Tulum is a 3.5 hour flight from New York City This is a slice of paradise on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. There is plenty to see and eat, there is a place to relax, and a sunny tropical weather that is a year-round destination. Ancient mysterious houses of cobalt-colored water and abandoned Mayans should add this Caribbean coastal town to your bucket list!
Tulum’s Guide
Go to Tulum
Welcome to our complete guide to Tulum! There is everything you need to know to plan your stay. To get to Tulum, you’ll want to fly to Cancun Airport and then take a simple 2-hour drive from the highway to Tulum Beach. Be aware of the speed bumps called “Topes” and the constantly changing speed limits. If you don’t have flashy driving, you can easily arrange a hotel transfer and then use your bike to cycle around Tulum Beach or get off one of the many taxis that drive up and down the beach road.
Things you won’t miss in Tulum
Mayan ruins
At the top of Beach Road is the ancient Mayan ruins of Tulum. It costs 70 pesos to get in. You should make sure you go early in the morning to avoid crowds and the burning sun. This 13th-century walled Mayan archaeological site in Tulum National Park overlooks the ocean. If you want to soak in the Crystal Clear Sea below, bring a swimming tog.
Federal Expressway, Cancun – Chetumal KM 230, 307, 77780 Tulum
Cenote
Many cenotes in the region make Tulum very magical, and the Yucatan region is known to have the world’s most extensive underwater sinkholes and cenote caves. These naturally occurring sinkholes are caused by the collapse of the surrounding limestone, inhabited by fish, turtles and bats.
There are hundreds of cenotes in the area, some of which are big enough to jump in between, a little more hidden and off-grid, here are three of our favorites!
Grand Cenote
One of the most popular cenotes in the area is recommended to arrive early to avoid crowds. It is located about 20 minutes from the beach and offers lockers and snorkels that can be rented for an additional fee.
There are two areas here. The main swimming area where snorkeling takes place and the small cenotes just a little away are hidden away. You can walk up to reach it or swim under the cave to get there!
Quintana Roo 109, Tulum
Both eyes
The Dos Ojos cave system is known for its deep diving, and is known to be at least 61km and 118m deep. Dos Ojos is a must-see for the ultimate scuba diving experience in Yukantan. There are 300 miles of interconnected passages and caves that make up this stunning ecosystem. Several tour operators in the area will host scuba training and guided cave diving, but you can also rent snorkels or swim in Crystal Clearwaters.
Cenote Jaguar Rd, Quintana Roo
Pet Cenote
Part of the world’s second-longest underground river system, Cenotes Sac Aktun, Pet Cemetery, takes its name from the skeletons of numerous animals found within the cave. The Pet Cemetery is located at the same entrance to Dos Ojos and features a jaw-dropping rock formation covered in titrates and stones.
Cenote Jaguar Rd, Quintana Roo
Tulum’s Guide: Where to Eat
Heartwood
Heartwood is at the top of everyone’s list, so if you don’t have a reservation, make sure you get there when it’s open at 5:30pm and put your name on your waitlist! Heartwood’s menu is known for its locally produced ingredients and has a woody menu that changes daily and explodes with fresh, seasonal flavours. Try grilled octopus and sticky honey-glazed sweet potatoes! And don’t leave without a cocky margarita.
Carretetera Tulum Boca Pailla, Tulum
Chamikos
A 15-minute drive south of Tulum Beach, fairly close to Grand Cenote and Dosu Ojos Cenote, the beachfront restaurant is a great place to stop for lunch. Offering cheap and quick meals like fried fish and ceviche, you can make time for a long lunch here, spending time on the hammock and reef in front of you.
Solimanbay, Tanka 4, Tulum
Posada Margherita
You may be thinking of a “Mexican Italian restaurant”, but trust me about this. Offering fresh pasta and seafood, Posada Margherita is a place with sea views, dreamy atmosphere and authentic Italian pasta. Don’t accept credit cards, so make sure you come early as they fill up quickly and bring in cash. The food here is a bit expensive but definitely worth the lovely dinner in Tulum.
km. 4.5, Carretera Tulum-Boca Paila, Tulum
Kibok Coffee Shop
A small family with a mellow atmosphere runs in front of the coffee store. This small coffee stand is a great place to fix your caffeine in the early hours. There, people can see it on Beach Road.
Center Ro
Taqueria the uphemia
This taco shack is known for its laid back atmosphere, fresh cocktails and quick fish tacos. This is a cold afternoon place with music, tequila and cheap meals! It pulls at sunset and bothers the cushion with a margarita in hand.
Party, Hotel Zone, km8 bottle paint, Party
Nomads
Within the Nomaid Hotel, you’ll find Morocco-inspired restaurants perfect for a relaxing morning. Their cozy lounge area is full of poufs, floor seats and lanterns.
km 10, carr. Cancun – Tulum
Safari
A modest outdoor restaurant serving guac and chips, tacos and cocktails. In addition to the laidback atmosphere and cheap food, here is the 1971 Airstream, which serves as the restaurant centre and as a kitchen. Make sure to try a snack made with corn, lime juice, chili powder and cotilla cheese.
QROO 15, Party
Where to stay in Tulum
Olas’s House
Designed over 40 years ago, Casa de Las Olas is Mexico’s only sustainable hotel. Its incredible design adapts to all the elements surrounding it, utilizing the sea breeze for a constant airflow, and local cenotes and rainwater. The hotel uses all organic biodegradable soaps and cleaning products, hand-made in the town.
Casa de Las Olas is located on the edge of Beach Road and just next to the entrance to the 40 million acres of Cyan Khan Biosphere Reserve. The beach is a little far from the room that may be lucky enough to find hatching baby turtles that nest on this quiet edge of the beach.
Breakfast and lunch will whip dishes made with fresh ingredients locally sourced by resident chef Lulu from the family farm, making each dish vibrant with flavour and colour. Special daily dishes like fresh yogurt and granola, hot coffee, freshly squeezed grapefruit juice, toast and soap avocados, waking up every morning and dining with other guests at the communal table under a palm canopy was a dream way.
10.6km Boca Pailla Rd.
Marca House
The entire 40-room art hotel features a collection of quirky, eclectic and vibrant artwork. The property itself, once belonging to Pablo Escobar, has three swimming pools. One is an underground cave and a large colorful restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The rooms at Casa Malca are bright and modern, with floor-to-ceiling windows, each with a variety of contemporary artwork, making each space different from the following:
One of the most amazing parts of Casa Malca is the lobby entrance where the sofa and chairs hang from above and hang down to the top of the tall spiral staircase. The hotel is private, unique, refined and beautifully curated, and will definitely make you feel spoiled and energetic!
Fed.tulum career, AV. Boca Paila KM 9.5, 77780 Help.
