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    Tulum

    Mexico

    Tulum

    CityCulture

    Tulum is located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Cancún on the Riviera Maya.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    3. Destinations
    5. Mexico
    7. Yucatán Peninsula
    9. Tulum
    Tulum is located on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, south of Cancún on the Riviera Maya. It is known for its Maya ruins on a cliff directly above the sea, for cenotes in the hinterland, and a long beach lined with boutique hotels and beach clubs. Tulum has grown significantly in recent years, with prices increasing accordingly.

    Sights in Tulum

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Tulum Archaeological Zone
    Historic Landmark

    1Tulum Archaeological Zone

    Walled Maya city perched on a cliff above the sea, its heyday was between the 13th and 15th centuries. Key structures include El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Wind God. The ruins are located in Parque del Jaguar; since July 2026, foreign visitors pay 265 pesos, Mexicans 80 pesos (free on Sundays). Rates were changed multiple times in 2026, so confirm them before your visit. Open daily 8 AM to 5 PM, last entry 4 PM; arrive at opening, it's hot and crowded midday.
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    Gran Cenote
    Attraction

    2Gran Cenote

    Cenote on the road to Cobá, about five kilometers from the town center. Snorkel in open pools and cave passages with clear water; mornings often see turtles surfacing among water lilies. The entrance fee is comparatively high and is paid in cash. Groups come in the mornings; it's quieter early.
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    Park

    3Cenote Calavera

    Small cenote on the outskirts with three rock openings resembling a skull. Jump into the water through the largest hole or descend via a ladder. Accessible by bike from the town.
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    National Park

    4National Park of the Jaguar

    National Park covers ruins, hotel zone coast, with museum, lookout tower, and coastal forest paths. Per the state (July 2026), park and beach access, including Playa Santa Fe and Playa Pescadores, is free; Only pay for the archaeological zone and, if used, electric carts (20 Pesos/person).
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    Attraction

    5Playa Pescadores

    Public beach south of the ruins, with fishing boats. Boat tours to the reef and ruins by water depart from here. One of the few freely accessible sections on the hotel coast.
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    Essen & Trinken

    1

    Palma Central

    Casual spot in town with pizza, pasta, burgers, and sandwiches. Convenient for an easy dinner after the beach.
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    2

    Burrito Amor

    Casual breakfast spot with a large covered terrace and many vegan and gluten-free dishes, including the namesake burritos.
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    3

    Pizzeria Manglar

    Pizzeria with garden terrace in town. Wood-fired pizza, plus Margaritas and Lasagna on weekends.
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    4

    La Braceria Tulum

    Steakhouse downtown on Calle Polar Poniente, serving grilled meat.
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    5

    Taquería Honorio

    Small taqueria on Calle Satélite Sur in town, serving Yucatecan classics: Tacos with Cochinita pibil and Lechón, plus Relleno negro and Poc chuc. It closes early afternoon and often sells out beforehand, so come in the morning.
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    6

    El Camello Jr.

    Marisquería on the main street at the south end of town, popular with locals. The menu features Ceviche, grilled octopus, and shrimp tacos, along with Micheladas.
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    7

    Kin Toh

    Azulik's restaurant at Kilometer 5 of the coastal road, with tables approximately twelve meters above the jungle canopy; individual seats are in free-hanging nests, which must be booked separately. Avant-garde Maya-Mexican cuisine is served. Expensive, reservation needed.
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    Food and Beverages

    You'll eat significantly cheaper in town than in the hotel zone. Typical are Taquerías with Yucatecan specialties in the morning and Marisquerías at lunchtime.

    Cochinita pibil

    Achiote-marinated, slow-cooked pork, in tacos and tortas for breakfast.

    Relleno negro

    Turkey in a black sauce of charred chilies, a specialty of Yucatán.

    Ceviche

    Raw fish or shrimp in lime juice, in the Marisquerías on the main street.

    Chronicle

    The Maya Port CityTulum was formerly called Zamá, "Dawn." The city was a trading port in the Late Maya period, protected by a wall on three sides and the cliff to the sea. It was still inhabited when the Spanish reached the coast in the early 16th century.From Village to ResortTulum was long a small village with a few simple cabañas on the beach. Beginning in the 1990s, tourism grew, followed by boutique hotels. This rapid expansion strains groundwater and mangroves; electricity and wastewater are issues in many places.

    Nightlife

    1

    Mayahuel Rooftop

    Rooftop bar on Calle Osiris Sur in downtown Tulum, between Calle Sol and Andrómeda Oriente.
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    2

    Tapas at Luhme

    Lounge bar with tapas on the main street through the town center of Tulum.
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    3

    Sole Cantina

    Sports bar on Avenida Tulum in the town center, where games are broadcast on screens.
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    4

    Batey Mojito and Guarapo Bar

    Lively, colorfully designed bar in the town center with a beer garden, known for Mojitos and cocktails; snacks are also served.
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    On the Go Locally

    ArrivalADO buses run from Cancún and Playa del Carmen to the town. The Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport is about 20 kilometers southwest, a roughly half-hour drive to the center. The Tren Maya stops twice in Tulum: at Tulum station and at the airport. Colectivos operate along Highway 307 towards Playa del Carmen.In TownYou can rent bicycles everywhere; they'll get you to the coast, ruins, and cenotes along the road to Cobá. Taxis have fixed rates; ask for the price before your ride. For trips to Cobá and more distant cenotes, a rental car is recommended.

    Accommodations in Tulum

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      • 1Tulum Archaeological Zone3 days
      • 2Gran Cenote4 days
      • 3Cenote Calavera5 days
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    Nearby

    Akumal

    Akumal is located on the Riviera Maya between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, about a half-hour drive from both places. Its name means "Place of the Turtles" in Maya. In the protected bay, Green Sea Turtles feed in seagrass meadows, making it one of the coast's most famous snorkeling destinations.
    Playa del Carmen

    Playa del Carmen

    Playa del Carmen, located about 70 kilometers south of Cancún, is the largest city on the Riviera Maya. In just a few decades, this fishing village grew into a city of over 300,000 residents. Life unfolds along Quinta Avenida, a pedestrian street parallel to the beach. From here, ferries depart for Cozumel.
    Cozumel

    Cozumel

    Cozumel is an approximately 48-kilometer-long Caribbean island off the Riviera Maya, a good half-hour by ferry from Playa del Carmen. You primarily come for diving and snorkeling in the reefs of the Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park, which belong to the Mesoamerican Reef System. The main town is San Miguel de Cozumel on the west coast, where the ferries dock; Cozumel is also Mexico's most important cruise port. Beyond that, you'll find the Mayan site San Gervasio and, at the southern tip, the Punta Sur Natural Park.
    Valladolid

    Valladolid

    Valladolid, located in the east of the state of Yucatán, is a colonial city with nearly 57,000 inhabitants, colorfully painted houses, and a lively main square. It lies approximately 40 kilometers from Chichén Itzá and is surrounded by cenotes, making it a peaceful base between Cancún and Mérida. Valladolid holds the title of Pueblo Mágico.
    Puerto Morelos

    Puerto Morelos

    Puerto Morelos is a quiet fishing village on the Caribbean coast, located about 38 kilometers south of Cancún and between Cancún and Playa del Carmen. Instead of high-rise hotels, a small square, a pier, and the leaning old lighthouse define the town's character. Directly off the beach lies the reef of the Arrecife de Puerto Morelos National Park; inland, the Ruta de los Cenotes begins.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Pexels, Google Maps. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI