The Top Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico

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Spend a few days in Tulum, and discover the best of the Yucatan Peninsula on our nine-day Mayan Mexico trip.

Due to Tulum’s unique layout – the coastline, its principal attraction, is separated from downtown by a short drive or a long walk – it’s advisable to rent bikes for at least a couple of the days you’ll be here. This will give you more freedom than if you were having to rely on taxis. Plus, with the wind flowing through your hair as you cycle around, you’ll practically forget about the humidity.

Commissioned for the first Art With Me event in Tulum in 2018, the huge, mind-blowing sculpture known as Ven a La Luz (Come Into the Light) by multidisciplinary artist Daniel Popper is permanently installed at Ahau Tulum hotel. Made from wood, steel, rope and greenery, the work symbolizes our deep connection with nature. Parents and kids may notice the resemblance to the goddess Te Fiti in the Disney film Moana. Stop by Ahau for a drink or lunch to see this spectacular piece.

One of the advantages of being in the Yucatan Peninsula is that you’re surrounded by natural sinkholes, or cenotes. In Tulum, you’ll be within a stone’s throw of the area’s most magnificent examples – Gran Cenote, Calavera and Carwash are some of the best known, but with a little searching you’ll find some practically deserted ones to explore, too.

For night owls and party animals, Tulum has plenty of options, whether you’re a fan of live music, beachside DJ sets or Caribbean salsa rhythms. Head downtown for the clubs that fill up on the weekends as well as more intimate venues that may take a bit more hunting down. Alternatively, head to Papaya Playa Project if partying on the beach is more your style.

Sounds obvious, we know. Paradise Beach is one of the most spectacular beaches in the area and when the sea is calm, it’s crystal clear and you can see down to the bottom. When the sea is more active, it’s fun to jump and ride the waves. However, do pay close attention to the beach flags that signal water conditions: a black flag means do not swim; a red flag indicates dangerous conditions or swim with caution; a yellow flag means that although there is no immediate danger, you should still use caution while swimming; and a green flag means that it is completely safe to swim. Be aware that the more remote beaches do not have flags.

Swap Mexico’s Caribbean coast for the Pacific on our Laid-Back Baja California Sur trip, featuring bohemian beach towns, desert oases and ocean excursions.

There’s nothing like ice cream on a sweltering tropical day. There’s almost always a line at Panna e Cioccolato downtown on Avenida Tulum because of its sensational gelato flavors. At Helados Buena Estrella on Highway 15, which leads to the beach, you’ll find fresh, mixed ice cream, while Meows Cream Heladeria on Jupiter Avenue offers vegan soft-serve with an oat or coconut base. For something more authentically Mexican, visit La Reyna de Michoacan, located on Alfa Sur street off the main drag, for paletas (popsicles) made from natural ingredients.

If you’re into nature, then this is undoubtedly one of the must-do things to do when visiting Tulum. Each year from May to October, most of the coastline experiences sea turtle nesting season. After the sun sets each evening, mother turtles slowly make their way onto the beach to lay their eggs before journeying back to the surf. If you want a more hands-on sea turtle experience, day trip to Akumal, where you can snorkel with these magnificent creatures.

Tulum abounds with independent shops and boutiques selling everything from luxury home goods and apparel to Mexican handcrafts and Fairtrade items. Many shop owners are people who visited Tulum, fell in love, stayed, and opened stores selling unique merchandise inspired by the area. For beachy one-size-fits-all dresses, visit Josa Tulum. If you’re looking for home goods, Kaahal Home carries beautiful items, while gender-fluid fashion can be found at CALÓ. There are shops in both the Downtown and the beach area.

This is arguably the biggest cultural pull in Tulum, and it’s easy to see why, as year after year tourists flock to these superb Mayan ruins, perched high on a cliff with sweeping vistas of the jewel-toned ocean below. You’ll come for the culture but stay for the view and the beach. If the view looks familiar, that’s because it has become one of the most emblematic images of Mexico, even serving as the cover for a Lonely Planet guidebook. Top tip: arrive early and beat the tour buses.

Keen to see the legacy that remains from this ancient civilisation? Our Mayan Mexico and Chiapas: Southern Mexico trips both feature incredible structures that have stood for centuries.

If the crowds at Tulum are off-putting, don’t give up on your dream of visiting Mayan ruins. The underrated archaeological site of Cobá, 30mi (48km) from Tulum, is worth a couple of hours if you’re a fan of archaeological sites. While there may not be the crystalline Caribbean in the background, this site is a rugged introduction to Mayan architecture right in the heart of the Yucatan jungle, and you can still climb the largest pyramid.

This multidisciplinary museum located in a huge sphere made from natural materials features visual artists, workshops and artist residencies focusing on interdisciplinary projects and new ways of experiencing and creating art. They also have programs that involve the local community. Admission is free, and although the whole museum can be seen in 10 minutes, many will want to stay for a while to soak in the visuals and energy. Located at KM5 on the Tulum-Punta Allen highway, visitors must take off their shoes to enter. Don’t miss the front door, which is a huge porthole.

Another fantastic benefit to staying in Tulum is its proximity to the magnificent Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve, one of the best ecotourism destinations in Quintana Roo. With a name that translates to “where the sky is born,” you know you’re in for a treat. Visit a virgin beach and soak up the natural wonders that are dotted over the 1.2m acres (485,623ha) of land. Take an ecofriendly tour with Amigos de Sian Ka’an, a non-governmental organization dedicated to environmental conservation and sustainable development.

If the scale of the Sian Ka’an biosphere proves daunting, head instead to another ecological park in Tulum – Parque Ecológico & Cenotes LabnaHa, aka Mundo Mágico Maya (Mayan Magic World), where you can go zip-lining, swimming, snorkeling and kayaking.

It seems like every Mexican town that tourists visit has a colorful signs for visitors to be photographed alongside, and Tulum is no different. Get creative and lie down in front of the letters, look through them or sit on top of them. The picture you take here will make the perfect Instagram post or Facebook cover photo. The Tulum sign is located downtown in the main square. Bring along your patience and some water because there is almost always a line.

There are plenty of fantastic restaurants in Tulum, but if you’re looking for a dining adventure, try Mexican Experience Tulum, a communal dinner with up to 21 guests that takes you on a gastronomic journey through Mexican culture by combining Mexican classics and local delicacies. Mexican cuisine is a fusion of ancient indigenous civilizations and other cultures. Dinner is accompanied by unique cocktails and plenty of free refills. You’ll also learn how to prepare authentic Mexican salsa. People with special dietary requirements are welcome.

This has long been one of Tulum’s favorite food spots, thanks to the fresh and flavorsome ceviche and seafood served daily. While locals still stop by regularly, this has also become somewhat of a traveler joint (they accept dollars as well as pesos), but it’s still worth a visit. If that doesn’t tickle your taste buds, there are a swathe of other top-notch food vendors and restaurants that you can try out in Tulum in both the Downtown and beach areas.

Kiteboarding is an exhilarating extreme sport. Whether you’re an expert or it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, Tulum is a great place to kiteboard. If you don’t have your own gear, there are kiteboarding schools that offer rentals and lessons. Mexican Caribbean Kitesurf at Ahau Tulum hotel is a good option because they also offer restrooms, wifi, beach beds, a restaurant and parking. Kiteboarding all depends on the wind – and remember that though the windiest months are November to May, during this time there may be days with no wind, while conversely there may also be very windy days during the non-windy months.

Xel-Ha is an eco-park located about 20 minutes north of Tulum and is part of the Grupo Xcaret family, which also includes Xcaret, Xplor, Xenotes, Xoximilco, Xenses and Xavage. Swim or snorkel in the “largest natural aquarium in the world” and flooded caves and cenotes filled with marine life, jump off the Cliff of Courage, explore Mayan ruins, ride bikes, hike through the jungle, zip-line, cross the floating bridge, fly a kite or, if you prefer, just relax in a hammock. Xel-Ha also offers a 30m- (98ft)-high water slide, a kids’ area called Children’s World and a buffet restaurant.

Browse our full collection of trips in Mexico, including a scenic adventure by rail, an exploration of the country’s colonial heartland, and a thrilling taste of Mexico City.