5 Day Travel Guide to Tulum, Mexico
I've been so excited to blog about Tulum!!! Prior to visiting, I had no idea what a gem the city is. Nestled in the Rivera Maya, Tulum is a vibe! It’s white sandy beaches, eclectic boutique hotels, and yoga culture have tourists flocking to this oasis in spades. I stayed 5 days and had the time of my life, balling on a budget. Journey into the Mayan Jungle with me!
What to Expect:
FunFact: Tulum was built by the Mayans to be a fortress with three walls on the sides and the Caribbean Sea facing East. Tulum was actually once a seaport, trading mainly jade + turquoise.
The best time to travel to Tulum is during their dry season, December through April.
We went in early January and temperatures held steady in the mid 60s during the day. A bit too cold for the ocean, but warm enough to still rock our bikinis on the beach.
There's tons to do, so I suggest budgeting for a minimum 4-day trip.
The Mexican Peso is the local currency, but definitely bring cash. It’s easiest to convert your USD to Pesos at the airport. I started off with $200 USD, and that amount kept me afloat for 4 days.
After a 1.5-hour shuttle ride from the Cancun airport, you’ll arrive in the beautiful Tulum Mexico!
Tulum is divided into three parts, the archaeological site, the Pueblo (the town), the Zona Hotelera (the hotels).
Where to Stay
Tulum is a small city with roughly 20,000 local inhabitants. There is one main strip, often referred to as Jungle Road, filled with beautiful luxury hotels and private beach access.
Hotels for the BallerBaes
If you’ve got a few coins to spend while visiting Tulum, stay here:
Casa Malca $$: Discovered by New York art dealer Lio Malca.
Casa Malca $$: This hotel may won’t have the jungle décor you may have come to the city for, but beauty is everywhere! Guest rooms have concrete floors, with bright velvet drapes, and contemporary art from Lio Malco’s own collection!
Most Instagrammable spot? The black and white Keith Haring wallpapered bar!
Nomade Tulum $$: Want to find your inner yogi? This is the place for it, filled with peaceful holistic vibes and it’s own private beach! Guest rooms come as luxury tents or pool villas and are decorated with art from many local artisans. Unfortunately, there’s no air conditioning.
BallerBaes on a Budget
If you’re keeping your coins close to your heart & wallet, stay here:
Las Palmas Maya: This eco-friendly resort has all the shared benefits of a hostel with the privacy of your own room
Where I stayed:
Aldea Zama Condos
My travel group and I are on a budget and we love to emerge ourselves in the culture, so we opted to stay in the Pueblo. We had two separate condos for $220 per night and with a private pool deck to the heated pool in our backyard.
Book with AirBnB Here!
Excursions
Tulum is a blanket city for relaxation, but if you need a bit more TLC, visit Yaan Wellness Spa.
We all pitched in & treated the birthday girl to a massage there. The air smelled like roasted mint and the wind echoed deep gongs as spa music played in the lobby. I didn’t receive a service that day, but I left there feeling incredibly zen.
The Mayan Ruins
Built in 564 AD, The Mayan Ruins are open Monday-Sunday, 8am-5pm
Entry will run you around 65 pesos, about $4 USD.
The remaining limestone structures in the open fields are downright majestic. The main attraction is the Castillo (castle), perched on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea
Remember your hat, shades, & swimsuit for this day because if you visit on a hot day, you’ll get backed in the sun and you’ll be running to the ocean. Don’t actually run though because the stairs descending to the beach are pretty steep.
Gran Cenote:
a natural sinkhole caused by the collapse of the surrounding limestone.
Pronounced see-no-tay, Gran Cenote is part cave+ part open air.
When you arrive, you shower (swimsuit on) so you don't disrupt the properties in the natural salt-free water.
Rent a life jacket and snorkel to explore the 20ft deep waters. The water is so refreshing and even the little fish & turtles chill in the water with you. This place is such a unique and affordable experience! Prices run you about $8 USD.
Sian Ka’an: Built in 1986, this is a national park and eco-reserve with a lush forest that’s home to over 300 species of birds and other animals.
I didn’t have enough time to visit on this trip, but it’s definitely on the list for my next!
Where to Eat
Patanegra- we enjoyed this Spanish bar on our first night. I suggest you wear elastic waistband pants or a dress because you’ll leave stuffed.
I tried Paella for the first time and O.M.G! It was delicious. Prices will run you about $15-$20 USD for entrees, but it is plenty food to share!
Mateo’s – Oh Mateo’s. We put on our fancy clothes and journeyed here for dinner. We sat at the rooftop bar, jamming out to the cover band and enjoying the last moments of the gorgeous sunset.
I spent a little more cash here, but my meal was under $40 and we had a few drinks.
I must place some caution though: if you are sitting at the upper level tables, take the ramp. My natural clumsy self however, took the stairs, in the rain.
Before my EPIC fall
I had the worst down the wooden stairs. I was mortified, but in my defense, the steps are pretty steep. The staff offered me tequila shots and I left to ease my pain, and my ego.
Still, visit Mateo’s!
Casa Jaguar- the food at this intimate candlelit spot was possibly the freshest I’ve ever had. If you’re into fish, try the octopus!
When you arrive, the grills are up high, so it’s a bit smoky. We awaited our table while taking pics in the hammocks by the front entrance.
The music and pure ambiance of this place is downright sexy.
Gitano- this restaurant is right across from the beach on Jungle Rd. We danced to the live band in the infamous Jungle Room for hours. Two words. Jungle Fever! I sipped the signature Mezcal cocktail all night long, but you can also enjoy Kisses in the Car, and the Gitano Margarita.
The Jungle Room, inspired by the colonial architecture of the Yucatan Peninsula, is so chic and popular, that a second location is now open in New York City!
Book your table here.
The Pierdra Escondida Hotel- enjoy breakfast or lunch at this posh hotel overlooking its private beach.
The day we ventured to this brunch spot, it was pretty cold, so we opted out of beach fun. But once we left, my friend noticed a private treetop deck overlooking the ocean.
After a bit of finessing, the hotel staff allowed us to rent the deck for the day.
Lucky for us, the deck wasn’t finished 100% yet, so we were the first patrons to enjoy it, for only $80 USD!
We partied and had superb service from the staff all day long. It was hands down, the best experience of the entire trip! I had never felt like such a luxe girl in my life.
Luxe Tips to Travel Tulum
· Cash.Cash.Cash.- some places take credit or visa, but Cash is your friend.
· Pack Comfy Shoes- there’s a lot of walking in this city, especially for the excursions. Make sure you bring comfortable flats.
· Bug Spray- bugs are not your friend. Protect yourself with Off!
-Book Your flight early. I traveled from Memphis, TN and my roundtrip flight was $416 with American Airlines.
· Transportation- you won’t need to rent a car on your trip, but there’s no Uber or Lyft either. Cabs are pretty easy to catch and cost about $10-$12 USD per trip. BUT, make sure you negotiate and have a firm price before accepting the ride.
Rent a bike! It’s a fun way to explore the Pueblo and get some great exercise.
Honestly, the entire city has such a relaxing and luxurious vibe! You find beauty everywhere you turn, even inside the local residents + visitors. The city is relatively safe, the food is fresh and flavorful, and the attractions are grand! The best part about this trip was that it was surprisingly affordable!
So what are you waiting for? Plan ahead and book your Tulum travel today! .
Thanks for reading!