How long to visit tulum

Coba is located a bit further away from Tulum minutes driving but is still really doable for a day trip. There, you will get to walk or ride a bike around one of the most mystical Mayan ruins sites.

If you only have 5 days in Tulum, your trip will end here. Also, since Days are pretty packed full of activities, I suggest taking day 6 to take a breather and just chill at the pool or beach. You can swim here, sit on the dock, or take epic drone pictures of the swings in the water. Feeling adventurous? I took a private course with a Dive Instructor and got mine over the course of days.

On your way, you will also get the chance to stop by in the charming colonial city of Valladolid. Seeing as you just crossed over state lines from Quintana Roo to Yucatan, you should wander around the town and eat in a traditional restaurant to taste the staple dishes from the region.

While in Valladolid, you can also take the opportunity to visit the Instagram-famous Suytun cenote with the light beam and platform or get a rush of adrenaline as you jump in Cenote Zaci!

If your trip to Tulum lasts between days, then that gives you plenty of time to do more day trips and overnighters on a tropical island and harder-to-reach destinations. Bacalar is my next most recommend trip to include in a longer Tulum itinerary. This Magic Town is a 2-hour drive to reach its main attraction is its vibrant Lagoon of 7 Colors ideal for kayaking, swimming, and snorkeling.

The town itself is rather sleepy but with a few hidden gems like organic cafes, eco-glamping hotels, cenotes, and Spanish fort ruins.

The vibe here is a bit different from that of Tulum. Make sure you bring lots of Mexican pesos to Tulum. Sadly, we only discovered this once we arrived in Tulum, whoops! Many hotels provide bikes or you can easily rent one in town or at the beach. Taxi: Taxis are plentiful and cheapish, but make sure you agree the rate in advance. You can also take the colectivo shared shuttle van for longer trips. Beach Options: My vote for Tulum accommodation is at the beach if you can afford it. Chose a cabana on the beach front for maximum chill time and minimum road noise.

Search hotels and more Book your Tulum accommodation here! Last of all, come to Tulum with an open frame of mind. Note: This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. Tulum Itinerary — 3 or 5 Days in Tulum Mexico The perfect Tulum itinerary includes beach time, ancient Mayan ruins and a refreshing dip in a beautiful cenote, topped off with a margarita and fresh fish tacos.

Tulum Ruins Our day started early 8am departure with a Tulum Ruins tour, to largely avoid the mid-morning crowds. Day 5: Tulum Chill Day! Tulum Itinerary — 3 Days in Tulum If you only have 3 days in Tulum, then my suggested Tulum itinerary depends on whether you want to pack in Tulum sightseeing, or whether you prefer to take it easier. Located between Aldea Zama and Tulum Town.

It is always a good time to visit Tulum and walk on that precious beach, jump in a cenote and explore the surroundings. However, there are different seasons each one with its own pros and cons. As I explain in detail in my dedicated post on the best time to go to Tulum , but in general you may want to keep in mind the following notes:.

That is also hurricane season on the Mexican coasts. December through Easter — high season — the weather is drier, the seawater is cooler and prices are higher. May, October, and November are the cheapest months where you can find the best flights and hotel deals. The short answer is yes. Then, incidents happen and petty theft is a thing, just like everywhere. You may want to read my thorough guide on how to stay safe while traveling in Mexico which include a section on Tulum.

That is impossible to answer because it depends very much on your budget and where and what you like to eat and how many souvenirs you want to buy. It is really up to you. Do not change your money when you arrive at Cancun Airport because those money exchange offices at the airport either charge you a commission or give you a bad exchange rate. Read more practical tips to travel to Tulum in my complete Tulum Travel Guide for Here below is my top choice among and Tulum Airbnb and hotels:.

Zenses Wellness and Yoga Resort — Adults Only — A relatively new hotel, it offers a spectacular spacious room stylishly decorated in the typical Tulum boho style. Be Tulum — an iconic luxury property and one of the best hotels on Tulum Beach. A magnificent blend of jungle style and sophisticated interior.

Trendy beautiful apartment in the heart of Aldea Zama, newly furnished and nicely decorated with local art. Read more and check availability on Booking. Panacea — Beautiful apartments in the middle of nature with elegant decor, in a tranquil condo with free pool access.

That is a fun and cool way to explore Tulum downtown and get to the beach while doing some exercising and avoid traffic. The best way to move around the Tulum surroundings is definitely by renting your own car, but not to get to Tulum beach road where sometimes it feels like you are in New York, for the amount of traffic.

Keep in mind that a taxi ride in Tulum is more expensive than anywhere else in Mexico, and taxi drivers in Tulum are not popular for their kindness. If you read all my other posts on Tulum you can see a pattern, I know. So forgive me if I insist on renting a car. Here we go! As usual, if you have any questions I am just a click away! Have fun in Tulum!

A day trip to Isla Mujeres Mexico — choose among 4 amazing options. Great post! I went to Mexico when I was a teenager but have high hopes of living there for a while once I return from Europe. I'm in desperate need of beach life! Can't wait to check out Tulum, definitely saving this post for later. Sistema Sac Actun is one of the most unusual tourist attractions on our 2-day itinerary in Tulum.

The caves of Sistem Sac Actun extend for about miles, both on land and underwater, so there are loads to explore. Sistema Sac Actun is an awesome sight! Thousands of stalactites dangle over the shallow teal water, making for a surreal experience! However, the enclosed cave habitat can make some people feel claustrophobic. The fee also includes the services of a guide which is a compulsory measure to protect the site.

Remember not to touch the stalactites which will be damaged by the oils in your skin! For the Maya, Sistema Sac Actun was not only a source of fresh water but a sacred site.

In Mayan religion, cenotes were portals to the underworld so people often make sacrifices, including human sacrifices, at cenotes! Sistema Sac Actun was no exception. In fact, due to recent discoveries, some see it as the most important underwater archaeological site in the world.

Like most other towns on the Riviera Maya, Tulum boasts a colorful sign that screams its name around the world through the numerous tourists queuing for photos. Whether you have the cash or not, include a spot of shopping on your DIY Tulum walking tour. The number of trendy shops in town has burgeoned, adding a creative dimension to our guide to Tulum! Boutiques selling hippie-style clothes dominate Beach Road. Just be prepared for steep prices.

While in town, head over to Mixik. You can browse an awesome selection of glasswork, embroidery, jewelry and more. Just five miles outside of Tulum is Laguna de Kaan Luum. Although it boasts a stunning cenote, most visitors neglect to put it on their Tulum itinerary, making it one of the best-kept secrets in town! In the center of the lagoon is its cenote.

The startling contrast between the light blue waters on the edge of the lake and the deep turquoise of the center is gorgeous. The cenote produces an astonishing amount of mud. This clay is great for skin exfoliation and was popular with the Mayans for its healing properties. Bathing in the mud is one of the loveliest things to do in Tulum off the beaten path.

Laguna de Kaan Luum is also a wonderful place to go kayaking or paddling! You can rent equipment at the entrance booth. Cenotes Labnaha is essentially an eco theme park based around a cenote. The cenotes themselves are very big, offering visitors lots to explore. Guides facilitate all of the activities at Cenotes Labnaha, providing both safety and a wealth of information.

The three cenotes are connected by paths through the lush jungle. Each trail has signs which point out all the interesting plants you should take note of! Apart from exploring the jungle, you can enjoy so many other activities. You can also go kayaking and jump into the suitably named Magic Cenote! In addition to enjoying these activities, you can rest easy knowing that the park is committed to preserving the natural environment and supporting local Maya communities!

The park also has serious rules about not touching the rocks which visitors must obey! Gran Cenote is a postcard image of a tropical paradise, thanks to its sparkling waters that are surrounded by stalactites and overhung by tree roots! Gran Cenote is actually made of multiple cenotes. Snorkeling and scuba diving are both possible at Gran Cenote. To avoid the crowds, you can either go as soon as it opens or an hour before closing time when most visitors have gone home!

Racking your brain over what to do in Tulum next? No need— our awesome 3-day itinerary in Tulum has got you covered! Without a doubt, cenotes are some of our favorite places to visit in Tulum! These magical natural phenomena offer a relaxing swim and snorkeling opportunity! Having a guide with you is the best way of learning about cenotes. Cenotes are natural sinkholes that result when the ground collapses and exposes the groundwater beneath.

The ancient Maya saw cenotes as spiritual places and were regular visitors. Learn about all this and more with your expert guide. Swimming in a cenote is an experience unlike any other. With no tides to worry about and no salt to irritate your eyes, swimming in these pools is a tranquil experience! The region is famous for its sea turtles which will melt even the stoniest heart! You can also look forward to colorful fish, rays and lobsters.

Keep your fingers crossed for a dolphin sighting! Barracudas, stingrays, parrotfish, and tangs are just some of the amazing species you can see in the lagoon. The park includes a jungle area in which you can cycle or hike. There is also a number of cave systems to explore! Choose between floating on an air tube, suntanning on a beach lounger or dozing off in a hammock.

These are activities that you will remember long after your 3 days in Tulum end.