Tulum is one of the most coveted destinations for its beaches, a place that retains its informal and relaxed air. Tulum town has all the facilities and dreamlike surroundings. Tulum is very Caribbean.


Tulum It is a unique beach destination in the Riviera Maya with small hotels along its spectacular beaches. It began developing as a backpacker destination for travelers, different from the concept of Cancún and the coastal strip that surrounds Playa del Carmen, where the big all-inclusive hotels They are habitual.

Tulum was the idyllic place, the one dreamed by the traveler on the Mexican coast. I got to know Tulum for the first time in 1996, my first time in Mexico.

I returned to Mexico to live in Cancun in 2007. Since then I have seen how the Mexican Caribbean coast has been transformed over the years, losing much of its nature.

Tulum Beach, Riviera Maya, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

WHAT WAVES WITH TULUM?

Despite this promising start of relaxation accessible to all budgets, the beaches of Tulum have ended up being one of the most expensive destinations in Riviera Maya, with hotels hanging the deceptive sign of echo, knowing that they have the irresistible charm of the Caribbean Sea in their favour.

There are fewer and fewer public accesses through which to get to the beaches, a beach that had that spirit of belonging to everyone. In some stretches of beach you can camp and there are cheaper hostels, but reality has made it an expensive destination.

The more backpackers still find places to camp or share services near the sea, but the truth is that the cheapest places are in Tulum town.

Right now, in addition to its incredible beaches, Tulum town and Tulum beach is a total party destination. You can still find quiet hotels, but the destination is known for its parties.

What to do in Tulum town and surroundings 1
GALLERY ©Tulum Visitors Guide

TULUM VILLAGE

Tulum town grows along the federal highway that crosses it. It is divided by federal highway 307, which runs parallel to the Caribbean coast from Cancun to Chetumal (border with Belize).

In Tulum town there are all the services that the visitor will require: restaurants, travel agencies, the bus terminal, car and bike rentals, bars, a variety of hotels, souvenir and handicraft shops.

And especially party. Tulum town and Tulum beach are known for their parties.

Tulum, Quintana Roo

HOW TO GO FROM THE TOWN TO THE BEACH AREA: 

El town of Tulum It is 4 kilometers from the beaches, and given the unstoppable demand of visitors, it has developed in unison with the strip of sea. It is an option for many who want to enjoy this area of ​​Tulum without having to pay the high prices of the beach.

You can go to the beach:

  • by bicycle along the cycle path (they rent them from 170 pesos a day),
  • walking on the same bike path
  • or take the bus that leaves from the town center to the beach.

It is evident that the restaurants Facing the sea they gain a lot in charm, but in Tulum town there is surely a better culinary offer than in the beach area.

At the accommodation level, the economic range is also much greater, from rooms for rent, hostels and hotels with all services. Clubs to air out the night, and the occasional party until dawn on the beach.

Tulum_riviera_maya
Tulum, Quintana Roo

WHAT TO DO IN TULUM, PLACES TO VISIT

Tulum still retains the charm of the traveler who moves away from all-inclusive air + hotel package destinations, travelers who like to arrive and discover destinations on their own. The type of traveler surely gets to know the destination better.

The surroundings of Tulum they are a magnificent opportunity to discover the best corners of the Caribbean area.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL ZONES CLOSE TO TULUM

1-TULUM

The unmissable postcard of the Mexican Caribbean, just 3 kilometers from the town, you can go by public transport, on foot or by bicycle. The archaeological zone of Tulum they are located about 3 km towards Playa del Carmen on federal highway 307 of Riviera Maya. 

  • Schedules: open from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. daily. Sundays are free for nationals and residents with official identification.  
  • Entry price: 90 mxn + 55 mxn CONANP payment. There is a bicycle path to the archaeological zone.
  • Parking lot: 100 pesos per car
Archaeological zone Tulum, Quintana Roo

2-COBA

one of the most important old cities and with the highest pyramid you can climb. The archaeological zone of Cobá It is 45 km from Tulum following Highway 109. 

  • Schedule: open from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. daily. Sundays are free for nationals and residents with official identification.  
  • Entry price: 100 mxn + 100 pesos payment to the ejidatarios (the owners of the land)
  • Parking lot: 60 pesos per car.
Nohoch Mul, Cobá

3-VERY

Muyil is a smaller area that fans of nature and the Mayan world will surely like. The archaeological zone of Muyil It is located at 22 kilometers south of Tulum.

  •  Schedules: open from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. daily. Sundays are free for nationals and residents with official identification. 
  • Entry price: 70 mxn and 68 are paid from the entry to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve if you choose to do the interpretive trail. It is worth doing the path to the lagoon, it is one of the pluses of Muyil
Muyil Archaeological Zone, Quintana Roo

4-CHICHEN ITZA

From Tulum leaves the road that takes you to Cobá and Valladolid, way to Chichén Itzá, the must-see of all the Wonder of the Modern World. The Chichen Itza archaeological zone It is at 2 hours by car from Tulum. 

  • Schedule: open from 8 a.m. to 17 p.m. daily. Sundays are free for nationals and residents with official identification.
  •  Entry price: foreigners 614 pesos and Mexicans 284 pesos.
  • Parking lot: 100 mxn per car.
What to do in Tulum town and surroundings 2

PLACES OF NATURE CLOSE TO TULUM

1-SIAN KA'AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE

The entrance arch to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve It is located about 15 kilometers from Tulum following the detour of the coastal highway to Boca Paila. Remember that you can also visit Sian Ka'an from the archaeological zone of Muyil and do the floating river.

  • Entry price: 65 mxn There is a bike path almost all the way to the entrance to Sian Ka'an.
What to do in Tulum town and surroundings 3

2- BEACHES CLOSE TO TULUM

The public beaches of the Tulum beach area are Playa Paraíso and Playa Pescadores. You also have some of the best beaches in the Mexican Caribbean very close:

beach_xcacel_xcacelito

3- KAAN LUUM LAGOON

La Kaan L'uum lagoon  It is located 7 kilometers south of Tulum towards Felipe Carrillo Puerto. From the entrance there is a scarce kilometer to the lagoon.

  • Hours: open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Price per person 300 pesos.
cenotes near tulum

4-LAGOON POINT

One of the places that I hold dearest in the Riviera Maya. Punta Laguna It is the natural habitat of spider monkeys and howler monkeys. This place is managed by a community of locals, who have preserved this beautiful piece of land for years, a natural sanctuary.

They also offer different activities such as zip lines, kayaks, cenotes... Now there is much more tourism than when I met them many years ago, but it still retains a natural charm that prevails over tourism.

Punta Laguna, Quintana Roo

TOP STRIPPERS CENOTES NEAR TULUM

I link the post where I am adding those that I consider the best cenotes in Tulum. I hope you enjoy the area a lot, the world of cenotes is wonderful.

What to do in Tulum town and surroundings 4

TULUM AND PLACES TO TAKE THE INSTAGRAM PHOTO

Like all tourist places, Tulum has several spots where you can go and take a picture. The truth is that I do not know them, I have never visited them. It is information that may interest you, so I name them.

  • The famous sculpture Come to the Light
  • the sign “Follow that dream”
  • the Sfer Ik Museum 
  • or the Matcha Mama swing.

You should always or almost always line up for the photo, you know that fame costs. More than 1 hour of waiting and delay to take the photo in Ven la Luz, as several acquaintances have told me.

What to do in Tulum town and surroundings 5
Sculpture Come To Light

TULUM BY BIKE

Tulum is an ideal place to rent a bicycle, a calm and inexpensive way to get to know the area. In the vicinity of Tulum we find beautiful places, this offers us several Bike routes from Tulum very interesting.

All the bike riders (bike lanes) have been built from Tulum, facilitating the mobility of the local and the tourist who likes to ride a bike. If you like this roll, you already have a destination.

What to do in Tulum town and surroundings 6

EXCURSIONS FROM TULUM

Tulum gives you that flavor of the Caribbean that is more overshadowed in large towns like Cancun and Playa del Carmen, here everything is smaller, more familiar and casual. Tulum is a magnificent place to base yourself for a few days and get to know the charms and attractions of the area.

Obviously also you can hire excursions that take you to these places, with the comfort that they pick you up at your hotel and you don't have to think about anything else, just enjoy.

I leave you with the extensive and interesting offer of tours from GET YOUR GUIDE, a company that sells online in an easy, safe and comfortable way. They allow you to cancel for free up to 24 hours before the tour.

 

Good way,

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Sandra Salvadó Training photographer, traveler by vocation and certified tourism guide by the Government of Mexico. We promote natural wonders and contemporary Mayan culture. Great fan of pre-Hispanic history. Author of the blog and co-founder of The Shortest Path Travel, agency that guides you through alternative paths in Mayan lands. Social and sustainable tourism in the Yucatan Peninsula and Chiapas.
I am at your disposal for whatever you need. Let's talk.

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