11 Amazing Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico
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Tulum is one of those places people love to have opinions about, which is exactly why I went into my first trip not really knowing what to expect. When I started looking up things to do in Tulum, I saw everything from jungle wellness escapes to full-on party itineraries, and honestly wasn’t sure where I’d land. But once I was there, it all clicked.
My first trip was for my friend’s bachelorette party, and we loved our Tulum itinerary so much that we came back and did the same trip again, this time with the boys. Tulum has this rare ability to feel completely immersive! You’re surrounded by nature everywhere you go, whether you’re floating in a cenote, biking through the jungle, or sitting down for dinner under the trees.
It can be calm and grounding, or social and fun, and the best part is you get to choose the pace. I already know this won’t be my last visit, and if you’re planning your own trip, this guide breaks down the best things to do in Tulum to help you experience it in a way that actually feels right.
Getting to Tulum
Getting to Tulum is pretty straightforward, but you’ve got a couple options depending on what matters more to you: convenience or cost. Tulum does have its own small airport now, which can be super convenient if you find a good flight. That said, many travelers still fly into Cancun since it usually has more routes and better pricing.
We live in Tampa but ended up flying Orlando to Cancun because it was cheaper and had a direct flight. It’s worth checking nearby airports and weighing your options before booking.
From Cancun Airport, the drive to Tulum is about an hour and a half. I definitely recommend organizing a driver ahead of time so you’re not dealing with logistics after a long travel day. You can book one-way or round-trip transportation here, or see if your rental host or hotel can help arrange transportation.
If You’re Short on Time…
Best Things to Do in Tulum
1. Visit a Cenote
Mexico is home to thousands of cenotes, most of them concentrated in the Yucatán Peninsula, and they’re essentially natural freshwater sinkholes formed over thousands of years. They’re sacred, stunning, and no two are the same. Some are fully open with sunlight pouring in, some feel like hidden caves, and others are tucked into the jungle where you feel completely disconnected from the outside world.
It’s easily one of the most memorable Tulum activities, especially if you love nature and slower moments mixed into your itinerary.
Our favorite cenote to visit is Vesica. It’s a cenote day club! You can spend the day relaxing, swimming, or just laying around soaking it all in, or you can lean into their wellness offerings like reiki, yoga, sound healing, and massages. On weekends they even bring in DJs. It’s one of those places where you can truly do as much or as little as you want.
And trust me on this one: get the ceviche and passionfruit mezcalitas. Non-negotiable.
2. Beach Day at a Tulum Beach Club
Tulum is very well known for its beach clubs, and spending a day posted up oceanside is one of the most iconic things to do in Tulum if you’re here for a good time. Almost all of the beach clubs are located along the main Tulum Beach Road, tucked in between hotels, restaurants, and jungle paths that open up to the water.
One thing to know going in: minimum spends are the norm. Most clubs require a per-person minimum that usually ranges from $50–$100 USD, but that amount goes toward food and drinks while you’re there. Some higher-energy spots can be more, especially on weekends. A few clubs also have dress codes, so it’s worth checking ahead if you’re planning a more styled beach day.
Seaweed season typically runs March through September, which can affect water conditions depending on the day and the club. Many places do their best to clear it, but it’s something to keep in mind when planning your itinerary.
Popular beach clubs like Bagatelle and Gitano are known for their atmosphere and social vibe. This guide breaks down some of the best options and what to expect at each so you can pick what fits your style.
If you’re traveling with a group, a beach club day can definitely be fun. That said, for our trip we personally prioritized Vesica one day and a boat day the other. Still, Tulum beach clubs are a big part of what the destination is known for, and if lounging by the ocean with music, cocktails, and a lively crowd is your vibe, this is absolutely one of those classic things to do in Tulum that makes sense to include.
3. Book a Private Chef for a Night In
If you’re staying at a rental in Tulum, I highly recommend booking a private chef for one of your nights, ideally your last night. After a few full days of exploring and being out and about, staying in and sharing a meal together felt like the perfect way to slow things down and wrap up the trip.
We used Matteo’s Private Chef, and the experience was incredible from start to finish. The menu selection alone is impressive—so many options that it’s genuinely hard to narrow things down. The women who prepared our meal did such a beautiful job, not just with the food, but with the entire setup. The tablescape was unreal. They used fresh fruit and greenery with flowers tucked throughout, all very natural and organic, which tied perfectly into that Tulum feeling of being immersed in nature.
And the food… just wow. Everything was so flavorful with a great variety, and it truly felt like a thoughtfully prepared, home-cooked meal. There was something really special about spending our last night together at the Airbnb, enjoying an amazing dinner without needing to go anywhere. They even took care of all the dishes before leaving, which honestly sealed the deal.
4. Boat Day
If you’re deciding between a day club or a boat day, I’m just going to say it—boat day all the way. This was easily one of our favorite things to do in Tulum, and it ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip. We did our boat day with Epic Escapes, and first of all… the boat itself is stunning. It’s about a 45-minute drive from Tulum, but they made it super easy by helping us coordinate a driver, which took all the stress out of logistics.
We anchored in the most beautiful spot where we could snorkel, paddleboard, and jump straight off the boat. The water was unreal! Clear, bright, and that perfect shade of blue you picture when you think of a Caribbean boat day. Truly couldn’t have asked for better conditions.
The experience includes an open bar and snacks, and the crew prepares the freshest, most delicious ceviche onboard. On top of that, they completely tailor the vibe to your group. Whether you want something laid-back, full-on fun, or a relaxed start that slowly turns into a party, they’ve got it covered.
5. Rent a Bike + Explore the Hotel Zone
Renting a bike is one of the easiest and most underrated things to do in Tulum, especially if you’re staying anywhere near the hotel zone or town. Tulum is very bike-friendly, and it’s such a fun way to explore at your own pace without constantly dealing with taxis or traffic.
Biking through the hotel zone lets you really take everything in, jungle paths, tucked-away cafes, beach clubs, and little spots you’d probably miss if you were just being driven from place to place. It feels very on-brand for Tulum: slow, outdoorsy, and immersive.
6. Tulum Jungle Gym
The Tulum Jungle Gym is one of those places you’ve probably seen all over Instagram, and seeing it in person is just as cool. There are two locations—one in town (Pueblo) and one right on the beach. The beach location is the one you usually see in photos, with the ocean backdrop and open-air setup.
Even if you’re not planning on working out, it’s still worth stopping by. The entire gym is built with nature in mind. Almost all of the equipment is made from wood, bamboo, and stone, which makes it feel completely integrated into its surroundings. It’s such a unique concept and a must see!
7. Visit the Tulum Beach Ruins
The Tulum Beach Ruins are one of the most iconic sights in the area. The ruins sit right on the coast, overlooking bright turquoise water, which makes this a pretty unique historical site. You can easily pair this with a bike ride, since the ruins are close to both town and the hotel zone.
Walking through the site, learning about the ancient Mayan city, and then looking out over the ocean all in one stop is such a cool experience. It’s a great way to mix culture, history, and scenery into your itinerary without it feeling too heavy or time-consuming.
Entrance with park and other fees is around $28 USD per person.
Tour Recommendation
If you want to see a lot in one day, this tour combines a guided visit to the Tulum ruins with snorkeling and a cenote swim.
- Ruins admission included
- Snorkeling with sea turtles
- Freshwater cenote swim
- Hotel pickup + lunch included
8. Visit the Coffee Shops
Tulum has no shortage of cute coffee spots, and hopping between them is such an easy, low-key way to break up your days. I unfortunately didn’t make it to Matcha Mama, which is probably one of the most popular spots in Tulum and always on everyone’s list. That said, our favorite coffee of the trip came from Ki’Bok, which is located right next to the Jungle Gym Pueblo location.
While I didn’t personally love the coffee at Cafesito or Nuud Cafe, the breakfasts at both were standout! Cafesito’s avocado toast was so good, and Nuud Cafe’s chilaquiles were a must-order. Even if the coffee doesn’t blow you away at every spot, the food alone makes these places worth stopping by.
9. Eat at Some of Tulum’s Most Exquisite Restaurants
There is truly no shortage of amazing food in Tulum, and the restaurant scene is just as much a part of the experience as the cenotes and beaches. The spaces themselves are immaculate—open-air, jungle-lit, and designed to feel immersive. And the food absolutely lives up to the setting.
A couple of spots we loved were Casa Banana and Ilios. Casa Banana serves Argentinean food and was such a solid, satisfying dinner with incredible flavors. Ilios, on the other hand, is a full-on experience. We’ve been there both times we’ve visited Tulum because it’s just that fun. It’s literally dinner and a show—dancing, plate breaking, fire dancers—the energy is unmatched, and somehow the food is still really good on top of all that.
If you’re traveling with a group, I highly recommend ordering family style whenever you can. That’s how we did most of our meals, and it was the best way to try a little bit of everything without overthinking it.
One tip for Ilios: the show starts around 9 PM, so if you can snag a reservation for 7:30 or 8, it’s perfect timing to settle in before things really kick off.
10. Visit the Tulum Sculpture Park
The Tulum Sculpture Park is part of Ahau Tulum along the beach road, with the entrance tucked between the shops just left of the hotel’s main entrance. It’s home to Ven a la Luz, the giant wooden sculpture that’s become one of the most iconic photos in Tulum.
If you want that photo, go early—the park opens at 9am and lines can get long. Each person is limited to about one minute in front of the sculpture to keep things moving.
Beyond the famous statue, you’ll find several large-scale art pieces scattered along shaded jungle paths. It’s not a huge park, but it’s a peaceful space to wander and take photos between beach or cenote days.
Entrance is around 100 pesos (about $6 USD) and the park is open daily until about 6pm. Profits go toward maintaining the sculptures and supporting the artists!
11. Azulik Uh May
Azulik Uh May is a museum and creative space located about 30 minutes outside of Tulum, and it’s one of the most unique experiences you can add to your itinerary. The entire space was designed around nature, without cutting down a single tree, which makes walking through it feel immersive and intentional. Elevated wooden pathways, sculptural structures, and jungle surroundings all blend together in a really striking way.
Heads up: digital cameras are not allowed, and phone photography is limited, which encourages you to slow down and actually take it all in rather than experience it through a lens. It’s very much meant to be felt, not rushed.
Admission is $24 USD, and while we ended up skipping it this time due to the drive from where we were staying, it’s definitely something I’d consider adding on a future trip. If you’re interested in art, architecture, and creative spaces that feel completely different from anything else, this is a really beautiful and unique thing to do in Tulum to include in your plans.
Where to Stay in Tulum
If you’re traveling with a group, an Airbnb or VRBO is hands down the best option. We’ve stayed in rentals on both of our trips and loved them so much that I’m linking them below:
If you do do a rental, you won’t be on the beach, you’ll be in town. For us, this worked perfectly. We were about five minutes from Vesica and close to several cenotes, spent a lot of time enjoying our pools, and even had a private chef come one night. We only went to the beach for a couple of dinners, so being inland never felt like a downside.
If you’re not traveling with a group, a hotel on the beach might make more sense. Two highly rated beachfront options in the hotel zone are:
👉 Check out all available options for your dates here and choose what fits your trip best.
Getting Around Tulum
If you’re traveling with a group, the easiest option is to ask your Airbnb host for a trusted driver contact. That’s what we did on both trips, and it made everything so much smoother. We coordinated pickups and drop-offs ahead of time, which meant no waiting around or negotiating. It did cost a bit more than hailing taxis on the fly, but having a reliable, familiar driver was 100% worth it for us.
If you’re booking tours or experiences, many of them include transportation, or you can usually coordinate a driver directly through the company. This is common for things like cenote visits, boat days, or wellness experiences and takes a lot of the guesswork out of logistics.
As for taxis and Uber, Uber is not widely available in Tulum, so you’ll mostly rely on taxis. Taxis are easy to find but don’t use meters, so pricing can vary depending on distance and time of day. It’s always a good idea to confirm the price before getting in.
Another popular way to get around Tulum is renting a bike or scooter. Tulum is fairly flat and bike-friendly, especially around town and the hotel zone, and it’s a fun way to explore at your own pace. Scooters are also widely available and can be convenient for shorter distances.
That said, traffic can get busy, especially along the beach road, and roads aren’t always well lit at night. If you’re renting a bike or scooter, it’s best for daytime exploring and shorter trips rather than late nights or longer distances.
Overall, having transportation planned ahead of time made our trip feel far less stressful and let us focus on actually enjoying everything we were there to do.
Tulum Travel Tips to Know Before You Go
- Carry cash. Some places in Tulum are cash-only or strongly prefer it. The easiest place to grab cash is the ATM at the airport when you arrive.
- Safety. Tulum generally felt safe during our visits, but like any busy tourist destination, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings. Avoid walking long distances alone at night, keep valuables minimal, and rely on trusted transportation rather than hailing rides late.
- Set your budget expectations. Tulum is not cheap. Between transportation, food, beach clubs, and experiences, costs add up quickly. Knowing that going in helps avoid sticker shock and lets you plan accordingly.
- No sunscreen in cenotes. Most cenotes strictly prohibit sunscreen—even “reef-safe” versions—to protect the water. Shower before entering and follow posted rules.
- Respect the ecosystem. Tulum’s environment is incredibly fragile and has been impacted by rapid tourism. Stick to designated paths, don’t touch wildlife, avoid littering, and be mindful of noise, waste, and water use.
- Seaweed season is real. From roughly March through September, sargassum (seaweed) can affect beach conditions. Some days are better than others, and many beach clubs work hard to clear it, but it’s something to be aware of.
- Plan transportation ahead. Whether it’s a private driver, tour transportation, or pre-arranged taxis, having a plan makes everything easier—especially at night.
- Dress codes exist. Some beach clubs and restaurants have dress codes, especially in the evenings. It’s worth checking ahead so you’re not caught off guard.
- Reservations matter. Popular restaurants, beach clubs, and experiences book up fast. Make reservations when you can, especially if you’re traveling during peak season.
- Go slower than you think you need to. Tulum is best enjoyed without overpacking your itinerary. Leave space to relax, explore, and soak it all in.
Are you ready for your Tulum trip?!
Tulum is one of those places that really stays with you. Between the nature, the food, the slower pace, and the variety of experiences, it’s a destination you can shape entirely to your own travel style. Whether you’re coming for relaxation, adventure, wellness, or time with friends, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Tulum that will make the trip feel special.
After visiting twice and doing nearly the same itinerary both times, I can honestly say Tulum never got old. It’s the kind of place where you feel connected—to nature, to the people you’re traveling with, and to the experience itself. I hope this guide helps you plan a trip that feels just as memorable!
Before you go, be sure to follow me on Insta @guidedbydestiny and check out some of my other Mexico blog posts:
Fun Things to Do in Mexico City
Your Guide to Cabo in December
