Tulum’s beaches might just be the most beautiful in Mexico. The stretch of shoreline adjacent to the town boasts 10km of sublime white sand, lapped by the turquoise Caribbean Sea, which is clear and temperate almost year-round.
At one end lie the dramatic Tulum Ruins, and at the other is the vast Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve. In between sit boutique hotels, boho beach clubs, and occasionally, blissfully empty shores. It’s a place designed to unplug, play in the water, and appreciate the views. Here’s our pick of the best beaches in Tulum.
1. Playa Ruínas
Best landmark beach
From the foot of El Castillo, Tulum Ruins’ largest pyramid, you can see visitors playing and posing on the beach below, the very same stretch of sand where Mayan canoes once arrived laden with honey, cotton, and various goods from far-off lands.
Today, Playa Ruínas is one of Tulum’s most spectacular locales: a small sandy beach backed by dramatic seaside cliffs, graced by Tulum’s brilliant turquoise waters, and only reachable by a staircase that descends from the sentinel-like temples above. A visit here is like no other – after all, how often does anyone get to swim at a Maya ruin?
Planning tip: If you’re here to swim, get here early! By midday, it’s overrun with tour groups.
2. Playa Paraíso
Best public beach
Playa Paraíso is a classic Caribbean beach with wide soft sand, tranquil waters, and towering palm trees (even one you can drape yourself luxuriously on, like a vintage postcard). It’s no wonder it’s one of the area’s most popular sandy spots.
Although Playa Paraíso is home to several small hotels and restaurants, it’s best known for its beach club, a large operation with rows of lounge chairs and beach beds, with servers weaving between them loaded down with ceviche platters and cold drinks. This is not hippie chic Tulum, but it’s definitely lively – and certainly the place for a beach party or a pickup volleyball game. If dancing until dawn isn’t your thing, head further down the beach for quieter sections of sand.
3. Playa las Palmas
Best swimming beach
As you head north along the leafy beach road, an unexpected opening in the dense tropical forest appears, acting like a window into another world. It’s Playa las Palmas, a wide sloping beach with tranquil blue water, a rocky cove on one end, a ribbon of white sand on the other, and… well, not much else.
Only two small hotels overlook this beach, keeping it gloriously quiet and making it the perfect place for a leisurely swim or to relax with a good book. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and if possible, a beach umbrella, as there’s little shade here.
4. Playa Pescadores
Best picturesque beach
Arrive early in the morning at Playa Pescadores to catch fishermen arriving in their boats filled with fresh fish that will become lunch specials later that day. In the distance, the Tulum Ruins stand atop rocky cliffs, their stone walls gleaming in the sun. Sitting on your towel with the soft sand beneath you and the blue water before you is like looking at the cover of a magazine.
As the day heats up, nearby kiosks open their doors, with a few offering snorkeling trips. Consider booking an excursion, not only for a peek at the underwater world but also for stunning views of the ruins from the water – a vantage point that truly showcases the magnificence of Tulum’s glorious coastline.
5. Papaya Playa Project Beach
Best hotel beach
Among the first hotels on Tulum’s exclusive southern beaches, Papaya Playa Project captures the essence of Tulum, where boho-chic meets luxe earthiness. The artfulness of the hotel extends to its beach club – a two-story bar with seating pods and comfy beach beds, all with thatch-roof shade and overlooking the beach.
Weekends draw crowds for Papaya’s DJ-fueled dancing on the sand, while weekdays feature sunset yoga and mindfulness workshops on the beach.
6. Ahau Tulum Beach
Best active beach
The entrance to Ahau Tulum is unmissable: a 10m-tall wood sculpture forms a leafy walkway into the resort. Walking through, a winding path brings you to the beach, a perfectly manicured spot where every speck of white sand appears to be in its rightful place. Beyond, the water almost begs you to come crashing in.
This is home to one of the top watersports providers along Tulum’s southern beach, offering lessons and rentals for paddleboarding, kiteboarding, and surfing. If you’re eager to explore, consider joining one of the tours, including paddling past Tulum’s ruins.
7. El Último Maya Beach
Best secret beach
Traveling south along Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve’s rutted dirt road, you soon come upon El Último Maya, a simple thatched-roof restaurant that hosts occasional campers.
A sand dune blocks the view from the road, but as you climb over it, a sweeping bay opens in front of you, revealing the ocean, a study in waves of teal lapping the golden sand. There isn’t a soul in sight – it’s a wild beach, reminiscent of when Tulum was a backpackers’ haven.
