Tulum has some of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean, with idyllic white sands and crystal blue waters. Playa Paraiso (Paradise Beach) is one of the best in Tulum, with swaying palm trees on the soft, powdery sand. Playa Ruinas is another iconic beach in Tulum, with Mayan ruins on a cliff overlooking the water and sand below.
Since so many young people have flocked to Tulum in recent years, whether for the travel experience or the Instagram photos, the beach town has responded to the demand for nightlife with enthusiasm. There are plenty of options for spending a fun night out with friends in Tulum at clubs like Caribe Swing or Tulum Social Pubcrawl. Solo travelers will find it easy to make connections with other backpackers here when enjoying a night out of drinks or dancing. And abundance Of Restaurants To Try
Tulum is located approximately 130 km south of Cancun in Quintana Roo, Mexico. Cancun has long been a popular destination for vacationers seeking Caribbean waters and upscale resorts at affordable prices. However, staying outside a resort in Cancun is less safe, with the city rated as having a high crime rate.
Although it’s critical to exercise caution when traveling anywhere in the world, travelers generally find it more accessible to stay in budget-friendly accommodation like hostels or Airbnbs in Tulum rather than in Cancun.
Rich History To Explore
Tulum has many beautiful traces of Mayan culture and history, much like the rest of the Yucatán Peninsula and Quintana Roo. Visiting Tulum is worth it simply for the experience of seeing the historical Tulum Ruins in person. The Tulum Archeological Site is open daily from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm and is a great place to spend anywhere from two hours to a whole afternoon. Entrance fees for travelers are around 80 pesos or $4 per person.
Mexico’s Best Cenotes
Cenote Dos Ojos frequently tops travelers’ lists as the best cenote in all of Mexico, and it happens to be just a 15-minute drive from Tulum. Cenote Dos Ojos is part of a flooded cave area, north of Tulum in Quintana Roo. In English, the name Dos Ojos means “two eyes” referring to the way the cenote is split into two sections. One side of Dos Ojos is shallow and great for swimming while the other side is deeper and ideal for people looking to scuba dive. Entrance fees for the cenote are around $14 and it’s possible to rent scuba gear on-site at an additional cost.
It’s A Yogi Haven
Passionate yogis will find themselves drawn to Tulum, regardless of how popular the idyllic town becomes. Whether travelers are looking for Vinyasa flow classes, Yoga Teacher Training programs, or soothing Hatha yoga classes, Tulum has it all.
It’s Got The Infrastructure For Remote Work
Remote work is the new normal and many companies are now encouraging employees to work fully remote or take on a hybrid model where they spend some time in the office and the remainder of the year working from anywhere. For digital nomads or people who have the flexibility to work remotely for an extended period, Tulum offers the necessary resources and amenities to support a comfortable and productive work experience.
Not only are accommodation and food cheaper than in the United States, but most hostels, hotels, and Airbnbs in Tulum offer high-speed internet to enable video calls, uploads, and file downloads. Internet speeds vary depending on where you stay so be sure to check with the host or hotel in advance.
It’s In a Central Location For Exploring The Riviera Maya
Tulum offers the additional benefit of being a great central location to explore the best sites in Mexico’s Riviera Maya. From Tulum Town, it takes just 40 minutes to drive to the Riviera Maya and around 2 hours to the Mayan ruins, Chichen Itza. In addition to the cenotes in proximity to Tulum and a plethora of beaches, Tulum is the ideal base for experiencing the best this region has to offer.
There’s Something For Every Budget
The of the top reasons Tulum is still worth visiting when traveling to Mexico is because of the experiences available to suit any budget. Travelers who are looking for a luxury getaway can choose accommodation options like the Conrad Tulum Riviera Maya for ultimate comfort and a location right on the beach. Backpackers hoping to travel Mexico on a budget can also enjoy Tulum by staying away from the beaches in the vibrant area of Tulum Centro. Mama’s Home Hostel and Hostel Penca Blue are just a couple of the budget-friendly options located close to local restaurants in Tulum
It’s Close To The Cenotes
One of the great attractions of the Yucatán Peninsula is the cenotes. These amazing sinkholes have a long history of significance to the ancient Maya and today are one of the great attractions of the region. Interestingly they owe their existence to the same meteorite that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago. They are found around the massive crate of the impact. Some of these cenotes are within easy reach of Tulum.
Cheap Flights To Tulum
As Tulum is such a popular tourist destination, it is very easy to access from the United States by flight. Some of the other destinations may take more time to wait for flight connections and transfers. While the closest airport is actually Cancun International Airport, around 1.5 hours drive away, the Tulum International Airport is under construction and is due to open in 2023. The new Tulum International Airport is located only 12 miles from Tulum.
Float Down Hand-Made Mayan Canals
One of the great guided tours one can take from Tulum is floating down stunning ancient Mayan canals. Take a tour from Tulum of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (which is noted for its excellent biodiversity). The tours typically last four to six hours and include seeing the wildlife, floating in the canals, and exploring lost Maya ruins in the coastal jungles.
