Here’s a guest post from my friend and fellow travel blogger, Somto Seeks!
Tulum is more than just another Mexican resort town for American tourists. And it’s definitely not Cancun 2.0, despite being only a 2 hour drive away. Situated on the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea, Tulum is home to well-preserved ruins of the Mayan civilization. You can go from touring ancient temples to relaxing on a white sand beach – all on the same day! If you only have a weekend to spare, here’s how to spend 3 days in Tulum.
How to get to Tulum
The closest airport to Tulum is the Cancun International Airport in Quintana Roo. There are several bus companies at the airport offer direct trips to Tulum. If you want to go directly to your hotel, then it’s best to use a private transfer service, which is what I did. Private shuttles are available throughout the day, but buses run less frequently. Getting from Cancun Airport to Tulum takes between 90 minutes to 2 hours.
Where to stay in Tulum
There are basically two parts to Tulum, el Pueblo (the town) and the resorts. The town is more inland while the resorts are on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. During my visit, I stayed at a hotel in the town. The great thing about staying in the town was being walking distance from mom and pop restaurants that sell 25 cent tacos. I also wandered around the markets and got a feel for the ‘real’ way of life.
The downside of staying at Tulum Pueblo is that it’s about a 30 minute bike ride from the beach. The Yucatan heat is intense so you will work up a sweat along the way. There are also parts of the road that are narrow. You’ll have to be extra careful not to bump into the cars that pass by.
If you stay at one of the resorts on the coast, then getting to the beach and the ruins will be much easier. Some hotels are right on the beach, too. That said, you’ll be in a tourist bubble. Prices for hotels at the resorts and the town don’t vary too much. You have to decide what type of atmosphere you’re looking for.
Day 1:Â Visit the Tulum Ruins
Tulum was once a major trading post for the Mayan civilization. Because of that, the Mayans built fortresses to protect the city-state from being invaded by other city-states. Today, the ruins of the walled city are well preserved and open to the public. They are located right on the Caribbean Sea, which provides a stunning backdrop. The contrast between the stone walls and the turquoise water is striking.
The Temple of the God of Wind is in the iconic image of Tulum you’ve probably seen a million times. It is thought to have been used for ceremonies and rituals. You can’t actually go to the temple because it’s a preserved national heritage site. You can see this temple two ways: from the archaeological zone 39 feet or by boat. After exploring the ruins, you can go to down the stairs from the archeological zone to the beach at the base. It’s usually packed but is a great place to relax for a while.
I think taking a boat tour is a much better way to see the ruins than from above. You can get a complete view of the entire structure as opposed to just a side profile. There are boat tour companies with offices on the beaches throughout the coast. Salesmen may even come over and ask you if you want to take a ride. One reputable company to consider is Mexidivers, which offers both boat tours and snorkeling. The Mayan Ruins are the place to see in Tulum so do not leave without visiting!
Tulum is also known for its cenotes, giant cave formations with pristine water. People usually go swimming, snorkeling, and diving at the cenotes. There are dozens of cenotes in Tulum, but the most popular one is Gran Cenote. I didn’t actually go because I can’t swim, but friends who’ve gone have said amazing things about it. In the water, there are different species of fish and turtles. There is an area for you to shower, change, and store your belongings. This cenote is great day trip for families and first-timers. From here, you can also explore other cenotes, such as Calavera, Labnaha, and Tortuga.
Gran Cenote is only a 10-minute drive from Tulum so it’s normally packed with tourists taking selfies. If you want to avoid that, you may want to go right when it opens at 8am. Weekdays are better than weekends, too.
Location: Quintana Roo 109, Tulum, Quintana Roo, Mexico (On the highway to Coba)
Operating hours: Everyday from 8 am to 4 pm
Price: 180 pesos ($10)
Day 3:Â Playa Paraiso
After two days of touring ruins and snorkeling in cenotes, it’s time to take a breather. For that, you head to the gorgeous Playa Paraiso. It literally means ‘Paradise Beach.’ There are tons of beautiful beaches in Tulum, but this one is on a whole new level. It has pure white sand and deep turquoise water. The beach is lined with tons of restaurants and shops. That said, this area is a bit more posh and expensive than other parts of Tulum. The food could be just as expensive as in the US. But it’s still delicious!
While you’re around Playa Paraiso, you should check out The Restaurant at Zamas, which has the best shrimp tacos I’ve ever eaten. You can eat your tacos while lounging on the beach chairs, too. That’s what Tulum is all about: relaxation and great food. The rich history is the icing on the cake.
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Note from Jen on the Run: Hi, everyone! I recently connected with Somto Seeks through the online travel blogging universe, and I thought it would be fun to share one of her travel experiences with you all! As a travel blogger, digital nomad and entrepreneur, Somoto helps new travel bloggers develop a clear roadmap for their business without needing to feel overwhelmed. Learn more about her here.
For 15 years, Jen has lived in Los Angeles and Palm Springs and explored up and down the California coast, from San Diego to San Francisco and beyond. In 2023, she hiked the Camino de Santiago, a 500-mile, 30+ day backpacking trip across the length of Spain. Since then, Jen has been inspired to help others live life on their own terms, work remotely, learn a new language, and travel the world!
