking for during your trip.
Pro Tip: I do not suggest booking a place anywhere aside from Booking.com, Airbnb, or any verified online booking agency. There have been several accommodation scams here on platforms like Facebook Marketplace. If you find a place you like through Facebook or a Facebook group, be sure to see it in person and review the contract in depth.
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Best Area to Stay in Tulum
Location #1: The Tulum Beach Area/Hotel Zone
Who Should Stay Here: Short-term Luxury Travelers, Families, Anyone who wants easy access to the beaches
Accommodation Type: Luxury Hotels, Few lower budget options
Average Nightly Cost: This varies greatly depending on the season and location on Tulum Beach. Prices range from $80 USD nightly (low season and eco-hotels with no air conditioning) up to $800 nightly (high-end private apartments).
Distance to Beaches: Footsteps Away
Do I Need Transportation: Yes, but only to access tourist hotspots like Tulum Ruins and Cenotes.
The Tulum Beach or Hotel Zone is the best area to stay in Tulum for short-term luxury travelers and families who prefer beachfront accommodations and the convenience of nearby amenities. Although the beach will be just steps away from your bedroom, you will need a mode of transport to access popular tourist spots such as the Tulum ruins and cenotes.
This area offers numerous fine dining options, jungle/beach nightlife venues that have overtaken social media, boutique shopping opportunities, and various activities. The north section is closer to the Tulum ruins and offers a quieter, more peaceful, and some say romantic, atmosphere. This location is great for couples and those who want a picturesque backdrop outside their windows each day.
The middle section of the beach zone is the "downtown" area, where the majority of popular clubs, restaurants, and shops are located. This is a great spot for those who are interested in the nightlife scene and want to step out into the hustle and bustle of Tulum Beach. This section can be slightly more affordable, but it depends on who you ask.
The southern section of Tulum Beach is known as the more "family-friendly" area, being closer to the bio-reserve and having a more sandy beach. You will find many wellness options here. This area has more of a natural jungle feel when compared to the rest of the road.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Selina Tulum
Best Low-Budget: Mamasan Treehouses & Cabins
Best Mid-Budget: Alaya Tulum or Casa Ganesh Tulum
Best Luxury: Mi Amor Boutique Hotel (Adults Only) or Casa Malca
Location #2: Tulum Centro / Pueblo
Who Should Stay Here: Backpackers, Lower-Budget Travelers, and those who want to be within walking distance of most necessities.
Accommodation Type: Hostel, Hotel, Studio
Average Nightly Cost: $8-$40 USD (Can find high-end here as well for a higher cost)
Distance to Beaches: 13 minutes by motor vehicle, 20 minutes by bicycle.
Do I Need Transportation: Yes
Tulum Centro is the best area to stay in Tulum for travelers and backpackers on a hostel budget or those seeking immediate access to local action. While transportation is still necessary to reach the beach area and main attractions of Tulum, this neighborhood offers plenty of food options, grocery stores, shopping, and more. For me, this area exuded an authentic Tulum vibe and felt like the heart of the action.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Moonshine Tulum Hotel & Hostel
Best Low-Budget: Los Arcos Hotel - TULUM
Best Mid-Budget: Botånica Tulum
Best Luxury: Layla Tulum (Adults Only) or Coconut Cave Tulum
Location #3: Aldea Zama
Who Should Stay Here: Expats, digital nomads, those looking for a luxury apartment on a budget, long-term stays
Accommodation Type: Few hostels, hotels, and a lot of luxury serviced apartment buildings with pools.
Average Nightly Cost: You can still find some inexpensive accommodation and hostel options here; however, the majority are serviced apartments costing $35 USD and upwards.
Distance to Beaches: 7 minutes by motor vehicle, 14 minutes by bicycle.
Do I Need Transportation: Yes
Aldea Zama is the best area to stay in Tulum for expats, digital nomads, and those looking for a luxury apartment on a budget, primarily for longer-term stays. It is known to be the spot where the majority of digital nomads and expats live, mixed in with some residents. Aldea Zama is a safe and modern neighborhood with many cozy cafes, dining options, grocery stores, gyms, and more. However, you will still need transportation to travel to the beach and tourist attractions. The main difference between Aldea Zama and La Veleta is that Aldea Zama is much more developed, while La Veleta is a bit further from Tulum Centro. This area of Tulum is also prone to more power outages compared to others.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Mayan Monkey Tulum
Best Low-Budget: Macondo Tulum or La Bella Vita Tulum
Best Mid-Budget: NAJ TULUM
Best Luxury: Copal Tulum Hotel
Note: If I could do Tulum differently I would stay in Tulum Centro or Aldea Zama.
Location #4: La Veleta (I stayed here)
Who Should Stay Here: Long-term visitors seeking luxurious stays (on a budget). Introverts, couples, and those who want to be away from the crowds to decompress and relax at their accommodation.
Accommodation Type: Serviced Studio Apartments (more isolated)
Average Nightly Cost: Staying in this area costs between $30-100 USD nightly, offering better value compared to the beach area. The longer you stay, the better deal you get. For instance, my high-end, newly built luxury studio apartment with a balcony, private bathroom, and kitchen was $950 USD per month. You can find where I stayed here.
Distance to Beaches: 15-25 minutes by bicycle or 10-15 by motor vehicle
Do I Need Transportation: Yes, to access the beaches, grocery stores, and main Tulum attractions.
La Veleta is the best area to stay in Tulum for long-term visitors seeking a luxurious stay at a reasonable price and some distance from mainstream tourism. While there are plenty of restaurants, stores, and shopping areas scattered around, most are concentrated on Calle 7. Transportation is necessary to get around here, including to travel to the beach. I recommend having a pool in your accommodation for the hotter days since it is a 15-25 minute bike ride or a 10-15 minute car ride to the nearest beach. For groceries, I chose to use Chedraui for delivery, which was AMAZING. They delivered right to my door for only 38 pesos. I think this spot is great for couples and introverts who are looking to spend time relaxing in their accommodation.
Best Accommodation Options For Every Traveler
Best Backpacker/Hostel Option: Maui Hostels Tulum
Best Low-Budget: Little Gem Hotel Tulum La Veleta
Best Mid-Budget: Hotel Boutique TerraNova
Best Luxury: Hotel Muaré
Note: La Veleta is still largely undeveloped and often experiences ongoing construction. While I did not hear any during my entire month here, it's not uncommon for construction noise to disturb residents. If you're sensitive to sound, be sure to inquire about your potential accommodation ahead of time about nearby construction and read recent reviews for insight. The roads around this area are undeveloped, consisting mostly of unpaved, bumpy sand roadways. Newer drivers to this terrain could have trouble navigating the roads.
General Information: Tulum
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Tulum for optimal weather and minimal seaweed is from November to April. However, the best deals on accommodations and other expenses are during the low season, which is the opposite of these months.
High Season: December - April
Seaweed Season: April - October
Hurricane Season: June - October
Travel Tip: Tulum is prone to frequent power outages, especially during the windy and rainy hurricane season. I experienced them regularly during my time here.
How to Get to Tulum:
FLYING:
Tulum has a relatively new international airport (TQO), situated approximately 40 minutes from La Veleta and 45 minutes from Aldea Zama and the Tulum Beach/Hotel zone.
Note: Taxi fares from the airport into Tulum can be pricey.
PRIVATE TAXI:
A private taxi is always an option but can be quite pricey. From Playa del Carmen, I was quoted anywhere from 1200-2000 pesos (70-120 USD) by drivers.
ADO BUS:
ADO is the main Mexican bus company throughout the country, and most routes are safe for tourists. You can take an ADO bus from nearly anywhere else in Mexico to get to Tulum. The best routes are from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Prices vary depending on the time of year and time of departure. My bus from Playa del Carmen was 120 Pesos (around $7 USD) and only took a couple of hours.
COLECTIVO:
A Colectivo is a shared van with other people heading to the same destination you are. This mode of transport is favored by backpackers and travelers who have less luggage.
The Colectivo from Playa del Carmen to Tulum can be found under Highway #307, (below Juarez Avenue) near Chedraui. Find the Google Maps location here.
The Colectivo ride costs a little above or below 40 pesos and stops near the Tulum Ruins and the ADO bus station. They do not always stop at Tulum Ruins, so if this is your destination, be sure to tell the driver ahead of time and be on the lookout during your drive. You will need to either walk or hire an additional taxi to get to your accommodation.
Note: Colectivos can be small, cramped, and timely. Sometimes they will wait for a full van before departing. They do not always have working air conditioning. If you have a lot of bags or a large bag, they may turn you down for more passengers instead (more money for the driver).
Mode of Transport in Tulum:
Options: Taxi, bicycle, motorbike/ATV. If you are going to be here long term, your best option is to purchase one of these outright because of how overpriced rentals are here. Tulum is not very walkable, with everything being spread out and still under development. Each section of Tulum, such as Aldea Zama, is walkable on its own. However, walking between areas, such as walking to Tulum Beach, is not always advisable due to heat and safety concerns.
Bicycle: A bicycle is the cheaper option, but it can be quite difficult with the lack of infrastructure in some areas, such as La Veleta. However, there are bike lanes on most main roads. Bicycles cost, on average, about 150-200 pesos daily. Longer-term rentals offer a better chance at discounts. Bike locks are necessary here.
Taxi: If you're here long-term, relying on taxis to get around isn't feasible due to high prices. I've only used one taxi during my time in Tulum, from the ADO bus station to my stay in La Veleta. The fee was 200 pesos.
Motorbike/ATV: This is probably your best option for getting around Tulum on its bumpy, unpaved dirt roads. However, they can be quite costly. I was quoted anywhere from 400 pesos (rarely) to 800 pesos per day for a motorbike. ATVs are more expensive. In addition to the base fee, many places require a deposit starting at 2,000 pesos plus your passport.
Note: Rental places are known for scamming tourists, and motorbikes and bicycles are known to be stolen. I recommend doing your research ahead of time, reading reviews, and having a way to lock your rental up at night. I used a bicycle lock to secure my motorbike kickstand to a small tree outside my accommodation. I always put my helmets in the locked compartments on the motorbike as well.
Where to Stay:
There are four main areas in Tulum to stay:
La Veleta (I stayed here): Best for long-term visitors who want a luxury stay at a good price and some quiet. You need a form of transport to move about here.
Aldea Zama: Known as the spot where the majority of digital nomads and expats live, mixed in with some locals. It is a safe and modern neighborhood with many cozy cafes, dining options, grocery stores, gyms, and more. You will still need transportation to get to the beach and tourist attractions.
Tulum Centro: Best for travelers and backpackers on a hostel budget or those seeking immediate access to local action. Transportation is still necessary to reach the beach area and main attractions of Tulum, this area offers plenty of food options, grocery stores, shopping, and more. For me, this area exuded an authentic Tulum vibe and felt like the heart of the action.
Tulum Beach Area: Best for short-term, luxury travelers who want to be on the beach and not have to leave the area if they don't want to. There are lots of food options, clubs for night owls, and other things to do. You would need transport to visit the ruins and cenotes.
Note: If I could do Tulum differently I would stay in Tulum Centro or Aldea Zama.
Food Recommendations:
Carlito Burrito (La Veleta)
El Bajon Vegano (Tulum Centro)
Burrito Amor (Tulum Centro)
Raw Love (Tulum Centro)
IS IT SAFE?:
This is a huge debate with Mexico in general, and it all depends on what you will be doing and where you will be going. I want to preface by saying that I do not drink, wander around after 7:00 PM, or engage in any illegal activities. I have heard some absolute horror stories of people's experiences in Tulum that shocked me. However, I have not experienced any safety issues whatsoever while here.
Never travel without the right insurance in case of any sickness, injuries, or theft. Safety Wing is by far the best travel medical insurance. It has saved me numerous times by covering hospital visits when I was sick during my travels in Asia.
