Tulum is a city on the Caribbean coast of the Mexican peninsula of Yucatan. It is known for its beaches and the well-preserved ruins of an ancient Mayan port city. The main building is a large stone structure called El Castillo, perched on a rocky cliff above the white sand beach and the turquoise sea. Near the ruins is the Tulum National Park, a coastal area with mangroves and cenotes (natural limestone sinks).
Tulum is best known for its beaches and yoga retreats. It's where idyllic white-sand beaches meet elegant hotels and high-end resorts, plus nice restaurants. There are also many things to do in the area, such as visiting my favorite cenotes. From jungle adventures to Mayan ruins, Tulum offers many impressive moments.
However, it is the beaches that remain the real draw here thanks to the sand as soft as flour, the palm trees that creak softly and the bright cobalt blue water. Enjoy barefoot seafood shacks, sunrise oceanfront yoga sessions and kaleidoscopic marine life for unforgettable snorkeling, and you'll realize you've just camped in paradise. Tulum is a city full of contrasts. Half of the roads in Tulum are unpaved, and you can often see new and luxurious buildings in front of garbage thrown directly on the road or very small wooden houses full of chickens and turkeys.
The city of Tulum (also known as Tulum Pueblo or downtown Tulum) is the place to stay if you are traveling to Tulum on a budget. With that out of the way, let's break down everything you need to know about traveling to Tulum like a boss. To swim alongside them, head to Akumal, 26 km north of Tulum, where you can dive with these magnificent creatures for a closer look. Tulum beach is just a long stretch of beach that can go by different names sometimes, but it's just one.
In fact, the week I arrived, Tulum had a festival called Art with Me, which became a super-propagating event. Keep in mind that there is no Uber in Tulum, but there are always taxis waiting outside the bus station. If you are looking to lie on a beautiful Caribbean beach, take pictures and swim in the cenotes, then Tulum is for you. Actually, there aren't that many great bars in downtown Tulum, but Batey's would still be the best even if there were.
In addition to sunbathing on the spectacular beach and enjoying the views from your modern beach hotel, tasting exceptional food or shopping at Boho Tulum, there are so many daily activities you can do in Tulum and discover the spectacular places that made Tulum one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. Located on Tulum's Beach Road, across from the Lolita Lolita store and across the street from Kaya Tulum, this famous Follow That Dream Tulum sign is one of the most popular photo spots in Tulum. The place for the best burritos in Tulum, with steak, seafood, vegan options and burritos for breakfast in the morning. As Aldea Zama is more residential, you'll often get better WiFi and a very nice spot for around 25% of the cost of a beach resort in Tulum.
Sian Ka'an is a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located south of the city of Tulum. Most of Tulum's beaches are accessed through hotels, many of which require you to be a guest or spend a minimum to enjoy their amenities, such as cabanas, beach chairs and bathrooms. While it's true that it's not my favorite beach city in Mexico, Tulum is a unique destination in Mexico that everyone should visit at least once, if only to form their own opinion about it. If you spend more than you paid to enter, you will have to pay that balance at the Tulum beach clubs you have visited.
.
