Back in June I visited Tulum for the first time. Before my trip, I did a bit of research so I had a general idea of all that I wanted to see and do. After spending 5 days exploring, I discovered much more about all that Tulum has to offer. Below is my list for what eat, drink and do on your first trip to Tulum!
GETTING THERE
After a quick flight from Atlanta to Cancun, our first task was picking up our rental car since Tulum is a couple hours away from Cancun. Unfortunately, this was easier said than done. We were informed at the counter of the mandatory insurance we were required to purchase, which would tack on and extra $200 to our rental. We managed to negotiate a more reasonable price, only to have them slip in an extra charge at the end.
Annoyed, we left and headed back to the airport to find another company. Same story. Hidden fees and mandatory insurance. We were at a bit of a loss until we were approached by someone offering us a “good deal”. Looking back, it was really stupid of us, but we hopped in the strangers car and he wisked us away to a back alley in Cancun. Long story short, we survived the experience and got a cute little yellow rental at a reasonable price.
My advice, just suck it up and pay the fees or book a shuttle service in advance if you don’t want to deal with a car the whole trip. If you do rent a car, be sure your doors are locked and don’t leave ANYTHING inside, not even an empty water bottle! We had our phone chargers and snorkel gear taken on our last day, but we also forgot to lock one of the doors! I will say though, having a car was necessary for getting around without having to rely on taxis or tours.
EAT
After our crazy rental car adventure, we were famished by the time we finally arrived at our hotel. We were in the mood for some fresh seafood and the concierge recommended El Camello. A majority of the patrons were locals, which is always a good sign. It did not disappoint. The food, drinks, live music and overall ambiance hit the spot!
Aside from its beautiful beaches, luxurious spas and chill boho vibes, another major draw of Tulum is its food scene. It’s a vegan haven and there are a ton of restaurants serving up fresh, creative, colorful dishes utilizing local flavors. I had a long list of places I wanted to check out and sadly only had enough time to visit a few of them. But here is my entire list that may come in handy on your next trip to Tulum.
Breakfast
Raw Love Tulum – Acai bowls and fresh juices
Del Cielo
The Real Coconut
Casa Violeta
Tulum Art Club – Quick breakfast spot in Central Tulum
Lunch
Charly’s Vegan Tacos
La Coqueta
El Tabán
Cenzontle
Casa Banana
Taqueria La Eufemia – yummy $2 tacos with a self-serve toppings bar
Dinner:
Rosa Negra
Tres Galeones – Intimate dining in the heart of Central Tulum
La Baracuda- Great seafood in Central Tulum
El Camello – The best spot for local cuisine in Central Tulum
Burrito Amor – THE BEST cactus burritos! Be sure to try ALL the sauces!
Azulik – Dine in a nest above the tree tops!
Posada Margarita – Italian in the heart of Mexico
DRINK
You can’t go to mexico without indulging in some adult beverages. But don’t expect your average Margarita. Tulum is sprinkled with a ton of eclectic bars serving up works of art aka cocktails. Below are a few great places to sit and sip.
Todos Santos Bar: Enjoy uniquely crafted cocktails in the jungle of Tulum. Join them for music nights, Tuesday’s starting at 10pm. You can read more about their menu and events here.
Arca Tulum: An open air beach bar serving up yummy cocktails with intriguing ingredients such as fire roasted pineapple syrup, Yucatán lemon grass tea and hibiscus. YES PLEASE! Check out their hours and menu here.
Gitano: This trendy mezcal bar and eatery is known for its upscale atmosphere and unique design. While its drink offerings are a bit on the pricey side (20 USD), their delicious specialty cocktails are worth the splurge!
Matcha Mama: For a non-alcoholic option, check out Matcha Mama for their smoothies, açaí bowls and of course matcha! Their beachside location is also quite insta-worthy! (For those wondering, matcha is powdered green tea leaves that are incorporated into food a drinks and is thought to have health benefits.)
Macondo: Another great place for non-alcoholic beverages is Macondo located in the Nomade hotel. This beachside eatery has major Moroccan vibes. Sit on one of their decorative rugs and enjoy having your dishes served on silver platters. We went there for a late lunch. While the food leaves a bit to be desired, the fresh squeezed juices and ambiance are well worth the visit!
BEACHES
Tulum’s main draw is of course its beaches. There is a long stretch of white sand beach with both public and private areas for visitors enjoy. We visited both and while I’m normally perfectly content spending a day at a public beach, I really enjoyed our afternoon at Azulik’s private beach.
Public Beaches: Tulum’s Public beaches include Playa Paraiso (close to the Tulum ruins), Playa Poc Na and Las Palmas Public Beach. We visited Las Palmas one late afternoon. While we didn’t stay long, I enjoyed our time there. It wasn’t too crowded and the beach was huge. But if you plan to spend a full day there, plan on either packing lunch or driving to go get food because there aren’t many options there (at least not when we visited). The other two do have food stands and restrooms available.
Private Beaches: As for private beaches, most of the hotels allow the use of their cabanas and beach for a minimum spend at the bar (ranging from $20-$50 per person). It’s worth it for the privacy and comfort. As I said, my top pick is Azulik. It’s $40 to enter, but that gets put towards a credit to be used for food and drinks throughout the day. We spent our last afternoon here and had such a relaxing time! I seriously cannot recommend it enough! Be Tulum and Ziggys are other fun options.
DO
Aside from eating, drinking and beaching, there is a TON to see and do in Tulum. Here are some activites to consider if you get tired of all the rest and relaxation!
Chichén Itzá: One of the most famous attractions is Chichén Itzá (map it!). These ruins are located about 3 hours northwest of Tulum, so you’ll either need a car or to book a tour to get there. But given that it is considered one of the world’s great wonders, it’s worth the trip.
Tulum Ruins: We opted for the option closer to town and decided to check out the ruins right in the heart of Tulum! They are located right along the coast so you can take a dip in ocean to cool off after exploring the ruins. I wrote a whole post to help plan your visit to the ruins here.
Local Markets: There are several boutiques and local markets around Tulum both in city center and near the beach that are worth checking out. Spend the morning perusing the shops to beat the heat of the day then grab some lunch and a drink and head back to the beach!
Snorkeling: If for some reason you tire of relaxing along the shore, consider booking a snorkeling tour. Most take you to a combination of cenotes and reefs so you’ll get to check out other beautiful areas of Tulum while exploring under the sea. You can book your eco-snorkeling tour here and here.
Cenotes: For a more relaxed experience, you could just explore the cenotes on your own. These fresh water swimming holes are scattered all across Tulum and are a great place to cool off and escape the heat of the day. Here are some tips for visiting the cenotes that you should check out before you go!
Zip lining: for the more adventurous types, consider booking a zip lining tour. Spend an afternoon gliding through the trees. You can book an adventure tour near Tulum here. And here is another option that’s just a bit farther.
STAY
After spending long days playing out in sand and sea, you’ll be ready to crash. There are several options for accommodations in Tulum to fit whatever vibe you’re looking for. Whether it’s a penthouse apartment in the city or a casual bungalow near the beach, you’re sure to find the perfect location to enjoy your Mexican getaway.
Airbnb: I’m a huge fan of Airbnb and have had nothing but great experiences using it. Although we ended up staying at a hotel in the city center, there were several Airbnb properties in the area like this one and this one that caught my eye.
City Hotels: If you want to stay near the city center, but Airbnb isn’t your thing, here are a few hotels to choose from. We stayed at a clothing optional resort selected by my Russian. It was fine, just not really my thing and let’s just say, he will not be picking our accommodations in the future! Hotel Luna Llena and Biwa are two beautiful properties located in the heart of Tulum.
Bungalows and Luxury Beach Hotels: If you’d prefer to be closer to the sea there are plenty of options. Choose an affordable beachside bungalows like Zazil Kin. Or For an unforgettable getaway, consider staying at one of Tulum’s luxury hotels. Azulik, Casa Malca and Be Tulum are a few beautiful (and pricey) options. They will cost you substantially more, but you’ll also have an extra special experience.
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I hope this sparks some ideas for planning your Tulum getaway. If you’ve visited before what else would you add to the list? And if you haven’t, what are you most excited to do? Share your comments below!
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