Top Things to Do in Tulum, Mexico
Tulum is one of Mexico’s crown jewels, a place of picture-perfect beaches and ancient seaside ruins, where nature and art intertwine, and a boho-chic vibe permeates.
It’s a city with two souls – beach and town – and offers easy access to nightlife and delicious food, plus magnificent outdoor adventures. To help you enjoy the diversity and breadth of what Tulum has to offer, here are the top things to do while you’re there.
1. Snorkel or Dive in a Cavern
Floating through a cenote, you’ll pass yawning caverns and narrow passages, illuminated stalactites and stalagmites, with eyeless fish swimming alongside you. It’s otherworldly – no wonder the ancient Maya considered cenotes entrances to the underworld. Cenote Dos Ojos is part of the world’s largest underwater cave systems, run by a local Maya community project. Snorkel guides lead you through the labyrinth of water-filled caverns, an eerie and unforgettable wonderland.
2. Spend Time on the Beaches
Walking onto Tulum’s beaches is like stepping into a postcard – soft white sand between your toes, vast views of turquoise water, and towering palm trees behind you. This is why you came to Tulum.
Local Tip: If your hotel isn’t on the beach, no worries! Head north along the beach road, where two public entry points lead straight there.
3. Leap into Swimming Holes in the Jungle
Tulum is dotted with open-air cenotes, sublime swimming holes surrounded by dense forest, their waters cool and clear, home to schools of tiny fish. Many cenotes, including Carwash, Cristal, and Escondido, have simple rope swings and jumping platforms, their surfaces, like mirrored glass, hiding the wondrous caverns below.
4. Soak Up the Views at the Remarkable Tulum Ruins
The Tulum ruins are an archaeological site like no other, an ancient walled city with ornate stone structures perched on a seaside cliff, high above the brilliant Caribbean waters. While the structures may be modest compared to other sites, those temples and those views cannot be beat. And there’s even a beach!
Planning Tip: Arrive early to avoid the midday crush, and don’t forget your bathing suit.
5. Take a Guided Tour of the Glorious Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve
Directly south of Tulum, the Reserva de la Biosfera de Sian Ka’an is a vast and magnificent reserve of tropical forests and untouched beaches, coral reefs, and impossibly blue lagoons. Having a guide is the only way to really explore and appreciate the reserve.
6. Settle in for a Night of Live Music at El Batey
El Batey’s live music will pull you in, Latin beats filling the night air, and the crowd spilling into the street. This long-time favorite in town is the go-to for mojitos, sweetened with freshly pressed sugar cane.
Planning Tip: Arrive early to nab a seat – most nights, it’s standing room only.
7. Bike the Beach Road
There’s something about riding a bike that evokes a feeling of freedom and belonging. In Tulum, it means pedaling past stop-and-go traffic, exploring the beachfront from the ruins to Sian Ka’an, with a canopy of leaves lining the way.
Planning Tip: Hotels often offer complimentary bikes, and affordable rentals are easy to find.
8. Party (or Peace Out) at Papaya Playa Project
The artful hotel and beach club Papaya Playa Project draws crowds for its full-moon parties and DJ nights on the beach – an extension of the nightlife in town. Midweek is quieter; come for sunset yoga and workshops on topics like “ecstatic movement.”
9. Experience the Thrill of Kiteboarding
When nortes (northerly winds) blow in during the winter season, kiteboarders come out skimming the water’s surface before lifting, flipping, and flying above the waves. Join the crowd and take lessons or rent gear.
10. Walk Barefoot Through SFER IK Art Museum
Wandering barefoot through the surreal SFER IK art museum, its circular windows peek into Tulum’s dense tropical forest, making you feel like you’re in a giant cocoon of wood and cement. Located just steps from the beach, a visit here is dreamy, unique, and unmissable.
11. Steam and Cleanse Yourself in a Temescal
There’s no better place than Tulum to experience a temescal. These spiritual cleansings involve sweat – lots of it, with participants sitting in a windowless structure heated with steaming volcanic rocks. The experience provides a renewed sense of balance and calm.
12. Soak in Mud at Laguna Kaan Luum
Slather yourself in the restorative muds of Laguna Kaan Luum, a stunning circular lagoon. The waters are warm and shallow – perfect for washing off the mud!
13. Dine at Low-Impact Restaurant Hartwood
If you’re lucky enough to nab a seat, dining at Hartwood is a classic Tulum experience. The chalkboard menu changes daily, with fresh and locally sourced ingredients, offering simple yet sophisticated meals cooked over a wood fire.
14. Eat Street Tacos
As the sun sets, Tulum’s street-side grills light up. Hungry customers order platefuls of tacos al pastor – pint-size tortillas topped with spit-roasted pork and pineapple.
Planning Tip: Get your fill at Taquería El Carboncítos, a place you’ll crave long after leaving.
15. Tour Tulum’s Vibrant Murals
Walking through Tulum town, an explosion of art awaits. Dozens of murals brighten the streets. More appear each year, contributing to the town’s charm.
Planning Tip: Get a map of the murals at the tourist information booth, or simply wander along Calle Sol Oriente – the heart of the street gallery.
This article was first published Aug 3, 2021, and updated Nov 7, 2022.
