Tulum is a city of two halves: pueblo (town) and playa (beach), connected by a dusty paved road called Avenida Cobá. It’s not hard to get around either area – biking is popular and public transportation is robust – but the two areas are different.
Tulum Pueblo is a small gritty town that’s bustling with activity, making it most easily navigated by foot or bicycle. The beach, meanwhile, is long and languid, stretching 6 miles (10km) alongside a single leafy road; short walks are doable but you’ll really need a set of wheels to get from place to place. Tulum ruins are located just to the north and can be accessed from either the beach or town.
Riding a bike is one of the best ways to see more of Tulum
Biking is perhaps the most popular way for travelers to get around Tulum. In town, there’s a designated bike lane that runs the length of the main drag. In the neighborhoods, the streets are narrow and there are no bike paths, but drivers are used to sharing the road.
Biking between town and the beach is a breeze too – just follow the paved path along Avenida Cobá. On the beach road itself, you’ll be grateful to be on two wheels as you pedal past stop-and-go traffic, particularly on weekends.
Many hotels loan guests bikes for free and rental shops are plentiful, charging around M$150 per day, even less if you rent by the week. Ola Bike Tulum has a good selection of bikes, including cruisers with a basket and lock.
You can easily get around Tulum Pueblo on foot
Tulum Pueblo is compact, making it easy to explore on foot. Most of the action happens along (and near) a 10-block stretch of the main drag, Avenida Tulum. Here, the sidewalks are wide and well-maintained, lined with shops, restaurants, and local attractions. Strolling deeper into the neighborhoods, the sidewalks become narrow and uneven, though you’ll find fewer vehicles; this is where you’ll discover bars, small hotels, tiny parks, and locals going about their daily routines.
While it’s possible to walk the 1.8 miles (3km) from Tulum Pueblo to Tulum Playa, it’s a long and often sweltering experience. There’s a paved path along Avenida Cobá leading to the beach road, but it’s heavily used by cyclists and offers little shade – not the best option for walkers. Halfway there, you may wonder why you did this to yourself.
The beach road isn’t very conducive to walking either. There are virtually no sidewalks, so pedestrians end up walking along the edges, with cars and cyclists whizzing by. Walking on the beach (if accessible) is a much safer and more beautiful option.
Colectivos are cheap and frequent, but can be very busy
Colectivos (shared vans) are white retrofitted minivans with route names stenciled below the windshield. Favored by locals, they’re often packed but they’re inexpensive (M$15) and abundant, zipping around town from morning until night.
For travelers, popular colectivo routes include “Cabañas” for the southern beaches and “Ruínas” for the northern beaches. To reach Tulum ruins, take the Ruínas route to access the beachfront path, or catch a colectivo bound for Playa del Carmen (M$20) from Tulum Pueblo and request to be dropped off at the ruins, located about two blocks from the visitors’ complex.
In town, the easiest place to catch a colectivo is on Avenida Tulum. Simply stand by the side of the road and as one approaches, hail it like a cab. If there’s space, the driver will stop; if not, another will arrive in 10 to 15 minutes. Once you’re aboard, inform the driver where to stop or just yell out “bajan!” (BA-hahn, meaning “getting off”) and it’ll halt. Be sure to have change or small bills for the fare.
Taxis are readily available
Taxis provide a reliable way to navigate Tulum and offer a break from managing traffic on your own. They operate 24/7 and, despite having meters, typically charge fixed fares to common destinations: M$60 around Tulum Pueblo, M$100 to the ruins, and M$150 to M$250 between town and the beach, depending on the distance. Always confirm the fare before entering, as taxi drivers in Mexico have a reputation for inflating prices for unsuspecting passengers.
Cabs are easy to hail in Tulum Pueblo. There’s also a taxi stand at the bus terminal and another at the central plaza; on the beach road, empty taxis gather around Punta Piedra, Playa las Palmas, and at the northern end where the path to the ruins starts. If you’re leaving from your hotel, the receptionist likely can recommend reliable drivers. Note that there are no rideshare options like Uber or Lyft in Tulum.
You might regret hiring a car
Driving around Tulum can be challenging. There’s heavy traffic, especially during high season, and parking can be elusive. If you must drive, there are several car rental agencies in town, from big international chains to local operators, mainly located on Avenida Tulum and Avenida Cobá. Rentals are also available at the airport upon arrival.
Tip for parking at the beach: Consider visiting a beach club – most offer free parking for their guests. Alternatively, try your luck finding a spot along the road or in public lots.
It takes around 45 minutes by taxi to get to Cobá on a day trip
Just 30 miles (50km) from Tulum Pueblo, Cobá ruins are worthy of a day trip away from the beach. Located on the edge of the same-named village, Cobá can be reached from Tulum via a well-maintained road, passing cenotes and Maya communities along the way. Colectivos (M$70, operating hourly 8am–6pm, 1.5 hours), first- and second-class buses (M$52–95, 8 departures, 1 hour), and taxis (M$500–600, 45 min) make the commute convenient. Driving allows flexibility to explore the town’s lesser-known cenotes and the nearby Punta Laguna nature reserve as well.
The Cobá ruins themselves are extensive and nestled beneath a dense canopy of trees. You can explore them on foot, by bike (M$50), or pedicab (M$120-150).
There isn’t a lot of accessible transportation in Tulum
Generally, Tulum is challenging for travelers with disabilities. Sidewalks can be narrow and uneven, especially outside the main tourist corridor, and curb ramps are scarce. Moreover, colectivos and buses are not retrofitted for people with disabilities. Taxis are likely your best option. However, Mexicans are known for their accommodating nature, and special arrangements are often happily made. For more information, consider exploring the free Accessible Travel guide.
This article was first published Aug 12, 2021, and updated Nov 8, 2022.
