Before my trip to Tulum I had a tentative idea of what I wanted to see and do while there. Visiting the iconic Tulum Ruins that overlook the crystal blue waters was at the top of the list. Despite being over somewhat overshadowed by in fame and scale by Chichen Itza, the Mayan ruins that sit along Tulum’s coastline are definitely worth a visit. Below are my tips for visiting the Tulum ruins.

GETTING THERE

The ruins are remarkably easy to get to whether you drive or take a taxi. Located just 15 minutes from both central Tulum and the beach area, it won’t take you long to get there (map it!). If you happen to drive, there is ample parking available. We paid $50 pesos for the day. We probably could have found free street parking, but we felt better about leaving the car in a secured lot.

Once you park, there is a a quick 10 minute walk past a few souvenir stands and casual restaurants before you reach the entrance.

HOURS

The ruins are open from 8am – 5pm daily. You’ll want to get there as early as possible (like before the gates open) not only to beat the heat, but to beat the crowds! We arrived just after 9am and there were already tour buses pulling up. We still managed to get some good photos without too many tourists in them, but if you can avoid having to navigate the crowds, do it!

Travel Tip: The ruins are also free for locals on Saturdays, so if you visit another day you may have a better chance of it not getting over crowded.

 

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TOURS

If you park in one of the paid lots, you’ll likely be approached by a parking attendant’s “partner” offering you a great deal on tours. Unless standing in the heat listening to a guide crack cheesy jokes is your thing, you should avoid this. We politely said, “No thanks!” and opted to roam the ruins on our own. If you are interested in learning about the history of the ruins, you can purchase an audio guided tour at the ticket office.

COST

Admission for one adult is 70 pesos (about $4). Another 45 pesos if you want to use your camera. There was no one regulating camera use and just about everyone had one. I’m not advocating trying to sneak one in, all I’ll say is if you happen to “forget” about the camera in your bag, you’ll probably be just fine!

WHAT TO BRING

It’s gets extremely hot and you’ll want to have as little to carry as possible. But there are a few items you will want to bring with.

• A breezy outfit: I suggest a sundress or shorts and a loose top. Whatever you can do to help yourself stay cool!
• Comfy shoes: Sandals or sneakers are a good idea since you’ll be doing a lot of walking. I almost wore wedges and I’m SO glad I didn’t!
• Sun hat: There are some shady areas under the trees, but you’ll mostly be in direct sunlight, so a sun hat is a must!
• Sunscreen: That Mexico sun is not to be messed with!
• LOTS of water: It gets hot early and you’ll want to stay hydrated
• Small bills for snacks: Outside the entrance there are several vendors selling cold drinks and popsicles, which you may want to indulge in after all the heat. So you may want to have small bills on hand for easy purchase.
• Swimwear/towel: There is a small beach below the ruins where you can swim. Unfortunately, it was closed when we were there due to the high tide, but on normal days it’s a great place to cool off and get a unique view of the ruins.
• Camera & Accessories: GoPro, selfie stick, tri-pod, camera, cell phone or whatever your preferred photography equipment is, feel free to bring it along! There were no restrictions on any of the above, so long as you declare it and pay to use it. However, drones are not allowed.

 

I hope this gives you a better idea of what to expect when planning your trip to the Tulum Ruins! If you’ve already visited, what other tips would you add to the list? Share your comments below!

 

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