Tulum, with its breathtaking beaches, rich Mayan history, and bohemian vibe, is undeniably one of the most captivating destinations in Mexico. This coastal paradise offers an enchanting blend of natural beauty and cultural wonders that will leave you spellbound. As someone who has explored Tulum’s wonders firsthand, I can attest to the allure of this tropical haven. In this Tulum Travel Guide, I’ll be sharing with you invaluable travel tips to make your visit truly unforgettable. Discover the magic of this Mexican gem with this Tulum Travel Guide.
Is Tulum expensive?
This is the most popular question about Tulum, and it honestly depends on what you want to do during your trip. If you are like me, you want to stay in a nice hotel, explore as much as possible and try their local food without spending all your savings. Tulum is more expensive than the rest of Mexico, but it’s possible to visit this amazing destination and stay on a budget.
Avoid taking taxis Taxis are really expensive, instead rent a car or bike, take the ADO or collective, or walk; depending of the distance.
Stay in Tulum town The hotels in this area are more budget friendly than the ones next to the beach, and they are incredible cute too.
Eat at local spots The food in Tulum is incredible, but some of the restaurants can be a little overpriced. A way to stay on budget is eating at taco stands or places like Burrito Amor, Antojitos La Chiapaneca or Taqueria Honorario.
Go to free beach clubs Go to the hotels that don’t ask for a fee or a min spend if you want to have access to their beach facilities or head to the beach, lay your towel and enjoy the beach.
Is Tulum safe?
This is one of the most asked questions about Tulum. A lot of people when they hear “Mexico”, they immediately think about a dangerous and unsafe country. This is not the case of Tulum. It is actually a pretty safe place.
Tulum experiences less violent crimes compared to other parts of Mexico. Its free spirited and laid back atmosphere welcomes a lot of people, so it’s easy to find other solo travelers here. I travelled there by my own and I didn’t feel in danger at any point. Like in any other places, you must use your common sense and follow these tips
How to get to Tulum
If you are planning on going to Tulum, you’ll probably arrive to Cancun International Airport and then move to Tulum. This airport receives direct flights from around the world, so there’s a good chance you’ll get a flight there. It takes approx. 2 hours from Cancun to Tulum, so here are some options of how to get there:
ADO bus The most popular bus company throughout southern Mexico. This is the cheapest version (around $14), and you can take the bus directly at the airport. Just remember to check the schedule in advance.
Private or shared shuttle If you are traveling on a group, a private shuttle can be a good option (around $140 for the whole group) You don’t need to worry about a schedule and it will take you directly to your destination. If you are traveling solo, a shared shuttle might be a better solution (around $40) Just remember the shuttle may stopped many times to pick up or drop off other people.
Taxi This is the most expensive option (more than $100) You have to take “airport Taxis” which are not like “regular taxis” and they only accept cash.
Rent a car This option will give you a lot of freedom not only on your way to Tulum but to your whole trip. Renting a car in Mexico is cheaper compared to other countries (from $3 to $30 depending on the season and car)
How to move around Tulum
Tulum is a small town known for its beaches, chic hotels and cenotes. It’s a great destination for offbeat adventures and healthy enthusiasts as there are plenty of things to do in the area. As Tulum is a small and compact town, it’s easy to move around.
Walk If you are staying in Tulum Town you can walk everywhere , the same in Tulum Beach, but from Tulum town to Tulum beach it may take you more than an hour walking
Bike Renting a bike is really popular in Tulum. You can find many renting shops all around. This option is really eco-friendly and cheap
Taxi Taxis are really convenient as they can take you everywhere but they can be a little overpriced. Make sure to negotiate and settle on the price before you get in
Bus Collectives are a great choice if you want to save money. They are really cheap and they can drop you off anywhere along their set routes. Every time I tried to get in into one it was full, so you may consider that if you are short of time
Car Renting a car is a great option if your are planning on traveling around the area, but if you are just going to stay in Tulum I wouldn’t recommend it as parking can be difficult.
Where to stay in Tulum
The first thing you probably want to know is where is the best place to stay. If you are not familiar with the area. There are two main areas: Tulum Town and Tulum Beach. Probably most of the places you have seen of Tulum are from Tulum Beach, which is one main road. While Tulum Town is a bit inland. From one point to the other one is not exactly a quick walk, so the main decision is staying between Tulum Beach vs Town.
TULUM BEACH
This is where you can find all the beautiful boutique hotels, cool restaurants, cute shops and smoothie places. The beach is amazing but it’s private. You can only access if you are staying in one of the hotels or beach clubs. The best thing about this area is you are right next to the beach, but it is more expensive. Here a few options where you can stay:
TULUM TOWN
This area is more local. You’ll find a lot of taco stands and souvenir stores. The good thing about staying here is that hotels are more budget friendly, and you can still find really nice boutique hotels here. The down side is you will have to take a taxi or other transportation every time you want to go to the beach or visit any of the popular restaurants or hotels. Here a few options where you can stay:
After doubting between beach and town for a while, I decided to stay in the town area and I really liked it. Sure, I would have loved staying on one of those cute hotels but I love the local vibe you find in town.
Where to eat in Tulum
One of the best parts of every trips is trying their local food. If you are a foodie, you will love Tulum. This place is great for food lovers, with many options for vegans. In general eating in Mexico is really budget-friendly. However, some places can be a little overpriced. If you are looking to save some money, you can always stop at a taco stand like Antojitos la Chiapaneca for the best tacos in town. If you are looking for a trendy chic place, here are some spots you don’t want to miss:
Matcha Mama Tulum Perfect for a quick breakfast, their acai bowls are the best!
Del Cielo Tulum Tasty and healthy brunch spot.
Macondo Tulum Healthy food made of organic and superfood ingredients with a Moroccan vibe.
Rosa Negra Latin flavors creatively presented with a wow factor.
Maresias Beachfront restaurant with a great ambience.
Raw Love All raw vegan healthy dishes.
Gitano Modern Mexican restaurant with a great ambience.
Kintoh Fine dining restaurant worth to stop by for one of the best views in Tulum.
I highly recommend delving into my detailed post on “Things to do in Tulum” for an even deeper understanding of all that Tulum has to offer.
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