Best Day Trips from Tulum

Glorious stretches of sand and eco-chic hotels are reason enough to visit Tulum, but if you can drag yourself away, you’ll find this is much more than a beach destination.

Tulum serves as a gateway to the remarkable treasures of the Yucatán Peninsula. You can explore towering Maya ruins, dense jungle forests, colonial towns, and the world’s longest underground river system—you’ll find all these just a day trip away.

Explore Ancient Maya Ruins at Cobá

Travel time: 45 minutes

At the Cobá ruins, long racks of multicolored bicycles are available for rent. It’s highly recommended to hire one; this makes exploring the archaeological site, which spreads across several square miles, much more enjoyable given the heat and humidity. Pedaling through the forest canopy while listening to songbirds and exploring ancient Maya palaces is a sublime experience.

The star attraction is Nohuch Mul, one of the tallest pyramids in the Maya world at almost 14 stories high. Climbing to the top, gripping a rope to steady yourself, provides an unforgettable view of the surrounding jungle and ancient temples peeking through the treetops. Aim to arrive at opening hours to miss the crowds and enjoy potential wildlife sightings, including motmots and colorful toucanets.

Getting to Cobá from Tulum: The journey to Cobá takes about 45 minutes via a well-maintained road, with public buses and colectivos available throughout the day.

Swim in Tulum’s Nearby Cenotes

Travel time: 10 to 30 minutes

A visit to a cenote (sinkhole) feels like descending into another world. One moment you’re on Tulum’s white-sand beaches, and the next, you lower yourself into a crystal-clear underground pool surrounded by stalagmites and stalactites. It’s a captivating and eerie wonderland.

Tulum is surrounded by some of the region’s most stunning cenotes. Popular Parque Dos Ojos offers guided snorkeling tours in its intricate underwater cave system, while Gran Cenote provides an open-air swimming experience with fish and turtles. Cenote Angelita is ideal for scuba divers, featuring underwater trees that appear to reach for the surface through a foggy layer of hydrogen sulfide.

Getting to cenotes near Tulum: With over a dozen cenotes nearby, you can enjoy a day of cenote hopping. They’re reachable by car within 10 to 30 minutes from Tulum’s town center, and colectivos frequently stop at most locations.

Watch Wildlife at Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve

Travel time: 30 minutes

A rough dirt road leads you alongside the eastern edge of Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, covering over 1.3 million acres of coastal forests, mangroves, and lagoons. Although the road conditions are challenging, most vehicles can manage. This tranquil journey offers glimpses of traditional thatched homes and empty beaches reminiscent of Tulum’s untouched past.

The reserve teems with wildlife. Community-based agencies organize fantastic tours, including sunset kayaking trips for birdwatching and experiencing the haunting calls of howler monkeys. Popular activities also include tubing in ancient canals and snorkeling alongside giant sea turtles and dolphins.

Getting to Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve from Tulum: The coastal road to Sian Ka’an begins where Tulum’s beach road ends, approximately 30 minutes from the reserve entrance, which is marked by a large arch. Reliable public transportation is not available, but tours typically include transport.

Be Captivated by the Power of Chichén Itzá

Travel time: 2 hours

The journey to Chichén Itzá leads you through wooded paths lined with souvenir stands, eventually unveiling a grassy plaza where El Castillo, the tallest and most recognized temple, stands. Imagine a Maya priest at the top, arms raised in reverence as thousands gathered to witness the serpent shadow descending the staircase during the autumnal equinox.

The majestic site is adorned with ornate structures, each one reflecting the brilliance and power of the ancient people. Arriving early allows you to explore before tour groups arrive, and returning in the evening offers the chance to enjoy a magical sound-and-light show amidst illuminated ruins.

Getting to Chichén Itzá from Tulum: It takes about two hours to reach Chichén Itzá via paved roads cutting through a lush landscape. Public buses also operate this route twice daily.

Wander the Character-Filled Streets of Valladolid

Travel time: 1 hour 30 minutes

The cobblestone streets of Valladolid are a feast for the eyes, lined with brightly painted Spanish-Colonial buildings and old VW Beetles. Women dressed in traditional Maya attire engage in local markets, creating a vibrant atmosphere reflective of Yucatecan life.

Strolling down Calzada de los Frailes, adorned with bougainvillea and artisanal shops, you can savor delicious empanadas paired with refreshing agua de jamaica at cozy cafés. Nearby, the imposing Templo de San Bernardino showcases 16th-century frescos alongside a cenote steeped in historical intrigue. As the afternoon heat wanes, locals fill the plaza, enjoying snacks and engaging in lively conversations as folkloric dancers entertain by evening.

Getting to Valladolid from Tulum: Valladolid is an easy one-and-a-half-hour drive from Tulum via a scenic and well-maintained route, with several direct bus services available each day.

This article was first published Jun 30, 2021, and updated Nov 5, 2022.