Destination guide
Tulum and the Riviera Maya
White sand beach, jungle, freshwater cenotes and a Mayan city facing the Caribbean. It all fits into a few days — if you sort out how to get from one to the next.
Where exactly you are
Tulum sits on the Caribbean coast of the state of Quintana Roo, at the southern end of the Riviera Maya, the strip of shoreline running from Puerto Morelos to Punta Allen. It is the only Mayan site built facing the sea, and that mix — ruins, beach and jungle in the same place — is why in twenty years it went from fishing village to one of the most visited destinations in Mexico.
A long town, not a compact centre
Worth understanding before you book a hotel: Tulum is not a walking town. The town itself, the beach hotel zone and the residential neighbourhoods are kilometres apart, joined by straight roads with no shade. Walking between them is not an option in the heat, and relying on taxis makes the day cost noticeably more than people budget for.
Tulum International Airport (TQO) opened in 2023 and put the destination half an hour away by road. Before that you had to count two hours from Cancún.
Along federal highway 307, straight and in good shape. It is the drive almost everyone who lands in Cancún makes.
From the centre to the southern end of the hotel zone. It is the distance that decides how you will get around for the whole trip.
The four zones of Tulum
Each has its own character and its own prices. Times are by golf cart, at an easy pace, from the centre of town.
Everyday Tulum: markets, taquerías, pharmacies and local life. Prices drop as soon as you get two streets away from the main avenue.
You are hereThe beach road, with the beach clubs, the boutique hotels and the shops. A single road end to end, beautiful and with very little room to park.
12 minThe new area between town and the beach: apartments, specialty coffee shops and restaurants. Handy for sleeping if you want to be halfway to everything.
7 minThe most residential and quiet neighbourhood, with rental houses and yoga studios. It is the cheapest place to stay, and the one where having something to get around in matters most.
6 minWhat you should not miss
Three different plans that fit into one trip.
How it all sits on the map
Distances are deceiving: it looks close together, but there are more than ten kilometres between town and the southern end of the beach.
Getting around Tulum
It is the decision that changes the trip most, and it is worth making before you arrive. These are the four options, with their drawbacks.
There is no meter: the fare is agreed before you get in, and it goes up at night and towards the beach. For a group going in and out several times a day, it is the cost that runs away fastest.
The bill runs awayPerfect inside town, hard going from midday onwards and not much use for reaching the beach loaded with towels, a cooler and snorkel gear.
Short distances onlyIt makes sense if you are going to move around the whole Riviera Maya. Inside Tulum it becomes a problem: parking in the hotel zone is expensive and scarce.
Hard to parkWhat the people who live here use. It fits where a car does not, parks in any gap, runs on electricity and goes at the right speed. With four seats, the group travels together.
The local optionAnd all around, the Riviera Maya
These already call for a car or a transfer: the cart runs around Tulum, not on the federal highway. We list them so you know what is nearby.
25 km
The turtle bay. You swim with them straight from the shore, with a guide.
63 km
Fifth Avenue, nightlife and the ferry to Cozumel.
45 km
A Mayan city in the jungle, with trails and cenotes around it.
190 km
The lagoon of seven colours. Worth staying the night.
When to come
There is no bad season, but each one has its own character.
High season: dry heat, little rain and everything full. Book well ahead.
The heat climbs and the crowds thin out. A good balance between weather and price.
Humid, with short showers almost always in the afternoon. It is also sargassum season on some beaches.
For many, the best month: the rain has eased off and the crowds have not arrived yet.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need to see Tulum?
Three full days cover the ruins, a couple of cenotes and the beach without rushing. If you also want to reach Cobá or Akumal, count on five.
Can you get around Tulum without a car?
Yes, and it is the usual thing. The town, Aldea Zamá, La Veleta and the hotel zone are linked by streets where a golf cart runs with no trouble. You only need a car to head out onto the federal highway.
Is it safe to get around at night?
The tourist areas are busy until late. Stick to the main roads, keep your lights on and stay off the federal highway, which is not made for slow vehicles.
How much does a day in Tulum cost?
It depends a lot on where you eat: in town you eat for a fraction of what it costs in the hotel zone. Transport is what gets out of hand if you take taxis everywhere.
Do you need a licence to drive a golf cart?
Yes: a valid driving licence from any country, and you must be over 18.
Keep reading
Specific routes, cenotes and advice from the people who live here.
Tulum is best explored at your own pace
Book your cart and move between the town, the beach and the cenotes without depending on anyone. We bring it to your hotel.
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