Tulum Travel Guide
Papaya Playa Project
Situated on the Caribbean coastline of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, Tulum has become a serious hot spot for yoga retreats, boutique shopping, dining and nightlife. Another amazing perk is the town's incredibly preserved ancient Mayan ruins.
Tulum is one of my favorite places for a long weekend getaway, brimming with white sand beaches and calm turquoise waters. You’ll find super unique restaurants and a night scene that serves up equally sexy and funky jungle vibes. The main part of Tulum is situated around one long dirt road, with the beach on one side and the jungle on the other. Since every hotel and restaurant sits on one side or the other, you’ll find that each venue offers up max beach vibes or a cool jungle feel.
In Tulum you can enjoy everything from the beach to yoga, eat the best tacos, swim in a cave, spend all afternoon in a hammock or dance the night away. I’ve spent enough time in this beautiful town that friends often ask me for my tips and recommendations, and below is my list of must-see restaurants, hotels, beach spots and adventures that I always send out. There’s no particular order to their ranking, as all are pretty damn impressive, and are sure to deliver an epic time!
Where to Stay
There are so many options when it comes to lodging in Tulum...you can save some money by staying in a cute hostel or ball out and get fancy in one of the town's many eco-luxury resorts. Below are a few of my go-to’s.
Papaya Playa Project – Located right on the beach, this spot has it all. You’ll find onsite yoga classes, nightly parties with a DJ, a delicious restaurant, and crazy views of both the ocean and jungle. We stayed in a gorgeous little villa with it’s own private pool and a rooftop balcony. Even if you don’t spend the night here, be sure to check out their schedule of evening events. The parties hosted at PPP are legendary!
House Rentals – There are plenty of homes for rent around Tulum and the ones I saw were all decently priced with great beach access. I recommend doing a search on both Vrbo and Airbnb for homes near Tulum Town, and just make sure you inquire about their security and access to bike rentals (as this will be your main way of getting around).
Dreams Hotel – This all-inclusive resort is where I stayed during my first trip to Tulum. If you’re interested in being taken care of for your entire visit you will love it here. The rooms are beautiful, there’s a great onsite spa, and the meals are decent. We enjoyed taking taxis into the main town of Tulum, and the concierge was super helpful with getting all of our excursions set up. If you have children traveling with you then this spot is ideal for families.
Where to Swim + Get Sandy
Azulik - Head here for beach cabanas, massages, or reserve a nest for brunch/lunch (also a pretty cool museum that is sometimes open to the public).
Coco Tulum Beach – Go here for all your Miami beach vibes.
Ziggy’s Beach Club - This is a great spot, but when I went they required you to bring your own towel, just a heads up. ;)
Tulum Jungle Gym - If you’re in the mood for a beachfront workout, this is THE SPOT! Expect the most amazing gym equipment right on the sand that will make you feel like you’re in the COOLEST Flintsone’s outdoor paradise gym!
Where to Eat
Casa Jaguar - I love this spot for its cool jungle vibes, creative cocktails, and super flavorful dishes. Definitely recommend ordering
Gitano - This is an eclectic restaurant and mezcal bar, set in the magical lush jungle by Tulum Beach. Definitely head here for some after-dinner cocktails and dance the night away under their massive Disco Ball.
La Floresta - Off a main road in Playa Del Carmen, this spot has the BEST shrimp tacos! Eternally grateful to my dear friends Brian and Katie for recommending this place.
Rosa Negra - Such a cool experience, especially if you’re looking for a fancy dinner out on the town. You’ll find a vibrant atmosphere, delicious drinks, and tasty seafood.
La Posada Margarita - If you’re in the mood for some pasta during your stay, this is the place to go!
Mina Tulum - Head here for fish tacos and rad beach views.
Mateo’s Grill & Sunset Bar - This quaint hidden gem features a fantastic restaurant on the main level, and a very cool bar upstairs. The upstairs bar will bring you above the line of the jungle, making it a perfect spot to watch the sunset! You can find live music here on Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. Make sure you order a few of the Coco Loco drinks and snap some epic shots of the sunset.
Adventures & Cenotes
SUP Yoga Tulum - Make sure you ask for Nancy and tell her Zoe sent you. Nancy and her crew offer the BEST excursions on their Stand Up Paddleboards and even host SUP Yoga teacher trainings throughout the year.
Mayan Ruins - There are multiple spots to explore, but below are some of the main ruins that the public can access..
El Castillo (the Castle) is Tulum’s main pyramid, and was once used an ancient lighthouse.
Temple of the Frescoes, located in front of El Castillo, is a beautifully preserved building. You can even peer inside to see an actual mural with colored paint still intact!
House of the Columns is a large, complex building with 4 rooms and a series of large columns for holding up the roof.
Casa Cenote - This is a super family-friendly spot to go snorkeling and experience the beauty of the local cenotes. Casa Cenote is accessible, affordable, and their guides provide wonderful instruction if you aren’t an experienced snorkeler. ;)
Dos Ojos Cenote - Another gorgeous place to snorkel and explore the underwater cenotes.
I hope this guide gave you some fun ideas if you decide to visit Tulum for yourself! For more guides and unique destinations around the world you can sign up for my newsletter to get updates every time a new guide blog is posted AND you can follow my day-to-day travels on Instagram. I’m always on the go, chasing the sun and I love sharing my favorite spots with you. Now go outside, get salty, and stay stoked!