Location: Tulum
Top Things to do in Tulum
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10 Things to Do in Tulum That You Shouldn't Miss
Mayan ruins tower over the sea in Tulum. The formerly walled city was one of the last to be built by the Mayans, and its archaeological sites are incredibly well preserved. Take a break from the beach to visit El Castillo, the Temple of the Frescoes, and the Temple of the Descending God. Explore an underground river under a canopy of stalactites in the sacred caverns of LabnaHa Eco Park, or dive into Cenote Dos Ojos to snorkel inside of caves in the middle of a forest.
Restaurants in Tulum
1. Ruins of Tulum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
Tulum (Spanish pronunciation: [tu'lum], Yucatec: Tulu'um) is the site of a Pre-Columbian Maya walled city serving as a major port for Coba.[1] The ruins are situated on 12-meter (39 ft) tall cliffs, along the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula on the Caribbean Sea in the state of Quintana Roo, Mexico.[1] Tulum was one of the last cities built and inhabited by the Maya; it was at its height between the 13th and 15th centuries and managed to survive about 70 years after the Spanish began occupying Mexico. Old World diseases brought by the Spanish settlers appear to have resulted in very high fatalities, disrupting the society and eventually causing the city to be abandoned.[citation needed] One of the best-preserved coastal Maya sites, Tulum is today a popular site for tourists.[1]
Reviewed By SuiteAsOuzo - Port Macquarie, Australia
The ruins are not as large as others but still very interesting to visit. It’s position on the coastline overlooking the Caribbean Sea creates some wonderful photo opportunities. Take your beach towel and swimmers as this is one of the best Beaches to visit.
2. Sac Actun
Overall Ratings
5 based on 1 reviews
Underground water paradise in the Riviera Maya, this visit will certainly be a unique experience like no other, mystical and extreme, you can snorkel or dive in the cavern full of formations.
Reviewed By ReadyForThisJelly - Washington
This place was excellent. We drove out here at 9am—passing Dos Ojos, which was already crowded—and were pleasantly surprised to find only two other visitors when we arrived. Unfortunately they were very loud Americans, which detracted from an otherwise magical swim (but I don't hold that against the tour guide, obviously, who was great. Loud Americans are everywhere in this part of Mexico).
Apparently this cenote was only recently discovered, so it seems that the word hasn't fully gotten out. Take advantage of this while you can! Sac Actun got a lot of media coverage two weeks after we visited because divers discovered that it is connected to Dos Ojos, making it the world's largest underwater cave system.
3. LabnaHa Cenotes & Eco Park
Overall Ratings
5 based on 667 reviews
Labnaha’s Eco Park called the Magic Mayan World is exclusively open for a few visitors daily. This Park offers different activities surrounded by an exuberant jungle and a subterranean world known as magical and sacred in the Mayan culture.Experience a unforgettable descend on a zip line into the entrance of a fascinating Sacred Lakes which leads to into most spectacular Kayac traverse in the area. Refresh yourself afterwards in the Cenotes on a once a life time snorkel tour. Labnaha operates only with small groups and counts with a visitor limit per day to avoid mass tourism and the negative impact on the Eco system which allows you to enjoy without being surrounded by hundreds of people. Labnaha makes a big effort trying to teach how to enjoy this Magic Mayan World in full terms without destroying it.All activities are conducted with highly qualified and professionally trained guides. The three visited Cenotes are connected by Eco paths guided through theme paths with explanations and names of the local flora and fauna in the park. The entrance fees are used to protect a great variety of animals and trees in danger of extinction because of the ecological changes in the Riviera Maya caused by extensive constructions in the area.We are located just 35 minutes from Playa del Carmen or 10 from Tulum which makes it perfect to plan a last minute tour without having to travel hundreds of kilometres on the highway and sitting for hours in a vehicle or moving from one activity to a other one by car since all three activities are located inside the Magic Mayan Park. Age is not a limiting factor since the activities adapt depending on the exigencies and possibilities of the visitor.Included in the tour.Transportation Zip Line at the Sacred Lakes Snorkel tour in Cenote Labnaha Professional Zip Line EquipmentKayac TourOpen Cenote swimming. Snorkel equipment and live jackets Professional multilingual guide.We do not have customers we have explorers, and later...friends!!!!
Reviewed By rached8 - Seattle, WA
We couldn't have been been happier with this experience. It was an authentic cenote, well-cared for a well-preserved by the owners. It was so nice to know that our payment for the adventure/experience (which was one of the highlights of our trip) also helps support a number of local families to the region. We were incredibly happy with our guide, Emilio, and were so fortunate to have a very small group (only one other couple) to share the magic of the cenote with. We couldn't recommend this more highly! If possible: bring water shoes or a rashguard to stay a bit warmer in the cenote, towels for afterwards, your own snorkel mask if you desire (though they are provided, in addition to life vests and flashlights). A waterproof case for camera or phone might be nice as well! It's a beautiful hidden treasure!
4. Cenotes Dos Ojos
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Daphné B - Montreal, Canada
My friend and I decided not to pay for the tour and we had an amazing time! The first cenote is smaller and kind of a practice for the other one, but still beautiful and fun to explore. The second cenote is much bigger and there is a lot more to explore, even if you are not scuba diving. The water is very clear and it's such a great experience to feel so small swimming in a huge cave. The life vests are not mandatory but it can be exhausting when you have been swimming for a long time. When my friend and I were tired we just found a rock that we could stand on four a couple of minutes.
5. Punta Laguna Nature Reserve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 402 reviews
Punta Laguna is part of a 5000-hectare nature reserve called Ma'ax Yetel Kooh.
Reviewed By Susan R - San Francisco, California
We went here to see the monkeys and received so much more. It was a cloudy drizzly day and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. We had a wonderful guide who had family in the area for generations. His English was good and he was very knowledgeable.
We walked to the lagoon and saw a mother and young monkey. Our guide told us history of the area and lagoon. The serenity and bird sounds were Worth the walk alone. He took us to several spots where monkeys hang out and we were able to spot about 20 or so in the trees. We also saw cutter ants and their trails.
There are other activities available for separate prices. We enjoyed to hike to view the jungle.
6. Mayan Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 794 reviews
Reviewed By Olgica2015 - Novi Sad, Serbia
It looks like from another world, and I have seen a lot of Beaches in my travelling days. Beautifull when photographed, water is of nice color and the palm tree is the highlight. Although there are wider Beaches, this one is popular because it is just beneath the ruins of Tulum city.
7. Playa Paraiso
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Kevin M - Metamora, Michigan
We came to this beach because we were staying at Kobe resort and spa and it offered from the hotel which has no beach. We rented the large fusion double chairs that came with a table and umbrella. It was 250 pesos but we also had to purchase 1500 pesos worth of food and drink. Chairs were very comfortable and the table was nice to sit and eat at. Food and drinks very reasonably priced so had some difficulty spending the 1500 pesos, but we managed, would of been easier if we were in a group of four instead of two. Service excellent, drinks cold, food was surprisingly amazing. Had the filet and lobster (had to spend the money anyways) and it was delicious. Week we were there was a bad sea weed week, no fault of anybody but Mother Nature, but out of the miles of beach we spent visiting in Tulum this was the best maintained and cleanest by far. Great beach for families too.
8. Ziggy Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 692 reviews
Welcome to Ziggy's! Our Beach Club is open every day from 9am to sunset. Sunbeds and palm trees will await you to guarantee for your maximum comfort and enjoyment in a natural atmosphere, not to mention the excellent service and personal attention that has made Ziggy's Beach Club extremely popular! Ziggy's Beach Club is right next to our partnership Hotel The Beach Tulum.& Cabanas Tulum. The Beach area is divided into two sections; one is for Hotel guests only and the other section is for day visitors. To use our Beach Club amenities and sun loungers, we require a minimum consumption of 25usd per person. As per State Law, pets are not allowed on the premises.
Reviewed By Jennifer A
We took a day trip from Playa Del Carmen to Tulum. After a morning spent at the ruins we went in search of Ziggy's. It was easy to find and had parking on site. The vibe of this beach club is relaxing and calm. If you're looking for a party beach club this is not it. The beach is absolutely stunning! I can't explain enough how beautiful it truly is. The ocean was calm on our visit which made the water sparkling blue. It's a big beach so if walking is your jam this is the place. There is a $35USD cover charge that is used for food / drinks. The food was great and the service was outstanding. The staff there is just wonderful. There are showers and very clean well appointed washrooms on site.
9. Tulum Monkey Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 332 reviews
The Tulum Monkey Sanctuary was closed on October 13, 2014 due to the death of the owner of the property. Thank you for your support. The Tulum Monkey Sanctuary is a privately owned 60 acre ranch. On the ranch we have 15 rescued Spider Monkeys that live in natural habitats. There are also wild monkeys that pass through on their normal feeding routes. In addition to Spider Monkeys we have saved many, many animals including lots of street dogs. Although the Tulum Monkey Sanctuary is closed at the moment we hope you will support us in our move to the YuCARE Ranch. The YuCARE Foundation will be dedicated to broad based animal rescue (starting with the monkeys of Tulum Monkey Sanctuary) and will be self-sustaining both financially and environmentally.
Reviewed By Patrice P - Calgary, Canada
We were advised by our concierge that we should book an excursion to this place as just going there for the sanctuary tour was incredibly overpriced.
Fernando(?) was our tour guide and seemed very impressive. He's young, knows 7 or 8 languages, has been all over the world (except 3 countries) and is a zoologist. Very impressive. Was disappointed that we were unable to touch a monkey or get close in any way. That's what we thought were going to do and were disappointed we didn't. We did interact with birds and a snake though and learned a lot.
After we did the monkey tour, we went quadding for about 7km to a Cenote which was beautiful but we didn't spend much time at it. I wish we had been able to explore it for more time than we did.
I would recommend this to others. We learned a lot, saw a lot and it was a good half day excursion. I would NOT only go for the monkey exhibit, it would have to be the monkeys and atv excursion to make it worth the money.
10. Tulum Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 290 reviews
Reviewed By ed m - Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
We visited in March 2018 - our stay in Playa Del Carmen was derailed by massive quantities of seagrass, and so we gave another beach a shot. More seagrass, but thankfully at the Tulum Beaches there's enough space so you're not sitting right on top of the stinking masses.
We were able to luck into a parking spot, find a nice spot in the shade, and enjoyed people watching on the white sand Beaches. You'll be approached casually by a LOT of people selling things - bracelets, tacos, fish, and more. A polite no sends them on, and no one was aggressive toward us.
We also hopped aboard one of the small boats to visit the reef off shore - pretty cool use of $20 USD and 40 minutes of time, snorkeling in nice water and checking out the colorful fish and giant sea urchins. It's not a snorkler's paradise, but I was pretty happy for the opportunity!
Expect to pay ten pesos per person for use of the bathrooms along the beach.
