Tulum (Tulu’um in Yucatec Maya) is located on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo. It is known for its beautiful beaches and well-preserved ruins of a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city located along 12-meter-tall cliffs. Tulum was one of the last cities built by the Mayan and was most prominent between the 13th and 15th centuries. The city was largely abandoned by the end of the 16th century after Spanish occupation. Today it is the third most visited archaeological site in Mexico after Teotihuacan and Chichen Itza. El Castillo (castle) is a prominent stone structure that we will plan to visit as a group.
Inexpensive taxis are available at the hotel to get to the beach. Bike rentals are available at Ola Bike Tulum, Tulum Rental Co and at iBike Tulum. Tulum eBikes is also available if that’s your preference. If you’re staying outside of the city center in La Valeta (Old Town), you can use La Valeta Bike Rental. Please keep in mind that most people in Tulum use Whatsapp for communicating, including businesses.
Attractions
If you want to check Tulum’s cenotes (lakes inside of caves), here is an article: “15 Best Cenotes near Tulum (2023).” We recommend also Cenote Calavera and Cenote Aldea Zamá.
Playa Paraiso is the best beach with free parking, walk up access, and cabanas/umbrellas for rent.
If you’re interested in learning more about Tulum’s archeological sites on your own outside of the planned group trip, visit Tulum Archaeological Zone. It’s open Monday thru Sunday from 8 am to 5 pm. The cost is $85 MXN pesos (about $5.00 USD) per person. Wear a swimsuit under your clothes and good walking shoes.
You can also take a bus from Tulum to Playa del Carmen, and from there take a ferry to Cozumel. For the bus, go to the ADO Terminal in Tulum. You can buy tickets at the terminal or buy ahead of time here. For the ferry to Cozumel, you also purchase tickets in person or buy in advance. Here is the ferry schedule.
Restaurants
For coffee within walking distance, we recommend the Happy Hippee Tulum.
For breakfast or brunch within walking distance, try Don Cafeto.
For street food within walking distance, try Taqueria Honorio, open-air cafe with the best cochinita pibil, which is a regional dish of slow-roasted pork eaten in tacos. Cash (pesos) only; NO credit cards.
If you like seafood, El Capitan Centro is a great place to check out.
RosaNegra is also good if you want more of a high-end restauraunt experience. The restaurant turns into a club after 11:00 pm.