The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide with Prices (includes Tulum’s All-Inclusive Resorts)
Located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Tulum is a bucket list destination for many. At least 300,000 people visited Tulum in 2018 to bask in the Caribbean sun, explore the Mayan ruins, discover the lush jungles and explore some of the world’s best cenotes (underground sinkholes). This Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide which does include Tulum’s All-Inclusive Resorts will help you plan the best Tulum vacation!
Tulum, Mexico is one of the Top 21 destinations that is now welcoming travelers from all over the world so you can travel to Tulum right now.
Don’t feel like reading and rather watch a video instead? Check out the full video guide below. 👇
FAQ:
Let’s get some of the important questions out of the way.
Tulum Travel Guide: Is it safe to visit Tulum?
While Mexico as a whole has seen an increase in drug-related violence, Tulum is still relatively safe based on personal experience. We never encountered any scams or cartel violence in our two weeks there.
| Tip: Just remember not to roam dark alleys at night and if you’ll be staying at a beach cabana, then remember to lock your room before leaving. |
Tulum Travel Guide: Do I need a visa to visit Mexico?
Yes and No. It depends on which country you’re coming from. US citizens as well as the nationals of the following 68 countries and jurisdictions holding normal passports do not require a visa to enter Mexico as tourists, visitors in transit, or business visitors. Tourists and business visitors can stay in Mexico for up to 180 days. Visitors in transit can stay for up to 30 days.
Tulum Travel Guide: What is the best time to go to Tulum?
The best time to visit Tulum is during the low-peak season from October to December when the hurricane season has passed and the weather is just right. January to March is the high-peak season when crowds gather so if you like to avoid crowds then opt for the former.
Since we’re right at the low-peak season, flights, accommodations, and activities will be more affordable during this period.
We would recommend staying at least 5 days or more in Tulum to explore its beauty. We spent 2 weeks and that still wasn’t enough. We’ll be giving you lots of options from where to stay in Tulum, where to eat, and the activities that you can do while there. Check out our guide to Free Things To Do in Tulum, Mexico.
Tulum Travel Guide: How do you get around in Tulum?
Other than a rental or ADO bus, the most affordable and safest way to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport is by shuttle from Cancun Airport Transportations. There are various ways to get around Tulum once you’re there. You can explore Tulum by bike, scooters, collectivo (old mini-vans), taxis (most expensive), or rentals.
Check out our most recommended transfer offer option from Cancun to Tulum.
If you’ll only be staying around Tulum, then a bike or taxi will suffice. If you’re looking to explore more of Tulum, and venture off to Sian Ka’an or other parts of the Yucatan Peninsula then we highly recommend renting a car.
While we were in Tulum, we rented a Volkswagen golf for 2 weeks from Easyway Rent-a-Car. It was compact and perfect for the two of us.
A representative from Easyway picked us up from Cancun Airport and drove us to the car pickup office. The staff was friendly and courteous. We signed the rental papers, did a thorough walk-through of the car and within 15 minutes we were on our merry way to Akumal which was our first stop.
| Tip: When picking up a rental car from anywhere, get your phone camera out and do a thorough walk-through with the representative and record any and all defects outside as well as inside the car. Email it to yourself so you have a copy in case you lose your phone on your vacation. This will save you the headache and any possibility of future scams by any rental company. |
Tulum Travel Guide: Is Tulum Expensive To Travel?
Depending on your travel preferences such as type of accommodation, activities, and food, a vacation to Tulum can cost a couple roughly anywhere between $740 to $1600 for two weeks.
| RELATED POSTS: Free Things To Do in Tulum, Mexico 2022 Mi Amor Tulum – Hotel Review The Best Maldives All-Inclusive Resort |
Tulum: Where to Stay?
Tulum is pretty much picture-perfect anywhere you stay but some areas are best fit for different groups.
For nightlife and partying, you will want to stay in the Middle Zone, Pueblo, and Beach Town. For families, Aldea Zama or the South Beach Zone is great and for our fellow romantics and honeymooners, the North or South Beach Zones are perfect.
We will be giving you budget, mid-range, and luxury options along with a couple of all-inclusive resorts to help you make better decisions based on your budget as well as help you save money along the way.
Tulum on a Budget ($30-$100 USD)
Tulum, Mexico is popular among all categories of travelers but this is the thing about Tulum – no matter where you stay, it’s beautiful. Below, you’ll find the best aesthetic villas to stay in for next to nothing.
Enjoy serenity in this true jungle boutique hotel. Just 20 minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Tulum.
Stay in the heart of Tulum close to Tulum Ruins.
Relax at this laid-back Hotel and Coffeehouse in Tulum
Cozy condo-hotel in the heart of Tulum close to the beach!
Affordable and Travel Sustainable Hotel
View all Budget-Friendly Stays
Mid-Range ($100-$300)
Our Mid-Range finds are what we like to call “Affordable Luxury.” You get to bask in the splendor of most of the luxuries that come with high-end villas without breaking the bank. Below we’ve researched and gathered only the best villas with great amenities at an affordable price.
Get world-class service at a boutique adults-only resort. We had a beautiful 2 nights stay here and highly recommend it especially if you’ll be on your honeymoon. Check out the review here.
Moroccan Inspired Adults-Only Retreat
Beach Resort with free breakfast.
Laid-back hotel in Tulum town with free breakfast.
Luxury > $300
Who doesn’t like luxury? If you love scenic views, stunning architecture, and bespoke service, then these luxury villas will not disappoint.
Bask in the tranquility of this jungle hotel. Away from the hustle and bustle yet close enough to various restaurants and bars.
Check in to this adults-only boutique hotel right on the beach.
Receive world-class service at this Tulum beach hotel.
Enjoy your time at this adults-only hotel right on Tulum beach that has been rated 9.5 by couples and offers an exceptional free breakfast!
Indulge at this orchid hotel with a private beach and a stunning terrace great for couples.
The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide would not be complete without Tulum’s All-Inclusive Resorts. We don’t prefer all-inclusive since we don’t like the overall ambiance but we found 4 all-inclusive resorts in Tulum that have mixed reviews by travelers.
Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa sits on two miles of beautiful white sand and provides activities such as kayaking, catamarans, windsurfing, and snorkeling provided both for adults and children. There are a variety of cuisines to choose from in different settings, 6 bars, a golf club nearby, and the newest edition of their Swimout suites which also has an adults-only section.
Kore Tulum Retreat and Spa Resort are more of an all-inclusive retreat where you can take time to relax and indulge in beauty and wellness. However, recent Tripadvisor reviews have not been so positive so please check Kore Tulum’s website to see all the amenities they provide with the all-inclusive package.
Hotels with Breakfast Included
Whenever we book hotels, we sometimes love the convenience of breakfast included with our stay. It helps us get on with our day without having to worry about where we’ll be having breakfast. Below we’ve included most of the hotels that include breakfast in their rates.
In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19), additional safety and sanitation measures are currently in effect at the following properties as well.
Click Here to check the best current rates and availability
Click Here to check the best current rates and availability
TULUM: WHERE TO EAT?
The following places to eat in Tulum are CHEAP EATS, and they also have vegan options taking Covid-19 safety measures. If you’re in Tulum on a budget, these spots will serve your pocket right!
We had brunch at Babel Cafe on our way to the Coba Ruins. The food was well made and tasted delicious. We had waffles, a tuna sandwich with manchego cheese, and a tropical smoothie with papaya, mango, and guava. You can check out the breakfast in our Coba vlog.
The following are also CHEAP EATS with no significant Covid-19 measures however, these are worth a mention if you love good food and saving money simultaneously.
This restaurant serves the most delicious pizzas! It was so good that we went 3 nights in a row while we were in Tulum. Pizzeria Manglar definitely has the WWC stamp of approval! We had an adventurous night with a garden snake while there but that’s a story for a different day.
You can find the ambiance of Pizzeria Manglar in the video below starting at 02:46.
MID-RANGE EATS
These mid-range restaurants are a level up from the cheaper eateries due to their ambiance and location. The following restaurants have also been rated highly by fellow travelers on Tripadvisor.
We’ll start with Ki’boK Cafe Gourmet because they had the most delicious brunch which we filmed. You walk through a narrow walkway to step outside into the back garden surrounded by beautiful birds of paradise, elephant ears, and other plants. The atmosphere feels pleasant and the food is next-level!
FINE DINING
The following restaurants offer fine dining wherein you’re buying into an unforgettable dining experience. Gorgeous views with exceptional service in which you will find Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, and Gluten-Free Options as well.
While in Tulum, we stayed 2 nights at Mi Amor Hotel & Spa where we had dinner at their spacious, open-air restaurant. Check out the tours below.
The menu features French and Italian cuisines with one of the top mixologists in Tulum. We had some tapas like guacamole, corn chips, arancini (risotto rice, bread crumbs, mozzarella cheese), and shrimp tagliatelle (shrimp, squash, preserved lemon, uni butter).
Along with the food, we had live entertainment which you can check out below. The ambiance was amazing and it felt like we were on our second honeymoon.
Last, but not the least is Kin Toh restaurant where we had dinner once when we stayed at Azulik Resort in their Honeymoon Villa. The dim-lit ambiance with tall flowy curtains is sure to put everyone in a dreamy mood.
| Pro Tip: Best time to take some stunning photos is during golden hour or sunset when you can play with light and shadows in your photos. |
Tulum: Fun Things to Do
Tulum is the ultimate honeymoon hotspot. However, there are plenty of things to do for all groups be it couples, family, or friends. There are plenty of options for tours but we highly recommend venturing out yourself on a self-guided tour. By exploring on your own, you are able to spend as much or as little time in any given place.
The popular attractions below are great for Instagrammers or if you’re into photography. These locations have great architecture, artistic design, and natural lighting. The best Tulum vacation is incomplete if you miss these spots!
Previously Pablo Escobar Mansion, now Casa Malca Resort
SFER IK Tulum which we’ve talked about in our Free Things To Do in Tulum video. However, now the entrance is 10USD per person to enter.
SFER IK Tulum
Uh May Museum
Ahau Tulum Entrance
Tulum: Best Outdoor Activities
There are various activities to do in Tulum. The best outdoor activities in Tulum are the following:
- Visit the Tulum Ruins
- Explore all the cenotes, check out the only FREE one here
- Ride a bicycle throughout the long stretch of Quintana Roo
- Take a photo at the ‘Follow That Dream’ Tulum Sign
- Take a romantic walk or sunbathe at Playa Paraiso
- Rent a Daybed at a beach club
- Go kiteboarding on Tulum Beach
- Enjoy gelato at Origami. We went here on some of our last days in Mexico and the video on Quintana Roo at night is below. Catch Origami at 07:12
Best Day Trips from Tulum
The best day trips from Tulum are also the most popular things to do in Tulum with kids. Everyone that we’ve spoken to that has visited Tulum loved the following activities.
Exploring the Si’an Kaan Biosphere Reserve and Punta Allen town
Exploring the Coba Ruins
We opted for the Coba Ruins as opposed to the Chichen Itza Ruins as it is less crowded and you’re able to climb the ruins. You are prohibited from climbing the ruins at Chichen Itza. The ruins are spread out in Coba so you can rent bicycles or chauffeured bikes where someone will pedal you around the attraction.
- Go swimming in the Kaan Luum Lagoon
Full day at Xcaret Mexico: Eco-archaeological park
Known as “Mexico’s Sacred Paradise’ Xcaret is a park is full of underground rivers, lagoons, pools, tropical jungle trails, and a rotating scenic tower. We drove from Tulum and spent an entire day having fun at the park. We captured some of our moments at the park in the video below.
Full-Day at Xel-Ha
Xel-Ha is primarily a water park where you can experience snorkeling, cenotes, and ziplining, along with caving and jungle trails. We had an amazing time here as well on a separate day where we had an unlimited buffet and option of an open bar. We saw plenty of families with children as well as adults having an incredible time.
If you’re more of a guided tour type of traveler then there are plenty of options to choose from below.
The Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide: IN CONCLUSION
We hope you enjoyed reading about our Ultimate Tulum Travel Guide and that this post has given you lots of options to choose from for your own Tulum trip!
Planning to visit Tulum on a budget? Also read our post on the Free Things To Do in Tulum, Jungle Experience at Camp Akumal, and watch our full Tulum Playlist to get a better idea of what Tulum is like before you head there.
Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and most importantly, insect repellent – you’ll need it. Also, please review the CDC Guidelines for Mexico before booking your travel.
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