The Ultimate 10 Day Travel Guide To Tulum, Mexico

Tulum, Mexico is the latest ” it” destination and unlike most Caribbean destinations, it has so much more to offer than just white sand, turquoise waters, and Insatgrammable smoothie stands. Tulum is known for its well-preserved Mayan ruins, crystal clear cenotes, wellness retreats, and bohemian style.

I’ve traveled to a lot of places and yet my experience in Tulum was unique in so many ways. There is something so captivating about this destination—I know it sounds silly, but it was one of those trips where I really felt like I was in a different country. The culture was rich, the experience was authentic. 

Even as a growing hot spot, Tulum has remained grounded in its origin—while they are trying to keep up with the increased demand in tourism, it’s still dirt roads, minimal cell service, toilet paper being thrown in the garbage rather than flushed, and a step into the jungle. It’s an experience and it’s unlike any other one I’ve ever had.

Per usual I traveled with my two content friends @soudersam and @bejulesed. Unlike most of our trips, this one was long. We had ten nights in Tulum which really gave us the opportunity to explore every side of town, immersing ourselves in all that it had to offer!

Today I’m sharing a full travel guide complete with our hotels, restaurant recommendations, itinerary, and packing list. Enjoy!

Transportation To Tulum 

I’ll be the first to admit that traveling to Tulum isn’t a walk in the park. In order to get there, you must first fly to the Cancun airport and then arrange a shuttle to take you the seventy miles south to Tulum. This drive can take anywhere from an hour and a half to four hours, depending on traffic.

You must arrange a shuttle prior to your arrival in Mexico. To avoid any troubles/safety concerns, I suggest contacting your hotel and booking a private shuttle through them. We did this and it was roughly $150 USD one way.

Transportation Within Tulum 

I was shocked to learn how spread out Tulum is—Hotel Zona has all of the popular nightlife, beach clubs, and waterfront hotels; Tulum Town is where you’ll find all of the authentic taco trucks, restaurants, and handmade knick-knacks, and Aldea Zama is the newest part of Tulum with more modern coffee spots, excursion pick-ups, and popular American chains.

Walking within these areas is safe, however, getting from one general area to the next is not. There is no Uber in Tulum, just taxis which you can find on almost every corner. Most of the drivers speak very minimal English and will only accept Mexican Pesos. I suggest communicating where you want to go and for what price prior to entering the vehicle to avoid them unnecessarily raising the prices.

Despite this being the safest method of transportation we still found ourselves in an unsettling situation or two—when in a foreign country, especially in a less established area like Tulum, I suggest keeping your guard raised and having the directions to your destination up and on your phone to ensure you’re going the right way at all times.

Currency In Tulum

As you know Mexico’a currency is the Peso. Currently $1 American Dollar = $17 Mexican Pesos.

While there are some Mexican destinations where you can get away with just a credit card for the week, Tulum is not one of them. Things are not fully developed in this area so we needed Pesos more than we expected—for taxis, yoga tips, food trucks, local shopping spots, and more.

Many places will accept American dollars however, they typically do not have change and will charge a higher rate. Everything is expensive here—the food, the water, the service charges, even the “minimums” to sit in a beach chair. If I were to do this ten-day trip over again I would take out a minimum of $300 in cash and bring a credit card with no international fees.

Where To Stay 

As I said, our stay in Tulum was a longer one. With ten nights we wanted to take advantage and explore all the areas. Because of this, we hotel hopped three different times. We started off in the jungle, then moved over to Aldea Zama, then finished up at a beautiful beachfront resort.

All of the properties had their own unique perks and character—here’s the full breakdown.

Copal Tulum (Book Here)

The first hotel we stayed at was Coapl Tulum which was in the midst of the jungle. This hotel really gave us the full Tulum experience—submerged in nature this property had two pools including a gorgeous rooftop that overlooked the city. There were two on-site restaurants, daily morning yoga (free the first day, $15 USD every day after), a gym, and bikes available for daily rentals.

We stayed in one of their King Suites and it was decorated flawlessly. We had a comfy bed with the cutest wicker headboard. There was lots of closet space for the girls to unpack and store their suitcases and we had strong air conditioning which I later learned can be hard to come by in this part of Mexico.

The bathroom, although pretty was horribly disfunctional. The ceptic is bad in parts of Tulum so the shower water smelled awful and the lack of a shower door meant the ground was half soaked after each shower. No toilet paper could be flushed here and our sink was slow to drain.

Because we were in one of the rooftop suites we had an incredible outdoor patio area with two lounge chairs and our own private jacuzzi where we spent most of our afternoon sitting here and reading. If you’re a sun lover like me, it’s absolutely worth the splurge to be on the highest floor as the lower levels are extremely shaded by nature.

I also will make a note on the drinking water for each hotel—Copal provided two complimentary bottles upon arrival, every bottle after that was $8 USD a piece. There was no filtered water jug on site either.

Although this was a 15-minute taxi to the beach and a half-mile (not-so-safe walk) to Tulum Town, we still had a lovely stay. Prepare to pay for transportation to get to other areas unless you plan on staying on-site throughout your stay.

Kimpton Aluna Tulum (Book Here) 

The second hotel we stayed at was a Kimpton, which I always love! This hotel had a ground-level pool and a rooftop pool, both with beautiful cabanas and impeccably kept. They offered special events throughout the week like tortilla-making classes and yoga. Plus, they have a nightly free happy hour at the rooftop bar from 5-6 p.m.

There were two on-site restaurants here and I absolutely recommend going to the ground level for breakfast each day. We had amazing made-to-order omelets, potatoes, and fresh fruit juices each morning. The staff here were so friendly and the restaurant is just gorgeous. They also have free bike usage at Kimpton Aluna.

As for our room, we stayed in one of their 2 Double Bed Rooms with a poolside/jungle view. The room was spotless with tons of space for us girls to spread out and celebrate Jules’s 30th birthday. We decorated the whole room and it was so fun!

We even had a little balcony!

Our bathroom situation was much better here—no smelly water and we had an amazing shower. The toilet was in a separate room which I always prefer and we had plenty of counter space to get ready.

Kimpton Aluna provided 2 water bottles to the room each day and had filtration stations on every level with glasses so there was safe water available at all times which was a huge plus for us. This hotel is located within Aldea Zama so lots of restaurants and coffee spots are just a ten-minute walk away. It felt much more modern and built up over here, so the area in general felt safer. We were still about a 15-minute ride away from the beach.

Nerea Tulum (Book Here)

The third hotel we stayed at was my favorite. Nerea, was a stunning waterfront property just steps away from the ocean. There was a stunning pool that wrapped its way throughout the hotel and although there were jungle-like elements the whole property just had a beachier feel that I really loved.

I was placed in one of their rooftop, oceanfront suites which was the most unbelievable room I’ve ever stayed in. The bedroom itself was the largest of the three with a comfy king bed that faced the ocean. It was unreal getting to watch the sunrise from here each morning.

Our bathroom was very Tulum-inspired with macrame, fake plants, and gorgeous decor. The shower was a large glass walk in and similar to the Kimpton, the toilet was tucked away into its own little corner. I really enjoy having a room set up this way—where the bed and bath back up into one another. It helps give the room some separation.

I had my own set of stairs that led up to my private rooftop pool that overlooked the stunning Caribbean ocean. I could not have been more in love. I mean come on, who could possibly be upset waking up to this view?! I spent every morning and every night here.

Nerea had an on-site kitchen staff manning their restaurant all day every day. Their breakfast was amazing with delicious fried eggs, fresh fruits and veggies, and a huge menu to choose from. They also offered us lunch each day which technically lasted until 6:00 pm so we didn’t leave the property once during this third leg.

If we did, we would have been a 15-minute taxi ride to Hotel Zone, Aldea Zama, and Tulum Town. This property had snorkeling gear, paddleboards, and kayaks free to use as well as free yoga on Tuesdays and Fridays. They had filtered water and 2 bottles of water brought to the room every day.

I got more “all-inclusive” resort vibes from this place which by the end of the trip, I really enjoyed. A little pampering was so nice! Definitely a must-book, in my opinion.

Things To Do 

Tulum offers so much more than your typical beach day— there are all kinds of excursions to be booked and little pockets to explore. It really is one of those destinations you just have to get out and wander in. Regardless of your vibe, you’ll surely stumble across something that piques your interest.

Shopping Throughout Hotel Zone

Hotel Zona is a huge dirt road that stretches several miles long. There are huge nightclubs and popular oceanfront hotels here. It also happens to be where the best shopping is. Jules warned me that I’d want to buy everything I saw and boy was she right. You can get all kinds of handmade linen tops, seashell hats, and macrame purses here.

The shopping scene is different from other Mexican destinations I’ve explored. These were high-end stores with unique pieces ranging from $100-$500. Very expensive but so worth a shopping trip, even if you are “just looking”.

Afternoon At The Beach Clubs

I’ve never been a huge beach club girl but they are the “thing to do” in Tulum. Along Hotel Zona there are dozens of beach clubs where you enjoy private beach access, cabanas, shaded chairs, a pool, and showers. Of course, you are also waited on here and can order drinks and food right to your seat.

The music is very lively and during a normal month (aka not August when it’s low season) there would be dozens of people partying, dancing, and taking shots off of one another. it was very dead the day we went but we still had a vibey day at Bagatelle, one of the most popular beach clubs in Tulum.

*These beach clubs all have minimums, meaning each person must spend a certain amount in order to sit and enjoy that area for the day. Typical pricing was $40-60 USD a person. I much prefer a quiet beach day reading but I’m happy I was able to experience this Tulum “essential”.

Explore The Cenotes

Cenotes are natural sinkholes resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater that is typically a bright blue and very clear. Visiting cenotes is one of the most popular things to do here so naturally, we added it to our schedule. We booked a private tour through Mayikal Experiences.

Our guide Ish, picked us up from our hotel and took us to three different cenotes. Each one is a little different and if I’m being honest, all were out of my comfort zone. The first one we were underground in a dark cave with nothing but lifejackets and flashlights. We walked into the water and explored the cenote, seeing all of the exposed rock and all kinds of bats. It was so scary, lol.

The next one we visited was a large hole, deep enough to snorkel and jump in. The third was in the middle of the jungle with a rope swing, fresh coconuts, and room to swim. Think of a “natural” swimming pool. Cenotes are where the local children come to play. It was quite the experience and although very cool, I can confidently say I never need to be in an underground cave again, haha.

Visit The Mayan Ruins

Tulum was once a walled city built by the Mayan people. The ruins are still standing today and are one of the most widely visited attractions in Mexico. I highly recommend adding them to your Tulum bucket list so you can see the origin of the Yucatan Peninsula. It’s really a cool piece of history and it overlooks the ocean which is so beautiful.

It took roughly an hour to explore the grounds although we had our same tour guide Ish, from Mayikal Experiences walking us through, explaining the rich history behind each of the building remains.

Enjoy The Caribbean 

There’s nothing like the Caribbean ocean. This area of Mexico has safe waters with so much to explore. We had the chance to take out paddleboards, kayaks, and snorkeling gear. There are all kinds of corals, turtles, and fish to sea underwater. The water was literally like bath water—so warm and so blue.

It’s pretty rocky in some areas but unlike my trips to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta, the water is much calmer here with waves plenty safe for swimming!

Treat Yourself To a Wellness Experience

Tulum is becoming one of the most popular wellness destinations in the world. It’s known for its sound baths, spirit alignments, massages, and mud masks. On our last day in Tulum, I treated myself to a massage, something I never ever do. I did a 60-minute deep tissue massage right there at our hotel, Narea.

The massage took place right outside on the pier so I had the sound of the ocean right there. It was lovely. These drain all of the toxins from your body so it’s really important to hydrate afterwards so you don’t feel queasy the next morning. I made this mistake!

Where We Ate

If you know me, you know I’m a huge foodie. The best part about traveling to Mexico is getting to eat all of the tacos and guacamole my heart desires. We had some really yummy meals throughout this trip—some super pricey, some super cheap. Sharing the good the bad and everything in between!

*ALSO, let’s talk about water for a second! The water in Mexico is not safe to drink and in most areas of Tulum, they did not have a filtered option available. This meant that you had to pay for water. Most restaurants charged $7 for an 8-ounce bottle. We were freaking out the first day when we realized we had each spent about $50 on water in one day. We quickly learned to go to the nearest convenience store and get a big Liter jug for $3 which we then used to refill our smaller bottles. Definitely a must!

Local Food Trucks

One of the things I liked best about Tulum was all of the food trucks that served local, authentic tacos, quesadillas, and tostadas. Most of them are parked along a street in Tulum Town center but you can find various ones scattered throughout other areas as well. We had some amazing meals here. Such a quick, yummy, cheap way to get a bite to eat—the three of us could eat for less than $15. Make sure you have Pesos/Cash as these stands usually do not accept cards.

Of course, you do have to use your judgment when eating at these are their cleanliness is not held to any standard but still, such a good way to experience the true culture of Mexico.

Copal Gastro & Bar (Inside Copal Tulum Hotel)

menu || directions

Our first evening in Tulum we decided to check out the restaurant in our hotel. This meal ended up being one of my favorites on the trip. We started with chips and guacamole (a never fail here in Mexico). The girls got fish tacos and I tried the battered shrimp which were fried to perfection.

I can never say no to a shrimp taco, especially when it has slaw and chipotle mayo. Really moody atmosphere here as the restaurant is in the midst of the jungle. Highly suggest and if you’re looking for sushi you can make a reservation at the rooftop!

Be Tulum 

menu || directions

We popped into this popular hotel restaurant/beach club to cool off and grab an appetizer. Two glass bottles of water and an order of chips and guacamole totaled to $42 with the service charge. Gorgeous views but so insanely priced!

Rossina 

menu || directions

We found this adorable spot just half a mile from the Copal Hotel and it was such a hit. The girls got $5 lattes to start and then we dug into breakfast. I had to give juevos rancheros a try at least once while I was here. These had a great flavor to them with avocado, white cheese, and a spicy broth. I recommend asking for cheddar cheese on top.

Although it was yummy, if I were to come again I would’ve gotten the egg burrito with steak that Sam got. It looked phenomenal and came with a side of chips too.

Gitano 

menu || directions

Gitano is the hot spot in Tulum. If you’re celebrating something special during your stay (Jules turned 30!) or are looking for a fun night out, I highly suggest starting the evening here. The vibes here were immaculate with live dancers, a DJ, and disco balls everywhere. It’s loud, it’s lively, and it’s lots of fun.

I highly suggest their lobster tostada to start. I got their carne asada and to my surprise, this was not a taco, just steak on a plate haha. Definitely ask for a side of tortillas and pineapple to give it a fun fruity flavor. Their drinks were amazing although pricy. This was one of our favorite meals out!

Boccanera 

menu || directions

After ten days in Mexico, you start to crave something other than guacamole and tacos. If you’re wanting something different, I suggest coming to Boccanera for an authentic slice of pizza. They have a huge menu with dozens of pizzas starting at $15. They are large enough to feed two people although they are so yummy, you’ll each want your own.

I got their signature which had buratta and pesto and it was so yummy. It’s made like true Italian pizza so it’s pretty soggy in the center. It’s meant to be folded over and eaten in half! Delicious— and that’s coming from a girl who lived in Italy for five months.

Babel Cafe 

menu || directions

Babel Cafe could’ve been located in the middle of downtown LA and I would’ve never known—it was very Americanized inside with spots for work-from-home girlies to sit and spend a few hours. We popped in for breakfast and devoured their coconut pineapple smoothie. Any time you can get something with coconut here, I suggest taking it. It’s very light and so fresh!

For my meal, I ended up getting the egg burrito which came with a spicy green sauce, rice, and some chips. This needed a little bit of kick to it but it was a huge portion for the price. Really cute spot!

Bhanu Sky Kitchen (Inside Kimpton Aluna Tulum Hotel)

menu || directions

Our second hotel also had a restaurant, this time located on the rooftop. We had a gorgeous view of the city while we enjoyed three yummy courses. They brought out their famous mushroom soup to start and then their chickens and rice which was so unique. I’ve never had such a sweet sauce like this–it was so yummy!

Their cheesecake was marbled with fresh fruit and a fresh jam. It was to die for. I highly suggest coming up here, even if it’s just for a desert nightcap, haha.

El Captain

menu || directions

We were starving in the middle of Aldea Zama so we walked into this spot as it seemed lively for a Tuesday afternoon. The portions here were unreal—Sam and I ordered a shrimp quesadilla and shrimp nachos and quickly realized we only needed to get one of the two, haha. The shrimp quesadilla was very different with a runny consistency I wasn’t a huge fan of.

The nachos were gigantic with at least 40 shrimp on them. The chips were buried and soggy so I suggest getting an extra side of them so that you can properly enjoy all of the toppings, haha.

Umbal (Inside Nerea Hotel) 

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Our third hotel, Nerea, had a super cool restaurant with beautiful waterfront views and a unique menu. They had all kinds of typical favorites—fish wrap, burger, gyro, and more each with their own wholistic twist. The food was both healthy and fresh. We ate here several times trying everything from the lamb to the lobster risotto.

I will admit, it was all a little adventurous for my palette but it was lots of fun to try new things. One thing we never strayed from (well two)… the cheese sticks and the chips and guacamole. Both were amazing and some of the freshest we had throughout this trip. Great atmosphere here, I highly suggest stopping in, even if just for a happy hour drink if you’re staying on the beach side.

Coffee Runs 

Liefs || Matcha Mama 

For every destination I travel to I always get a dozen questions on where to go for coffee. I myself am not a coffee drinker but both Sam and Jules are so I always have a few recommendations to give. Liefs (Aldea Zama) and Matcha Mama (Hotel Zone) were their two favorites. The going price for a coffee around here was $6.

What To Pack 

We visited Tulum in the middle of August and it was easily the hottest trip of my life. I’m talking high nineties and UV 12 every single day. Most days I wanted to wear as minimal clothing as possible which meant walking around in a bathing suit with a pair of linen shorts thrown over top. Not to fret, this is very typical around here.

In the evenings we’d get dressed up in something frilly to take pictures and eat dinner. While I loved my evenings spent in a fancy dress and heels, there were just as many spots I showed up to with wet hair and flip flops. That’s the beauty of Mexico—you really get a little bit of everything.

Need some outfit inspo? Click here for sixteen outfit ideas to wear on your next trip to Tulum, Mexico complete with links to shop. Of course, I also have a few recommendations to share!

• Linen Shorts and/or Pants: Like I said, this is definitely a spot where you’ll end up wandering into town in a bathing suit. I highly suggest bringing a pair of linen shorts and/or linen pants to throw over your suit. I brought both and rotated through them both days.
• Lots of Bikinis: If you’re debating bringing that extra bikini, pack it! We spent nearly every single day lounging by the pool or on the beach. On the days we were participating in an excursion, we also needed a bikini! I suggest something sturdy with as few self-ties as possible. We were more active in the water than I expected, making me wish I had more supportive tops/bottoms with a little extra coverage.
• Workout Clothes: I don’t typically work out on a trip but Tulum is a “healing” destination and they offer free yoga at practically every hotel. I knew this going in and packed about five workout sets. I’m so happy I had them as I ended up wearing one every single day. Just a simple sports bra and a pair of spandex will work just fine.
• Extra Underwear: I know this may seem silly but this is one of those destinations where you just need to bring triple the underwear lol. It was so hot that we were changing constantly to feel fresh/get out of our sweat-drenched clothes.
• Flip Flops: I feel like this goes without saying since Tulum is the beach but you definitely need a pair of flip-flops here.
• Water Shoes: If you have water shoes or a pair of Chacos, bring them! This is one of those destinations where the water is super rocky, full of algae and many uneven surfaces. I wish I had a pair for the cenotes and snorkeling.
• Bug Spray: It’s pretty buggy in Tulum with tons of mosquitoes. They have bug spray available at the stores here but it’s all natural which just doesn’t work for me. I packed OFF and was so glad I did!

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Phew, I know that was a long one but there’s a lot to cover when it comes to Tulum! We had the craziest ten days—from swimming with bats to dancing with locals, to walking through some of the most extreme poverty I’ve ever imagined; this was the kind of trip I’ll never forget. It was an eye-opening one for sure. And while there were many times I found myself uncomfortable, there were even more we were having a ball!

This concludes my Mexico travels for 2023 (at least, I think so!). I’m off to Italy to begin another European adventure in just a few weeks. Stay tuned for all of that fun coming your way soon.

Until then

Latest Post: 16 Outfits To Wear In Tulum, Mexico This Summer
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