The tulum ruins with the ocean as a backdrop.. — Welcome to Tulum, a small but popular Mexican beach town with a jungle-like atmosphere, renowned for its ancient Mayan ruins perched on a seaside cliff. This popular tourist destination is the single most visited archaeological site in the Yucatán Peninsula, with thousands upon thousands of visitors every day. The beaches are covered with pristine white sand and clear blue Caribbean waters. Planning a trip to Tulum soon? Continue reading to uncover all the information you need before your trip in this Tulum Travel Guide.
*Oh & as always practice sustainable tourism while traveling and respect the locals—Tulum is their home!*
*Never travel without travel insurance. Being prepared and covered for incidents while abroad is fundamental.* *Safety Wing* *is by far the best travel medical insurance. See more on this below!*

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The Essential Tulum Travel Guide

Official Language:

Spanish

Official Currency:

Peso

Visa:

A valid passport is required for entry into Mexico. Typically, tourists are granted 180 days, and this period cannot be extended. There is no fee for entry. However, the length of stay is at the discretion of the immigration officer. While I have never encountered issues with being granted the full stay, there are stories of others not receiving the same treatment. Expect longer passport control lines and remember to remain patient and courteous! Click here for a list of countries that do NOT need a visa to visit Mexico.

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. They are most often driven by locals and are the best form of transportation for backpackers and travelers with 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.
Pro Tip: 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).

Fun Fact: Transportation throughout the Yucatán Peninsula is on its way to becoming more accessible with the new Tren Maya Railway. Head here for more information and to stay up to date on what routes are open now!

Best Time to Visit:

Seaweed spread across the beach while workers attempt to clear it up. — *Seaweed Season*

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.

I spent the entire month of June in Tulum, and it was very slow with few people around. It felt a bit eerie being so dead. Accommodations did offer major discounts for longer-term stays, and seaweed was present on most of the beaches. Workers were using wheelbarrows, giant trash containers, and shovels to try and clear it. We experienced minimal rain, mostly occurring at night or for short periods during the day, with plenty of sunshine. We did, however, experience many periods without electricity due to the short, windy rainstorms. This is quite common in Tulum since it is isolated and still underdeveloped.

Travel Tip: January is the busiest festival month, February can get busy with Carnival, and March with Spring Breakers.

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 to Tulum Beach, is not always advisable due to heat and safety concerns.

The sandy roads in Tulum. — **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.
A lot of these prices seemed absurd to me. Luckily, I found an amazing place called Space Traveler, which rented me a bike for 400 pesos per day with no deposit. They even dropped the bike off at my accommodation. I would absolutely recommend them.

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 helmet in the locked compartments on the motorbike as well.

Where to Stay:

There are four main areas to stay in Tulum, which I have listed below. 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.

#1: La Veleta (I stayed here): Best for long-term visitors seeking a luxurious stay at a reasonable price and a break from mainstream tourism. There are plenty of restaurants, stores, and shopping areas scattered around, but the majority are concentrated on Calle 7. A form of transportation is necessary to get around here. I would suggest having a pool in your accommodation since it will be a 15-minute bike ride and a 10-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.

Best Accommodations 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 didn't 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 with your potential accommodation ahead of time about nearby construction and read recent reviews for insight.

#2: 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. 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.

Best Accommodations 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

#3: Tulum Centro Area: Ideal for travelers on a hostel budget or those seeking immediate access to the 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 had more of an authentic Tulum vibe and felt like the heart of the action.

Best Accommodations 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

#4: Tulum Beach Area/Hotel Zone: Ideal for short-term luxury travelers who prefer beachfront accommodations and the convenience of amenities within reach. This area offers numerous fine dining options, nightlife venues, shopping opportunities, and various activities. However, transportation is necessary to explore attractions like the ruins and cenotes from here.

Best Accommodations 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

Find more in-depth information on where to stay here!

Grocery Options:

There are numerous options throughout Tulum for every budget, from high-end smaller organic shops to larger chain grocery stores. During my time in Tulum, I only shopped online at Chedraui due to a lack of transportation (I did not want to pay for a motorbike the entire time I was here, as it's ridiculously overpriced in my opinion).

Note: Remember to tip your baggers if you choose to shop in person—they are volunteers.

Chedraui: This is the largest grocery store and chain in Tulum, offering nearly anything you could imagine or need for the kitchen. I did all of my shopping here because they offer online shopping with shipping, making it easy for me to get my groceries without needing transportation or trunk space. I shipped to my apartment weekly, costing around 600-700 pesos for everything. (Note that I don't purchase many name-brand items or processed foods, and I eat plant-based.) The shipping fee from my stay in La Veleta was always 38 pesos. I always tip my delivery person a small amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do You Need?
- This depends on who you are as a traveler and what you are looking for. If you are okay with spending loads of money on attractions, love going out, live music, partying, etc. you could probably spend longer here. Although a lot of my friends who head to Tulum for a party and luxury vacation only spend around 3-5 days here.
- For people who do not particularly care for the nightlife, I think you could see a lot of Tulum with an arranged day tour or in just 1 day on your own. If you want to dive in a cenote, see some ruins, explore a lagoon, and relax, then I would suggest having 3-5 days.
Are There Vegan Options?
- YES! WAY TOO MANY. Here are a few of my favorites:
To find a complete list of the top vegan eats and coffee in Tulum, head here!

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 left me in shock. However, I have not experienced any safety issues whatsoever while here.
How To Stay Safe:
- This is all opinionated and based upon my experiences only, but you should always stay up to date with your country’s travel advisories regardless. Follow basic rules of safety while traveling, in addition to:
  - Don't walk around dark areas or non-tourist areas alone at night.
  - Keep valuables locked up and hidden in your room when you are not there.
  - Never carry large amounts of money with you (but carry some for bribes if needed).
  - Do not leave valuables unattended, and always lock up your bike and helmet (bicycle locks are necessary for extra safety).
  - Do not swing your phone, money, etc., around while walking or biking.
  - Do not argue, disrespect, or aggravate the locals. This is their home, to be fair, and you are a visitor.
  - 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. No one expects to need coverage for events while on vacation until it happens to them. Being prepared and covered is something I HIGHLY recommend, even for the shortest of trips. Safety Wing offers very affordable monthly plans and their claim process is the most simple compared to other plans. Click here for more information!
  - Emergency Contact Number: 9-1-1
  - Head here for some more tips and information on this topic.

Best Things to Do?:

Digital Nomad Community?
- I know there is a massive expat community here, however, I did not come across anyone living here. For more info. I recommend joining the Tulum expat groups.
Cost of Living (Monthly) :
- Tulum is incredibly overpriced and expensive. Honestly, I wish I had not decided to spend so much time here. My boyfriend and I spent around 19,500-20,000 pesos each for our month here (approximately $1,050-$1,070 USD). Fortunately, we booked our stay on Booking.com, so we didn't have to pay separate fees for any utilities.