Tulum should be familiar to regular readers and anyone who has truly traveled in Mexico. Still, with limited time to travel and a surprisingly long list of possibilities, you might have a hard time deciding what to do. With that thought in mind, here are the 21 ultimate things to do in Tulum.

The 21 Ultimate Things To Do In Tulum

1. The Taste Of Tulum

Tulum is a fantastic foodie destination. Start your morning with breakfast at Del Cielo, Raw Love, or Tamarindo’s. If you prefer to enjoy breakfast by the sea, take in the ocean views over breakfast at Real Coconut Kitchen.

If you eat light, head to Los Bowls de Guadalupe for a smoothie bowl. Follow up your a.m. adventures with lunch at Mateo’s Mexican Grill, which boasts of having the “best fish tacos on Earth.” Try Tex Mex at Burrito Amor or the hummus or shrimp tacos at Loco Tulum.

If accommodations are important to you, NEST Tulum is a chic boutique hotel that comes complete with maximum comfort masked by a minimalistic vibe. Nestled on a beach road, it offers guests their choice of a dozen luxurious rooms with the satiny-sand beach right outside the door. Kick it under a comfy cabana while downing mezcal margaritas too.

Tulum can help you discover a balance between the emotional, the mental, and the physical. Participate in a genuine chakra harmonizing ceremony at the aforementioned NEST Tulum and both balance and align your chakras. Magnets, sound, and even color will be used as energy-healing modalities to aid in releasing your stagnant energy by on-site practitioners. The natural sounds of the ocean will serve as a seriously serene soundtrack to the session.

There have been Temazcal ceremonies in both Mexican and South American cultures for literally thousands of years. Today though, a once sacred cleansing ritual held before and after battles is now popular as a purported healing ceremony. In truth, it’s actually a purification ceremony held in an igloo-shaped sweat lodge.

Usually, your guide on this “spiritual journey” (as some call it) is a temazcalero or shaman. It is highlighted by chanting, drumming, singing, and a lot of steam and herbs. Afterward, your body, mind, and spirit will be free of impurities and toxins.

In English, the name of this UNESCO World Heritage Site means “Where the Heavens were Born” or “Origin of the Sky.” Once you’re standing here in the Mexican Caribbean’s largest protected area, you’ll know why. This 1.2 million-acre biosphere is unspoiled and it’s difficult to determine where the stunning sky ends and where the sea begins.  

Here you’ll find mangroves, marshes, and tropical forests. It’s home to numerous flora and fauna and arguably one of the country’s most incredible natural wonders. Sign on for an early-morning boat tour if you want to beat the crowds.

Eating street tacos is supposedly a rite of passage in Mexico. In Tulum, the best place to sample some is Taquería Honorio. This local eatery is frill-free but the tacos only cost 20 pesos (less than 1 USD).

Veteran visitors say you simply must try the poc chuc and cochinita pibil tacos. There are vegetarian options too. Get there early. You still might have to stand in a line but they frequently sell out by 1 p.m.

You can find yoga classes just about anywhere in Tulum, be it on a rooftop studio or the beach. Ah, but the real question is: “Have you ever attempted the famous downward-facing dog position while simultaneously floating on a board in the ocean? Standup paddleboard yoga (SUP) is sure to add an edge to your standard sun salutation and usual vinyasa flow. This practice is both calming and yet challenging. You experience the beauty of the water while peacefully balancing your body, mind, and spirit.  

If you like a little bit of exercise, bicycling is both a very affordable and efficient way to travel here. Numerous shops will rent you a bike for anywhere from 100 to 500 pesos a day (about $5.00 to $25.00). Furthermore, a number of the hotels and rental properties here offer guests bike rentals for free. Biking is cheaper than taking taxis everywhere and you get to feel the breeze as you ride through the streets too. 

Exploring the beauty and mysticism of cenotes always makes the top ten things to do in Mexico lists. These awesome archeological sites are essentially sinkholes filled with freshwater that are the result of collapsed limestone. The Yucatán Peninsula is the home of more than 6,000 cenotes.

Whether they’re expansive lagoons or underground caves, they are all waiting to be explored. Perhaps the most popular cenote in Tulum is Gran Cenote. It’s an open-air cenote complete with caverns, caves, and crystal-clear water just perfect for scuba diving and snorkeling. Explore Cenote Choo-Ha and Cenote Dos Ojos (Two Eyes) too.

This quiet getaway was once one of the best-kept secrets in Tulum. Laguna Kaan Luum is also a large cenote but it’s never as crowded as the previously mentioned “top three’ cenotes. The water here is a crystalline blue that changes its shade as the water becomes deeper. You can dive into the water from the pier but be careful as it’s only waist-deep in some places. If you’d rather just cool off and relax then hang out in one of the on-site hammocks.

Tulum’s most popular public beach is Playa Paraíso. But why not kick things up a notch with the comforts of an official beach club? Tulum’s beautiful beach clubs offer the opportunity to rent daybeds or even cabanas where you can eat, drink and do absolutely nothing.  

Some beach clubs have no entry fee. Others charge a minimal fee and/or require you to spend a minimum amount of money ranging anywhere from $10.00 to 160.00 USD. The more pricey beach clubs provide you with access to spa areas, pools, restaurants, rental boats, and other facilities.

Tulum is more than beautiful beaches and verdant jungle. Tulum actually has two sections: pueblo, or town, and playa or beach. When you’ve had enough sun, go downtown. Experience the local flavor. Visit the little shops, dine at the assorted eateries, and feel good about saving some money since the prices in town are generally less than those charged at the places on the beach road.

Supporting feminists was never so tasty!  Eat out at the only restaurant in Tulum owned by a woman. It’s called Wild Tulum. Located in the jungle, it comes complete with dim mood lighting, lush vegetation, and the scent of copal.

The atmosphere is both seductive and serene so it’s perfect for both a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. They offer a nine-course tasting menu with internationally-inspired dishes. Don’t forget to sample one of their signature cocktails like the No Mames or the Hayaté.

Tulum is perfect for picture-taking. There’s architecture inspired by nature, crystal clear turquoise water, and pristine beaches too. Grab your camera and check out the wooden-fanned entrance of Mia Restaurant & Beach Club on the beach road. Get that nigh-iconic shot in front of the popular art installation Ven a la Luz (in English Come into the Light). Other Instagramable photo ops include the famous swings at Matcha Mama and the little roadside hut. There’s also the memorable sign reminding you to “Follow That Dream” in front of the lovely Lolita Lolita Boutique Tulum.

Another must-do here is seeing the Tulum Ruins. They’re located high upon the cragged cliffs above the sparkling Caribbean. This is one of the only walled cities constructed by the Mayans and the sole settlement they built on a beach.  

Pack your bathing suits and towels for this trip so that after exploring the ruins you can take a dip and refresh yourself and see the ruins from the sea. Visit the noteworthy Cobá ruins as well. If you’re lucky, the COVID restrictions will be lifted and you will be able to climb to the very top of the ruins again. Regardless, be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds.

Tulum offers something for water sports aficionados and adventurous adrenaline junkies as well. Catch a wave on a cool kitesurfing trip. Tulum has great water temperatures and weather conditions for it.

Need a lesson? Tulum has multiple kitesurfing schools offering lessons.Feeling less athletic? Look to the skies for the colorful kites as you chill on the beach and watch the others doing it.  

Whether you’re walking along the beach road or strolling through Centro Historico, Tulum has more than its fair share of boutiques and assorted artisanal shops. You can purchase luxury home goods, Mexican art and handicrafts, and even beach-chic clothing that may lead to a total revamp of your wardrobe. Seek out those one-of-a-kind, special things that will always remind you of your terrific time in Tulum.

Dine on the culinary creations of world-famous chefs in a setting inspired by nature. There are a number of different restaurants within the heart of the verdant jungles of Tulum. The architecture incorporates nature and the surroundings are undeniably intimate.

If you’re looking for a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine with a more modern twist, then head to NÜ restaurant. It’s often listed as one of Quintana Roo’s top dining establishments. To partake of dishes that have more of an old Tulum vibe, sit down for dinner at the popular, farm-to-table restaurant called Kitchen Table. If you would care to eat at a more inventive place, head for Arca Tulum, where open-fire cooking is standard, and the small dishes feature big flavors.

Enjoy a meal at Kin Toh and take in the amazing 360-degree views there above the towering treetops of the lush Mayan jungle. This romantic restaurant offers diners a contemporary “avant-garde Mayan-Mexican cuisine.” In fact, you can even dine in a private nest all your own.

Kin Toh is reputed to be one of the best restaurants on the attractive Azulik resort property. Tseen Ja also offers travelers nests. Their cuisine is the result of Mexican ingredients prepared with Far East cooking techniques. Stop and see the memorable revolving exhibitions on display in the contemporary art museum there as well.

Prepare to bare it all! Yes, Mexico is actually a hoppin’ hotspot for nudists or naturists who want to strip off their clothes and go au naturel. If you’re open to nude things and would like to uncover the naked truth, Intima is the place to be. It’s a clothing-optional resort where you can bare if you dare in a reportedly “judgment-free atmosphere.” You can book accommodations here at this discreet disrobed resort or just buy a day pass for under $30.00 and simply spend the day being bare and carefree.

Ah, but lest we forget, sunny Tulum also offers visitors a vibrant nightlife complete with an eclectic assortment of music, cocktails, and fun. Batey Mojito & Guarapo Bar is one of those trendy, quirky theme bars highlighted by “infamous” mojitos and a variety of everything from mariachi to electronic music. Gitano has a live DJ on Friday nights, the poppin’ Papaya Playa Project is famous for its full moon parties, and do Salsa Night Sundays at the well-known La Zebra Hotel. No matter what kind of music you enjoy, Tulum’s got a place for you.