Logistics
Fly into Cancun and take a 90 minute shuttle bus ride to Tulum. You can purchase your bus ticket at the Tulum airport or book a private transfer ahead of time. At the bus stop, you can then take a taxi to your hotel. There isn’t a need to rent a car unless you plan to take day trips away from Tulum. I recommend renting bikes or scooters as your mode of transportation. You can take taxis, but it’s a bit more of a hassle and it’s way more fun to zip around on a scooter.
When you get to the town of Tulum, there are two main areas to stay in: The downtown or Pueblo area and the Beach zone. We opted for the Beach zone and stayed in Coco Unlimited, as it was actually an affordable beach side option during the off season. I highly recommend this hotel. It’s right on the water, has a beautiful pool, multiple relaxation areas with cushions, cabanas, and swings, and a beach side bar and restaurant. The rooms are super simple: whitewashed stone walls and flooring, a large comfortable bed, and a hammock on the porch.
There are benefits to both areas. The Pueblo area offers accommodations in all price ranges from luxury to budget. It is very walkable and there are great shops, restaurants, and nightlife. It is also probably considered a more authentic area. The Beach zone offers accommodations on the pricier side. The boutique shops, eclectic restaurants and nightlife scene are festive but more expensive. However, you are closer to the water if the beach is a main attraction for you. It is also a very walkable area, but you would need to take a taxi or scooter to get between the Beach zone and the Pueblo area.
It is important to know that many of the hotels in the Beach zone do not have air conditioning or may limit electricity. Tulum is an eco-chic destination (although honestly it feels like an oxymoron to call a place booming with urban development eco-friendly) so just be aware as you search for an accommodation.
Day 1
Morning
Start the day as relaxed as possible. Enjoy the hotel breakfast on the beach where you can order from several different breakfast entrees. At Coco Unlimited, breakfast is included. Every beach hotel has a beautiful set up with a variety of places to relax. Spend the morning on the swings looking out over the ocean, or lounge back on one of the plush cabana chairs and enjoy the sound of the waves. I also recommend walking the beach and checking out all the other swoon-worthy hotels and beach clubs.
Afternoon
Renting scooters is the best way to make getting around Tulum easy and way more fun. Take a ride to one of Tulum’s several art museums. We loved Sfer IK Tulum. I don’t know if art museum is the most appropriate term, but it’s more like an artistic architecture experience. It’s almost difficult to describe as it is a building with multiple rooms and walkways covered in different forms of wood, stone, and plants. However you describe it, the description will certainly include the word zen. Part of the time, Eric and I found a place to lounge (there were several spots with pillows on the floor) and just admired the unique space. If there was ever a place for a solid Instagram pic…this is it. Every hotel, club, restaurant, and store is designed in such a unique way you will want to stop and admire each one. Wrap up your afternoon with some shopping in any of the boutiques along the road or a frozen lemon ice at one of the roadside stands.
Evening
Get a little dressy and head out to dinner. We loved Mamanzita, one of several Grupo RosaNegro restaurants in Tulum including Tantra and Tao. It was an experience worth every penny. Not only was the upscale version of traditional Mexican food absolutely delicious, but the vibe and space were spectacular and the energy and entertainment buzzing. From the live band to the beautiful waitresses in evening gowns dancing and singing along, it felt like a whole night out just at this one location. If you love nightlife, Tulum is the perfect destination for you. And while I’m not a huge nightlife person (I’m in bed by 10 even on vacation–don’t judge me), just going out to dinner in Tulum feels like a big deal.
Day 2
Morning
Sleeping in is always a perk to vacation, but for me, getting up early and enjoying a quiet morning is where it’s at. Take plenty of time to sit beach side and have breakfast or take some time to walk, read, or relax before starting the day. Drive out to the Tulum Ruins before it gets too hot. Spend the morning wandering around the cliff side temples and dwellings of the Mayans set against rocky coastline.
Afternoon
Pop on your helmet and head out to Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum to cool off. Cenotes are underwater caverns typically made of sandstone that has given way due to erosion. They have cold, crystal clear, and perfectly blue or turquoise water. Casa Tortuga is a great introduction to cenotes. You walk around the park with a guide who explains the different types of cenotes and how they are formed, and you get to swim in each of them. Afterwards, you can explore the park and swim in the cenotes at your leisure. Tip-This would also be a great destination for families with kids. We swam in caves with stalactites hanging over us, jumped off ledges into the larger cenotes, and floated along in the refreshing and beautiful waters. One thing to remember–if you visit any cenote–don’t wear sunscreen or lotions. If you do, make sure they are environmentally safe. There are showers you are required to use prior to entering the park so you do your part to keep the water clean. Inside the park there are several spots to grab food or a cool drink or set up for a picnic while you dry off in the sun. Tip–There are these biting mosquitoes this time of year that can be really annoying. If they bother you, grab a palm branch off the ground and use it as a fan to keep them away.
Evening
Shower, freshen up, and head out to the Pueblo area. Park your scooter and walk up and down the main street for some shopping, but make sure to leave the main strip and head into the rest of the town for a more authentic experience. We walked over to the park and watched part of a local soccer game. The glitz of Tulum is a vacation paradise, but it’s always nice to see a different and more authentic version of the area. Grab dinner at any of the several restaurants. La Gloria de Don Pepe and El Asadero are great mid-point price range options. When it comes to places to eat in Tulum, there is literally something for every taste and budget. Tip-Just remember to make a reservation especially during high season, always have cash (Pesos) on hand as some places only accept cash, and remember tipping is customary (15% to 20% is standard).
Day 3
Morning
Since you have a scooter, take time to check out some areas outside of Tulum which is a great way to get off the touristy track and find a cheaper place to grab some souvenirs. Tip–If you need to fill up for gas and can’t find what looks like a traditional gas station, stop at one of the convenience stores along the way. You can buy gas by the liter and it comes in a soft drink bottle which you then pour into your vehicle. Also, take some time to check out several other cenotes in the area. Just pull up a map on your phone or ask the locals for ones they’d recommend. We really liked Cenote Zacil-Ha which has a zipline over the cenote that you can ride for a few pesos. I have this weird love for jumping off into cold water–it’s weird because I don’t love heights or cold water. Relax, play in the water, order some drinks, and enjoy the morning and early afternoon before heading back to the hotel.
Afternoon
There is so much to see and visit along the Beach zone of Tulum. Grab an iced coffee at one of the shops along the hotel strip, ride past all of the amazing hotels and boutiques, and make sure you have plenty of time to lounge by the pool or the beach. There are several beach clubs you can also pay to visit if you choose to stay off the beach strip. Tip-There tends to be seaweed this time of year–and a lot of it. Most of the hotels clean up the seaweed and push it into piles, but just be aware so it doesn’t catch you by surprise.
Evening
There are so many restaurants and beach clubs to choose from within walking distance or a short scooter or taxi ride away. Tonight, we were a little worn out from being in the sun all day, so we opted for a less formal dinner at La Taqueria-Pinches Taco Shop in the Beach zone. Listen when I tell you the burrito I had was life changing. Tip–You will see incense burning all over the place..sit near it! It keeps the biting mosquitoes away. After dinner, walk over to see the Instagram famous Ven a la Luz sculpture which is located in the Tulum Sculpture Park outside of the Ahau hotel in the beach zone. I’ll be honest, it was a picture of this sculpture that got me interested in Tulum in the first place.
Day 4
Morning and Afternoon
Tulum is known as an eco-chic destination with a flair for healthy and spiritual activities. Well, maybe its thriving nightlife scene isn’t exactly “healthy,” but there’s a green smoothie or turmeric wellness shot to bring you back to life each morning. Take a yoga class on the beach or at one of the many studios in the Pueblo area. Several studios and hotels offer classes, and many hotels will arrange a class for you even if they don’t offer one. The class I took was through Sanara Hotel and took place beach side in a studio with floor to ceiling windows facing the water. It was magical. The instructor was excellent as there were people of all skill levels (I was for sure the beginnerist of the beginners). Afterwards, we were offered complimentary wellness shots at the hotel bar. As this was our last day and the weather was perfect, we spent the morning and afternoon bouncing between the beach and the pool. We rode the scooter out a few times to grab iced coffee and some light lunch, but we mostly read, slept, and relaxed. There are a lot of things to see and do in Tulum, but make sure to schedule downtime if the atmosphere here is what you came for.
Evening
Pick a restaurant to celebrate your final night. Trying out any of the amazing restaurants of Tulum is part of the charm. And whether you’re looking for upscale or more budget friendly options, there is something for every taste and price range. If a party atmosphere is what you are looking for, any one of the Grupo Rosa Negro restaurants will provide you with great food and an eclectic and energetic vibe. Just note, they also come with a heftier price tag. If you’re feeling more low key, there are several great spots in the Pueblo zone for a more relaxed experience. Tulum is one of those places where I’d recommend trying a new place every night!
Day 5
It’s time to head home. Wake up and enjoy one last lazy morning with breakfast on the beach. Take a taxi back to the bus station in town, and catch your ride back to Cancun feeling more tan and refreshed than when you arrived.
