Discover the Best Vacation Rentals to Book in Tulum, Mexico

Benefit from the home comforts of a vacation rental like Mudra Tulum without venturing far from the heart of town | Courtesy of Mudra Tulum / Expedia

Emilie Hall

24 August 2021

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The barefoot and bohemian beach town of Tulum, in Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, is a place where pristine wilderness surrounds beat-pumping late-night bars, so you can indulge both your hedonistic and holistic sides. Whether you’re into exploring ancient Maya civilizations and jumping into serene cenotes, or just happy to sip margaritas on a white-sand beach, these Mexico vacation rentals in Tulum will make it all remarkably easy.

Villas Geminis Boutique Condo Hotel

Courtesy of Villas Geminis Boutique Condo Hotel / Expedia

If the garden- or pool-view condos simply won’t do, plump for the Penthouse suite at this boutique condo, which will delight even the most discerning of guests. Spend the morning by the pool, the afternoon under the handiwork of a professional masseuse and an evening without worries in the deep-soaking bathtub. These pet-friendly digs allow you to pamper your pup just as much. The central Tulum location keeps you ever-close to rich espresso, loaded tacos and a great selection of mezcal.

Pacha Tulum Boutique Hotel

Courtesy of Pacha Tulum Boutique Hotel / Expedia

A stay at the Pacha Tulum Boutique Hotel is best experienced in your swimsuit. The swimming pool at this vacation rental spot in Tulum has a poolside bar, which you can practically roll out of bed and order from if you book the deluxe bungalow suite. Should you be able to manage a boozy, breezy walk across Tulum National Park, you’ll hit the warm sands of Playa Paraiso where more margaritas and piña coladas await. Trust us, you’ll be thankful for the suite’s soundproof walls and blackout curtains in the morning.

Villas H2O

Courtesy of Villas H2O / Expedia

A pool, a spa and a childcare service combine to provide you and your partner with the relaxation you desire from a Mexico vacation rental in Tulum. Settle into a double or triple room, and take advantage of the free breakfast and in-room coffee machine. Tire the kids out with a long afternoon at the outdoor pool, a sun-kissed space where you can lay on a lounger with a book from the library. Introduce the kids to the babysitter, then introduce your body to the full-service spa.

Kaab Tulum

Courtesy of Kaab Tulum / Expedia

Kaab Tulum has your ticket to exploring all of Tulum: bicycle rentals at the front desk will pedal you away from the pool and around the city. Meanwhile, the air conditioning and private shower of your junior suite vacation rental in Tulum will cool you down just in time for a hot meal at the on-site restaurant. With sites like the Tulum Mayan Ruins only two miles away, this hotel is an excellent base for those who love following wherever the road leads.

Casa Julian

Courtesy of Casa Julian / Expedia

This vacation apartment, in a quiet residential area of Tulum, will feel like home before the sun sets. All cookware, dishware and other necessities are provided so you can freely use the kitchen and dining areas to your liking. From the furnished balcony to the multiple living rooms, you and your guests will find plenty of relaxation and solitude. If you desire a night out, restaurants are within a few hundred meters and the beachside bars of Playa Las Palmas are a 10-minute cab ride away.

Villas Akalan

Courtesy of Villas Akalan / Expedia

You’d never know that these Tulum vacation apartments, overlooking tropical gardens, were in the heart of downtown, just steps from yoga studios, bohemian boutiques and lively bars. Vacation rentals range from a simple studio that sleeps two, to a two-bedroom apartment that can sleep up to five – whichever you choose, there’s free parking, free wifi, a fully equipped kitchen and access to an outdoor swimming pool included with your stay. When you’re ready to explore, bike down the dirt path to Playa Paraiso, or drive just five minutes to reach the Tulum Maya Ruins.

Valhalla Residences by Biwa

Waterfall jets fill a long pool lined by cushioned wood lounge chairs outside Valhalla Residence by Biwa

Courtesy of Valhalla Residence by Biwa / Expedia

Opt for the peaceful apartments at Valhalla Residence by Biwa if you’d rather keep your distance from the downtown melée. They’re set in a quiet residential area that’s still just an easy drive, bike ride – you can hire them on site – or bus hop from Tulum’s buzzing center. The classic apartment can sleep up to three, and the family apartment or the penthouse can sleep up to five – each has a full-sized kitchen and a private terrace for dining al fresco. The apartments all share access to the building’s outdoor pool and a picnic area with a barbecue.

Azara 102 by Tulum Homes

Courtesy of Azara 102 by Tulum Homes / Expedia

This one-bedroom vacation rental is situated between Tulum Pueblo and the picturesque Playa Paraiso. Its large living room has an oversized sectional sofa, a flatscreen TV and a full-sized kitchen to help you feel right at home. From the bedroom’s king-size bed you can see lush green gardens and the glowing turquoise of the shared pool. Beyond the beach you can look forward to jungle-inspired architecture at the unconventional art museum SFER IK, based in the Azulik resort nearby.

Mudra Tulum

Stylish lounge with exposed, white brick wall, grey couches, bleached-wood table and traditional accents at Muldra Tulum

Courtesy of Mudra Tulum / Expedia

You’ll find these luxurious residential apartments in the La Veleta suburb, about a 15-minute bike ride from the Zona Hotelera. Each two- or three-bed residence is sleekly designed with a polished concrete floor and steel, wood and glass accents. You’ll have access to the fitness center, yoga studio – private yoga lessons are available on request – the serene outdoor pool, solarium and, with advance notice, in-room spa treatments. With new restaurants and wellness cafes often popping up in this up-and-coming area, plus easy access to the relatively unspoiled Cenote Cristal and Cenote Escondido, you won’t need to head into town every day to keep yourself busy.

Residencia Gorila

Courtesy of Residencia Gorila / Expedia

Get back to nature at Residencia Gorila, a sustainable Tulum vacation rental just steps from the beach and surrounded by jungle. A light touch on the sensitive ecosystem is the top priority here, so you won’t have air conditioning or your own kitchen – and you may see a critter or two – but that’s all part of the charm of staying in the beautiful wilderness. Most of these romantic suites sleep two, though some of the cabins can sleep up to four. Soak up the rays on the rooftop sundeck or retreat from the heat in the cool courtyard. The residence is also a haven for artists who have steadily added to the gallery-worthy graffiti on the walls.

Central Park Resort & Spa Tulum

Luxe curved pool area in front of modern apartment blocks and a solar-panel sculpture at Central Park Resort and Spa Tulum

Courtesy of Central Park Resort and Spa Tulum / Expedia

If you want all the perks of a resort then opt for these full-service stays in the La Valeta subdivision, on the outskirts of Tulum Pueblo, where there’s a restaurant, a full-service spa, a gym and two outdoor pools. Large groups or families of up to six people looking to splash out should snap up the Panoramic Penthouse – its party-ready rooftop has a plunge pool, a dining table, outdoor lounge furniture and a wet bar. Standard studios for couples or solo travellers each have a kitchenette and a private balcony or patio that looks out over the swimming pool or the gardens.

LiveTulum

Courtesy of LiveTulum / Expedia

These stylish vacation rental apartments deliver what they promise by allowing you to live like a true Tulum local. The markets, vegan cafes and street food stalls are all within easy reach, while each suite is individually decorated to create a homely vibe. Accommodation options suit groups of between three and six people – the Royal Jacuzzi Suite, which leads directly into the pool and the hydro-massage hot tub, is the pick of the bunch. Take advantage of the home-cooked breakfast served every morning in the garden, before hiring a bike from reception and heading off for the day.

Coco Village

Courtesy of Coco Village / Expedia

The condos at Coco Village in Tulum town offer the best of both worlds – a central location from which to explore the town as well as full access to the exclusive Coco Beach Bar at sister hotel Coco Tulum. All the vacation rentals overlook the outdoor swimming pool in the green garden, plus there’s a shaded palapa with hammocks and a barbecue for you to fire up whenever you feel like it. Each condo offers luxury mod-cons like Netflix-ready TVs, fast wifi, laundry facilities and air conditioning.

Looking to take it easy and let someone else take care of the cooking? Check out our guide to Tulum’s best boutique hotels and enjoy a more relaxing vacation.

Nick Dauk contributed additional reporting to this article.

These recommendations were updated on August 24, 2021 to keep your travel plans fresh.

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