S&T Travel Guide: Tulum, Mexico
S&T Travel Guide: Tulum, Quintana Roo Mexico
Jo here! I just got back from Tulum after being there for a full week with a group of 25 people. It was wild to say the least lol. Although we had a great time, there were a lot of things I wish I had known or researched more before we traveled there so I had the right expectations. I was surprised by how different Tulum was than other places I’ve been to in Mexico.
I created this detailed guide to give you all the information you need prior to your travel! The overview and tips below should give you a better sense of what traveling there is like and what you should be prepared for. I’m glad I went since it was a bucket list item but don’t think I need to go back anytime soon!
Overview
Getting There - Unfortunately because there are only four international airports in the entire country of Mexico, you can't fly directly into Tulum. Cancún International is the closest one, but it’s still a two hour drive or so depending on traffic. I would coordinate transportation in advance to avoid waiting at the airport for hours.
Currency - Mexican pesos. A lot of places only take pesos or credit cards. We found that trying to use USD made things complicated, especially with a large groups so try to avoid this.
Transportation - The layout of Tulum is a long beach strip with one way in and one way out so trying to get places by cab can take forever depending on the time of day. We found that the taxis are $20 minimum no matter where you’re going – even if it’s just a mile or two away. We stayed about 1.5 miles from the downtown beach area and walked there a few times but it doesn’t feel totally safe to walk; there are no sidewalks, the roads are narrow and no one else was really walking. Highly recommend renting bikes to get places during the day!
Safety - I did not feel comfortable here to be completely honest. You need to be aware of your surroundings when you are walking around, especially at night. I would not recommend walking alone anywhere. There are police and national guards on each corner throughout the downtown area for additional safety though.
Cell Service - Most places have free WiFi you can connect to, but If you aren’t connected to WiFi then you likely won’t get any cell reception. We all downloaded WhatsApp and communicated that way throughout the entire trip without any issues.
Weather/Climate - Tulum is a tropical climate so it’s really humid during the day, it is also normal for it to unexpectedly rain out of nowhere. This happened to us a few times!
What to Pack - Some bug spray and a hat are definitely essential for Tulum, but we have an S&T approved packing list for all trips which you can find here.
Things to Keep in Mind + Tips
A lot of places are cash only so make sure to have pesos on hand.
Tulum is the most expensive place I’ve ever traveled to. Dinners were usually around $70-$100 per person. There were nights we paid $25 per drink which is crazy! Of course there are places with more affordable options but it just depends what you are looking for. The vibey, “must go” places cost a pretty penny.
The service was incredibly slow everywhere we went so be prepared to have patience! Also known as “Mexico Time” haha.
Seaweed can take over the beaches so be prepared to travel to other areas if this is the case. It was fine when we were there the second week of March but other travelers have mentioned this!
Download the “XE Currency Exchange” app. This makes it so easy to check exchange rates, even if you don’t have any reception.
People will offer you drugs often, especially in the bathrooms even at nice restaurants in town. I feel like this goes without saying but never buy drugs from them. It is bad news and I’ve heard way too many scary stories.
There are a lot of bugs so pack bug spray with you!
You can’t flush toilet paper there because of Tulum’s old plumbing system so you have to throw it away in the trash can after use (feels like camping lol).
Where to Stay
Maria Del Mar - This small, boutique hotel was right next to the AirBnB we were staying at with the group. We decided to move here for a few nights at the back end of our trip so we could get some work done in a quiet space away from 30 people. We actually found a deal and got it for $200/night, it’s nothing fancy but it felt like a great bang for our buck and it had everything we needed to feel comfortable.
Azulik Resort - You’ve definitely seen this place on Instagram, the villas are insane and it feels like you’re literally staying in a jungle.
AirBnB - We stayed at Casa Jalach which was fun for a big group (we had about 25 people stay there). The place came with a house manager, security, maid and an optional chef. The rooms felt more like camping to be honest but the outdoor areas were amazing.
Nômade - Beachfront luxury at its finest. But what’s special about this hotel is that it puts a strong emphasis on holistic health and wellness. Their Wellness Program comes with Mayan sweat lodges, sound healings, daily yoga, meditations, workshops and more.
CoCo Limited Hotel - Great location, right near the dining and shopping on the Boca Paila Beach road. There is no air conditioning, television or pools in their rooms so definitely something to keep in mind.
Where to Eat
Breakfast:
Raw Love - “Tulum's #1 Raw Vegan Café” it was an amazing spot in the trees and on the sand for a healthy breakfast and lunch. Recommend their acai/smoothie bowls and avocado toast!
Matcha Mama - Love their acai bowls and smoothies.
Potheads - Solid little spot place for smoothies, coffee, etc.
MINA - this was one of our favorite spots for breakfast because it had a great full breakfast menu and was right on the beach.
Lunch + Dinner:
Gitano - They have a jungle and beach location. We went to the one on the beach and the ambiance was great and food was delicious. Jungle has more of a party vibe and people like to do a late dinner because it turns into a club.
Casa Banana - Love this spot! We went there with a big group and had a great time.
CLEO - We went here and got a cabana during the day. It feels a lot less touristy than other places along the beach which we loved. Some of the best food and drinks that we had all trip. It was a $50 per person minimum (this is cheap relative to the other beach/day clubs). It’s on a topless beach too haha.
Ziggy’s - Fun spot during the day! We sat on the swings at the bar and ordered drinks and appetizers.
Mateo’s - casual Mexican restaurant with great tacos. Feels more local but great for large groups, they have a tiny rooftop bar that feels like a treehouse too!
Boccanera - Amazing. Pizza.
Where to Party
*A lot of the restaurants turn into clubs at night around 10pm or so. That’s a fun option if you're not wanting to buy a table or wait in lines for a club.
Vagalume
Batey - Cocktail bar with live music, but closes at 11pm.
Todos Santos
Papaya Playa Project - Getting a table here is a definite must (although a little pricey).
What to Do
The Beach - Whether you’re staying in a hotel on the beach, at a beach club (Taboo, Papaya Playa, Ziggy) or visiting one of Tulum’s public beaches (Las Palmas, Playa Ruinas, Playa Paraiso) the beach is an absolute must-do.
Rent Bikes - Our bike rental was $12 per person for a full day.
Cenote Hopping - Those infamous natural swimming holes can be seen on a day tour or on your own. I’ve heard good things about Gran Cenote, Casa Cenote, Calavera and Dos Ojos. One thing to note is that these cenotes have a hefty entrance fee between 50-300 pesos per person and are most likely cash only.
Yoga Class - A lot of Tulum hotels offer onsite yoga classes (maybe even on the beach!).
Tulum Ruins - Popular ones include: Coba, Muyil, Tulum and Uxmal.
What to Wear
Amazon Find’s - shop “Jet Set + Swim”
