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Heading to Tulum and unsure what’s there to do there? Nicely, you’re in the suitable place! On this article, you’ll discover out about the most effective issues to do in Tulum! And what’s even higher, I’ll share with you our enjoyable itinerary for five days in Tulum! Able to get began?
If you happen to’re new to this weblog, hello, we’re Liza and Jose, a millennial couple primarily based in London, UK. Jose (lengthy for Pepe) was born and raised in Mexico; therefore, as you’ll be able to think about, we journey to Mexico very often. Fascinated with extra posts about Mexico? Test our Mexico weblog posts class!
Right here’s what you’ll be able to look forward to finding on this put up:
Issues to know earlier than travelling to Tulum
The place is Tulum and get there?
Tulum is a small city positioned within the state of Quintana Roo on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. The best option to get there may be by taking a taxi or a switch from Cancun Airport. Whereas taxis in Cancun Airport are usually very overpriced (and the general means of getting a taxi there all the time was tremendous disturbing for my part), pre-booking a switch prematurely is less expensive and total, it’s a greater expertise. I like to recommend utilizing GetTransfer for pre-booking a switch to Tulum.
One other option to get to Tulum from Cancun Airport is by renting a automobile.
Renting a automobile in Cancun Airport to drive to Tulum
The sooner you guide your automobile rent, the cheaper price you’ll get. The worth actually is determined by the season; nevertheless, you’ll be able to usually lease a automobile for per week for as little as $90 (with out full insurance coverage)! For comparability, if you happen to guide on the day of your arrival, the identical automobile can value you $1500. Ensure that to keep away from suppliers like Hertz and Nationwide as they’re identified to rip-off vacationers in Mexico (we had been virtually scammed by Nationwide and ended up and not using a automobile, however that’s an entire totally different story).
I like to recommend renting by Rentalcars.com or by Expedia as they provide full insurance coverage at a really aggressive worth.
What’s the most effective time to go to Tulum?
If you happen to’re questioning when to journey to Tulum, effectively, any time! Tulum is a typical all-year-long journey vacation spot, which implies that you may go there any time of the yr. Nonetheless, I might usually keep away from July to September, because it’s a season with the best danger of storms. Winter months are normally the coldest, nevertheless, chilly in Tulum means 28 levels Celsius, which is fairly sizzling! In winter, nevertheless, you will get some wet or cloudy days. As Tulum is a tropical vacation spot, it’s not possible to foretell if it’s going to rain or not. If you happen to’re very unfortunate, you will get per week of rain! Nonetheless, I went to Riviera Maya and Tulum 4 occasions and by no means had a whole lot of wet days in a row.
You may swim in Tulum all yr lengthy as effectively! Nonetheless, every so often there is a matter with a great deal of seaweed! Ensure that to examine the information about that earlier than you go there.
How costly is Tulum? Costs in Tulum, Mexico
Lastly, the final query is how costly Tulum is. If you happen to’re questioning if Tulum is pricey, the reply isn’t any, not likely. All of it is determined by your life-style. It’s true that Tulum is costlier than Playa del Carmen and even Cancun, nevertheless, it’s nonetheless reasonably priced in comparison with most Caribbean locations just like the Bahamas or Barbados.
Nonetheless, Tulum additionally has some very costly locations and an enormous draw back of Tulum is that with a small price range, you wouldn’t have the ability to dwell near the seaside. You’ll have to both cycle or take a taxi to the seaside and it will take at the very least 35-45 minutes to get there. Dwelling subsequent to the seaside would truly value you at the very least $200 per day, so preserve that in thoughts. To search out out extra about costs in Tulum and the price range you want for a visit there, take a look at my separate put up about Budgeting your journey to Tulum: how costly is Tulum >>>
The place to remain in Tulum for five days: all of the areas defined
Tulum isn’t that giant of city, however it’s unfold throughout an enormous territory. That’s why biking from one location to a different can take 40-50 minutes! Biking is the preferable means of getting round in Tulum – whereas it may be a bit tiring if you happen to aren’t used to biking regularly earlier than, it lets you keep away from problems with parking along with your automobile, particularly if you happen to’re heading to the seaside space.
If you happen to’re on a price range or unsure, the place to remain, I like to recommend staying in 2 totally different areas throughout your keep in Tulum like we did. We stayed at period lodge & Spa in La Veleta for a few days earlier than shifting to Delek Tulum (a shocking beachfront property in Zone Hotelera).
Nonetheless, let’s have a look at all totally different areas in additional element:
Tulum seaside: Zona Hotelera and Playa Paraiso
There are two areas positioned on the seaside: Playa Paraiso (near Tulum ruins) and Zona Hotelera (on the alternative facet – the place a lot of the stylish lodges are). Playa Paraiso is certainly quieter, because it doesn’t have a lot nightlife and folks usually don’t come right here to get together. It’s an amazing place to remain if you happen to’re coming to Tulum for a honeymoon (examine my information to a honeymoon in Tulum right here). A number of the finest lodges to contemplate in Playa Paraiso: Mi Amor a Colibri and Kai Tulum.
Zona Hotelera is the place all of the Instagrammable lodges, cafes, eating places, nightclubs, outlets and every little thing you’ll be able to consider are positioned! It will get very busy at night time and a few areas of Zona Hotelera are actually actually noisy! It’s fairly arduous to sleep earlier than 2am there, as all of the bars and nightclubs are simply blasting music, and there may be nowhere to cover (not even in your room – until you’re in a soundproofed property). If that’s not a problem and you’d get pleasure from this space, then among the finest locations to remain could be: Azulik Tulum, Delek Tulum and Ana y Jose.
Tulum city: Aldea Zama, La Veleta and Tulum centro
One other in style a part of Tulum is Tulum city, which consists of Aldea Zama (it’s the closest to the seaside being 15-20 minutes biking away), a barely cheaper neighbourhood La Veleta (circa 45-50 minutes away from the seaside) and Tulum Centro, which is kind of unfold and has fancy and common components.
Essentially the most spectacular lodge in Tulum city is undoubtedly Resort Bardo. Nonetheless, another good properties embody Biwa Tulum and Layla Tulum.
Alright, let’s discuss our [more or less] enjoyable itinerary for five days in Tulum: the most effective issues to do!
Right here’s the brief overview of the 5-day itinerary for Tulum:
Day 1: Attending to Tulum. Exploring Tulum City
Day 2: Morning exploring Tulum ruins, spending the afternoon on the seaside
Day 3: Exploring among the finest cenotes close to Tulum, night on the seaside, testing among the most Instagrammable spots in Tulum
Day 4: Both a day journey at Sian Ka’an or a day on the seaside (relying on what you’re keener on doing)
Day 5: Having fun with the seaside, heading again to Cancun Airport with the cease in Playa del Carmen
With out additional ado, let’s get began with the enjoyable 5-day itinerary for Tulum and among the finest issues to do in Tulum.
Day 1: Attending to Tulum and exploring Tulum city
In your first day in Tulum, I like to recommend taking it simple and simply specializing in attending to Tulum and exploring Tulum city. If you happen to’re flying to Mexico from one other nation, most likely, you’ll arrive at Cancun Worldwide Airport. Attending to Tulum from Cancun Worldwide Airport takes, on common, 1.5-2 hours (if you happen to drive there your self, pre-order a switch or take a taxi). It may be fairly tiring, so I think about that you simply wouldn’t need to go full in and discover rather a lot in your first day.
Therefore, I simply advocate checking in at your lodge, enjoyable a bit, having a shower and heading off to discover Tulum city. Tulum city isn’t very fairly (it’s not a former colonial city like Merida or Guanajuato), so the city centre is fairly easy when it comes to structure. Tulum is a city of contrasts – you’ll be able to see some luxurious new properties being in-built entrance of crumbling small homes, you’ll see a whole lot of unpaved roads and chickens operating on the streets. Nonetheless, that’s a attraction of Tulum, and I really feel prefer it could possibly be misplaced very quickly (sadly), as a result of speedy growth and elevated reputation of Tulum.
There are many outlets in Tulum city centre – from grocery outlets to clothes shops and memento outlets. There’s additionally a really good road meals market referred to as Palma Central – you’ll discover a whole lot of worldwide meals stalls and the meals is fairly reasonably priced there.
All of the nightlife, nevertheless, is going on in the world of C. Centauro Sur – among the finest examples are Batey Mojito bar, Mezcaleria Amores and others. There are additionally superb taco stalls proper in entrance of Batey bar if you happen to’re in search of a fast chunk!
Issues to do in your option to Tulum
Nonetheless, if you happen to’re simply going to Tulum from one other location in Mexico (e.g. from Cancun or Playa del Carmen), I think about that you’d need to do a bit extra in your first day in Tulum. On this case, you can too discover among the superb cenotes on the way in which to Tulum – e.g. a few of my favorite cenotes and those I might advocate probably the most could be Cenote Azul and Cenote Dos Ojos. A number of cenotes are positioned between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, therefore, you wouldn’t must do a posh detour or go off-the-route fully.
Day 2: Morning exploring Tulum ruins, afternoon on the seaside
In your second day in Tulum, I like to recommend visiting the well-known Mayan ruins – Tulum Archaeological website. I like to recommend heading there early, because it will get fairly crowded (we waited within the queue for about 30-40 minutes to purchase tickets after we arrived round 12pm), furthermore, it gained’t be as sizzling in you head there early. Getting there may be very easy. If you happen to’re primarily based within the city centre, you’ll be able to simply stroll (circa 45 minutes), cycle (circa 10-Quarter-hour and even much less) or seize a taxi (circa 5-10 minutes). If you happen to’re primarily based near the seaside, you can too both cycle or simply take a taxi there.
The ruins are positioned on high of a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea, so you’ll be able to solely think about how gorgeous the views are. It’s good to simply wander round and discover the ruins. You’ll have the ability to spot a whole lot of iguanas. They have an inclination to find it irresistible there, and a few are fairly big. We virtually thought that we noticed a dinosaur!
Spending the afternoon on the seaside
After visiting Tulum archaeological website, I like to recommend simply spending the remainder of the day on the seaside. You may both keep near Tulum ruins and discover Playa Paraiso (there are many pretty seaside golf equipment there) or head to the “most important” seaside within the Zona Hotelera Space. If you happen to’re staying at one of many lodges near the seaside, you can too spend the remainder of your afternoon having fun with this seaside.
If you happen to’re staying in Tulum city, listed below are among the finest seaside golf equipment and bars to take a look at in Tulum:
Nomade Tulum
Papaya Playa
Day 3: Cenotes close to Tulum, Instagrammable spots in Tulum and night on the seaside
As I discussed earlier than, there are such a lot of superb cenotes close to Tulum. If you happen to haven’t heard of cenotes earlier than, principally, they’re pure sinkholes. All cenotes are totally different, nevertheless, among the finest cenotes close to Tulum are Gran Cenote, cenote Calavera, cenote Escondido, cenote Dos Ojos and cenote Sac Actun. There is no such thing as a option to go to all of them in in the future (and there’s no must), so attempt to decide two of probably the most handy ones or those you think about spectacular.
Most of cenotes have a small entrance payment that you could pay to have the ability to go to them (and swim there), whereas another ones are far more costly and embody snorkelling and even diving actions (e.g. cenote Dos Ojos). Cenote Calavera and cenote Escondido are most likely not probably the most spectacular ones, however they’re the closest to Tulum and you’ll cycle there. For the others, it’s simpler to rent a taxi (or a automobile) or take one of many cenote excursions from Viator like this one or this one >>>
Discover among the most Instagrammable spots in Tulum and spending the night on the seaside
Relying on how a lot time you’re planning to spend within the cenotes, you’ll be able to both have half of the day free or simply the night. Both means, I like to recommend strolling round Tulum’s Zona Hotelera and discover among the most Instagrammable spots just like the well-known Tulum signal, Ven a la Luz statue in entrance of Ahau lodge, Match Mama and among the most Instagrammable lodges, which you’ll simply see from Tulum seaside!
Day 4: Both a day journey at Sian Ka’an / Chichen Itza or a day on the seaside (relying on what you’re keener on doing)
In your 4th day in Tulum, I like to recommend spending the day elsewhere (e.g. Sian Ka’an or Chichen Itza) or you’ll be able to spend it on the seaside if you happen to’re keener on enjoyable. Let’s first discuss Sian Ka’an after which about Chichen Itza. It’s not possible to go to each in in the future, so select the one you like.
Visiting the Sian Ka’an Biosphere
Sian Ka’an is a big nature reserve protected by UNESCO. Visiting Sian Ka’an is an incredible expertise as you should have an opportunity to satisfy native fauna, snorkel, drive by a shocking forest and uncover Muyil ruins – one of many earliest inhabited Mayan websites. Whilst you can go to Sian Ka’an your self if you happen to rent a 4×4 and get a map of the world, the most effective [and probably the easiest way] is to get an organised tour. Listed here are among the best-rated excursions to Sian Ka’an & a few of them even embody a safari, swimming in a shocking lagoon and even a lunch:
Sian Ka’an and Muyil Archaeological Website Tour >>>
Non-public tour to Sian Ka’an >>>
Visiting Chichen Itza
One other factor you are able to do close to Tulum (effectively, 2 hours away from Tulum, to be exact), is to go to Chichen Itza! Chichen Itza was voted one of many new wonders of the world, and it’s one of many journey bucket listing locations. This archaeological park is positioned circa 2 hours away from Tulum (every means). You may both drive there your self and pre-book tickets for Chichen Itza prematurely right here, so that you don’t want to face within the queue for 30-60 minutes. You may purchase the tickets on-line right here >>>
Alternatively, you’ll be able to take certainly one of many excursions that may deliver you to Chichen Itza! Relying in your price range and preferences, you’ll be able to both take a gaggle tour (examine the supply right here) or a personal tour to Chichen Itza (examine the costs right here)
You may learn my put up about driving to Chichen Itza your self – issues you could know! >>>
Spending the day on the seaside
If the last word purpose of your journey to Tulum is to relaxation and calm down, then, maybe, a tiring day journey stuffed with sightseeing or a day tour to a Nature Reserve wouldn’t be the most effective concept. On this case, you’ll be able to simply spend today in Tulum, having fun with the seaside or discovering a brand new space of the city (e.g. Playa Paraiso if you happen to haven’t had an opportunity to go to it but) or among the finest seaside bars and golf equipment in Zona Hotelera.
If you happen to’re into meals and good eating places, listed below are just a few that I like to recommend testing:
Taboo
Karma Tulum
Ocumare
Hartwood
NU Tulum
There are many superb eating places in Tulum. A few of them are positioned inside lodges, e.g. Kin Toh is positioned inside a lodge Azulik that was an Instagram sensation of 2020. The most effective methods to see Azulik from the within (moreover staying there, after all) is reserving a dinner in one of many lodge’s eating places.
Day 5: Having fun with the seaside, heading again to Cancun Airport with the cease in Playa del Carmen
Lastly, in your final day in Tulum, I like to recommend taking it simple! Spend a while having fun with the morning, go for a swim or a run, have a beautiful breakfast and calm down. Relying on the time of your flight again, you’ll be able to both keep in Tulum and benefit from the seaside / or the city or head some other place.
You can too go to one other cenote or perhaps a city on the way in which to the airport. You probably have a whole day and your flight doesn’t depart till late within the night, you’ll be able to even go to certainly one of many amusement parks in Riviera Maya. These theme parks supply a whole lot of enjoyable issues to do – e.g. zip strains, rafting, snorkelling, attending to know tropical animals. If you happen to like journey, then Xplor could be the most effective park to go to (the doorway prices circa $100 per particular person).
If you happen to’re into snorkelling – then Xel-Ha (pronounced Shell-Kha) could be an amazing choice. If you happen to like a little bit of each – maybe, you’d get pleasure from Xcaret probably the most (nevertheless, probably the most attention-grabbing a part of Xcaret is their Mayan present, which runs largely within the evenings).
Abstract of 5 days in Tulum: the most effective issues to do in Tulum in 5 days!
Alright, I hope you loved this put up about spending 5 days in Tulum and the most effective issues to do and see in Tulum if you happen to’re coming there for five days solely! Tulum is gorgeous and when you come there, you simply can’t cease returning. Particularly as a result of the city is altering and growing a lot and there are such a lot of new superb openings that it’s arduous to maintain observe on them. Total, I need to say that 5 days are positively not sufficient to get to know Mexico’s Caribbean Coast and the gorgeous area of Riviera Maya. I’ve been there 4 occasions and spent over 1.5 months in whole, however even that wasn’t sufficient to see and do every little thing I wished to do (effectively, to be truthful, we additionally needed to work some days remotely, in order that wasn’t precisely 1.5 months of holidays). Nonetheless, 5 days could be sufficient to get to know Tulum and among the finest issues to do in Tulum, together with Tulum Archaeological Zone, the gorgeous seashores of Tulum, probably the most Instagrammable seaside golf equipment and even discover a few cenotes very near the city.
When you discover Tulum, you can begin exploring different areas like Akumal, Holbox, Isla Mujeres, Playa del Carmen, Cancun and a few others – there are such a lot of issues to do in Mexico, and all of them are superb!
Another posts about Mexico you would possibly like:
Most Instagrammable lodges in Tulum
Cancun vs Riviera Maya: the most effective place to go to
How costly is Tulum: the price range you want for a visit to Tulum
Is Tulum value it? Execs and cons of Tulum
Mexico street journey itinerary: from Mexico Metropolis to Oaxaca through Puebla
How you can go to Tulum on a price range: lower your expenses in Tulum
Playa del Carmen vs Tulum: the most effective seaside vacation spot in Mexico
