I’ve been thinking a lot about Mexico lately — specifically Tulum. I visited for the first time five years ago, and the place has shifted so much since then that it felt worth sitting down with and sorting out. If you are planning a trip, here is what you need to know.
How to Get to Tulum
You cannot fly directly into Tulum. The closest airport is Cancun, which sits about two hours away from town. Once you land there, you have three main options for the ride over:
Private or group shuttle. Book ahead of time and avoid the scramble outside the terminal. I usually prefer this one because it feels safer than hailing a random taxi when you’ve just stepped off a plane.
Taxi. The most expensive option by far. Expect to pay between $60 and $100 for the trip to Tulum. You can try negotiating, but $100 is what it usually comes down to.
ADO bus. Your cheapest bet at about $10 per ride. There’s an ADO kiosk right in the airport near the rental car counters, or you can buy a ticket outside by the bus stop. I’ve ridden ADO buses across Mexico for years — they are clean and completely safe.
Rental car. If you want flexibility to explore Tulum and nearby towns, a rental car works well. Book directly through the company website (Hertz, Avis) rather than third-party sites like Expedia or Skyscanner during high season.
How to Exchange Money
Around Tulum you can pay in US dollars at many places, but pesos will save you money. Skip the currency exchange kiosks in the airport — you get a better rate withdrawing from a local ATM once you arrive in Mexico. The ATMs in Tulum Centro (the pueblo) tend to be more reliable than the ones in the hotel zone, which sometimes run out of cash.
Keep some bills on hand for taxi rides, taco stands, and tips. Local businesses will charge you more if you pay in dollars instead of pesos, so it is worth making the switch.
Where to Stay in Tulum
Tulum really has two sides: the hotel zone and Tulum Centro.
The hotel zone is full of villas, treehouses, and boutique hotels with direct beach access. It is expensive, but you get that sand-right-outside-your-door feeling. Many places skip air conditioning during the day, and internet can be spotty — you’ll rely on hotel and restaurant wifi to stay connected.
Tulum Centro is more affordable, about a 10- to 15-minute drive from the beach. This is where locals live, so the vibe feels more authentic and grounded.
Aldea Zama sits between the two — roughly a five-minute drive from the beach. It’s a newer development with plenty of Airbnbs, which work well for large groups.
Tulum Is Not a Resort Town
Unlike Cancun, Tulum is not built around big resorts. The original draw was always that laid-back, bohemian atmosphere — bungalows and boutique hotels with an easy rhythm to them. There is one actual resort in town: Kore Tulum. Beyond that, Dreams Tulum sits 20 to 30 minutes outside the city. Just know that staying outside of town means paying $50 to $100 each way back into the ruins, beach, and hotel zone.
What to Pack
Leave your heels at home. The hotel zone is essentially one long, rocky dirt road, and you do not want to twist an ankle or snap a heel in that soft ground — I have seen it happen.
The style here is beachy and bohemian. Pack bikinis, loose clothing for daytime, a couple of nice dresses for evening bars, and comfortable sandals. The heat and humidity run at full force — not unlike Houston on a summer day — so sunscreen is non-negotiable. Bring bug spray too; the mosquitoes in Tulum are relentless.
If you need to pick something up while there, Super-Aki (the local supermarket) has most everything, along with pharmacies around town. No prescription needed for basic medications.
How to Get Around
Decide before you go whether you want a rental car or not. Without one, taxi costs add up fast — every trip to the beach or a hotel-zone restaurant is another fare. Traffic can get pretty bad at night and during holidays, so expect higher prices or waits of up to an hour.
Where to Eat
Tulum will let you eat your heart out, but book ahead — especially if you are visiting on a weekend. I recommend using the OpenTable app or calling the restaurant directly to reserve a table at the popular spots in the hotel zone.
When to Go Sightseeing
For ruins and cenotes, arrive close to opening or closing time for some peace away from the tour crowds. You can book through Viator or Airbnb Experiences, but paying directly at the door is usually cheaper than going with a guided group.
Tulum Is Not Cheap
You can do Tulum on a budget, but hotel-zone prices rival New York and Las Vegas. If your plan involves boutique lodging, craft cocktails, and Instagram-worthy beach clubs, be prepared to spend.
How to Do Tulum on a Budget
Tulum rewards planning ahead. Here is how I keep costs down:
- Stay at an Airbnb or hostel in Tulum Centro for less than $30 a night.
- Bike or take the collective bus to the beach for under $10 a day.
- Eat local street food — many plates run under $5.
- Use the ADO bus to get to and from Tulum for less than $10 each way.
- If you travel with a group, split an Airbnb in Centro for under $50 per person per night.
Tulum Has Changed
I visited Tulum for the first time five years ago and I will be the first to tell you that it is not the quiet, unknown beach destination it once was. There’s a Starbucks now. The traffic is real. High season gets extremely busy.
Despite all its growth, I still love this place. If you go in with realistic expectations, Tulum can absolutely be one of those trips where everything clicks — even if the Wi-Fi at your hotel zone bungalow disappears after breakfast.
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