So you want to go to Tulum; along with everyone else, but don’t know where to begin. You have come to the right place. We have been traveling to Tulum for over 8 years. Back when it was once a sleepy yogi town til now when it is a bustling instaworthy oasis. This post will help guide you on all things Tulum.
One fair warning the new Tulum is not what it used to be. There are plenty of places to choose from to stay, eat, drink, and shop but that comes with a price and congestion.
When to travel to Tulum: Tulum is always bustling but I like to travel in the off months (May – October), that’s when you will find better prices and less people. Note we have traveled in April and November and had no issues with hotels and dinner options.
TRAVEL TIP => my advice ALWAYS run the bill in Pesos, NOT in USD, your wallet will thank me later
TRANSPORTATION/GETTING AROUND:
You will start your travel journey at the Cancun airport, but soon there will be an airport that will fly you directly into Tulum. Once you arrive I advise on hiring a private transfer; if you are interested I have someone named Santiago we have used for years. Reach out if you would like his contact. He is reliable, safe and always early! He is AMAZING and will stop along the way to grab anything you need including groceries and some cervazas. The trip to Tulum takes around 2 hours so be prepared, and with the traffic can take longer.
Bikes: Once you are in Tulum we get around via bikes which are included in most hotels or arranged through airbnbs. They range from $5-$13 USD per day. Be careful as the roads can have (large) potholes and are not always maintained, especially if you partake in Mexican water (Tequila). They have started building a bike/walking path along the beachside; which makes it easier to navigate but it does not go the entire strip. We love biking because we have the ability to stop off and grab some food/beverages and shop at our leisure.
Taxis are another option especially in the evening but they are PRICEY if you are on the beachside. My advice is to ALWAYS negotiate the price prior to accepting the taxi because they will rip you off. You can arrange for one ahead of time or there are plenty along the strip.
DWELL:
First you have to realize that there is a difference between Beach Tulum and Downtown Tulum. The beach zone is going to be much more expensive but you will be in all the action. Downtown Tulum in the city center with lots to do and is very bustling, but can be unsafe in spots. We typically stay on the beachside or in between, so we have access to the ocean.
We have stayed at numerous places in Tulum you can check out some of them HERE. The prices range from semi affordable to outragous so choose accordingly. Here are a few of our faves:
- Alaya: Located in the heart of beachside Tulum place offers reasonable pricing with all the amenities. Plus the beach is right outside your door.
- Nomade: This is the sister property of BE Tulum and is another favorite of ours. The prices are a little less than BE but you still get all the benefits of both properties. We venture to Nomade for morning yoga, lunch (grilled prawns are a must) evening live music in their lounge, and their newest attraction a genuine Omakasa style dinner. The Omakasa dinner is a new experience and is a first for anywhere in the Tulum area. It was unreal and a MUST when you visit!! Breakfast included. They also offer free bikes, daily yoga, and other activities. Plus nightly music in the lounge which is our fav!
- BE Tulum: This jungle paradise is one of our favorite hotels in the world; which has us returning year after year. Check out the full review HERE. Breakfast included. They also offer free bikes, daily yoga, and other activities.
- Villa Petricor: This Airbnb was absolutely SPECTACULAR and exceeded all our expectations. If you are traveling in a group I cannot recommend Villa Petricor enough. It is located in a gated community with a local grocery, coffee shops, restaurants and yoga studio a short walk or bike away. The property manager can arrange for bikes to be at the house upon your arrival which makes it easy to get around both beachside and downtown Tulum,
NOSH & LIBATIONS
- Hartwood– This is always a must when we visit Tulum. The food and atmosphere are amazing! You MUST make reservations ahead of time so jump on it!
- Nomade – This is one of our fav lunches. Theres nothing better than lounging on a beach bed and eating fresh seafood from the grill. The outdoor restaurant is phenomenal and so is there dinner lounge. One thing you MUST try is Kuu Omakase which is their newest offering and a one of a kind in Tulum. Chef Hirokazu Sato is phemonenal and they even offer vegetarian options! Make reservations ahead of time as spots are limited. The price was VERY reasonable for the expiernce….alcohol on the other hand was pricey and only served by the bottle (wine or saki)
- Asian Bodega – located in downtown Tulum this is one spot you CANNOT miss!! Some of the BEST Asian inspired cuisine you will ever have. The Owners do their research and have spent a lot of time traveling around Asia to perfect their dishes.
- Laguarida – 3 story Unique cocktail bar in downtown Tulum. Stop by here after you have dinner at Asian Bodega
- Posada Margherita – This is our ALL TIME FAVORITE place in Tulum. I know what you are thinking…Italian cuisine in Mexico…YES!! This gem has been around for over 20 years in Tulum. This is a cash only restaurant but they do offer Venmo and cash app options as well. We love to bike here for lunch and sip some wine while overlooking the ocean.
- Gitano – Overrated but worth the mention. I will say I used to love this place but honestly now its more about “influencer” taking a photo at the Gitano sign then the cocktails they used to provide.
- Tulum Treehouse – THIS. PLACE. IS. AMAZING. Still a very secret bar on the strip. This has more of a mature (not young 20’s) crown – thank goodness! It is hidden behind a large white door next to Hartwood Tulum. I have to say this was one of the most fun nights during our last trip to Tulum. Great ambiance, DJ and cocktails!
- Casa Banana – Fantastic cocktails
- Casa Jaguar – Get the cocktails with the crickets…trust me
- Azulik – Unless you have been living under a rock when doing your research you have absolutely seen photos of this stunning property and it is 100% what you see plus more. You cannot just meander onto the property but you can get a reservation for lunch or dinner and take it all in. Makes for a killer photo op.
TO-DO & SHOPPING
There is PLENTY of things to do, see and shop for while in Tulum. No matter if you prefer to lounge beachside or you are more adventurous Tulum has you covered. When we travel we prefer to relax by the ocean or bike around the strip popping in the shops. There are so many little boutiques all around downtown and beachside. Note the prices have gone up significantly for shopping due to the surge of tourist. You will find some of the same items at a MUCH lower cost in downtown verse beachside. Here are some of my favs:
- Cenotes – No trip to Tulum is complete without visiting the famous cenotes. The limestone rock and natural fresh crystal clear water will revive you. My advice is go early and avoid the crowds
- Yoga – All the yoga. Tulum has always been known for their yoga retreats, so take full advantage off all the namaste. Most hotels offer free yoga classes. If not I recommend checking out Nomade for some surreal practices which include DJ yoga and breath work.
- La Troupe – I have been shopping here for years. When you think of Tulum this is the attire you envision.
- Pamper yourself – Get a massage on the beach! THe price is MUCH better and I will argue to say so is the expiernce
- Beach Clubs – Tulum has plenty of beach clubs depending on your vibe. Here are a few:
- Papaya Playa – wellness during the day party at night. One of the best in Tulum!
- Taboo – This place can get wild and pricey
- Ziggy – laid back vibe (a bit old feeling for me),
- Cinco – located the opposite side of the beach strip but this place is fantastic! MUCH better prices, not quite as packed. This is a place the locals go. Plus they have some great happy hour and food!
- Nomade – our go to. Laid laid beach vibe with great food and cocktails. They typically will have live music or you can walk to their sister property BE for a live DJ set.
- Bagatelle – We celebrated July 4th here and it did not disappoint! The vibe is 100 and the aesthetics are amazing. You can rent a chair or bed depending on the size of your party. If you are going during high season go early to reserve your spot.
I hope this helps when planning your epic Tulum adventure. Cant wait to hear all about it! Please tag us in any posts and use the hashtag #jeroamtulum