Tulum
Clifftop Mayan ruins above a Caribbean beach, world-class cenotes and Mexico's most fashionable destination
Explore Tulum
Click any marker to find out more about each spot.
Things To Do in Tulum
The best ruins, cenotes and beach experiences in Tulum.
Tulum Mayan Ruins
The clifftop Mayan ruins of Tulum are one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in Mexico. Dating to the 13th century, the ruins are perched on a cliff above a stunning Caribbean beach — the combination of ancient stone, turquoise water and white sand is extraordinary. The site is best visited early morning to avoid the crowds.
Tulum Beach
The beach below the Tulum ruins is one of the most beautiful in Mexico. The water is a brilliant turquoise and the sand is powdery white. The beach is lined with boutique beach clubs and eco-hotels. It's more expensive than the Hotel Zone but the atmosphere is completely different — relaxed, bohemian and genuinely beautiful.
Cenotes
The area around Tulum is dotted with cenotes — natural sinkholes filled with crystal-clear freshwater, connected to an underground river system. Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos and Cenote Calavera are among the best. Swimming and diving in the cenotes is one of the most unique experiences in Mexico.
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, just south of Tulum, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering over 500,000 hectares of tropical forest, mangroves and lagoons. Boat tours through the reserve offer the chance to see manatees, dolphins, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.
Tulum Town & Dining
The town of Tulum has become one of the world's most fashionable destinations — a bohemian mix of excellent restaurants, boutique hotels, yoga studios and art galleries. The restaurant scene is extraordinary, with a focus on organic, locally sourced Mexican cuisine. The nightlife is low-key but excellent.
Tulum Travel Guide
Tulum is one of the most extraordinary destinations in Mexico — a place where ancient Mayan ruins, stunning Caribbean beaches, crystal-clear cenotes and a world-class bohemian food and culture scene come together in a way that is genuinely unique.
The Tulum ruins are the main draw. Perched on a cliff above a stunning Caribbean beach, the 13th-century Mayan city is one of the most dramatic archaeological sites in Mexico. The combination of ancient stone, turquoise water and white sand is extraordinary. The site is best visited early morning to avoid the crowds — it gets very busy by mid-morning.
The beach below the ruins is one of the most beautiful in Mexico. The water is a brilliant turquoise and the sand is powdery white. The beach is lined with boutique beach clubs and eco-hotels — more expensive than the Hotel Zone but the atmosphere is completely different. Relaxed, bohemian and genuinely beautiful.
The cenotes around Tulum are extraordinary. Gran Cenote, Dos Ojos and Cenote Calavera are among the best — crystal-clear freshwater sinkholes connected to an underground river system. Swimming and diving in the cenotes is one of the most unique experiences in Mexico. The water is cool and incredibly clear, with stalactites, turtles and tropical fish.
The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, just south of Tulum, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering over 500,000 hectares of tropical forest, mangroves and lagoons. Boat tours offer the chance to see manatees, dolphins, crocodiles and hundreds of bird species.
Tulum is about 1.5 hours south of Cancun by road. It makes an excellent day trip but is worth staying for at least two or three nights to fully appreciate the atmosphere.
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