When we first arrived in Tulum all I kept saying was wow, wow, giddy with excitement for the short weekend that we had scheduled to be there. Tulum is in a word ‘perfect’. No matter what kind of traveler you are you will find something that will make you happy. I hope this ultimate Tulum weekend guide is helpful and trust me even if you just have a long weekend to travel Tulum is perfect for that.
With direct flights from most major cities in America you can fly to Cancun and rent a car or hire someone to drive you to Tulum. We got the rental car through Rentalcars and it was smooth sailing from there. Picture driving into the sunset where you know a great weekend awaits you. Tulum is one of my favorite places in the world. It has a laid back vibe and a conscious effort for sustainable living.
Here is my ultimate Tulum weekend guide with information of where to stay, things to do and places to eat.
Table of Contents
Logistics
We flew right into Cancun as mentioned. This would be a long weekend away and we decided to rent a car so that we would be flexible with our time and the places we wanted to visit. It’s about 1.5 – 2 hours to drive to Tulum and the roads are good. We had no trouble driving to our resort after picking up our car from Rentalcars which had pretty good rates.
Make sure you bring cash as most places are cash only but there are atms everywhere. Always pay attention to where you are especially when you are traveling alone. You can buy things like water and sunscreen at supermarkets along the way and you can use credit cards there. The currency is mostly Pesos and you will get that at the ATMs. I don’t change money any more as I get a better rate through my bank.
Where to Stay
Tulum is known for outstanding world class hotels. Hotels that are meant to wow you and leave an impression. I definitely recommend staying as close to the beach as possible to get the most out of your weekend getaway. Below are some of my favorite hotels in Tulum that you can pick from.
Nomade
This hotel has a Moroccan vibe and it’s right next to the beach. There is a great restaurant right on the beach and one on the property. It has such a beautiful boho vibe layout and you will be immersed into this beautiful palm tree filled hotel.
Azulik
This is one of the most unique hotels I have ever seen in my life. The designer of the hotel definitely put his sustainability footprint here. There is a feeling of being in nature and a flow through the hotel that I haven’t seen anywhere else in the world.
Papaya Playa Project
The Papaya Playa Project is beautifully designed as you will find most hotels in Tulum are. I loved the night events that they had set up which was different from the other hotels. You will feel like you stepped back in time here because of their sustainability and off the grid vibe. I love that its right on the beach and villas have pools on the rooftop. You don’t see that everywhere.
Coco Tulum
Last but certainly not least and probably one of my favorites was Coco Tulum. The people here were so friendly and they have a beach bar right on the beach with swings as you look out into the ocean. Their bar is open to the public and it does fill up fast but with access to the beach you can lay out on your towel as you sip your fruity cocktail.
Also check out MUST SEE PLACES IN COSTA RICA.
Things To Do
The next thing on the ultimate Tulum weekend guide is things to do. There is so much to do in Tulum especially over a weekend. Which is why I recommend renting a car to drive yourself everywhere. Here are the places that you should plan on visiting.
Tulum Ruins
Hours: 8AM – 4:30PM, Cost: 35 – 40 pesos
Get there as soon as they open if you want beautiful photos and if you want to avoid the crowds. We got there at opening time and there was hardly anyone there waiting to buy tickets. By the time we were leaving there was a line that curved several rows so get there early. Also to avoid having people in your photos it’s a good idea to get there early.
Gran Cenote
Hours: 8AM – 4:45PM, Cost: 180 pesos
This is definitely one of the spots that you should visit early because it does get crowded. Due to our itinerary we went there in the late afternoon and surprisingly it wasn’t as crowded as we expected. The water is amazing for cooling off after a long day and I absolutely loved it here. I tried to swim in the less popular spots just to avoid people. This is one cenote that you should not miss.
Chichen Itza
Hours: 8AM – 5:00PM, Cost: 480 pesos
This was a bit of a drive from Tulum and we woke up early to get there. I do not like people in my photos and that meant that we started our drive at 6 in the morning. This is one of the seven wonders of the world which means that it gets crowded especially with tour buses. To truly enjoy it I recommend going early or later in the day. If you can maybe save it for a week day when there are less people out.
Cenote Ik Kil
Hours: 9AM – 5:00PM, Cost: 80 pesos
We got here right at opening time because we had heard that it gets busy. Its labeled the most beautiful cenote in the Yucatan and for good reason. It is very unique and you can swim in it too. You do have to wear a floater as its very deep. I saw a few dare devils diving in which I wouldn’t do because its very dark in there and you can’t really see inside the water.
Cenote Suytan
Hours: 8AM – 6:00PM, Cost: 100 pesos
This is probably one of the most Instagrammed cenote in Tulum. The glow of the light makes this cenote quite unique coupled with the platform. It’s about 1.5 hours from Tulum. Make sure you time your visit correctly to get the perfect lighting as it may be too dark to get good photos if you don’t go at the right time.
Make sure you stop by the local markets and huggle as much as possible. Casa Malca is also a great place for photos. It was once owned by Pablo Escobar and has the decadence to prove it. The entryway which has the seat and curtains is open for visitors to take photos so don’t be afraid to pop in.
If you like to dance make sure you visit Gitano which is such a fun vibe anf the BEST drinks ever, the Papaya Project Plan which had an amazing party when we went and Khalua for local vibes. They had a local band playing and I had an epic time.
Where to Eat
Food is probably one of the most important things I consider when I travel. I like to try out the local fare and exotic things that I would not ordinarily find at home. Tulum has some of the best restaurants that I have been to. All of them were very unique and also had a sustainability vibe that I liked.
Below are all the places I ate at:
- La Zebra – they had some of the best tacos I’ve ever had and they were right on the beach with some great music.
- Nomade – I loved the Moroccan vibes in the restaurant before the beach. Their food is very good and its cooked in front of you so you can see the chef making your food. I had prawns right on the beach that were to die for.
- Burrito Amor – Go there for the best burritos in the world. If you aren’t a burrito lover this place will convert you.
- Hartwood – The food was so good here. You need to book a reservation weeks ahead especially in the busy season. The menu is on a chalkboard and you get to pick whatever has been made that day.
- Chamicos – This beach is inside a residential area. You will find locals here as well. Go for the food, hammocks and cool vibes.
- Azukil – Even if you don’t stay here you can go for drinks and walk around the general area. It’s perfect for photos and sunset.
- Gitano – Their menu features a whole fish which was incredibly good and their drinks are AMAZING. I loved the party vibe here too.
- Coconuts on the beach.
- Poseda Margharita – We had breakfast here one day and it’s right on the beach. The spread was pretty good for what you pay.
- Coco Tulum – This is one place you should stop just for the views and photos. Their drinks are a plus and they are so friendly.
- Matcha Mama – This spot is great for matcha drinks, ice cream and acai bowls. The set up is super cute and definitely worth stopping by.
Conclusion
Hopefully this ultimate Tulum weekend guide is useful. I love Tulum and I plan to go back. It is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and it’s so easy to get to so why not go. Start planning now and if you have any questions leave me a comment below.
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