The Greener Guide To Seeing Tulum More Sustainably

Many of the highlights in this remote jungle town are low-impact by virtue of their wild location, with peaceful cenotes and earthy vegan restaurants to explore.

On the Caribbean coast of Mexico‘s Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum has gone from sleepy backwater to hyped tourist town in just a decade, though its hotels are still very much of the bohemian, barefoot variety. While it’s undeniable that Tulum’s seaside Mayan ruins, palm-fringed beaches and protected Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve are spectacular, all this rich natural beauty means it’s especially important to tread lightly here. Luckily, with community farms, reefs and mangroves to explore, an ecofriendly trip to Tulum comes easy.

1. Azulik

Resort, Spa Hotel, Hotel

A reed-built guest suite with in-room bathtub carved from two log and a round bed surrounded by sheer drapes at Azulik

Look no further, treehouse fans: Azulik might just be the best there is. This clutch of cliffside villas is connected by a network of wooden walkways and bridges, featuring terraces with sea views, swinging daybeds and artisan mosaic bathtubs. While there is hot water and wifi, there’s no air conditioning or electric lighting; staff fill your room with candles come sunset to help reduce light pollution, which can confound sea turtles and other wildlife. Clothing is optional at this secluded beach, so you can go totally au naturel if you choose to.

2. Cenote Dos Ojos

Natural Feature

Tourist relaxing in Two Eyes Cenote (Cenote Dos Ojos), Yucatan, Mexico.

There are around 6,000 cenotes scattered across the Yucatán Peninsula, and no trip to Tulum is complete unless you’ve plunged into a sinkhole or two. Cenote Dos Ojos – named Two Eyes after its two distinctive baby-blue openings – is a 30-minute drive away. Claustrophobes will prefer to stick to the surface, but if you’re cool with cramped spaces, bring a snorkel and flippers, or join a scuba-diving tour, to get the full experience.

4. Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Natural Feature

The observation tower and boat dock at the Muyil Lagoon in Sian Kaan, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

For an ecofriendly day trip from Tulum, head south to the Unesco-listed Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, a sustainable tourism hub on the Riviera Maya. It’s not the easiest place to get to, so it makes sense to hire a guide so that you can focus on the fun part: kayaking through a maze of mangrove-knitted canals, snorkeling along the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, or spotting flamingos, dolphins and rare manatees on a sunset cruise.

5. Laylo

Restaurant, Mexican, Vegan

Homemade Quinoa Tofu Bowl with Roasted Veggies and Herbs

Wondering where to find the best vegan eats in Tulum? Created by the minds behind Tulum’s trendy alcohol-free bar, Elysium, Laylo Tulum Vegan Lounge serves up a vibrant, plant-based menu that’s good for both people and the planet. Eco-conscious meals have never looked (or tasted) this good – try their smoothie bowls, beet burgers and Baja-style tacos to see for yourself.

6. Palmaïa

Resort, Hotel

Just an hour north of Tulum, Palmaïa goes the extra mile when it comes to sustainability. The solar-powered property uses 50 percent less energy than the average Mexican resort and is ultimately aiming to achieve carbon neutrality. They’ve eliminated plastic bottles and put plant-based dishes – think vegan tacos and soy-marinated watermelon poke bowls – front and center in their restaurants. The swim-up and ocean-view suites are thoughtfully designed with cruelty-free furnishings: no feathers, no leather.

7. Verdant

Restaurant, Eco-friendly

Ingredients for cooking, copy space, top view, flat lay. Purple vegetables, fruits on grey background. Violet eggplant, beets, cauliflower, purple beans, plums, onion, grape, quinoa, rice.

Many of the herbs and vegetables served at Verdant are grown at its urban community farm, and the rest are sourced from local producers. The kitchen is almost 100 percent zero waste, with scraps used to make condiments or – if they can’t be turned into something tasty, or composted – cooking fuel. Treat yourself to the ever-changing tasting menu to enjoy the likes of Caribbean grouper and coal-roasted Bacalar cabbage.

8. Playa las Palmas

Natural Feature

Playa Las Palmas beach near Tulum in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico on a sunny day before a storm set in.

What’s more ecofriendly than a lazy day at the beach? The Tulum coastline is trimmed with broad stretches of white sand and impossibly clear waters, but they do tend to attract crowds. Playa las Palmas is one of the quieter, more laid-back options, especially come sunset. The usual advice applies: take only pictures, leave only footprints – and bring your reusable water bottle.

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.