Things to Do in Tulum
Tulum sits about 80 miles south of Cancún at the southern end of the Riviera Maya. It’s two places: the small town of Tulum Pueblo (cheap eats, taco joints, bus station) and the Hotel Zone — a 6-mile beach road of boutique cabañas, beach clubs, and yoga studios. The cliff-top Mayan ruins overlooking the Caribbean are the iconic image. Inland, the Yucatán’s cenote network runs underground for hundreds of miles, with dozens of swimming entries within 30 minutes of town.
Quick Facts: Tulum is in Mexico. Best time to visit: November–April for dry season and the clearest cenote water. Sargassum seaweed peaks April-August on the beaches.
🌴 Save on Your Tulum Resort Stay
Qualified visitors stay at resort-quality properties in Tulum for a fraction of retail — in exchange for a short vacation ownership presentation. No obligation to purchase.
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a vacation ownership presentation. Full terms provided at booking.
Top 11 Things to Do in Tulum
Tulum Mayan Ruins
The only major Mayan site built on the coast. El Castillo perched on a 40-foot cliff over a small turquoise cove. Go at opening (8 AM) to beat tour buses.
Gran Cenote
The classic — a partly-collapsed cavern system with crystal water, swim-throughs, turtles, bats overhead. About 10 minutes from town. Snorkel gear rental on site.
Cenote Dos Ojos
Two interconnected sinkholes about 30 minutes north. Famous for cavern diving, but snorkeling is excellent. The ‘Bat Cave’ chamber is genuinely otherworldly.
Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
1.3 million acres of UNESCO-protected wetland just south of Tulum. Boat tours through mangroves and a natural floating canal that drifts you for 45 minutes.
Coba Ruins
Less reconstructed, more atmospheric than Tulum or Chichén Itzá. Rent a bike for the inner network of jungle trails. 45 minutes inland.
Tulum Beach Clubs
Day passes to the Hotel Zone beach clubs (Habitas, Be Tulum, Papaya Playa Project) get you a cabana, drinks, and wifi. Pricey but the bar for ambiance is genuinely high.
Cenote Calavera (Temple of Doom)
Small, cylindrical sinkhole with three openings overhead — locals jump in. Quieter than Gran Cenote, easy to add to a half-day.
Punta Laguna Monkey Reserve
A community-run nature reserve about an hour from Tulum. Spider monkeys, howler monkeys, kayaking on the freshwater lagoon.
Akumal Turtle Snorkeling
30 minutes north — Akumal Bay has resident sea turtles year-round. Go with a licensed guide; the population is protected and unguided entry is restricted.
Tulum Pueblo Taco Crawl
Antojitos La Chiapaneca, El Camello Jr (seafood), Taqueria Honorio (cochinita pibil before noon — when it’s gone it’s gone).
Muyil Ruins + Float {#muyil-ruins-+-float}
Combine an underrated Mayan site with the Sian Ka’an floating-canal experience. Half-day, much fewer crowds.
When to Go
November–April for dry season and the clearest cenote water. Sargassum seaweed peaks April-August on the beaches.
Combine It With a Discounted Resort Stay
Tulum is one of the destinations where qualified visitors can stay at resort-quality properties for a fraction of retail in exchange for a short vacation ownership presentation. Packages typically include 4 nights / 5 days in suite-style accommodations.
🌴 Save on Your Tulum Resort Stay
Qualified visitors stay at resort-quality properties in Tulum for a fraction of retail — in exchange for a short vacation ownership presentation. No obligation to purchase.
Must be 26+, meet household income requirements, and attend a vacation ownership presentation. Full terms provided at booking.
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