Tulum Visitors Guide

The Tulum Ruins archaeological site is most likely what brought you to the region in the first place, so go see it! The energy of this magical, ancient place is what has been calling tourists here for centuries. The ruins are perched over the sea in a breathtaking locale near Tulum Centro.

Guides are available at the entrance if you are keen to really understand the historical significance of the place, but strolling solo is always a pleasure too.

  To join a great group tour that includes transport, lunch, the Tulum Ruins, ocean snorkeling at Turtle Bay, and a cenote, check out this tour.

  To join an inexpensive group tour that includes transport from Cancun, Playa or Tulum center, English speaking guide, and a fantastic side trip to swim at a local cenote, check out this tour.

  If you’d like a private tour including guide and transport from your hotel, this tour is the most highly rated.

 For more info on visiting the Tulum Ruins, check out our Tulum Ruins Visitors Guide.

Just north of Tulum are a cluster of world famous adventure parks unlike anything you’ve probably experienced before. The most famous is Xcaret, with its meandering canals you can swim through, incredible beach coves, cultural shows, jungle hikes, and so much more. They are a little pricey, but the adventure parks are widely considered a must-do in the area. Other very popular parks include Xplor with its caves, ziplines, rafting and ATVs, Xel-Ha with its waterslides, snorkeling, mangrove tubing and other water activities, Xplor Fuego a nighttime torchlight adventure, Xenotes cenote experience, Xoximilco floating fiesta and the oddly popular Xenses optical illusion park. We HIGHLY recommend purchasing tickets for these parks in advance as the parks have limited capacity and long ticket lines.

With so many beautiful beaches to choose from it’s a sure bet you can find find a dreamy spot, perfect for a sarong and a picnic basket! Bring your swimsuit as the water can be perfect. Take a fun kiteboarding lesson, if you’re bold. Hotels in the Zona Hotelera are on the beach, but if you’re staying in town, the beach is just 10-15 minutes away.

 For more Tulum beach info and great beach recommendations, be sure to check out our Tulum Best Beaches Guide.

*Note: Since 2008, Sargassum (seaweed) has regularly arrived on the Caribbean coast of Mexico (Cancun, Tulum, Playa del Carmen, etc.) from April to August. Many resorts and beaches remove the seaweed from the sand daily, but it can pile up by the water’s edge and be stinky in places where it’s not removed. For this reason, we suggest getting a hotel with a nice pool area for swimming or spending some time on the islands of Cozumel or Isla Mujeres which are largely protected from the seaweed.

The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of ancient tropical canals, rainforest, 120 km of coastline, an abundance of wildlife, and coral reefs to delight your every adventure whim.

Float the winding river canals, take a boat to see manatees and sea turtles, or simply relax under a forest canopy. It is an unforgettable experience not to be missed!

 Check out this highly reviewed tour of the Sian Ka’an biosphere that also includes visiting the nearby Mayan ruins of Muyil.

Tulum town center (aka Tulum Pueblo) has a magic all of its own. We always recommend to new travelers that the most important thing you can do when visiting a new place is to see where the locals live. The art, food and culture will delight you.

From Acai to Zanahorias (carrots) and all the delicious options in between, traditional Yucatan fare abounds here. Exploring the town on foot is nice but bicycles are also a popular way to get around. Bikes are for rent everywhere in town. Enjoy the journey!

  Check out this fun Tulum walking food tour that goes off the beaten path to show you the best of local cuisine.

  For the best food in Tulum, check out our Tulum Restaurant Guide and 7 Yucatan Foods That Will Blow Your Mind.

Discover something new or dabble in the peculiar. It’s what makes Tulum stand apart from the rest of the Yucatan. Take a cooking class, visit the art zone, explore the immense yoga and meditation class options, try your hand at scuba diving, take a dance class, start a conversation with a stranger…your options are endless here.

Getting out of your comfort zone and opening yourself up to new possibilities is what makes this beautiful place so intoxicating for so many. Open your mind and your courage to the possibilities. Be happy, be free.

  Take a look at this popular cooking class and this scuba diving introduction class.

Check out this unique SUP Yoga Class on a private lagoon.

The jungles around Tulum make for some incredible adventures! Numerous tours in the area will take you on jungle ATV rides, ziplining, cenote swimming, and more.

These Tulum adventures are different from the fancier adventure parks up north like Xcaret, Xplor, Xel-Ha & Xenotes and are more about getting wild out in nature. Prepare to get a little dirty and don’t forget your swimsuits!

  Explore several popular ATV/Zipline jungle tours here.

One of the hidden gems of Tulum is the Laguna de Kaan Luum, which sits around 5.5 miles (9 km) south of downtown Tulum. This magical lagoon is home to a vast cenote in its center, which imbues the lagoon’s water with a beautiful array of colors. You can visit the lagoon, rent a paddleboard, and paddle over the calm waters. No matter your level of experience with standup paddleboarding, Kaan Luum Lagoon is the perfect place to get out on the water.

You can also visit the Kaan Luum Lagoon and enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing on overwater hammocks. The lagoon has an entrance fee of around $17 USD (300 pesos). Although Kaan Luum Lagoon is rarely crowded, it’s a good idea to arrive early and visit in the morning on weekdays to have this tropical paradise to yourself. Keep in mind that sunscreen is not permitted in the lagoon, and no outside food or drink is allowed.

  We love this fun tour that includes some of the best tacos in Tulum, a paddleboarding guide, equipment rental, and an entrance fee to Laguna de Kaan Luum.

As a destination, Tulum is not just about beautiful beaches and yoga retreats. There is also an abundance of great shopping opportunities. These shops sell unique handmade Mayan crafts, artisan goods, and souvenirs. Tulum is filled with small boutiques and shops selling high-quality clothing and accessories from local artisans.

Tulum stands out for its traditional Mexican handicrafts, particularly textiles and jewelry. You can find beautiful huipiles (traditional dresses), handmade hammocks, embroidery, gourd lamps, art, handbags, and jewelry. Don’t forget about the locally made tequila and cocoa.

Exploring the streets of Tulum by renting a bike is one of the best ways to experience all this city has to offer. Bike rentals in Tulum are affordable at between $10 to $12 USD per day. Ola Bike Tulum is an excellent bike rental company, and the rentals are good quality and inexpensive.

One of the best ways to explore Tulum Pueblo is by bike, and it’s a great way to experience the area thoroughly. You can easily wind through side streets while on a bike and quickly get from one side of the pueblo to the other. Follow the bike path on Main Ave to grab a bite at fantastic restaurants, shop at local boutiques, or cool down with some ice cream.

It only takes around 15 minutes to get to some of Tulum’s best beaches on a bike. Take Coba Avenue to get to Playa Paraiso; there are several bike racks at the beach for easy storage.

  If you prefer a guided bike tour, this 5-hour bike tour around Tulum is perfect. You will visit 3 cenotes, stop for lunch and have a fun local guide. This is a great way to spend the better part of the day and still have time to go out and enjoy dinner in the evening!

Rio Secreto is one of the most beautiful underground rivers in Mexico. You can only visit this magical spot via a guided tour, and on the tour, you can swim and climb your way through the cenote. Explore the beautiful stalagmites and stalactites while enjoying the crystal-clear water.

The limestone formations and gorgeous turquoise water in these breathtaking caves will leave you stunned. Be advised that you will have to pay for photos as you are not permitted to bring your camera into the cave system.

  To experience this underground wonderland for yourself, it’s a good idea to book a tour before you visit. Spaces are limited for cave tours, with limited entry times per day.

If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind sensory experience, then Mystika Immersive is the place to go in Tulum. The immersive experience teaches you all about Mexico’s natural sanctuaries and cosmology.

Mystika Immersive has 7 different rooms, each holding unique experiences. One of the rooms leads you into a space with hundreds of gorgeous monarch butterflies. Another space is a 360-degree dome that allows you to sit under Tulum’s star-filled sky.

Admission costs around $27 USD per person and can be purchased online. You can expect to spend between 1 and 2 hours here, and it’s conveniently located right next to the Tulum Ruins parking lot.

You will find Punta Laguna Nature Reserve about 40 miles north of Tulum, and this is one of the most unique sightseeing attractions in the Yucatan because of the huge variety of monkeys to see. While the monkeys are a top draw for the reserve, it is also home to pumas, jaguars, and many species of birds.

The nearby Mayan village also gives you a glimpse into the indigenous Mexican lifestyle. It’s a good idea to hire a guide to tour the reserve, as guides provide a more authentic and informed experience for travelers new to Tulum. Guides also know where to spot the animals who call the nature reserve home. However, you can still have a great experience just wandering around the reserve on your own.

  There are many Punta Laguna Nature Reserve tours to choose from. Most are guided and provide transportation via coach or bicycle.

  We love this highly recommended Coba Ruins, Punta Laguna Nature Reserve, and Cenote tour, where you will zipline, hike, canoe, and then visit the reserve.

Something about Tulum’s island vibe draws people to the meditative practice while they are visiting. You will find plenty of yoga retreats, sound healing treatments, and other health and wellness activities in Tulum. If you want to unwind, relax, and immerse yourself in some yoga sessions, Tulum is the place for you.

Whether you’re looking for rejuvenating yoga studios, water yoga, sound healing, or tranquil meditation retreats, you will discover everything you need to restore your balance and health in Tulum.

  For a fun experience, try this Stand Up Paddle Yoga Class at a private lagoon where you can enjoy a 75-minute yoga class in the middle of the jungle.