Last updated on January 11th, 2026 at 11:04 pm
Looking for the very best things to do in Tulum, Mexico? From white-sand beaches and crystal clear cenotes to boho beach clubs and ancient Mayan ruins, Tulum is packed with magical experiences!
I’ve spent weeks exploring this dreamy boho beach destination of the Yucatán Peninsula. I just love the style here, and aside from beach-hopping, some of my favourite things to do include walking around the cliff-top Ruins, dining in the jungle restaurants and indulging in a spot of wellness!
In this guide, I’m sharing the 17 best things to do in Tulum from must-see highlights to more unique experiences, so you can plan your perfect trip to Tulum! Whatever your travel style, this list will help make the most of your time in Tulum!
Top Places To Stay In Tulum:
Planning your trip? Here’s my top hotel picks!
- Luxury Beachfront: Ma’xanab Tulum
- Boho Boutique Hotel: La Valise
- Stylish New Boutique: Chiringuito Tulum
Read my full guide on where to stay in Tulum
THINGS TO DO IN TULUM: TOP EXPERIENCES
1. Relax On Tulum’s White Sand Beaches!
One of the first things to do in Tulum when you arrive is explore the beautiful white sand beaches, after all this is what drew you to the destination in the first place!
And lucky for you, the beach is 6 miles long; in theory, it should take you 2 hours to walk from one side to the other, which I’ve never done. I’m not sure if anyone has! However, I do recommend spending time on South Beach, the bohemian chill-out zone with the widest and most perfect stretch of white sand, closer to Sian Ka’an Nature Reserve.
It’s also one of the best areas to stay in Tulum on the beach – think chic boho boutiques with oversized hammocks and beachfront terraces set among a palm tree and jungle backdrop – it’s exactly what you hoped to find in Tulum!
2. Explore The Mayan Ruins By The Sea (One of the best Tulum attractions)
Exploring the Mayan Ruins is definitely a bucket list attraction in Tulum, you have probably seen the iconic pictures where ancient ruins meet the Caribbean Sea (see my top image) – and that’s what makes them so special!
Tulum’s Ruins sit majestically on the edge of the turquoise waters, only ten minutes from the beginning of the Hotel Zone, which is incredibly handy!
I recommend visiting in the morning, avoiding weekends and hordes of afternoon day trippers. You can easily cycle here as I did and wander the nicely manicured grounds – stopping to take pictures of the ruins and iguanas (seriously, they are enormous!), but without a guide, you might feel a bit lost!
A short guided tour around the ruins might be more beneficial if you actually want to know anything about the ruins, as there’s really very little information at the site, but if you’re just going for a wander, that’s nice too!
While there, I highly recommend stopping by Playa Ruinas beach, one of the best beaches in Tulum – with the most photographed lonely palm tree, and if you have time, pop by Mezzanini for a tasty lunch on the seaview terrace!
If you’re interested in the ruins and history, check out this private guided tour of the Tulum Mayan Ruins!
3. Cycle Along Tulum’s Iconic Beach Road
Cycling is a really fun way to see Tulum! I’m not much of a cyclist normally, but in Tulum, hiring a bike to cycle along the vibrant beach road behind the beachfront hotels is a very popular thing to do in Tulum, the area is just filled with iconic Tulum design, it’s super!
I loved stopping by gorgeous brunch places in Tulum like Matcha Mama or Fresco for a smoothie, propping my bike against a palm tree, it’s so efficient, and as I mentioned, I even cycled to the Tulum Ruins!
(If you have chosen your hotel wisely, your bike hire will be complimentary; otherwise, you can hire a quality bike here – this company delivers to your hotel!)
For more practical tips, check out my complete travel guide to Tulum for first-time visitors here!
4. Swim In The Best Cenotes Near Tulum (One of the unique things to do in Tulum!)
Cenotes are kind of famous in Tulum, it was one of the things I really wanted to experience, as they are totally unique – the town is even built on top of cenotes!
Unbelievably, there’s more than 6000 cenotes in the area. I was flawed when I learned this, but only a few are visitable and offer something even more awe-worthy than just a hole in the ground! You’ll find incredible cave-like systems and dazzling colours!
The two must-sees are Gran Cenote and Cenote Calavera; these crystal-clear cenotes are well-known swim spots, I was warned to visit those further outside of the town due to pollution sadly, so (not having a car or willing to cycle that far) I found this guided tour instead!
I saw some incredible underwater worlds, rock formations, and clear water. I particularly liked the fact that it was a small group, crowd-free experience!
If you want to add the cenotes to your Tulum bucket list, check out this hidden gem Cenote tour (which beats the crowds)!
5. Gorge On Artful Smoothie Bowls At Raw Tulum
What could be better than eating a bowl full of sunshine when sitting in the sun? Gorging on freshly made smoothie bowls at Raw Tulum was one of my favourite things to do in Tulum!
Raw Tulum has a bit of a following for those keen on all things healthy; people hang out here all day long and I’m definitely here for it!
It’s not your usual fancy restaurant or anything, there’s barely anywhere to sit, it’s just a rustic beach shack offering the best looking smoothy bowls, juices and coffees right on the white sand beach along the hotel zone!
You’ll find this friendly little place at the popular Ahau Tulum Hotel, (also a great place to stay by the way) the breakfast/brunches are delicious – simple pleasures, right? I recommend the mango smoothie bowl as pictured!
6. Spend The Day At A Stylish Tulum Beach Club
You might already have heard about the beach clubs in Tulum, they are on another level of style, fun and bohemia, I love the vibe and I honestly think if you don’t experience at least one, you’d be missing out!
Tulum Beach Clubs aren’t just your average beach club, they are the life and soul of Tulum, offering a place to enjoy music, cocktails with your feet in the sand, fancy beach cabanas and cool furnishings!
There is a minimum consumption which varies from place to place, my recommendation is to book ahead, dress up and get there early for the best options!
Here’s a few of my favourite beach clubs in Tulum:
Gitano Beach – barefoot luxury, stylish crowd, one of the best!
Tantra Tulum – ultimate boho chic club, vibrant and luxurious!
Distrito Panamera – vintage design, beautifully crafted with a rooftop, good vibes!
Kanan Beach Club – stylish beach club, tree houses, cool place!
La Zebra Beach Club – low-key cool, one of the originals, creative!
Not sure which stretch of beach suits your travel style? My where to stay in Tulum guide breaks down North, Middle and South Beach — plus the best hotels in each area.
7. Take A Day Trip From Tulum To Chichen Itza (best things to do around Tulum)
Chichen Itza is easily visited as a day trip from Tulum and ticking off this 7th Wonder of the World while in Mexico was high on my bucket list!
I took this small group full-day tour with Mexico Kan Tours and absolutely loved it! Our guide was so kind and great at entertaining us with stories around the extensive Mayan site (I was pleased we had a guide – it’s 100% needed)!
We spent a couple of hours at Chichen Itza, which is baking hot, but fascinating to see in person! We also visited two other interesting places; the beautiful Colonial City of Valladolid, where we ate lunch within a lovely heritage courtyard setting and afterwards drove to a peaceful, hidden cenote for a swim!
It was such a great day out, a good mix of culture and adventure, its perfect if you’re in Tulum for around a week and want to see Chichen Itza – and more of the Yucatan Peninsula! I’ve also written a full review of my experience of the Chichen Itza tour from Tulum, you can read it here!
If you’re looking for the easiest and most enjoyable way to see Chichen Itza, take a look at this tour!
8. Dine Under The Stars (One of the best things to do in Tulum at night)
Tulum’s chic dining scene is unmatched for sexy evening atmosphere, where the jungle surrounding the beach road transforms into a magical wonderland of fairy lights, sultry candle flickers and hypnotic beats – it has ambience in spades!
NU restaurant is my top recommendation, part of the boho-luxe hotel La Valise. It has a fantastic vibe, the setting is more for romantic couples, but it’s one of the best restaurants in Tulum, definitely worth booking ahead for!
For a livelier scene, Casa Jaguar is perfect, with trees set between the tables, Mexican fare, music and dim lighting – and the cocktails are great too! It also turns into a hipster magnet on Thursday to Saturday nights with a DJ in the courtyard – it’s best to check their listings!
For specific restaurant recommendations – from jungle dining to beachfront favourites – head to my guide on the best restaurants in Tulum.
9. Shop At Local Artisan Stalls & Local Boutiques
Tulum could easily have shops selling tourist tat, but no, the boutique shops along the beach road are fabulous, some are almost curated art-gallery quality, I was almost too afraid to step across the threshold!
But here’s where you’ll get your beautiful boho threads, bags and bougie hats!
My favourite spots to peruse include Mary Jane near Hotel Nomad for flowy dresses, bikinis and strappy sandals and also La Troupe Tulum, which is a similar vibe and also sells Tulum boho soft furnishings – if you have that much room in your case! (It’s also just nice to see this side of Tulum!).
10. Enjoy Fresh Tostada On The Beach!
If I had to pinpoint my favourite Mexican foods that I tried in Tulum (a place where you can pretty much get everything) it would either be the Ceviche or Tostada, an easy, colourful light meal enjoyed at any time of day, but wouldn’t it be better sat on a swing facing the sea?
This particular Tostada (pictured) came from CoCo Beach Club (made famous for their beachy white decor and swings!), the order of the day; fried octopus, ginger, cilantro, lime and onion, it goes perfectly well with a spicy margarita!
Coco Beach Club is busier at the weekends and on Sundays there’s a ‘Sunday Session’ with a DJ, which is lively – if you want to enjoy your Tostadas without a crowd, go earlier in the week!
11. Treat Yourself To A Lovely Brunch At Alma Verda
Finding a good brunch spot is definitely my thing and I was so excited to come across Alma Verde when I cycled over to the new and flash neighbourhood of Aldea Zama!
It’s easy to get to, just 15-minutes from the Beach Road, where you’ll first see the Hunab LifeStyle Centre, an upmarket hotel and shopping complex with a jungle-inspired terrace belonging to Alma Verde!
I was immediately drawn to the aesthetics, but the food is just as good and the service super friendly. I highly recommend the pistachio latte, fruit bowl (see pic below) or the berries and cream French toast – there’s so many tasty options here!
Ama Verda, quickly became one of my favourite go-to brunch spots in Tulum!
12. Spend The Day At Nomade (One of my favourite things to do in Tulum!)
Nomade deserves mention all by itself; it is the epitome of bohemian chic, located on tranquil South Beach at the end of the main Hotel Zone and one of the original and best hotels in Tulum on the beach!
I immediately loved the hipster vibe of this place, especially the incredible beachfront restaurant called Popular, with floating hammocks and scatter cushions to sit! You can sip super fresh margaritas here and enjoy tasty lunches with your feet in the sand (see my pic below).
Beach beds are also available for hire at the small beach club if you want to make a full day of it and listen to the hypnotic music by the sea – and there are nets, so the water is free of seaweed and clear for swimming! Nomade is a must!
Nomade also features in my complete guide to where to stay in Tulum, if you’re planning a first-time visit!
13. Go Luxury Sailing On The Riviera Maya
If you’re looking to get out on the idyllic Caribbean Sea and see colourful fish and endless clear turquoise, then I recommend this luxury sailing trip around the Riviera Maya!
It’s 4 hours, which is the perfect amount of time to set sail without taking over your whole day, you can be back on the beach or your hotel balcony by late afternoon to enjoy those sunset cocktails!
I always jump at the chance to get out on the water, especially when it looks so inviting as the Riviera Maya and this luxury sailing experience comes with an open bar and tasty snacks as well as a good-looking catamaran (you can never be too careful)!
But, with an easy hotel pick-up, friendly staff, calm waters, sun and flowing drinks, I felt on top of the world sat aboard this luxury catamaran and highly recommend!
Tip! If luxury sailing around the Riviera Maya sounds appealing to you, book at least a couple of weeks in advance, as it sells out quickly and is weather-dependent.
If you’re keen to explore further afield, I’ve rounded up the best day trips from Tulum, including Akumal, Valladolid, Dos Ojos and Kaan Luum Lagoon.
14. Take Part In A Beachfront Yoga Class
Yoga and wellness are a big deal here in Tulum, and if you’re a fan or even thinking about dipping your toe in, I recommend booking a class at the Lula Boutique hotel on South Beach, an area known for wellness and chillout vibes!
The yoga studio is literally on the beach facing the sea, it’s amazing and they have a nice restaurant terrace setting next door if you want to grab a fresh juice afterwards, by far, this was one of my favourite things to do in Tulum!
If you like alot of yoga, it might even be worth staying here. Lula Boutique constantly gets 5-star reviews, it’s one of the highest-rated places on Tulum South Beach!
15. Experience A Cacao Ceremony At Azulik
Nights out, restaurants under the stars and banging beach clubs is just one face of Tulum, the other side is wellness, traditional Mayan Rituals and temazcal ceremonies!
You can find every kind of treatment here, from hardcore sweat lodges to the less intense Cacao ritual – involving chanting and drinking cacao (my preference), but whichever you decide, I 100% recommend experiencing it at the incredible Azulik!
The grounds have just the right amount of artistic flair and natural jungle setting for a soulful ritual! I always suggest it to anyone who is looking to try a traditional therapy while in Tulum.
16. Take Pictures of Tulum’s Iconic Sculptures
Speaking of creativity, you have to check out the sculpture scene when in Tulum, not only are half the boho-luxe hotels along the Hotel Zone works of art in their own right, but some of them boast sky-high sculptures made from natural materials. Just like Escultura Ven a la Luz pictured below!
For a bit of fun, I recommend heading to the sculpture park of Ahau Tulum Hotel along the strip, one of my favourite beach hotels in Tulum, here’s where you find the best sculpture mentioned above!
Also, don’t miss Azulik’s Uh May exhibit or the giant pink rabbit entrance to Conestesia Beach Club – and you might want to have a poke around Pablo Escobar’s former home – Casa Malaca, for the entrance alone!
17. Dance The Night Away At Papaya Playa Project
Finally, if you happen to be in Tulum at the end of the month, why not attend the best party in Tulum? There is nowhere better for dancing the night away than at the full moon party at Papaya Playa Project, it’s one of the best things to do in Tulum for night owls!
It takes place right on the beach with swaying palms, world-renowned DJs – flown in especially for the event to spin the decks until the early hours!
I arrived around 10pm and it was already in full-swing, I am hazy on the details, but I’m sure there was a wristband involved and vouchers for drinks!
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN TULUM
So that covers the main and best things to do in Tulum. I’ve left off the obvious things like staying on the beachfront for a few days, which is a must-do! The beach really is the main attraction of Tulum and there are more places to visit outside of Tulum, if you have the time!
Related Guides In Tulum
Looking for more inspiration? These two guides dive deeper into the best day trips from Tulum and the best places to eat and drink!
- The Best Day Trips from Tulum – great if you’re staying for at least a week in Tulum and want to explore more of the surrounding area!
- The Best Restaurants In Tulum – after a day exploring, don’t miss my guide to the best restaurants for stylish dining!
THINGS TO DO IN TULUM, MEXICO – USEFUL TIPS!
Best Time To Visit Tulum
The dry season (November–March) offers the best weather, (avoid the peak December and January as they are the busiest and most expensive months) while the shoulder months are calmer and often better value – I prefer February-March overall!
Getting Around Tulum
Tulum is spread out and not easily walkable at all – for context, the beach is 6-miles long, so bikes work well getting between places such as the town and Mayan Ruins. Also, cycling along the vibrant Beach Road, aka Hotel Zone is one of the most popular things to do in Tulum!
Taxis are best for the evening (although very expensive), and booking a day tour is the easiest way to experience the hidden gems or explore further afield!
Book Ahead
Popular tours and experiences can sell out in high season, so booking in advance is recommended, same for your boutique hotel – the best ones go quick!
Bring Cash & Cards
Tulum can be unpredictable at times, my best advice is to always carry at least one card and a good amount of cash to cover your spends, just in case of WiFi issues, ATM issues or you’re hit with a ‘sorry cash only’ situation when enjoying your evening meal high up in the tree canopies!
Where To Stay In Tulum
For first-time visitors to Tulum, the beach is the best place to stay – Middle or South Beach are the main spots, where you’ll have the best restaurants, jungle bars, cafes and beach clubs all on your doorstep and of course, your pick of the most beautiful Tulum-style boutique hotels!
I stayed at Ma’xanab and picked a beautiful ocean view suite, which was perfectly located and had a chill boho vibe, but I also recommend hotels Chiringuito or Ahau Tulum, both are great choices right on the white sand beach and best location!
For a full breakdown of areas, pros and cons and more hotel recommendations, check out my guide on Where to stay in Tulum!
So that wraps up my guide to the best things to do in Tulum Mexico! I hope you are now fully prepped to plan your own epic beach escape to Tulum!
Still planning your Tulum itinerary?
Planning your trip to Tulum? I’ve also shared a complete Tulum travel guide for first-time visitors, my favourite boutique hotels, and the best day trips – perfect for pulling together your ideal itinerary!
- Complete Tulum Travel Guide – top tips & need to know for first-time visitors!
- Where To Stay In Tulum – the best areas, boutique hotels & luxury stays!
- Day Trips From Tulum – cenotes, lagoons & nearby ruins worth visiting!
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Michelle Trudie, is the founder of Little Wanderblog, a luxury boutique travel site. She has travelled to over 30 countries in the last 15 years. Michelle share’s her passion for stylish and affordable luxury travel experiences in Europe and beyond! Her goal is to make travel planning easier to hidden gem places!