Destination
Tulum, Mexico
Tulum draws travellers for clifftop Maya ruins above a turquoise beach, cenote swims and a barefoot boutique-hotel scene that mixes yoga mornings with DJ nights.
Trips to Tulum from every city
No live trip to Tulum right now. Ask for one and we price it for your city.
When to go
| Month | Season |
|---|---|
| January | best |
| February | best |
| March | best |
| April | best |
| May | fine |
| June | fine |
| July | fine |
| August | avoid |
| September | avoid |
| October | avoid |
| November | best |
| December | best |
- January, February, March: High season, with festival-style parties around New Year and the Zamna events.
- May, June, July, August: Sargassum is heaviest on Tulum's east-facing beach; cenotes and lagoons are unaffected.
August, September, October: Peak hurricane season; several beach hotels close for weeks in September.
Where to stay in Tulum
- Zona Hotelera (beach road): The jungle-meets-sand strip of boutique hotels, beach clubs and treehouse restaurants.
- Tulum Pueblo: The town centre ten minutes inland, with better-value hotels and the local taco scene.
- Aldea Zamá: New planned district between town and beach with modern condos and pools.
- La Veleta: Quiet, leafy neighbourhood of small guesthouses popular with longer stays.
- Boca Paila / Sian Ka'an edge: Off-grid eco-lodges at the end of the beach road inside the biosphere reserve.
What to do in Tulum
- Visit the clifftop Tulum ruins when the gates open at 8am
- Swim and snorkel the Gran Cenote
- Boat through the mangrove channels of the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve
- Float in the Kaan Luum lagoon
- Sunset beach club on the hotel road, then dinner at a jungle restaurant
- A temazcal sweat-lodge ceremony at a beach hotel
Good to know
| Airports | Cancún International (CUN), Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto International (TQO) |
|---|---|
| Passport for US citizens | yes |
| Price level | upscale |
| Time zone | America/Cancun |
| Kind of trip | beach, wellness, romantic, nightlife, adventure |
Questions about Tulum
When is the best time to visit Tulum?
November, December, January, February, March and April. August, September, October: Peak hurricane season; several beach hotels close for weeks in September.
Do US citizens need a passport for Tulum?
Yes. Tulum is in Mexico; bring a valid passport.
How expensive is Tulum on the ground?
Tulum is upscale by US standards: plan about $130 per person per day for food, getting around and tickets.