Tulum is one of the most well-known gems of the Riviera Maya and it’s easy to see why. Its Mayan roots and Caribbean flair, combined with a relaxing and eco-friendly environment, make it a great destination with attractions and activities to suit all budgets and all tastes.
To help you decide what to do and what to visit in Tulum, we’ve put together 10 excellent options to help you plan your visit to Tulum:
Tulum archeological site.
Zona arqueológica de Tulum. Foto de rivieramaya.mx
If you’re in Tulum, you’ve got to check out the archeological site. These well-preserved old city ruins are located in a great spot right in front of the Caribbean Sea.
The city was founded more than 1,500 years ago and was originally called “Zamá” (dawn, in the Mayan language). It was later renamed Tulúm (wall, in the Mayan language). It served as a commercial hub, a military base and an astronomical observation centre.
Don’t forget to pack your beach clothes because there are some great beaches inside the archaeological site and you can also enjoy some aquatic activities.
Playa Paraiso and other beaches around Tulum.
Playa Paraíso, Tulum. Foto de Diriye Amey. CC.
The beaches in Riviera Maya are stunning, but Tulum’s beaches really stand out thanks to their incredible water clarity, vibrant turquoise colour, and abundant marine life.
While some beaches have been affected by the presence of sargassum in recent months, this is only a temporary issue and doesn’t affect all beaches.
Cenotes.
Cenote Tortuga. Foto de Aaron Hawkins. CC.
Cenotes are natural ponds formed by the collapse of soil by the action of subterranean rivers that carry fresh water all across the Yucatan Peninsula. There are lots of them around Tulum, with some examples including:
- Cenote Dos Ojos. It’s a semi-open cenote that seems to be divided into two circles.
- Gran Cenote. It’s great for swimming and diving. You can also see bats and toucans there from January to February.
- Blue Cenote, or Cenote Azul. It’s a great spot for swimming, diving and snorkelling. It’s easy to get to and is suitable for all the family.
- Zacil-Ha. It’s another cenote that’s great for families. It has everything you need for swimming, snorkelling and even diving.
Sian Ka’an national park and Muyil archeological site.
Reserva de Sian Ka’an. Foro de rivieramaya.mx
Sian Ka’an National Park, which translates as ‘Heaven’s Gate’ in Mayan, it’s situated 10 kilometres (6.2 miles) south of Tulum, thanks to its status as
national park, it has managed to avoid the negative effects of large-scale tourism and it’s still a refuge for local wildlife. There are lots of great things to enjoy in Sian Ka’an, including:
- Go kayaking to enjoy the view and see a wide variety of birds and fish.
- Float on the canals the Mayans used for trade.
- Enjoy the semi-virgin beaches.
- Boat tours around the lagoon.
- Visit the undervalued Muyil archaeological site.
Xel-há.
Xel-há park.
The theme parks by Xcaret are a must-visit attraction in Riviera Maya.
Xel-Há is just 15 kilometres (9 miles) north of Tulum. It’s an aquatic-ecological theme park with lots of activities for all the family. There are slides, an iconic lighthouse, snorkelling, diving, cave exploring, routes for biking and trekking, natural lazy rivers, spaces for relaxation and more, all included in your ticket.
Official site: Xel-Há
Tulum town.
Tulum pueblo. Foto de Checkin-out.
Tulum is more than just beaches. This small community has a vibrant gastronomic scene, offering everything from exotic international cuisine to authentic Mayan dishes. Tulum still has a relaxed, small-town feel, perfect for exploring and finding that perfect souvenir or the latest beachwear trends.
Chichen Itza.
Kukulcan’s temple, Chichén Itzá. Photo by RivieraMaya.mx
The Chichen Itza archaeological ruins are one of the seven new world wonders and a great example of Mayan culture at its best. The buildings are over 1,200 years old and have been on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list since 1988.
Some of the highlights are Kukulcan’s temple (also called “El Castillo”, the castle), the sacred cenote, the snail or astronomical observatory, the skulls wall, the ball game court, the warrior’s temple or temple of the thousand columns, and so on.
Located 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Tulum, Chichen Itza is an excellent opportunity to discover more about the vast Mayan culture.
Bacalar.
Laguna de Bacalar. Foto de Sergi Hill. CC.
The Bacalar lagoon, also known as the lagoon of the seven colours, is located 200 kilometres (124 miles) south of Tulum, in the town with the same name.
The big range of colours in the water, combined with the hues of the sunrises and sunsets, will provide you with lots of photos to share on your social networks.
You can take boat tours, snorkel in the cenotes, dive in the Pirates’ Canal, trek to the San Felipe fort and taste the freshest seafood, just to name a few of the activities you can do here.
Coba.
Nohoch Mul temple, Coba. Photo by RivieraMaya.mx
The Nohoch Mul pyramid at the Coba archaeological site is the tallest Mayan building on the Yucatan peninsula. This huge archaeological zone is just 50 kilometres (31 miles) from Tulum. It was home to 50 thousand people and is more than 1500 years old.
As well as climbing the impressive Nohoch Mul pyramid, you can visit the astronomical observatory, walk or bike the many paths, and enjoy the area without big crowds.
Mahahual.
Playa de Mahahual. Foto de junaidrao.
If you’re looking for a place to unwind, somewhere like a fisher’s village but with all the services and the beauty of the Caribbean Sea, then Mahahual is the place for you. Mahahual is a beach destination, perfect for swimming, snorkelling, diving, relaxing on a hammock or in a local beach club.
If you’re looking for something more adventurous, the theme park “Lost Mayan Kingdom” is just a short distance away.
How many of the list have you visited?
