The best Tulum travel guide for adventures has arrived! Along the Caribbean coast, the town of Tulum offers seaside Mayan ruins to explore, sandy beaches for relaxing, and undersea caves for diving or snorkeling. September is the birth month of my favorite travel partner Logan. He earned his PADI Diving Certification a couple of months before his birthday so that he could dive the cenotes in Mexico.
The Best Tulum Adventure Travel Guide
How to Get to Tulum
My suggestion is to fly to Cancun, the closest major airport to Tulum. From there you can either rent a car for your stay or take a taxi to/from where you are staying in Tulum. If you plan on exploring Tulum and surrounding areas I highly suggest getting a rental vehicle.
Ground Transportation
My recommendation, if you’re traveling during the off-season, is to wait until you’re at the airport to book your rental car. The rental companies at the airport will have more competitive pricing opportunities than you will find online and will negotiate with you. Have them explain the two different insurance options to you before you agree to rent with them.
Renting a car in Mexico can get tricky with insurance, some rental centers require high deposits of up to $2,500 USD. Do your research on how car insurance works in Mexico prior to your arrival.
Where to Stay
Are you the penthouse pool with a view type person or a walking distance to the beach, shopping type? These rentals are going to blow you away.
Caleta Tankah
Caleta Tankah is a Hotel + Beach Club located in Tulum, Mexico. The main attraction of this magical place is what I like to call, the secret cenote. The cenote is a freshwater sinkhole that you can swim in. You can choose to stay at the hotel with free access to amenities, or you can do what we did, and buy a day pass. The day pass includes access to the restaurant, beachfront, and beachside bar.
AHAU Tulum
Ahau is an ecological luxury Hotel with a Guest House right on Tulum’s Beach. Experience the magic and mystique of the city from this beautiful beachfront resort. Unplug, unwind, and enjoy barefoot sophistication amid the lush Mayan jungle and the Caribbean Sea on the pristine white sand of Mexico’s most coveted destination.
Designed for the environmentally conscious traveler seeking a luxurious getaway, the resort offers eco-conscious cabanas and huts on the oceanfront. Enjoy daily yoga lessons and sunrise meditation or venture out to explore the ancient Mayan ruins located minutes away.
Azulik Tulum
Nestled between the Caribbean Sea and the jungle of Tulum, this unique experience intertwines art and nature to create an environment where you can reconnect with yourself. Discover the villas, a contemporary art gallery, a House of Ancestral Medicine, a spa and wellness center, a fashion boutique, a beach club, and three restaurants – Mexican, Japanese, and farm-to-table that offer elevated gastronomic experiences.
Elevated wooden paths twist and turn, which allows the trees to grow freely and let the jungle’s native inhabitants move undisturbed below. All spaces are lit exclusively by candlelight, creating a natural ambiance perfect for a relaxing retreat or a romantic getaway.
Papaya Playa Project
The 900-meter stretch of oceanfront paradise cocooned on the Caribbean coast of the Mayan Riviera was the perfect spot. Together with the owners of the existing Papaya Playa beach resort, Design Hotels™ is initiating the ultimate pop-up camp. Claus Sendlinger explains:
“Our idea was to create a transitory, yet deeply culturally-rooted experience and we couldn’t have dreamed up a better place to make this happen. Capitalizing on the natural environment and multicultural character of Tulum, we quickly put together an international team of real visionaries, each enriching the experience with their own food, music, design or wellness concept. The enthusiasm and creative energy of everyone involved enabled us to renovate the camp and put together a holistic program within a very short period of time.”
Document your travels with conquest maps
What to Wear in Tulum
Don’t know what to pack for your trip to Tulum? This packing list from The Haphazard Traveler has a great guide on what to wear so you don’t forget anything on your trip!
Where to Eat in Tulum – Travel Guide
Kokoro Tulum
PRICE RANGE: $45 – $120
SPECIAL DIETS: Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
MEALS: Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks
CUISINES: Japanese, Seafood, Sushi, Asian, Healthy, International, Kyoto cuisine
FEATURES: Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Validated Parking, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service
Porfirio’s Tulum
CUISINES: Contemporary Mexican
SPECIAL DIETS: Vegetarian Friendly
Features: Guacamole Bar, Cheese Fondue, Ceviche, Pressed Pork Belly Gordita
Ilios Greek Estiatorio
Features: Steakhouse, Bar, Seafood, Mediterranean, Greek, Wine Bar
“Great delicious Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.” | “Make sure to get the saganaki!” | “We had the Greek salad and crab cakes.” | “We had the meatballs, Greek salad, crab cakes, and lamb — all were delicious”
Things to do in Tulum
Scuba Diving
Tulum is home to dozens of beautiful cenotes and caverns, many of which provide excellent diving experiences. Embark on two dives at different locations on this 5-hour guided tour. Transport, equipment, and snacks are all included, making this day hassle-free. Enjoy personalized attention on this small-group tour limited to just 4 divers. Note: You must show a diving certification to participate in this outing.
Snorkeling
Explore some of Tulum’s best swimming spots on a snorkeling adventure. This tour sets itself apart from other snorkeling outings by visiting three distinct ecosystems allowing you to experience firsthand the aquatic life of the Riviera Maya.
Jungle Tour: Cenote Snorkeling, and Ziplining
The Tulum ruins rest on an ancient cliffside city overlooking the Caribbean and is one of Mexico’s best-preserved Mayan sites. Explore the ruins on this action-packed guided tour, which includes a rare encounter with a sacred shaman, a snorkeling adventure in a cenote, and a zipline ride through the canopies of the rainforest.
Swim with Whale Sharks
Get close to whale sharks in their natural habitat during this daylong tour. Swim alongside the gentle giant in the warm waters of the Caribbean around Isla Mujeres. Learn about the preservation of this species and marine fauna.
Drive an ATV and explore Tulum’s ruins
Explore the ruins of Tulum Mexico along the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula and learn about their historical significance. You will drive an ATV through the Mayan jungle, and snorkel in a cenote on this all-day, adventure-packed tour. Between activities, you’ll eat at a traditional Mexican buffet.
Catch a Coastline Sunrise
Before you start your day in Tulum, you can walk down to the water to watch the sunrise. There’s really no bad spot along the coast to watch the day come to life.
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