If you’re planning a trip to Tulum, you’ve probably heard all about the beautiful and trendy beach clubs that line its shores. Don’t get me wrong, the beach clubs are great and can be super fun for groups and parties! However, they can be pricey, and if clubbing isn’t your vibe, Tulum has so many other great things to do that you’ll want to add to your itinerary.
Relax on the beautiful free beaches
While the beaches of Tulum are all technically public, beach clubs make it difficult to access beaches along the hotel zone. I recommend going north to either Playa Paraiso or Playa Ruinas. Both of these beaches are beautiful and free!
Explore Tulum on bike
Renting a bike is one of the best ways to get around Tulum. Ola Bike is one of the most popular rental companies in Tulum. It costs $150 MX, about $8 USD, per day and $1,050 MX, about $56 USD, if you’re looking to rent for a whole week.
We found that taxis could be hard to come by at odd hours, and usually ended up being around $20-30 USD to get from our airbnb, just south of Tulum Downtown, to any other part of Tulum. Biking can take anywhere from 20-40 minutes, depending on where you’re going, but it’s a cheap way to get around and see more of what Tulum has to offer.
Tip: if you know you want to rent bikes, book them in advance as some bike rentals will be sold out. We saw groups turned away while we were picking up our rentals.
Take a day trip to Chichen Itza
I took a guided tour, which is the easiest way to see Chichen Itza. Book an early tour to beat some of the crowds!
Snorkel with sea turtles in Akumal
Snorkeling with sea turtles is definitely a bucket list experience, and is just a quick boat ride away from the beaches of Tulum. The reef in Akumal is one of the largest in the world, with beautiful coral and plenty of marine life including fish, sting rays, turtles, and sharks. We found a snorkel company right on the beach that was about $20 USD per person for a boat ride by the Tulum ruins and snorkeling with gear included. I recommend going earlier in the morning to beat the crowds.
Visit the Tulum ruins
Located right on the Playa Ruinas beach, the Tulum Ruins are one of the most beautiful Mayan ruin sites. The entrance fee is about $4 USD, but you can pay an extra $8 to enter 2 hours early and beat the crowds!
Take a dip in the cenotes
Swimming in the cenotes is a must-do on a trip to Tulum. I recommend packing all of your things into a dry bag and getting there early to beat crowds.
Go on a DIY food tour
DIY food tours are my favorite way to explore a new city and experience a new culture through food. Tulum has so many restaurants to choose from, so here are my top favorites:
- Taboo Tulum ( I went for dinner before it turned into a club at night)
- Palma Central for lunch or dinner
- DelCielo for brunch
Hit the top photography spots
Tulum is an instagrammer’s dream! In addition to the incredible natural scenery, there are so many picture perfect locations.
Here are a few of my favorite spots:
- Ven a la Luz sculpture
- Raw Love
- Tulum Ruins
Take a stroll through downtown
Tulum downtown has plenty of cute coffee shops, delicious restaurants, and small stores to shop in. I recommend grabbing lunch at Burrito Amor and wandering stores along the main strip.
Check out the other nightlife
You don’t have to dance on the beach until sunrise to have a good night in Tulum. If clubbing isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other lowkey and fun bars to grab a drink.
Here are some of the best bars to check out in Tulum Downtown:
- Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar for the “best mojitos in Tulum”
- Encanto Cantina for a romantic jungle escape in the heart of downtown
- Ki’bok for affordable drinks and a view of the popular strip below
There is so much to see and do in Tulum that it’s nearly impossible to see everything in one trip. I’m already thinking about going back! If you’re looking for the perfect tropical jungle getaway, you’ll love Tulum.
