Tulum has a reputation these days of being a hub for influencers and wellness gurus alike, and to be quite honest, this reputation is pretty accurate. However, despite all the luxury, it is also definitely possible to stay in Tulum on a budget. As expensive as some places can be (the Zona Hotelera in particular), these are easily avoidable. From the white sand to the crystal clear sea, to the amazing street food and crazy nightlife, Tulum is definitely worth checking out on your trip to Mexico.
TRAVEL TIPS TO NOTE SINCE COVID
Mexico is one of the most relaxed countries in the world at the moment in terms of COVID regulations. You don’t need proof of test or vaccination to get into the country, and they don’t use any sort of COVID pass like in Europe for entry to indoor restaurants, etc. However, despite this, it doesn’t feel unsafe at all. Places are fairly strict with mask use and temperature checking, and the majority of restaurants are both indoor and outdoor so there’s always a pretty good airflow. Even the nightclubs are all open air. High season in Tulum is December – February, so be prepared for more crowds at this time of year.
Getting to Tulum
FLY TO CANCUN
Flying into Cancun and then getting a bus is the best way to get there from abroad! Check out the best deals on cheap flights on Aviasales or KIWI.COM.
BUS TO TULUM
Tulum is located about 2 hours south of Cancun, and if you’re looking to get there on a budget, I can only recommend getting the ADO bus. The busses go from Cancun Airport about every hour and will set you back about 350 pesos (€15). You can also get one from Cancun Centre for 210 pesos (€9) and Playa del Carmen for 140 pesos (€6).
TAXI TO TULUM
A private taxi from Cancun to Tulum will set you back about 2,000 pesos (€90). Taxis in this part of Mexico are not cheap and I would only recommend getting them for short distances.
RENT A CAR IN TULUM
We didn’t rent a car, but a few people we know did and said it was great, and can be as little as €5-10 a day. This is a great option and gives you so much freedom to explore, as long as you’re prepared for no lines between lanes! Apart from that, Mexican’s drive extremely safely, and it mainly seems to be tourists causing the problems. Check out the cheapest car rentals at Rentacar.com.
COLLECTIVOS TO TULUM
This is definitely the cheapest way to travel from place to place, and a ticket should only set you back about 45 pesos (€2). They aren’t as comfortable as the ADO busses and are a little bit harder to figure out where they come and go from, but when you’re staying in hostels it should be pretty easy to ask someone. They’re basically just shuttle busses where everyone piles in. There isn’t one direct from Cancun, so you’d have to get two. The pickup spot in Playa Del Carmen is under 307 Highway just below Juarez Avenue.
Where to Stay in Tulum
HOSTELS IN TULUM
If you’re staying in Tulum there are loads of different Hostel options. Hostels in Tulum aren’t anywhere near as cheap as what you see in the likes of Asia. You’re looking at a range of around €10-€20 a night for a dorm, depending on the season of course. I always recommend using Booking.com. They give free cancellation and you don’t have to pay a deposit, which means you have more flexibility for last-minute plan changes.
FOR COWORKING: Selina €€€
FOR PARTY: StrawHat €€, Che €€
FOR SOCIAL BUT CHILL: Mama’s Home € (this one came highly recommended).
AIRBNB
When I went to Tulum we stayed for a month, so we got an Airbnb. Getting Airbnbs at a monthly rate can sometimes potentially half your rent, so it can be worth looking into as it can be as cheap as a hostel if you’re staying somewhere long term. We stayed in an amazing apartment in TAO Tulum in the Aldea Zama area and it was gorgeous, but also a bit far out from the city centre (a 30 minute walk, which we only felt safe doing during the day as it was down unlit dirt roads – a lot of Tulum in still under construction). Our Airbnb worked out at the equivalent of €14 a night per person, with 4 people sharing the apartment, and was the height of luxury.
Getting Around in Tulum
RENT OR BUY A BIKE IN TULUM
We ended up buying and reselling bikes as we were there for so long. I found Facebook marketplace the best place to do this, but there are also some shops in town that sell bikes. On Facebook marketplace, you can buy them for about 1500-2000 pesos (€65-€85) and then resell them for the same. Alternatively, you can rent bikes for about 150 pesos (€7 a day). Bikes are the best way to get around in my opinion and there are great cycle lanes and places to leave your bikes everywhere.
TAXIS IN TULUM
We only got Taxis when it was too late to walk or cycle home. Taxis are pretty pricey and non-negotiable. It should cost you 200 pesos (€8.50) to go from town to the beach or to Aldea Zama. They may try and ask for more but if they do ask to see their price sheet. There are plenty of Taxis around so if you feel you’re getting ripped off then just say no and go find another! As soon as you start to leave they’ll usually offer you a fairer price.
Where to Eat in Tulum
As a vegetarian, the food in Tulum was to die for. I never once struggled to find a veggie meal and there were even vegan street food stands. You can also get food delivered to your hostel or Airbnb using Tomato.
BURRITO AMOR : The most amazing burritos for 100 pesos (€4).
TROPI TACOS: Another Super Cheap place for Tacos. The veggie plate was incredible and HUGE.
ANTOJITOS LA CHIPANECA : The cheapest place we went to – 13 pesos (50c) a Taco.
LA HOJA VERDE : This is a strictly veggie restaurant (the others all have veggie and meat options). Not just Mexican food, all sorts.
LA CORDOBESITA: Vegan Mexican street food. The jackfruit torta (sandwich) for 70 pesos is to die for. Find it here.
Where to Drink in Tulum
There are so many bars all around Tulum, but if you’re looking for a good price, stay away from the Zona Hotelera, and head towards Centauro Sur street. Most of the bars there do a happy hour of 2 for 1 cocktails, for 100/150 pesos (€4-6) on classic drinks like margaritas and mojitos. Beers in most of these places are around 35 pesos (€1.50).
MERCADO CENTAURO SUR: is a bar with a great happy hour, with a bit more of a chill vibe.
STRAW HAT HOSTEL: has a pretty crazy party every night of the week if you’re looking to meet other backpackers, and when the bar closes at 1 you’ll be invited along by some reps to an after-party, however, the crowd is quite young so it depends what you’re looking for.
BATEYS: does the best mojitos and has live music every night.
SANTINO BAR : always has a great crowd and has a good happy hour until 11 pm, with good music and a dancefloor. There’s also a jungle party/rave every Saturday which we never made it to but Tulum is pretty famous for them.
What to Do in Tulum
BEACHES IN TULUM
The beaches in Tulum are unbeatable. The water is the clearest I have ever seen. I’d say they’re the nicest beaches I’ve ever been to. Playa Paraiso is my favourite. The beach is a 10-15 minute cycle down a straight flat cycle lane from the city centre.
VISIT CENOTES IN TULUM
There are so many amazing cenotes in Tulum. Cenotes are basically sinkholes or caves that you can swim in with the most amazing crystal clear water.
The main one is Gran Cenote. It’s a bit pricey to get into (300 pesos- €12) but there’s a gorgeous grassy area where you can set up for the day. There are no restaurants there so make sure you bring some snacks if you plan on staying for the day, and you’ll have to take a shower before entering the water so don’t bother putting on suncream before you get there! Gran Cenote is about a 15-20 minute cycle from the city centre. I would definitely recommend bringing a snorkel and goggles if you have them.
There’s also Cenote Dos Ojos which is the best for scuba diving and will set you back 350 pesos for a scuba pass, Cenote Calavera (also known as the Temple of Doom), which costs 250 pesos, and Cenote Casa Tortuga where you can swim with turtles (this one will cost you the most at 650 pesos.)
VISIT THE RUINS IN TULUM
While they’re not the most impressive Mayan ruins in terms of size, they are perhaps in the most beautiful location. The site is called ‘Zama’ which means City of Dawn, because it faces out towards the sunrise. Access to the beach was closed off when we were there because of baby turtles hatching! The ruins are more affordable than most at 80 pesos (€3.50) entry.
The ruins are only a 10/15 minute cycle from the city centre, and cycling means you can get right down to the entrance rather than parking down the road. The beach is only a 5-minute cycle from the ruins too, so my recommendation would be to take a picnic and go there after. I would recommend getting up nice and early to go, not only to avoid the crowds (although don’t worry if the queue is big it moves very fast), but also because there’s absolutely no shade, which is great if you’re like me and take every opportunity to soak in sun, but is not recommended if you burn easily!
TEMAZCAL CEREMONY IN TULUM
One of the coolest things I have ever done. A Temazcal is an ancient Mayan sweat lodge ceremony that is one of the most intense things I have ever done, but if you’re ready to do some healing and let go of your inhibitions I can’t recommend it highly enough. We did our Temazcal ceremony at Espiritu Wellness Centre and I can’t recommend it highly enough. The Shaman was the most magical man I’ve ever met, and I honestly did feel a bit reborn after it (the Temazcal is supposed to represent the womb of mother earth and your spiritual rebirth). The ceremony cost us 600 pesos (€26) and was worth every penny.
TAKE A YOGA CLASS IN TULUM
There are lots of yoga studios in Tulum, but if you’re on a budget OM Collective offers amazing donation-based classes where you pay what you can for an incredible variety of practices and offerings.
