20 Can't Miss Things to Do in Tulum [Extended Stay Edition]
With its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, bohemian, wellness vibes & plethora of dining & nightlife options - Tulum really has something for everyone!
I first visited in 2018 and knew it was a place I would return to as soon as I could. Fast forward to 2023 lol….I finally made my way back to this Yucatan treasure. It’s been a lot more developed since my first visit (and wayyyy more expensive). But I still thoroughly enjoyed my stay (even if my wallet wanted to cry a bit!!). In fact, I even went out with a real estate agent to consider buying a place down there.
Though a lot of people may dip down to Tulum for a mere weekend, I was lucky to be able to stay for 2 weeks…and found plenty to do in that amount of time. I definitely could have stayed for a month or more (if it weren’t for the price tag of staying near the beach).
So here are my tips and suggestions for how to plan an amazing trip to Tulum - especially if you are anticipating an extended stay, with more time to explore all this fantastic destination has to offer (although if you are only here for a short amount of time, use this list as a guide to pick and choose the best experiences for your trip….and plan to return again soon :))
Where to stay:
If you are only coming for a few days, I’d still 100% stay at the beach. You’re going to want to maximise your beach time if you only have a weekend or so. And there’s nothing better on vacation than waking up to the sound of waves.
But keep in mind that beach accommodations in Tulum are expensive. Expect to spend $300+ per night minimum in off season, and prices go up from there. Some of the cheapest accommodations you can find are at Selina - which has a great location and prices are somewhat reasonable - in addition to ocean view suite, they have micro rooms with shared bathrooms for those on a tighter budget, and even a dorm.
And it’s not just the accommodations in the hotel zone that are expensive - the food is very pricey as well. My sister and I couldn’t spend less than $150 on dinner (with drinks) and that went up to $250+ at some of the nicer places.
So if you are a digital nomad or staying for an extended period you may want to consider staying more in Tulum centro or Aldea Zama (between town & beach), or La Veleta (a developing neighbourhood to the left of Aldea Zama. All of those neighbourhoods are about a 10-18 min drive from the beach or similar bike ride. And they each have their own charm as well!
Centro has great shopping and lots of restaurants to choose from - trendy spots (that come with the Tulum price tag), to more chill spots & joints geared towards locals (with reasonable prices), and taco trucks where you can eat for dollars. Soon there will be a train connecting town and the beach as well!
Alder Zama is a well established neighbourhood with lots of charm - I adored the twinkle lights that sprinkle the area & shine at night. Here you’ll find lots of nice accommodations, bars, restaurants, coworking spaces and shopping.
La Veleta is less developed but is still an area worth considering - there’s more and more coming in here daily - and a decent number of options for restaurants and shopping along the main road. And it’s honestly not that much farther from the beach than the other areas. Plus you’ll be close to Holisticka (more on that later!)
If you are looking at Airbnb you’ll be hard pressed to find options on the beach, as most of the options will fall within centro, La Veleta, and Aldea Zama. The hotel zone along the beach is called that with good reason…it’s really just hotels there.
Now that you have an idea on where to stay in Tulum, let’s talk about all the wonderful things you can do once there!!
Top Things to Do in Tulum….
Relax on the beach
Tulum beach isn’t a super deep beach, so most of the beach area is private & belongs to hotels; but you’ll find a few spots where people pull up a towel without having to splurge on an expensive day bed.
Most of the day beds at hotels and clubs will cost you at least $40 minimum spend per person. Selina charges $80 minimum spend per person. So to make the most of your money, I recommend coming to the beach in the morning and getting a full day in, for your money’s worth!
The food and drinks are expensive everywhere so you’ll hit the minimum with no trouble lol. So pull up a lounge chair and sink in with a good book. I recommend leaning into the wellness theme that permeates Tulum and go with something self-help centric. I choose to re-read The Alchemist which was fun! As well as empower myself with Unbound: A Woman’s Guide to Power.
2. Scuba dive or snorkel in cenotes
One of the most magical things you can do in Tulum is explore the many beautiful cenotes throughout the city. In case you aren’t familiar, cenotes are naturally occurring sinkholes that have filled with water. There are a number of different types - cave, open & semi-open.
When you enter these magnificent earth forms, you are immediately hit with a sense of mysticism and awe. It’s no wonder cenotes developed strong importance to the Mayan people. Not only did they provide water to towns, but they also were deeply revered as the entrance to the underworld (or Xibalba as the Mayans called it) - with many spiritual practices and offerings taking place within their confines.
You’ll find many tours taking you to a variety of cenotes to swim and snorkel - such as this Small-Group Cenote Adventure Tour.
Or if you’re really brave consider signing up to scuba dive in the cenotes! For beginners who haven’t yet gotten your PADI certification - never fear, there’s an option for you! Check out this Discover Scuba Diving in Tulumexperience. Or for those who already have their certification and want to go a little deeper, you’ll love 2 Tank Cenote Certified Dive in Tulum.
3. Visit the Tulum ruins in town
Tulum ruins are accessible close to town and are one of the most popular tourist attractions in the region. These ruins are believed to have been built by the Maya civilization between the 13th and 15th centuries and were abandoned after the Spanish conquest.
The Tulum ruins are a stunning example of Maya architecture and offer visitors a glimpse into the past of this ancient civilization. The city is surrounded by a massive wall, which would have provided protection from invaders and natural disasters. The ruins include various structures, such as the Temple of the Frescoes, which features impressive carvings and murals depicting Maya gods and rituals.
One of the most striking features of the Tulum ruins is its location right on the edge of the Caribbean Sea. The ruins overlook a beautiful white sand beach and turquoise waters, making it a picturesque location for visitors to explore and take photos.
Visitors can take guided tours of the Tulum ruins to learn more about the history and significance of the site. There are also plenty of opportunities to explore the area on your own, with various hiking trails and paths that lead through the ruins.
Overall, the Tulum ruins are a must-see attraction for anyone interested in Maya history and architecture. With its stunning location and impressive structures, it is no wonder that it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region.
You can visit the Tulum ruins on your own, or if you prefer to get a bit of history about this historical site, consider joining a tour that combines the ruins with a Cenote visit, lunch, etc. Great way to get a little more information about this fascinating site. Check out this top rated tour HERE & another option HERE.
4. Go on a taco tour in Tulum Town
I am a firm believer that one of the best ways to get to know a culture is through its food! And Mexican cuisine is one of my all time favourites. There’s so much regional variety between the different states…much more than Taco Bell would have led you up believe! So pull up a chair and get ready to eat until you’re ready to pop.
I always recommend doing food tours at the beginning of your trip so you get ideas on places to eat later on! A great option is this Tulum Local Walking Food Tour. I was very excited to return to some of the spectacular spots we stopped at during my taco tour later on. What a treat!
If you don’t stop at Many’s Tacos on your tour, make sure to add this to your to-do list for Tulum. Their tacos are outstanding and can easily be found along one of the main streets where you’ll find lots of taco trucks.
4. Shop til you drop in Tulum Town
Tulum is a bit of a shopping Mecca, especially for those who like the bohemian look. But I recommend saving your money and avoiding the shops at the beach, everything is beautiful but really over-priced. Wait until you get in town and you’ll find a greater variety of shops selling lots of similar stuff but at a much reduced price (I found there was more variety in the types of clothes on offer too).
There’s tons of cool shops on the main road (aptly named Tulum Av). But some of my favorite shops were off the main road on side streets. So make sure to walk down those as well. You’ll stumble upon cool street art and restaurants this way as well! Check out Andromeda for one suggestion.
5. Get spiritual at Holisticka
You can’t come to Tulum without engaging in some sort of healing or wellness type workshop. It’s of the things that makes Tulum so unique and special - the dichotomy of offering constant partying with blissful healing. You won’t hear any complaining from me though! I’m all about work hard, play hard (or work hard, heal hard in this case!)
And the absolute best place to go for you healing needs is Holisticka. It is both an accommodation and a wellness Center with on-site restaurant and juice bar. Steeped in rich, beautiful greenery throughout, here you’ll find a spa where you can get massages, a yoga studio, as well as a slate of unusual and offbeat classes.
Expect to see things such as Sonic Healing Journey, Aerial Silks, Xaman Breathwork with Ancestral Sounds & Music, Self-Realization & DNA Activation with Human Design and Gene Keys, Taichi & Qigong Practice, Dreaming-Awake Psychedelic & Energetic InnerJourney, Reiki Circle & Sound Healing, and much much more. Check out their schedule HERE!
6. Get your Full Moon Party on at Papaya Playa Project
One of the first recommendations a friend gave me was to go to the Full Moon Party at Papaya Playa Project. And it didn’t disappoint! Papaya Playa Project is a hotel along the beach that also offers weekly parties - their most popular event is the monthly Full Moon Party, but there is a party every weekend so don’t despair if the dates don’t align with your trip.
From the moment you walk in, you’ll get hit with the mystical, jungle vibes….passing through several vendors offering food, souvenirs, face-painting, and hair-braiding. You’ll come to a beautiful bar and multi-level outdoor stage where DJs play til 1am.
Drinks can only be purchased by loading money onto your bracelet — and then you get in the bar line to actually order your drink. Kind of an annoying system, but PPP is hardly the first to utilize this method!
Check out the schedule HERE.
7. Enjoy sunset drinks at Azulik
One of the most ritzy spots on the hotel zone is Azulik. You’ve likely seen photos from Instagram models posing at this highly photogenic, treehouse location. While staying at the hotel is wildly expensive, a nice way to visit without shelling out for a room is to attend their sunset experience. This will set you back 1000 Mexican pesos (or about $55 USD by today’s exchange rate).
Starting at 5PM (although they recommend arriving by 4:45PM) and going until 7:30PM, you can enjoy Azulik’s rooftop lookout point with a stunning view of the lush jungle as the sun goes down. Sip one of their signature elixir cocktails while listening to atmospheric live music and connecting with nature in this exquisitely designed treehouse….not a bad way to end the day!
Tickets can be purchased the day of by showing up at 4:45PM. But make sure to contact Azulik ahead of time to confirm availability and that the experience will be taking place (sometimes it is cancelled due to weather).
Also make sure to note the dress code: no swimwear or flip flops allowed!
8. Dine at worldclass restaurants
Oh my gosh the food in Tulum was amazing. Every meal was great, even the ones that were lower on the totem pole were still above average for most places. And it’s not just Mexican food you can find, but all sorts of international cuisines and creative fusions.
My top 2 must-eat restaurants would be 1) Hartwood and 2) ARCA.
Sustainability is at the forefront of Hartwood’s concept - from solar panels & cooking on an open fire with handmade wood burning oven and grill to making sure every ingredient is locally sourced from the Yucatan. As such, there is no publicized menu….it changes daily! Which you can find in their restaurant handwritten on chalk boards.
But the humble cooking style and back-to-the-basics menu gives way to an absolutely unreal culinary experience….every dish was perfectly prepared and bursting with flavor. The drinks were top notch as well! The atmosphere of the restaurant is classy, while remaining chill and approachable. Being a small restaurant with a big reputation, the establishment is always busy and the energy high.
ARCA is literally right next door to Hartwood and you have to do both. Whereas there is nothing showy about Hartwood, ARCA is the opposite. Set amid the trees for an upscale jungle vibe, ARCA is the embodiment of trendy, bougie cool. Their menu was an amalgamation of micro-seasonal ingredients that represent the flora and fauna of the jungle and dishes that pay tribute to Mexican & Mayan roots and traditions.
Whereas Hartwood leans into simplicity to achieve greatness, ARCA takes a bold and daring stance with it’s menu. Some of the outstanding dishes included the soft shell crab tempura tacos with pickled habanero salsa & Chaya emulsion, Roasted Bone Marrow in Tamarind and Padilla Glaze, and the Octopus al Pastor (and I don’t even like octopus I might add!)
Other great restaurants we tried include Casa Banana, Check Point (outstanding sourdough crust pizza), Ana y Luis, and Ilios (for greek food).
9. Start drinking early at Taboo and Tantra day parties
For those days when you really need to start the party early, hop on over to Taboo or Tantra. They are right next door to each other - so just walk over and take your pick based on the vibe you are going for. Both are luxurious beach clubs with bohemian, yet sophisticated style. Tantra is going to be a little bit bougier, while Taboo is slightly more laid back (emphasis on the slightly lol).
Expect premium lounge areas, artisan cocktails, plunge pools, resident DJs, and energetic day vibe that can turn rowdy party as the afternoon wears on.
These establishments close around sunset (7pm), to give everyone time to freshen up, eat a little dinner and hit the nightlife clubs later.
10. Enjoy chill vibes in a treehouse at Kanan
If you’re looking for something a little more low key, but that still provides a cool atmosphere, consider heading over to Kanan to spend the day. Here you’ll find an extensive network of treehouses built atop the sand. The inner kid in me definitely got a kick out of this place.
For $80 per person minimum spend, you can get one of the elevated treehouse loungers. The top level treehouse pods were $150pp minimum spend. Or you can hang on the sand loungers for a $40 minimum per person. We went for the mid level because we wanted the treehouse experience and it didn’t disappoint. Our pod had a hammock and was the perfect atmosphere for enjoying some beach time before heading into Friday night.
If you really want to soak up the entire experience they are also a hotel and have a spa on site to get even more treehouse time!
11. Dance the night away at top tier night clubs
All ways seem to point to Vagalume night club in Tulum. Somehow we found ourselves here on various occasions while in Tulum for 2 weeks. And it’s with good reason, they bring in great DJs and offer an upscale yet chill ambiance. If you come early, you can benefit from avoiding entrance fees (and your stamp even allows you to leave and come back in when the party gets more poppin’).
Besides Vagalume, Rosa Negra always had an energetic vibe on the weekends. It’s a restaurant with a paradisiacal vibe and is a gastronomical tribute to Latin American countries such as Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Argentina - but turns nightclub after hours and is an unmissable experience.
One of our personal favorites, though a bit smaller than the rest, was Mia - the resident club at Selina hotel. While the dance floor was small, it was always vibey. And they brought in incredible DJs each night. I’m only sad we waited until the last couple nights to actually go in and check out the party. But once we did, we were there every night for the rest of the trip!
Stop by my friend Nelson’s bar Beso de Tres (pictured here) for a pre-club drink - they serve great cocktails and it’s a cute, quirky space.
12. Participate in a beachfront cacao ceremony at Ahau
To balance out all the eating and partying, I also recommend trying out the spiritual experience of a cacao ceremony. You’ll find various ones all over town, but the hotel Ahau offers a really nice one weekly on the beach. You don’t need to reserve a ticket ahead of time, just show up at least 15 minutes before to pay and grab a spot.
While I had heard the name before, I honestly had no idea what a cacao ceremony was before I signed up and attended the session. But cacao ceremonies have been around forever - dating back to the times of the Mayans and Aztecs - when they traditionally were used to help communities unite, share, connect, and manifest healthy crops and abundance in life.
Now a days, it’s basically an event where people come together and set intentions while sipping on ceremonial cacao, and it often involves being guided through a meditation or visualization, sharing soulful messaging, and sometimes dancing!
13. Swim with giant sea turtles in Akumal
I don’t know about you but I’m a sucker for seeing animals in their natural habitat. And so of course I jumped at the opportunity to swim with giant sea turtles! Did you know that turtles grow until the day they die? Kinda fun fact!
To swim with sea turtles you have to go a bit outside Tulum, but Akumal is only a 20-30 min drive away so it’s not bad at all. Once you get there, you’ll be instructed to put everything you brought into a locker - nothing needed but yourself (not even shoes). You enter the water from the beach and swim out to greet the turtles! There are lots so expect to find them pretty quickly! And they are so beautiful and serene up close!! Almost like seeing dinosaurs or something prehistoric.
Your guide will also point out other aquatic sea life as well - we saw lots of beautifully colored fish, starfish, and more! This is something you won’t want to miss when passing through Tulum so make sure to sign up for this Snorkeling with Sea Turtles tour ahead of time.
I also recommend pre-arranging a taxi so you can make sure to get the best price and not be left trying to haggle when you’re supposed to be leaving. You can contact my favorite driver in Tulum - Eduardo at (heads up: all taxis are expensive but he’ll give you the best expensive rate lol - he’s friendly, trustworthy, and has standardized prices so it’s not random at least).
14. Experience rebirth thru a temazcal ceremony
I’m a bit fan of saunas so I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to sweat out toxins and do a bit of cleansing through a traditional temazcal.
If you’ve never done a temazcal before, it’s a ceremony steeped in Mexican tradition where you enter a small ‘house of heat’ and hot coals are placed inside as well - a shaman pours water on the stones creating steam and performs a chanting ritual as you sweat. It’s meant to drive away evil spirits & negative energy - and when you emerge from the temazcal it’s meant to symbolize a rebirth.
You’re typically in the sweat lodge for around an hour or a little more. The first rounds aren’t so bad but the second half can be quite challenging. But it’s worth it in the end! Some of the benefits of a temazcal include improved depression symptoms and the removal of toxins from the body. I’ve always felt amazing afterwards!
Some temazcal ceremonies also include a massage after the sweat lodge. That’s how my temazcal experience in Oaxaca went….my Tulum one was ceremony only. But still great because this shaman spoke English so we could follow along a bit better!
15. Learn to salsa at Palma Central in town
Palma Central is a cool little park with permanent food truck vendors that is open everyday – however, the best day to check it out is Tuesday for Salsa night! There is a class at the beginning and then it’s just a free for all, open dance. The atmosphere is very festive and fun and there’s lots of food and drink options, as well as some locals selling artisan crafts.
In terms of the food options, you’ll find a wide variety of cuisines, from amazing tacos and other Latin American favorites like arepas, empanadas, etc. to other international options like pizza, pasta, Asian, sushi, and more! I went for the empanadas, which were great – and everyone in our group seemed equally happy with their selections as well.
This is a great thing to do as a group on a Tuesday night, but don’t be afraid to go alone either. There are plenty of people looking to dance!
16. Learn about Mezcal & mixology
One of my favorite things we did in Tulum was take a mezcal mixology class! Years ago, I thought I didn’t like mezcal. Most of the bottles that make their way to the USA are the smokey types – and I don’t care for smokey flavor. However, when I visited Oaxaca in 2021 I learned that there are all types of mezcals and not all are smokey….I was able to sample many different ones and realized that I really did like mezcal.
So when my sister claimed that she didn’t like mezcal, I felt that we needed to open her eyes to all the wonderful options this class of liquor actually has. And I signed us up for a class in Tulum town.
Ben’s mezcal mixology class was amazing! He is super informative and passionate about mezcal, which made him fun to learn from. We got to sample a couple craft mezcals – sourced from farms that he personally visits (AND are female owned & operated, which we loved!). Then we created our own mezcal cocktail – which was also FANTASTIC. I highly recommend this tour to anyone coming through Tulum and wanting to learn more about mezcal.
17. Take a Mexican cooking class
As I’ve made clear throughout this blog and my site as a whole – I love to eat and find food one of the best ways to explore a culture and get to know it’s people. So I never pass up an opportunity to take a cooking class. Which is funny because I don’t really cook at home. But when I travel, I love to take cooking classes!
And Mexican cuisine, being as highly varied as it is, never gets boring. There’s always more to learn about and try.
So consider adding a cooking class like this one: Mexican Cooking from Scratch and Mezcal Tasting in a Local Home in Tulum to your itinerary! Where you can learn about the flavors and ingredients of the Aztec, Mayan, and Mexican people straight from a real local’s home. You’ll prep and cook a 3 course meal and take away skills that you share with your friends at home!
18. Engage in a sensory spiritual experience at Mystika
If you like Instagrammable moments, you’ll LOVE Mystika. It’s kind of Tulum’s version of Museum of Ice Cream….around every corner there’s something new to wonder at.
In fact, it’s actually Mexico’s biggest immersive project to date - and the self-proclaimed “most instagrammable” place in Tulum.
The experience is meant to take you on a journey through Mayan cosmology to learn about Mexican’s natural sanctuaries through a sensory journey in seven different immersive realms. Expect to be transported to visit monarch butterflies, swim with humpback whales, gaze at fireflies, and wonder at the magnificent ruins of Tulum in a 360-degree dome.
This experience is sure to be equal parts fun and educational at the same time. Plus you’ll walk away with some pretty cool pictures! Make sure to grab tickets to Mystika Immersive: A One-of-a-Kind Sensory Spiritual Experience.
19. Explore the ruins of Coba
If you want to add a bit of history to your trip and venture out a bit further, make sure to sign up for a Coba Ruins Tour.
Coba is considered to be the largest Mayan settlement in the Yucatan peninsula and if you’re looking for exquisitely preserved Mayan ruins, you’ve come to the right place! The ruins themselves are located in the jungle – which gives the site an eerie, mystical feel….you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Also, it’s one of the few big ruins that you can still climb in Mexico. So hop on over and make your way to the top.
It makes for an easy day trip from Tulum, as it’s located only about 45 minutes away. But for a bit more fun (and since taxis are so expensive), I’d recommend just joining a tour!
20. Day a day trip to Chichen Itza & Valladolid
If you’re spending more than a weekend in Tulum, consider also taking a longer day trip to see the Chichen Itza ruins. This is one of Mexico’s top tourist attractions and is well worth a visit if you’re interested in history and ancient civilizations. Mexico really has it all – doesn’t it?!
Tours typically combine Chichen Itza with a stop in the colonial town of Valladolid as well, so you’ll get to experience two great destinations in one trip. Spend the morning traipsing through the archeological site, walking through El Castillo and the Pyramid of Kukulcan (one of the Mayan gods) and then take a tour through the panoramic Valladolid before heading home.
I recommend this tour – Chichen Itza, Buffet Lunch, Cenote, Tequila Teasting & Valladolid - which has over 7K+ positive reviews!!