From a sleepy beach town to a playground for sun-seekers and history lovers, Tulum, Mexico
has always attracted visitors.
Located a short distance from Cancun, this destination offers pristine beaches, untouched
nature, clear cenotes, fascinating Mayan ruins, and a chance to experience a part of Mexico
that most don’t get to see.
If you’re planning a trip to the Yucatan Peninsula, then here are the best things to
do in Tulum, Mexico.
Tulum Archaeological Site
One of the best things to do in Tulum, Mexico, is to visit the complex of ruins and ancient
structures that still stand there.
Once a thriving pre-Colombian Mayan city, Tulum may have been called Zama, which translates
to “City of Dawn”, by its Mayan residents.
This walled city was first mentioned by Conquistadors in 1518, but the stones may have been laid
1000 years before that.
Now, the Tulum Archaeological Site is an excellently preserved glimpse into Mayan life and culture.
A visit to this city-museum lets travelers examine the impressive stone walls, buildings,
the towering El Castillo pyramid, and a series of temples to Mayan deities.
While smaller than other Mayan attractions, the Tulum Archaeological Site can still get
quite busy, so come early to beat the crowds.
And to beat the heat, the site overlooks a pristine beach accessible only from the ruins.
It’s the perfect way to experience history and then relax on the sand.
Explore the local cuisine
A trip to Tulum, Mexico, wouldn’t be complete without a deep dive into the fascinating and
tasty world of Mexican cuisine.
And while you may have had nachos or a chimichanga before that were really good, nothing is going
to compete with the level of authenticity available here.
There are plenty of restaurants to choose from, but you’re going to get closer to
the native cuisine and save money, by exploring the markets and street food vendors.
Some are just holes in the walls or stand with some plastic chairs, but following local
advice, or just obeying your appetite will lead you to some mouth-watering and Instagram-worthy
dishes.
Be sure to try pulled-pork tacos, fresh grilled calamari or lobster, and barbacoa, meat wrapped
in agave leaves and slow cooked.
Swim in a Cenote
In Tulum, Mexico, crystal clear and pristine water is not just found at the beaches.
Cenotes dot the landscape and are a major draw to the area.
A cenote is basically a collapsed cave filled with purified and filtered groundwater and
rainwater.
These pools in the limestone rock offer unique locations to go swimming, and many are perfect
if you’re traveling with a family to Tulum, Mexico.
Among the best for swimmers is Cenote Carwash, a large cenote with plenty of parking.
There’s plenty of room to swim, and a fascinating world of rock formations and even wildlife
to look at underwater.
Another popular stop is Cenote Azul, a network of pristine and beautiful cenotes surrounded
by jungle.
This cenote has cliff jumping, shallow and deep water, picnic spots, and plenty of nearby
restaurants.
There are endless options for swimming in a cenote, so be sure to visit more than one.
But if you’re looking for snorkeling, scuba diving, or cave diving, stick around, because
they’re coming up.
And if you’re enjoying the video, why not take a moment to hit the like button?
And don’t go anywhere, Tulum, Mexico has plenty more to offer.
Hit the Beach
The beaches of Tulum, Mexico, are legendary for good reason.
With pristine white sands and sparkling clear water, spending your time lounging, playing,
and in the surf is one of the best things to do here.
There are plenty of public access beaches, but Playa Paraiso takes the cake.
This iconic beach has wide stretches of sand to pitch an umbrella or enjoy the cool and
calm waters.
Playa Paraiso also has hammocks, snorkelling and scuba diving, and access to restaurants
and clubs.
If you’re willing to spend money for a bit more of an elite or secluded beach experience,
try one of the beachside hotels or clubs that are dotted throughout Tulum, Mexico.
The appeal of staying in a beachfront hotel is obvious; just imagine waking up to the
sound of the waves, and walking straight from your hotel room onto the sand.
The beach clubs have entrance fees, but that fee gets you a cabana or some deck chairs
on a private beach.
Usually, these clubs have a lot more on offer too, like restaurant or drinks services.
There’s no better way to spend the day at the beach than by laying back on a sunchair
with a margarita at your elbow.
But no matter how you do it, a trip to Tulum wouldn’t be complete without the beach.
Xel-Há
Combining the best features of a nature reserve, water park, and an all-inclusive, Xel-Há
is a one-of-a-kind destination in Tulum, Mexico.
In operation for over 20 years, this award-winning park offers thrills, relaxation, adventure,
and dining, all in one location.
Besides a few optional activities, everything you want for an amazing day is included in
the cost of admission, including food and drinks.
Xel-Há is a water-lovers dream.
Included in the price is unlimited access to snorkelling equipment to explore multiple
lagoons, rivers, cenotes, and caves.
There are also rope courses, ziplines, cliff-diving, and inner-tube tours through mangrove rivers.
And hike through the surrounding nature to find ancient Mayan walls and sacred sites.
Then take your pick of a variety of buffet restaurants, with specialties ranging from
burgers to traditional Mexican barbeque.
And be sure to get the best views from the 98-foot tall lighthouse, before taking its
thrilling slides to the bottom.
For extra, visitors can swim with manta rays, manatees, or dolphins, or take thrilling boat
rides at high speeds.
With so many sights and experiences, Xel-Há is an unmissable thing to do in Tulum, Mexico.
Coba Ruins
If you haven’t had your fill of ruins, and the allure of exploring more structures built
by Mayans appeals to you, then be sure to check out the Coba Ruins.
Located between two lagoons, the Coba Ruins are largely unexcavated, so they’re still
shrouded in mystery and covered by earth and plants.
This smaller set of ruins is quieter than the Tulum Archaeological Site, meaning you
can explore without needing to worry about the crowds as much.
The Coba Ruins feature several structures, such as iconic Meso-American ball courts,
a massive network of ancient roads, and best of all, one of the few Mayan pyramids you
can actually climb!
Nohoch Mul rises 137 feet and towers over the surrounding canopy.
A climb to the top is a challenge, but the views and photo opportunities will be well
worth it.
Chichen Itza Day Trip
If you’re still itching to explore more Mayan ruins, then a day trip from Tulum, Mexico,
to Chichen Itza should absolutely be on your list.
Arguably one of the most famous Mayan ruin, Chichen Itza receives millions of visitors
every year, making this UNESCO World Heritage Site one of Mexico’s most popular attractions.
Located approximately two hours drive from Tulum, Chichen Itza makes for an ideal day
trip.
Go early to try beat most of the crowds, then take your time wandering through this unbelievable
ancient city.
On your way back, take some time to explore the city of Valladolid, and maybe even cool
off at a cenote before getting back to your hotel.
And to take all the stress out, there are multiple half-day tours that drive you from
Tulum to Chichen Itza and back, including a stop for lunch.
Diving in a Cenote
If splashing and swimming at the surface of a cenote aren’t enough for you, and you
want a watery adventure like no other, then scuba diving and cave diving in the clear
waters of a cenote cave is what you’re looking for.
The otherworldly environment, clear water, and haloclines where salt- and freshwater
meet will make for some unique dives
While nearly every cenote offers scuba diving or snorkeling, there are two in particular
that you should absolutely dive in.
Cenote Dos Ojos, meaning “Two Eyes”, is a spectacular cenote with a network of underground
caverns and tunnels.
It’s great for casual swimming, and also for diving through the caves and tunnels,
past stalactites and limestone formations.
It connects to El Pit, one of the best cenote dives in Tulum.
The Pit starts narrow but opens into a wider cavern.
Go at the right time to swim through bars of light streaking in from above.
This dive goes deep, over 130 feet in fact, and has a layer of otherworldly hydrogen sulfide
cloud at the bottom.
It’s for advanced divers only and will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sian Ka’An Biosphere Reserve
Sprawling across more than 1.3 million acres is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a unique and
diverse network of natural perfection.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987, Sian Ka’an offers visitors a chance to walk,
swim, or paddle through pristine and protected nature.
The environment is a fascinating mixture of coastal, wetlands, and jungles.
There are plenty of cenotes linked together by an underground water supply, and you will
see “petenes”, a type of mangrove that is essentially an island tree.
While many visitors opt to pay the remarkably low entrance fee to freely drive and explore
the park by themselves, it might be best to get a guide.
This is especially the case if you have limited time, and want to see the best of the Sian
Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.
Tours include guided boat trips through the rivers to look for birds and crocodiles, or
guided snorkeling trips to see rays, turtles, or manatees.
Fly-fishing in a tropical lagoon is available too, as well as birding trips to look at the
300 species of birds.
If you choose to self-drive, then a word of caution: the jungle is home to jaguars and
crocodiles, so watch your step.
The Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is a place of eco-tourism, environmentalism, and a glimpse
into the Yucatan Peninsula that the ancient Mayans may have known.
It’s definitely one of the best things to do in Tulum, Mexico.
If you were going to Tulum, Mexico, where would you go?
And if you’ve already been, then what did we miss?
Let us know in the comments below.
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