With most tropical destinations, the low seasons are from October to May, so you can probably get a cheaper accommodation then. I would recommend at least 5 days in Tulum, and up to a month if you can. Honestly, there's so much to do and see here that you'll never want to leave anyway. While you can see a lot of things in just one day or even 36 hours in Tulum, I recommend a minimum of at least three days.
These three days should be ideal for experiencing the vibrant culture of Tulum, its exclusive nightlife and most of the famous cenotes, ruins and beaches. In just 3 to 5 days, you can easily mark all of Tulum's highlights, dive into a handful of cenotes, and include a fun day trip to nearby Coba and other incredible Riviera Maya destinations. For day 4 in Tulum, there is a very fun activity that is not far away (which gives you more time for the beach or the cenotes) that consists of floating along an ancient Mayan canal in the lagoon within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. No 5-day itinerary in Tulum is complete without a visit to the nearby ancient Mayan city of Coba and its underground cenotes.
After lunch in the village, head to the underground cenotes of Multum-Ha, Choo-Ha and Tankach-Ha caves. There are few places in the world that compete with Tulum's diving and snorkeling opportunities, as it has incredible cenotes in underground caves and the Mesoamerican reef just off its shores. Also, if you are not comfortable diving, know that you can still go on diving trips to the reef, as well as to some of the coolest cenotes in Tulum (such as Dos Ojos). Bacalar is my next most recommended trip to include in a longer itinerary of Tulum.
If you like Tulum, you're going to love Bacalar. This Magical Town is 2 hours away by car to reach its main attraction is its vibrant Laguna de los 7 Colores, ideal for kayaking, swimming and snorkeling. The city itself is quite sleepy, but with some hidden gems such as organic cafes, eco-glamping hotels, cenotes and ruins of Spanish forts. To preserve the fragile ecosystem of cenotes, do not use any sunscreen (even if it is biodegradable).
Obviously, this 3-10 day itinerary in Tulum is not set in stone. I just created this trip plan to Tulum with an average length of stay that starts with the most must-see things. You can follow the itinerary from day 1 to find out how many days you are going to stay in Tulum or you can simply choose different days and make your own trip according to your priorities and interests. Also, if it's not the first time, you can skip some things and opt for other new activities that you missed the first time.
I would recommend budgeting for 3 to 4 days in Tulum. This is enough time to see the ruins, take a day or two excursion if you want and you still have enough time to relax on the beach and try the best restaurants. That's why these come first on my Tulum itinerary, so make sure you don't miss out on all the beach clubs, water sports activities, delicious food, enchanting nature and Tulum's rich history. Water babies looking to wake up to the view of the sparkling waters of Tulum and spend their days sunbathing can choose from a variety of beach hotels.
Located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, right on the Caribbean Sea, you're probably heading to Tulum to spend some time at the beach. It will take around 2 hours to take a self-guided tour of the magical ruins of Tulum that are perched on the coast. Start with a photo on the famous Follow The Dream sign, located outside the Lolita Lolita store on Tulum Beach Road. That way, if you're late to Tulum for Day 1, you won't have to struggle to get to the beach and ruins earlier in the day when there are fewer crowds.
Tulum is one of Mexico's most Instagram-worthy tourist destinations, so you'll probably want some photos in all the iconic spots during your 36 hours in Tulum. After cooling off, head back to Tulum Town for dinner at Burrito Amor to enjoy the best burritos in Tulum. For those who want to splurge on dinner, choose from Arca Tulum, Hartwood and Gitano, among the best restaurants in Tulum. Finally, if you're planning to finish your itinerary in Tulum with an easy night in Cancun (so you can get to the airport faster), consider going one day ahead of time.
Cycling the busy roads of Tulum is very easy, something you can't do with a rental car or taxi because things get crowded. Packing for Tulum is relatively easy, as you'll probably be spending a good amount of time on the beach and in the water. If this is your first time visiting Tulum, be sure to read the additional information and Tulum FAQs below, so that you learn everything you need to know for an epic vacation in Tulum, Mexico. These include exploring historic Mayan archaeological sites in Tulum and swimming in the turquoise waters of four different magical cenotes (natural flooded limestone sinks).
In addition to the beach area, you can find an equally unique culinary experience in the town of Tulum, where you will have many options of restaurants and incredibly delicious street food. . .
