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Hotels in Tulum are, for the most part, small, low-rise and quite simple. Although the number of hotels along the beach are increasing, Tulum still feels pretty undeveloped. The most desirable place to stay is right on the beach but for those looking for a bargain, there is a good selection of hotels in Tulum town.
Although fairly rustic and simple, there are some beautiful little hotels in Tulum. Electricity around the beach area is limited and supplied by generators, so you'll often find that it isn't available twenty four hours a day. Many of the hotels along the beach only have lighting in the evenings and it is fairly unusual to have rooms with electrical sockets. You'll find that most rooms have ceiling fans but few have air-conditioning. If you are looking for a more conventional style hotel with air-conditioning and televisions, we recommend you stay in town. It is only around two miles from the beach and there are several beach clubs which provide beach beds and a food and drink service.
The 'hotel zone' stretches from just south of the Tulum archaeological site to just north of the entrance to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The beach is approximately 2 miles from Tulum Pueblo. It is a little far to walk but the hotels will radio for cabs or for the more energetic there is cycle rental available.
There is a small cluster of hotels close to the archaeological site; these include Mezzanine. The southern part of this stretch of beach is rocky becoming sandy further north. There are a few good restaurants within walking distance.
The middle section of the Tulum hotel zone is a group of small bays with just a few cabanas set around each one. This area is pretty lively with a few shops, restaurants and bars.
South is a long stretch of beach which heads right into the Biosphere Reserve. The northern part of this beach has lots of small cabanas lining the edge of the beach. There's a very good selection of restaurants just a short walk away on the beach. The southern section of the beach is quieter. It feels more isolated; even the hotels are hidden behind a screen of palms, making them almost invisible from the beach. There are a few restaurants within walking distance, but a car is definitely recommended here.
Tulum really is the place to escape and relax and it isn't for those looking for the luxury and facilities of a huge upscale resort. Staying in a little beach cabana, just steps away from the ocean, you'll appreciate the simpler things in life, like laying in a hammock under a shady palm tree, exploring the natural wonders of this area and walking along the beach to dinner under a blanket of stars.
Click here for a map of Tulum
| Hotel | Price range | Highlights | Location | Children accepted | Electricity | Fans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ana y Jose | $$$ | Less rustic rooms with air-con and hairdryers, swimming pool and restaurant | Beach, central | Yes | 24 hours. Hairdryers. | Air-conditioning |
| Cabanas la Conchita | $ | Artistic, well maintained, great breakfasts | Beach, central | Over 6 years | Lighting 6-10pm, fans overnight | Ceiling fans |
| Coqui Coqui Spa | $$$ | Stylish, luxurious, spa facilities | Beach, south | Yes | 24 hours, electrical outlets in room (no hairdryers) | Ceiling fans |
| Hemingway Eco Resort | $ | Individual cabanas, some beachfront | Beach, central | Over 6 yrs accepted on request | Until 11pm, electrical outlets in room | Fans in some rooms |
| La Via Laktea | $ | Quiet area, large rooms, most beachfront | Beach, south | Yes, though rooms have 1 king bed | 5pm to midnight, electrical outlets in room | Fans in some rooms |
| Mezzanine | $$ | Modern, stylish rooms, lively bar | Beach, north | No | 24 hours (no hairdryers) | Ceiling Fans |
| Ocho | $$$ | Comfortable,spacious rooms, friendly efficient service, good restaurant | Beach, south | Yes | 24 hours | Ceiling fans |
| Om Tulum | $ | Children accepted, restaurant | Beach, south | Yes | Until 1am, electrical outlets in room | Ceiling Fans |
| Playa Azul | $ | Rooms suitable for families, water sports, restaurant and beach bar | Beach, central | Yes | Usually down for around 3 hours in the afternoon each day | Electric fans available |
| Posada 06 | $ | Pretty rooms, small swimming pool, close to restaurants and shops | Town | yes | 24 hours | Air-conditioning |
| Posada Margherita | $ | Excellent restaurant, rooms good for triple occupancy, some large family rooms | Beach, central | Over 6 years | 24 hours | Tower Fans |
| Suenos Tulum | $$ | Small swimming pool, spacious rooms, quiet area | Beach, south | In ground floor rooms | 24 hours, electrical outlets in restaurant and lobby | Ceiling Fans |
| La Zebra | $$ | Stylish rooms, great beachfront restaurant, some larger rooms good for families | Beach, south | Yes | 24 hours | Ceiling fans |
| Zulum | $ | Small swimming pool, good for families | Beach, central | Yes | 24 hours, electrical outlets | Some rooms |
Tulum has a surprisingly good selection of little beach bars and restaurants including Mexican, vegetarian and Italian. Here are a few of our favorites.
Posada MargheritaThis is a romantic little beachfront Italian restaurant. It is very popular and advisable to drop by during the day to make a reservation for dinner. The restaurant doesn't take email or telephone reservations. The restaurant opens for dinner around 6:00 pm and closes at 10:00 pm Monday to Saturday. It is closed on Sundays
All dishes are freshly prepared with local fish and vegetables. There are no meat dishes. Your meal will start with a large board of anti-pasta which includes bruschetta, olives, cheeses and freshly baked bread. There are no printed menus instead the waiter will come and sit by your table and reel off the dinner options. These include Fettuccini with fresh tomato, garlic and Regano. Talierini with shrimp, zucchini, tomato and pine nuts. Fettuccini with broccoli, mushroom, tomato and pine nuts. Fresh Fish with vegetables. Fresh fish in seawater, olive oil, garlic, fresh tomato and lemon. A mix of fish, shrimp, lobster and vegetables on the grill.
El HechizoOne of the finest restaurants in Tulum offering international/fusion cuisine. The restaurant is located on a bluff above the beach and does not have direct ocean views. Reservations are required and there are 3 seatings daily 6:30pm, 7:30pm and 8:30pm daily. Reservations can be made by phone or email. The restaurant is closed on Mondays
There are no menus. The chef will visit your table and give you details of the dishes of the day which are decided up on by the best and freshest ingredients available that day.
Please note that the restaurant opens from mid-November to mid-May. Credit cards are not accepted.
La ZebraLa Zebra's beachfront cantina provides a great setting to enjoy authentic Mexican dishes. Menu favorites include fresh lime ceviche, tender beer-marinated lamb slow cooked in banana leaves in a brick lined BBQ pit,home-made shrimp tamales and blackeded fish tacos. On Sundays the restaurant has special pit roasts
After dinner you can enjoy cocktails in La Zebra's Tequila Bar. Try one of their fresh juice margaritas.
ZamasZamas has an informal beachfront restaurant. The restaurant has an extensive menu. There is a good selection of traditional Mexican favorites such as tacos and enchiladas. The restaurant also has a wood fired oven producing great pizzas. The speciality is locally caught fresh fish.
The restaurant usually has a lively atmosphere and opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner
El TabanoEl Tabano is located on the jungle side of the Tulum hotel zone. The hotel serves mainly traditional Mexican dishes such as Chile Relleno and tamales. The menu changes daily and is displayed on a chalk board. Bread is baked freshly
The restaurant has a quirky eclectic design. The restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Charlie'sCharlie's is a traditional Mexican restaurant which is located on the main street in Tulum town. It opens from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm Tuesday to Sunday. On Saturday nights there is live music. The menu includes: chiles rellenos, enchiladas and tacos.
The restaurant has indoor seating and a pretty outdoor patio area with tables.
La NaveLa Nave is located in Tulum town. The restaurant opens from 7:00 am - 11:00 pm from Monday to Saturday.
The restaurant has great pizzas from its wood oven and home made pasta. There is also a selection of salads and fish dishes
MezzanineMezzanine's restaurant faces the ocean and is a chic and stylish place to hang out. The restaurant opens from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm seven days a week.
The menu is Thai and includes deep fried fish cakes and green or red Thai curry.
There are a great range of activities available including snorkeling, diving and fishing tours. Bicycles and snorkeling equipment can be rented down by the beach. Tours to the archaeological sites at Tulum and and Coba, expeditions into the Biosphere Reserve and visits to the cenotes and Xel-Ha are what make this area so special.
If you are looking for an organized tour of the area Edventure Tours is a small family run company with excellent local knowledge. The company offers private tours and tours for small groups (up to around 14 people). These include tours to the archeaological sites and exploring the natural wonders and wildlife of the area. The company also provides guides to accompany you if you have car rental. They know some great lesser known restaurants to call in on for lunch.
You can see more information at:Edventure Tours
Scuba diving and snorkelingThere are several companies offering scuba diving tours and equipment in the area. There is a choice of ocean diving at the reef, just of the coastline or cave and cenote diving. Most offer courses for beginners and advanced diving qualifications. For the less adventurous who want to explore the water, many dive shops also offer a selection of snorkeling tours.
The Great Maya Reef is a chain of shallow patch reefs which extend for approximately 600 miles. It is home to over 500 species of fish, 4 species of turtles and 65 types of coral. These include rainbow fish, reef fish, trumpet fish, manta rays and hawksbill turtles.
The Peninsula has an extensive system of underwater caverns and caves. Giving divers the opportunity to explore ancient rock formations with spectacular stalactites and stalacmites.
From November to June the area has great wind conditions for kite surfing. There are several companies offering courses for beginners and experienced kite surfers. Extreme Control: offer beginners lessons daily at Playa Azul and Playa Paraiso. There are multi-lingual and professional IKO instructors. Safety gear and equipment are provided. Kan Tours: are located at Ocho Tulum and provide beginner and advanced courses. Course fees include equipment (trainer kite, impact vest, sea kite, last safety system and board) and IKO instructor and assistant.
CyclingRenting a cycle allows you to explore Tulum and surrounding areas at a leisurely pace. This region is mostly flat and good for cycling. From the beach area you can easily cycle into the Biosphere Reserve, Grand Cenote or to the archaeological site.
Iguana Bike Shop is located in town and has all types of cycles available for rent, including mountain bikes, tandems and trailers for young children. Safety helmets, local maps and bike locks are also available. The shop also offers daily cycling tours around the area.
TurtlesFrom May to August turtles come ashore to nest. These include endangered species, such as loggerhead and leatherbacks.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere ReserveThe reserve is a tropical ecosystem that covers 1.3 million acres. There are over 800 plant species which provide a habitat for 350 types of birds, as well as jaguar, puma, ocelot, spider and howler monkeys, crocodiles and many types of turtles. The area includes tropical forest, mangroves and coral reef. Within the reserve are over 20 Mayan archaeological sites.
There are a few companies which offer tours into the reserve. These include bird and nature spotting, fishing, snorkeling and kayaking tours. For more information see:
Xel-Ha was an ancient Mayan port. Today it is an eco-park which has an array of land and water activities, ecological attractions and restaurants which will appeal to children and adults. The park offers a wide range of water activities including swim with the dolphins. kakaying and snorkeling. There is an inlet which is home to over 70 varieties of fish. There are several cenotes; some of which are home to some endangered species of fish and birds.
There are also land attractions. These include the remains of the old Mayan city which can still be seen. Jungle trails which give visitors the opportunity to observe the wealth of flora, fauna and wildlife of the area. The area can also explored by cycle or by Jungle Train
Xpa Spa offers traditional Mayan beauty and relaxation techniques combined with 100% natural ingredients.
Grand CenoteThis is just north of Tulum Town on the road to Coba. This underground lake has some impressive stalactites and stalagmites. You can swim and snorkel in the crystal clear water.
Archaeological SitesTulum - the archaeological site is approximately 3 miles from the main beach area. The site is very picturesque with its Caribbean Sea backdrop. There are shops and restaurants. You can see more information in our Tulum Guide.
Coba - is less visited and is set deep in jungle. It is approximately 50 minutes drive from Tulum. You can see more detailed information in our Coba Guide.
Cancun is the nearest airport, although there are plans to build a new airport just north of Tulum. Tulum is approximately 2 hours drive away from Cancun and there are a number of options for getting there.
Car RentalAll of the major car rental companies have offices at Cancun Airport. The drive from the airport to Tulum is very easy and follows the coastal highway #307. This is a modern 4-lane highway which for the most part is well lit and well signed.
Having a car will give you more flexibility to get around and explore the area at your own pace
If you do want to rent a car for just a few days; there are car rental companies in Tulum. Ana y Jose offer car rentals down by the beach. Alamo, Hertz, Payless and Buster car rental all have offices in the town.
TransfersThere are many companies offering private transfer services from the Cancun Airport to Tulum. Prices and quality do vary. We recommend the service of Mauricio de la Serna. He is reliable and knowledgeable about the area. Transfers cost from 100 USD - 130 USD one way for up to 3 people, depending on which part of the beach you are staying. For larger parties suburbans and vans are available.
Collectivos are shared shuttle buses; these usually carry up to 10 people, making between 3-4 stops. The charge is per person and it is usually less expensive than private transfers.
BusesThere is no bus service direct from the airport to Tulum. If you want to take a regular bus, you have two options. You can take a cab from the airport to the bus station in downtown Cancun. There is a regular daily service between the two cities You can see schedule and check prices at: Ticketbus
Alternatively there is a bus which runs directly from the airport to Playa del Carmen. Playa is approximately midway between Cancun and Tulum. There are regular hourly services starting at 10.30 am and finishing at 8.45 pm. The cost is approximately 65 pesos per person. From Playa there are regular local services to Tulum.
