Breathtaking Photos of Tulum, Mexico That Will Make You Wish You Were Here Right Now

One of the finest beaches in Tulum lies below Mayan ruins
One of the finest beaches in Tulum lies below Mayan ruins | Photo by Damon On Road on Unsplash
Stephen Woodman

Blessed with some of the most pristine natural beauty spots in Mexico, Tulum is a destination that should be on every traveler’s bucket list. Throw in beachside Mayan ruins, underwater sinkholes and delicious local cuisine, and you can see why this Caribbean coastal town is a photographer’s dream. Need more proof? Here are some stunning shots of Tulum.

You can now book a small-group adventure with Culture Trip to enjoy the beauty of Mexico on our nine-day Yucatán Peninsula tour.

The 13th-century Mayan ruins of Tulum are an impressive sight, especially given their location overlooking the Caribbean Sea.

The ruins of Tulum overlook the sea

The clifftop Castillo was built as a watchtower and is one of the most photographed sights in Mexico.

El Castillo is Tulum’s best-known historical structure

The warm, azure waters of the Caribbean Sea are a major draw for visitors to Tulum, Cancún and other resort destinations along the Riviera Maya.

Tulum enjoys access to the cobalt waters of the Caribbean Sea

Tulum also has pristine white beaches.

Tulum’s sands are white and fine in texture

Nature lovers are drawn to the region year-round. Huge iguanas such as this roam freely along Tulum beach.

Come to Tulum and you’ll share the coastal hotspot with wild iguanas

Sea turtles are another common sight on the beaches and waters of Tulum.

Green sea turtles live in the waters off Tulum

Traditional handicrafts such as these brightly colored bowls are sold around town.

Souvenir stores selling ceramics are a common sight in Tulum

Tulum has long had a reputation as a hippie hub, although in recent years the atmosphere has shifted in response to growing interest from expensive hotels and property developers.

Tulum is home to a leading boutique hotel scene

The area surrounding Tulum is known to have the largest number of cenotes (or underwater sinkholes) in the world. Once celebrated as sacred by the ancient Mayans, they now attract divers, swimmers and adventurers alike.

You can drive from Tulum to Cenote Oxman in Valladolid for an epic swim

Casa Cenote, which sits just north of town, is one of the most visually arresting natural spots in the region – and a great place for a swim.

Casa Cenote is beautiful from every angle

Lagoon Kaan Luum, just south of Tulum, is also a stunning place for a dip.

Kaan Luum lagoon is popular with swimmers

Tulum has a lively culinary culture, with thriving, hip restaurants such as Mur Mur drawing foodies from across the world.

Tulum is a great place to grab a healthy bowl for lunch

Fruits are in abundant supply in Tulum and a fruit salad with coconut is a fantastic way to start the day.

Coconut trees are a common sight in Tulum

Tulum also has excellent street food – unsurprisingly, tacos are a popular (and inexpensive) choice.

Tacos are typically served on plastic plates

Tulum is an excellent place to stargaze and offers awe-inspiring night skies.

Tulum attracts stargazers thanks to clear night skies

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

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